Health Sciences

Master of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Analysis)

The Master of Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Analysis is a postgraduate programme that prepares pharmacists for advanced practice in pharmaceutical quality control, analytical methods, and quality assurance. The programme combines analytical chemistry with pharmaceutical science and regulatory compliance.

Core areas include pharmaceutical analysis, instrumental analysis, quality control, quality assurance, drug testing, analytical method development, pharmaceutical standards, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both analytical theory and practical laboratory application in pharmaceutical settings.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi. UoN is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time mode. The programme includes a twelve-week industry placement before proceeding to the second year of research.

Students develop competencies in pharmaceutical analysis, instrumental techniques, quality control laboratory management, analytical method development, pharmaceutical standards compliance, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, seminars, industry placement, examinations, and thesis.

UoN charges approximately KES 397,500/year (total KES 795,000 over 2 years). Entry requires a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree, registration with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and completion of one year of internship.

Graduates pursue careers as pharmaceutical analysts, quality control managers, quality assurance officers, analytical research scientists, regulatory affairs officers, and lecturers in pharmaceutical analysis and quality control.

Skills Required

Pharmaceutical Analysis and Instrumental Techniques
Quality Control Laboratory Management
Analytical Method Development and Validation
Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and GMP
Chromatographic Techniques (HPLC, GC)
Spectroscopic Techniques (UV-Vis, IR, AAS)
Drug Testing and Compendial Methods
Pharmaceutical Standards and Pharmacopoeial Compliance
Research Methods in Pharmaceutical Analysis
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Pharmaceutical Analysis and Instrumental Techniques
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Chromatographic Methods (HPLC, GC, TLC)
Spectroscopic Methods (UV-Vis, IR, AAS, NMR)
Analytical Method Development and Validation
Pharmacopoeial Standards and Compendial Methods
Pharmaceutical GMP and Regulatory Compliance
Research Methods in Pharmaceutical Analysis
Drug Stability and Degradation Studies
Thesis Research

Certifications

PPB Specialist Registration
KEBS Laboratory Certification

Specializations

Chromatographic Analysis

Focuses on chromatographic techniques, covering HPLC, GC, TLC, chromatographic method development, and managing chromatographic analysis.

Spectroscopic Analysis

Examines spectroscopic techniques, covering UV-Vis, IR, AAS, NMR, mass spectrometry, and managing spectroscopic analysis.

Quality Control Management

Covers quality control, covering QC laboratory management, QC testing, QC documentation, and managing quality control operations.

Quality Assurance and GMP

Focuses on quality assurance, covering GMP, quality systems, QA documentation, audits, and managing quality assurance programmes.

Analytical Method Development

Examines method development, covering method validation, method development, method transfer, and managing analytical method development.

Regulatory Analysis

Covers regulatory analysis, covering pharmacopoeial methods, regulatory testing, regulatory submissions, and managing regulatory analysis.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 397,500
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 10 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Pharmaceutical Analysis and Instrumental Techniques
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Chromatographic Methods (HPLC, GC, TLC)
Spectroscopic Methods (UV-Vis, IR, AAS, NMR)
Analytical Method Development and Validation
Pharmacopoeial Standards and Compendial Methods
Pharmaceutical GMP and Regulatory Compliance
Research Methods in Pharmaceutical Analysis
Drug Stability and Degradation Studies
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Pharmaceutical Analysis and Instrumental Techniques
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines analytical methods, instrumental techniques, drug testing, compendial methods, and managing pharmaceutical analysis.
Chromatographic Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers HPLC, GC, TLC, chromatographic theory, chromatographic method development, and managing chromatographic analysis.
Spectroscopic Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines UV-Vis, IR, AAS, NMR, mass spectrometry, spectroscopic theory, and managing spectroscopic analysis.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers QC laboratory management, QC testing, GMP, quality systems, QA documentation, and managing quality control and assurance.
Analytical Method Development and Validation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines method development, method validation, method transfer, validation parameters, and managing analytical method development.
Pharmacopoeial Standards and Compendial Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers pharmacopoeial standards, compendial methods, pharmacopoeial compliance, pharmacopoeial testing, and managing pharmacopoeial standards.
Pharmaceutical GMP and Regulatory Compliance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines GMP, quality systems, regulatory compliance, regulatory inspections, and managing GMP compliance.
Drug Stability and Degradation Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers drug stability, degradation pathways, stability testing, stability studies, and managing drug stability programmes.
Research Methods in Pharmaceutical Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting pharmaceutical analysis research, preparing students for their thesis.
Industry Placement
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Twelve-week industry placement in a pharmaceutical quality control laboratory or manufacturing facility, providing practical experience in pharmaceutical analysis.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal and thesis, including research design, literature review, methodology, and presentation.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a pharmaceutical analysis topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and analytical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Chromatographic Analysis
Focuses on chromatographic techniques, covering HPLC, GC, TLC, chromatographic method development, and managing chromatographic analysis.
Spectroscopic Analysis
Examines spectroscopic techniques, covering UV-Vis, IR, AAS, NMR, mass spectrometry, and managing spectroscopic analysis.
Quality Control Management
Covers quality control, covering QC laboratory management, QC testing, QC documentation, and managing quality control operations.
Quality Assurance and GMP
Focuses on quality assurance, covering GMP, quality systems, QA documentation, audits, and managing quality assurance programmes.
Analytical Method Development
Examines method development, covering method validation, method development, method transfer, and managing analytical method development.
Regulatory Analysis
Covers regulatory analysis, covering pharmacopoeial methods, regulatory testing, regulatory submissions, and managing regulatory analysis.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MPharm in Pharmaceutical Analysis programme combines lectures, laboratory practicals, seminars, industry placement, and independent study. Sessions cover pharmaceutical analysis, instrumental techniques, quality control, and quality assurance. Pharmaceutical analysis sessions examine analytical methods, compendial methods, drug testing, and managing pharmaceutical analysis. Instrumental analysis sessions cover HPLC, GC, UV-Vis, IR, AAS, NMR, mass spectrometry, and managing instrumental analysis. Quality control sessions cover QC laboratory management, QC testing, QC documentation, specifications, and managing quality control operations. Quality assurance sessions cover GMP, quality systems, QA documentation, audits, and managing quality assurance programmes. Method development sessions cover method validation, method development, method transfer, and managing analytical method development. Pharmacopoeial sessions cover pharmacopoeial standards, compendial methods, pharmacopoeial compliance, and managing pharmacopoeial testing. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory practicals provide hands-on experience with HPLC, GC, spectroscopy, dissolution testing, and laboratory techniques. The twelve-week industry placement provides practical experience in a pharmaceutical quality control laboratory or pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in pharmaceutical analysis. Guest lectures from experienced pharmaceutical analysts, QC managers, and regulatory professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a pharmaceutical analysis topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for pharmaceutical analysts in Kenya's growing pharmaceutical industry and regulatory sector.
Programme includes twelve-week industry placement, providing practical experience in pharmaceutical laboratories.
Programme combines analytical chemistry with pharmaceutical science, providing specialised and versatile skills.
UoN is a well-established pharmacy training institution with strong industry and regulatory links.

Against it

UoN fees are high at approximately KES 397,500/year (total KES 795,000).
Programme is offered by only one university (UoN), limiting institutional choice.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires a BPharm degree and PPB registration, limiting access to qualified pharmacists only.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public187k to 398k

187k at Moi University398k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Public: Moi 187K, UoN 398K/yr (pharmacy.uonbi.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. PPB may provide training support for pharmacy professionals. FIP may provide training support for pharmacists. Some pharmaceutical companies may sponsor analysts for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
PPB Training Support
FIP Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
PPB Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Pharmacy and Poisons Board supports training for pharmacy professionals specialising in pharmaceutical analysis.
FIP Training Support
GrantKsh 250,000
International Pharmaceutical Federation provides training support for pharmacists in developing countries.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Applicants must hold a BPharm degree, be registered with PPB, and have completed one year of internship. Contact UoN for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, problem sets, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering pharmaceutical analysis, instrumental techniques, quality control, quality assurance, and pharmacopoeial standards.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical50% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, instrumental analysis, method development projects, industry placement assessment, and demonstrating analytical skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a pharmaceutical analysis topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and analytical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). University of Nairobi (public) offers MPharm in Pharmaceutical Analysis. The programme meets CUE and PPB standards for postgraduate pharmacy training. Graduates are eligible for PPB specialist registration, KEBS laboratory certification, and KPA professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). University of Nairobi (public) offers MPharm in Pharmaceutical Analysis. The programme meets CUE and PPB standards for postgraduate pharmacy training. Graduates are eligible for PPB specialist registration, KEBS laboratory certification, and KPA professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Pharmaceutical Analyst
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages pharmaceutical analysis in laboratories, overseeing drug testing, analytical methods, and managing analytical services.
Quality Control Manager
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 700,000
Manages quality control in pharmaceutical companies, overseeing QC testing, QC laboratory operations, and managing quality control.
Quality Assurance Officer
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 650,000
Manages quality assurance programmes, overseeing GMP compliance, quality systems, audits, and managing quality assurance.
Analytical Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 650,000
Conducts analytical research, overseeing method development, method validation, research design, and managing analytical research.
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 650,000
Manages regulatory affairs in pharmaceutical companies, overseeing drug registration, regulatory compliance, and managing regulatory submissions.
Pharmaceutical Analysis Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 550,000
Teaches pharmaceutical analysis at university level, overseeing instruction, research, laboratory supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

HPLC System
EquipmentPrimary
High-performance liquid chromatography system for pharmaceutical analysis, covering drug analysis, method development, and managing analytical testing.
GC-MS System
Equipment
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system for pharmaceutical analysis, covering compound identification, quantification, and managing analytical data.
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
Equipment
UV-Vis spectrophotometer for pharmaceutical analysis, covering drug quantification, dissolution testing, and managing spectrophotometric analysis.
Dissolution Tester
Equipment
Dissolution tester for drug release testing, covering dissolution testing, drug release profiles, and managing dissolution studies.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Pharmaceutical analysis is just about testing drugs.
Pharmaceutical analysis covers comprehensive analytical science including method development, validation, quality systems, regulatory compliance, and research.
This programme is only for those working in laboratories.
Pharmaceutical analysis skills are valuable in quality control, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, research, manufacturing, and academia.
Pharmaceutical analysis has limited career prospects.
With growing pharmaceutical industry and regulatory requirements, demand for qualified pharmaceutical analysts is increasing in Kenya.
Quality control and quality assurance are the same thing.
Quality control focuses on testing and inspection, while quality assurance covers comprehensive quality systems, processes, and compliance.
Analytical method development is just about following procedures.
Method development requires scientific creativity, problem-solving, and deep understanding of analytical chemistry and pharmaceutical science.
This programme is only for pharmacists.
While a BPharm degree is required, the skills are applicable across pharmaceutical, chemical, and regulatory sectors.