Course Summary
The Full-Time Master of Engineering Science (MEngSc) in Engineering in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Systems is a unique offering of the discipline of Process and Chemical Engineering designed to provide participants with an advanced qualification related to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical processing.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a BE (Hons) or BEng (Hons) Degree or equivalent engineering qualification, with a minimum Second Class Honours Grade I, or a level 8 BSc degree, with a minimum grade Second Class Honours Grade I, where the BSc graduate has a recognised qualification in Process or Chemical Engineering (e.g. the Diploma in Process and Chemical Engineering at UCC or equivalent). However, applicants with equivalent academic qualifications and suitable experience may be accepted subject to the approval of the Programme Director under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). In all cases, the course of study for each applicant must be approved by the Programme Director.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Application Details
Closing Date
Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Start Date: 8th September 2025
Fees
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Career Progression
Over the past two decades, Ireland has established itself as a global leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and has been tremendously successful in attracting multinational companies to establish manufacturing operations across the country.
The Irish pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry remains highly advanced, employing latest technology, state-of-the-art techniques and equipment and following strict quality control procedures. The pharmaceutical industry in Ireland is a world leader in offering products and services, from research and development for new medicines to the manufacturing and marketing of new medicines for humans and animals.
Ireland is now home to more than 85 biopharmaceutical sites and 9 of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies have substantial operations in Ireland. Around 60% of all exports from Ireland is contributed to the Biopharmaceutical industry which is directly employing over 25,000 people. Ireland is now the largest net exporter of pharmaceuticals in the EU accounting for over 50% of all exports from the country.
Cork has established itself as a thriving industrial hub, boasting a resilient and diverse economy with more than 190 multinational firms operating in clusters across the technology, financial services, cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals and life sciences sectors. Cork’s Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences sector continues to grow rapidly, exemplified by the investment of over €10 billion in new facilities over the last decade. Seven of the ten of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies including Janssen, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Merck/MSD, Novartis, and Thermo Fisher Scientific are based in Cork, more specifically around the Cork Harbour Region. In total there are now over thirty pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries operating in Cork with a workforce of over 10,000.
The 2024 EGFSN report on Skills for Biopharma suggests the continued expansion of this sector, primarily driven by jobs in manufacturing, followed by jobs in the services sector.
What sort of jobs would this course prepare me for?
This programme will prepare candidates for wide range of jobs in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors including manufacturing roles and roles associated with process and facility design and optimisation and project management. On successful completion of the programme, the candidate should able to work in a highly regulated pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sector taking account of environmental, health and safety and risk factors, and know how to apply relevant codes of practice, industry standards and emerging practices and technologies.