By: Claire Wilson BSc. Last Updated: March 2024

GetReskilled’s BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Product Manufacturing is a truly unique degree option that’s ideal for mature students.

The structure and course delivery methods were specifically designed to meet the needs of mature students and it’s worth taking some time to really understand what the pathway to getting this degree looks like…

At a glance:

• 5 modules (1 moving at “class pace”)
• 60 credits
• Lock in your University Certificate (Level 4) at the end of this year

We have multiple start dates throughout the year so each student’s “Year 1” begins in the month they start their first module.

In this first year you’ll study 5 modules:

• Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technologies
• Writing Skills
• Pharmaceutical Facility Design
• Job Hunting Skills / Career Development Skills
• Fundamentals of Chemistry for the Pharmaceutical Industry

The writing skills module is studied during the assignment writing phase of module 1 (and it will help you to get a better mark in that, and all following assignments).

The Fundamentals of Chemistry for the Pharmaceutical Industry module is run as a class group over 10-weeks, twice per year. This is the only module in first year where you do not have control over the pace of your course and you must keep up with the standard class pace.

Depending on your start date relative to the next scheduled Fundamentals of Chemistry for the Pharmaceutical Industry module, we may rearrange the order of the other modules so you’re ready for the start of the chemistry module at the right time.

Once you’ve completed module 1 (Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technologies), each module is standalone so there are no issues with shuffling the order within a year if necessary.

You have total flexibility in studying the other modules. (Click on this link to read more about what “total flexibility” really looks like when you study this programme with us).

Not only can you choose when and where to study throughout each week, you can also speed up or slow down delivery to match changes in your schedule throughout the year.

In total, there are 42 weeks of study at a standard pace (which is approx 15 hours per week).

We try to ensure that students get a minimum of 2 weeks holiday over Christmas and 4 weeks holiday through the summer but that obviously depends on the pace you’ve chosen to study at throughout the rest of the year.

After successfully completing these 5 modules, you will be awarded a Level 4 “University Certificate in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Product Manufacturing” from the University of South Wales.

Award of this certificate is what makes you eligible to enter year 2 of the programme.

This is also a standalone award – you are effectively “locking in” your progress at this point. If you decided to take a break here, you could return to your studies at a later date and re enter the programme exactly where you left off. There is no expiry on this award, no one can ever take that achievement away and it will always be valid for re entry into year 2 of this programme.

As a mature student, this is essentially an insurance policy. Life has a funny habit of “getting in the way” when it’s least convenient. With this structure in place, you’ve got the very best chance of getting to the end of your degree, even if it does.

At a glance:

• 3 modules (1 moving at “class pace”)
• 60 credits
• Lock in your Higher University Certificate (Level 5) at the end of this year

You’ll study 3 modules in this year:

• Commissioning & Qualification of Equipment and Systems
• Planning a Validation Strategy
• Project Management and Techniques for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Project Management and Techniques for the Pharmaceutical Industry is the only module run at “class pace” this year. It is run twice every year and takes 10 weeks.

Similar to first year, the order of modules may be rearranged to make sure you are ready for the class paced module at the right time.

The 3 modules are a total of 35 weeks of standard paced study time (approx 15 hours per week). Again, with the 2 flexible modules, you can speed up or slow down the pace to suit your other commitments.

Similar to first year, we try to make sure that students get a minimum of 2 weeks holiday over Christmas and 4 weeks holiday through the summer but the pace you choose to study will ultimately be the deciding factor in that.

After successfully completing the 3 modules this year, you will be awarded a Level 5 “Higher University Certificate in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Product Manufacturing” from the University of South Wales.

This provides you eligibility into the next year of the programme but also “locks away” your progress. You could take a break here if circumstances meant you had to, and you’d be able to return to your studies at a later date, progressing into 3rd year.

At a glance:

• 3 modules (1 moving at “class pace”)
• 60 credits

You’ll study 3 modules in this year:

• Design and Operation of Cleanrooms
• Regulations for the Manufacture of Combination and Device Products
• Mathematics and Statistics for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Mathematics and Statistics for the Pharmaceutical Industry is the only module run at “class pace” this year. It is only run once per year and takes 10 weeks.

You have total flexibility while studying the other modules – you can study when/where you want and can speed up/slow down delivery to compliment your other commitments throughout the year.

If studying at a standard pace (approx 15 hours per week), there are 35 weeks of study in total this year.

Again, the order of modules may be rearranged to make sure you are ready for the class paced module at the right time.

We’ll try to make sure you get at least 2 weeks holiday over Christmas and 4 weeks off during the summer, but you’re the one ultimately in charge of that as you decide the pace of study.

With these 3 modules successfully completed, you will be eligible to move into the 4th and final year of your degree programme.

At a glance:

• 3 modules (1 moving at “class pace”)
• 60 credits
• Graduate with your BSc (Hons) at the end of this year

You’ll study 3 modules in this year:

• Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Safety for the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Process Development and Technology Transfer
• From URS to PQ – A practical validation strategy

Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Safety for the Pharmaceutical Industry is the only module run at “class pace” this year. It is only run once per year and takes 10 weeks.

You will, again, have total flexibility while studying the other modules (both studying within the week and controlling the pace throughout the year).

When studying at a standard pace (approx 15 hours per week), there are 35 weeks of study in total this year.

The order of modules may be rearranged to make sure you are ready for the class paced module at the right time.

Similar to the previous years, we’ll try to make sure you get at least 2 weeks holiday over Christmas and 4 weeks off during the summer, but that will ultimately depend on the pace you choose to study at.

With these last 3 modules successfully completed, you will have completed your BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Product Manufacturing!

You will be invited to an in-person graduation ceremony at the University of South Wales.

If you’re ready to take your first step towards finally getting your BSc (Hons) degree, we’re ready and waiting to help…

• Head on over to this page and click the big red button that says “Apply Now”
• Fill in a few basic contact details on the online form that opens up.
• You’ll receive some more information via email and a member of our admissions team will telephone you within 24 hours (Monday to Friday) to answer any questions you have.
• You’ll then receive a link to the online registration form.
• Once you complete that, we’ll review your submission and offer interviews to applicants successful at this stage. (NOTE: You will need to provide a copy of your CV/Resume during the application process. You can either submit it online as part of the registration form, or later during the interview)
• Interviews will be scheduled for the week after the application deadline and consist of 2 parts:
  • A written interview – you’ll have several days to consider your answers and complete an interview document
  • A telephone interview – you’ll talk directly with one of our course coordinators. This conversation is just as much about you making sure the programme is right for you as us making sure you’re a good fit for the programme.
• After we’ve completed all interviews, offers will be sent out to successful candidates via email. Candidates will then have 24 hours to accept the offer.

(Please note: Non-native English speakers may also need to take a Duolingo, IELTS, TOFEL or equivalent language test for this course, and submit the results to GetReskilled.)

You can always contact us or click on the blue circle at the bottom of the screen on this page if you’ve got any questions – we look forward to hearing from you!