Overview
This course is delivered by academic and industry experts, and you can choose to study full-time or part-time. Either way, you’ll get to do a week-long in-person module at the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training.
During the course, you’ll learn more about the conceptual and factual bases for bioprocess design and operation. You’ll also gain a deep understanding of bioprocessing, particularly the structures, roles and experimental methods associated with biopharmaceuticals, as well as study production methods and technology for bioprocess monitoring and control.
Grow your skills with an award-winning course
DCU's School of Biotechnology delivers this award winning course in conjunction with Trinity College's School of Pharmacy, the National Institute for Bioprocess Research and Training, and several external industry experts. The programme is delivered through in-person lectures and class attendance, although not mandatory, is expected and highly recommended.
As a graduate, you’ll have a thorough understanding of best practice in Ireland’s rapidly-growing biopharmaceutical sector. And you’ll be highly sought after for roles in the biopharmaceutical, pharma, chemical and brewing industries.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
As a MSc graduate you will be able to further your career with a thorough understanding of best-practice in Ireland's rapidly-growing biopharmaceutical industry.
This is a highly skilled sector and graduates are in demand by all companies in the biopharmaceutical industry. It will also help you to advance your career with your current employer.
"DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path."
Entry Requirements
This programme is targeted at industry based students or anyone who wishes to move from small molecule manufacturing to bio-pharma. For example, in cases where a student has more than three years industry experience in a related field.
- The programme will be open to fresh graduates and those currently working in industry with an honours degree (minimum second class honours grade 2) in Science or Engineering.
- Applicants who do not hold an honours degree but have significant relevant industrial experience will also be considered, and should contact the Programme Chair to discuss this before applying.
- Candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about DCU's English language requirements can be found here.
Programme Structure
This course has been designed to:
- Update and upgrade the knowledge, understanding and skills of graduates who are interested in pursuing or are currently working in the Biopharmaceutical industry.
- Retrain graduates working in related disciplines by providing advanced level modules in the theory, analysis design and practical methodology of the rapidly evolving subjects that are associated with this sector.
Part-time students: Part-time students can complete the course anytime within a four year period, however we recommend that you take the course over two years.
To complete the course within this time-frame, you should take three taught modules each semester and complete the dissertation project during a summer semester.
The dissertation module opens during March each year, you may start it on the completion of six taught modules.
All taught modules are self-contained and independent of each other. You may choose modules in any order you wish, however we recommend taking BE517, BE515, BE587 & BE560 in the first year as they offer a grounding in the course.
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
To apply for this programme:
- All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
- Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.
- If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.
Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until:
- Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2025.
- Closing date for EU applicants is 30th August 2025.
Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.
All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.
Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2025.
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.
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