Programme details

Master of Drug Discovery and Development – MDDD

Expand your understanding beyond your science degree by acquiring comprehensive knowledge of the intricate processes integral to drug discovery, design, and development.

Course description

Gain the skills needed to develop therapeutics for enhancing human or animal health through this unique, intensive one-year taught program in New Zealand.

This program merges biological sciences with chemistry, equipping you to target, design, synthesize, create, and evaluate new drugs. Learn to identify drug targets and transform them into new therapeutics. Develop expertise in protecting intellectual property, assessing the financial viability of drugs, and navigating pre-clinical and clinical trial processes.

Customize your studies to match your strengths, interests, and career aspirations. You’ll acquire both academic and practical skills that align closely with industry demands.

The Master of Drug Discovery and Development is ideal for capable students with a background in chemistry or related sciences, such as biochemistry, biomedical science, pharmacy, or pharmacology.

Immigration benefits

This course qualifies for 5 points if applying for residency under the Skilled Migrant Category.

This course may qualify for the following visa rights:
In-study work rights
Partner visitor rights
Partner work rights
Post-study work rights

Career Prospects

Develop the comprehensive skills necessary for a career in drug discovery within companies, universities, research institutes, or drug regulatory authorities. Graduates of this program have found success in various areas, including commercial pharmaceutical drug development, veterinary therapeutics, patent assessment, and further research through PhD studies. They also contribute to government, research, and commercial organizations, demonstrating the versatile and impactful nature of this qualification.

Entry requirements

To qualify for admission into this program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

– Hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a relevant life-science subject such as Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, or Pharmacology, with an average grade of B+.
– Obtain acceptance from the program director, demonstrating capability to proceed with the proposed course of study.

EL requirement (any one of the following)
– IELTS (Academic): Minimum overall score of 6.5, with no sub-score below 6.0
– TOEFL (Internet-based test): Minimum score of 90, with at least 20 in writing
– Pearson Test of English: Minimum score of 58, with a ‘Communicative’ score of no less than 50
– EAP: Minimum final scores of 4, 4, 5, 5
– Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176 or higher, with each skill score no less than 169
– New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL): Level 5 (Academic)
– NZAPA: English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 3, with no skill lower than Level 2