Master’s Degree Programme in Drug Discovery and Development
Study in Finland’s top city for drug innovations! We train experts for the whole chain of drug development – from molecules to regulations.
Student Experience from the Master's Degree Programme in Drug Discovery and Development
University of Turku is part of the Finland’s leading Hub for pharmaceutical innovation. We offer a unique opportunity to become a key contributor to the global pharmaceutical field. The programme provides students with comprehensive expertise across the entire drug development pipeline, from molecular discovery to marketing approval. The proximity of major Finnish pharma industry enables valuable internship opportunities, expert-led lectures, and strong career prospects upon graduation.
The studies in Drug Discovery and Development give students a deep understanding of up-to-date methods applied to identify and validate new drug targets, design novel drug modalities and conduct clinical trials. Students also master knowledge of drug regulatory science, pharmacovigilance, and biostatistics, ensuring a strong foundation in both scientific and regulatory aspects of drug development.
After graduation, you master drug discovery and development processes as well as procedures applied in drug regulatory science. You will also be familiar with the role of drug regulatory authorities during the life span of a drug. You will have comprehensive skills to work in the field of biomedicine and drug discovery in companies, universities, research institutes or drug regulatory authorities. The programme also provides a good foundation for those interested in entrepreneurship, or continuing academic post-graduate training at the University of Turku Drug Research and Diagnostic Doctoral Programme which aims to prepare highly qualified experts for careers in research and other professional fields.
The University of Turku fosters students' professional growth and global perspective by promoting internships and student exchanges.
Programme in brief
See the Study Plan of Drug Discovery and Development for 2024–2027 >
Click to enlarge the image describing the programme structure for the Master's Degree Programme in Drug Discovery and Development:
Does this page answer your questions about the programme's content and academic matters? If not, contact med-mdp@utu.fi.
Turku is a great place to study drug discovery and development! Of the Finnish drug innovations, 90 percent have been made in Turku. Moreover, the Finnish Drug Discovery Center is located in Turku. To support the future discoveries, the University of Turku has chosen drug development as one of its strategic profiling areas.
Our University is internationally recognized for its excellence in biosciences and medicine. Students benefit from a compact and collaborative campus environment and a university hospital work together to foster innovation in translational medicine, disease modeling, and biomedical imaging. The proximity of major Finnish pharma industry enables valuable internship opportunities, expert-led lectures, and strong career prospects upon graduation.
Research focus is on translational medicine, disease modelling, and biomedical imaging. Available research infrastructures include the world famous Turku PET Centre and Turku Centre for Disease Modeling, both of which offer services for drug development research.
Turku also has the largest cluster of pharma industry in Finland. Nearby companies not only provide experts for visiting lectures, but also create internship and job opportunities for the graduates.
The Master’s thesis project is a hands-on research project conducted in real world laboratory settings in the guidance of a supervisor. Students agree on a topic with their supervisors, develop a research plan, carry out experimental work, analyze results, and reporting their findings in the form of a scientific article – thesis project report. They also practice science communication by presenting their work in seminars, writing a press release, and participating in peer review discussions with fellow students providing valuable transferrable skills for working life.
Examples of past thesis topics:
- Drug development for receptor antagonists and their potential in treating cognitive disorders
- Pharmacological characterization of ion channels
- Optimization of Microfluidics Encapsulation with Nanoprecipitation for Controlled Drug Delivery
- Diagnostics tools for coronary artery diseases – characterization of antibodies
- Modelling of schizophrenic disorders in rats
- The Effects of Melanocortin Signaling on Hypertrophic Responses in Cultured Cardiomyocytes
- RNA interference in HSV-virus treatment
- The use of positron emission tomography (PET) to measure the effect of disease modifying therapies in MS disease
- The iron-entry pores in Dps-like proteins as potential drug-design target: Structural investigations
Turku has longstanding research traditions in the field of biomedicine. Especially the areas of drug discovery, diagnostics, and biological and medical imaging represent the top level expertise of the University of Turku.
The Drug Discovery and Development has collaboration with the other programmes in the field of biomedical sciences at the Faculty of Medicine as well as at the Faculty of Technology, and also with the Åbo Akademi University.
The offered education is based on the true research strengths of the collaboration units:
- Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Turku
- Department of Biosciences at the Åbo Akademi University
Drug Discovery and Development programme is part of the BalticSeaBioMed network. The network brings together the Universities of Turku, Eastern Finland, Southern Denmark, Vilnius University, Åbo Akademi University and Karolinska Institutet to develop biomedical education in Nordic-Baltic countries. Students in Drug Discovery and Development have possibilities for course, internship and research project exchange in the partner universities.
Entry requirements
The academic backgrounds of admitted students vary, and previous studies do not always fully match the expected level of the programme. To support a smooth transition into Master's level studies, we offer students the opportunity to strengthen and broaden their subject-specific knowledge through supplementary Bachelor-level courses when needed. These studies are designed to build a strong foundation for later Master's studies. These supplementary studies can be included in the degree. The scope of supplementary studies is determined individually and cannot exceed 60 ECTS credits.
Career prospects
After completing the MDP Drug Discovery and Development, students can formulate and solve scientific problems and conduct independent research with confidence. They are skilled in critically reviewing scientific literature and producing high-quality scientific texts. They know how to apply computational methods to process biological and medical data and are equipped to work in global collaborative networks. The content of the programme is designed from a working life perspective, with the aim of training people for research and development both in academy and industry.
The specific learning outcomes of MDP Drug Discovery and Development track are:
- Student knows the main phases of the drug development process
- Student understands up-to-date methods and technological innovations applied to identify and validate new drug targets as well as screening novel molecules
- Student understands key steps in conducting clinical drug research and development, clinical trial design, study planning and biostatistics
- Student knows drug regulatory and pharmacovigilance processes
- Student knows the principles of responsible experimental animal research and ethical issues in medicine and research
Throughout the programme, students' professional growth and identity as well as work-life understanding are supported to allow mastering the transferable skills, like oral and written language and presentation skills, project/group work and professional identity.
Graduates of the programme are well-prepared to pursue careers in academia, industry, and regulatory agencies. They possess the skills needed to work in biomedicine and drug discovery, and the programme also provides a strong foundation for those interested in entrepreneurship.
Career paths for graduates include roles such as
- medical liaison
- medical writer
- regulatory consulting expert
- scientific/technical advisor
- research director
- project manager
- drug development pharmacologist
- university lecturer/researcher
The Master of Science degree qualifies graduates for PhD studies both in Finland and internationally. Graduates from the Drug Discovery and Development programme are eligible to apply for a position in the University of Turku Graduate School, UTUGS. The Graduate School consists of doctoral programmes, which cover all disciplines and doctoral candidates of the University.
Together with the doctoral programmes, the Graduate School provides systematic and high quality doctoral training. UTUGS aims to train highly qualified experts with the skills required for both professional career in research and other positions of expertise.
Several doctoral programmes at University of Turku are available for graduates:
Programme Director
