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Cosmetic Science MSc

Develop in-depth specialist knowledge and advanced skills in the areas of design, formulation, and manufacture of cosmetic products in a programme that also considers business and intellectual property aspects crucial for innovation and entrepreneurship in the industry.

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That鈥檚 why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

Taught in the Leicester School of Pharmacy, the Cosmetic Science MSc programme will provide students with hands-on experience of practical skills and research methods used in the field of cosmetic science. Teaching is based around the needs of modern industry and provides graduates with ethical and environmental perspectives to enable them to thrive in evolving industry requirements. It is informed by the strong links with industry that we have developed in the School and provides students with a holistic insight into the cosmetics industry.

Our course is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career within the cosmetic science industry in areas such as formulation, manufacture, marketing, regulatory affairs or academia. Graduates will be well-rounded cosmetic scientists who are not only knowledgeable and skilled but also ethical, adaptable, and effective communicators, ready to contribute to the ever-evolving cosmetic industry - whether by joining established companies or pursuing their own entrepreneurial ventures.

Key features

  • Our reputation of more than 100 years’ pharmacy teaching ensures we produce graduates of the highest calibre.
  • 性吧电台 is one of only a handful of universities nationally offering a Cosmetic Science Masters programme.
  • International and UK students will benefit from this course and will have opportunities to progress to PhD study and globally relevant employment in the cosmetics industry sector.
  • Study a range of specialist modules allowing you to receive up-to-date insights on cosmetic formulation, manufacturing, and responsible innovation.
  • In addition to the core scientific components of the programme, you will also focus on the business and intellectual property aspects that are interwoven with cosmetic innovation and entrepreneurship to enable career progression.
  • Benefit from Block teaching, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one module at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance. 

Scholarships

性吧电台 offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries to help you realise your academic ambitions.

International student scholarships

Find out about available international scholarships or visit our fees and funding page for more information.

More courses like this:

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology MSc

Pharmaceutical Quality by Design MSc

性吧电台 has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

  • UK
  • EU/International

Start date: September

Course code: B29072

Duration: One year full-time 

Attendance: Attendance is up to 5 days per week. Average attendance is 16 hours per week

Fees and funding:

2025/26 full-time fees for UK students: To be confirmed

Find out more about postgraduate course fees and available funding.

Find out more about additional costs and optional extras associated with this course.

Please visit dmu.ac.uk/international for more information or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

 

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Start date: September

Course code: B29072

Duration: One year full-time

Location of study: 性吧电台 Leicester UK

Attendance: Attendance is up to 5 days per week. Average attendance is 16 hours per week

Fees and funding:

2025/26 full-time fees for international students: To be confirmed

Find out more about postgraduate course fees and available funding.

Find out more about additional costs and optional extras associated with this course.

Please visit dmu.ac.uk/international for more information or call us on +44 (0)116 2 50 60 70.

 

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

Typical entry requirements

2:2 or equivalent, in chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmacy, pharmaceutical science (or equivalent) or a portfolio of professional and / or academic qualifications of equivalent standing to an Honours degree.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it. 

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessment

Academic expertise

 

Course modules

Block 1: Fundamental Principles in Cosmetic Science (30 credits)

This module is designed to explore the relationship between the physiological properties of external body parts and the effect cosmetics has on them. This will be considered in a global context. The module will cover the principles of colloid science, the advanced applications of ‘structured’ formulations in cosmetic products and analysis of the safety and efficacy of preservatives in various cosmetic products. This module will also consider the application of colour theory and advanced rheology, its characterisation, and its relevance to the cosmetic industry.

Block 2: Design, Formulation and Manufacture of Cosmetic Products (30 credits)

The module seeks to provide students with tools and methodologies required to incorporate cosmetic ‘actives,’ interpret their mechanism of action and their physicochemical properties, including natural products. Quantitative evaluation of cosmetic formulations will be studied and critiqued. The factors that drive innovation in product design will be explored including sustainability, in line with the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). It will cover aspects of manufacturing including, but not limited to, scale up, equipment (bench top and large scale) and different forms of cosmetic products. 

Block 3: Cosmetics: Concept to Consumer (30 credits)

The module is designed to equip the students with a comprehensive understanding of cosmetic product lifecycle management; from inception to the hand of consumers. It will address qualitative evaluation of cosmetic products, and their development will be considered in the context of industry regulations, sustainability, and safety guidelines.

Block 4: Research and Innovation in Cosmetic Science (30 credits)

The module will introduce business creation and innovation across the sector. It will consider entrepreneurship and highlight emerging trends in the cosmetics industry. It will also consider the challenges of new product development and how fundamental research, and product development can address them. This module also aims to extend students' understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods, analysing quantitative data and the presentation of data in an accessible fashion. 

Block 5 and 6: Research Dissertation (60 credits)

The module will provide each student with the opportunity to conduct an independent research project in a topic aligned to Cosmetic Science. It will build on the students' knowledge of research methods and concepts.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Teaching and assessment

You will be expected to participate in an extensive programme of learning that will require full commitment and focus throughout your study.

The learning environment for the first four blocks of teaching is varied with

  • Lectures
  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • Laboratory-based practicals
  • Computer laboratories

You can expect to spend about a third of your directed study time working at the bench in our research laboratories. In the fifth and sixth blocks of teaching, the learning venue will depend on your dissertation topic and will be much more aimed at guided self-study.

Each module is assessed by coursework; a variety of assessment methods are used throughout the programme which are authentic to the role of an industrial cosmetic scientist. The assessments include practical reports, case study reports; oral and poster presentations and a final dissertation. 

Academic expertise

The course is taught by a dedicated team of experienced professionals, who bring valuable expertise to the classroom. The teaching staff consists of research-active practitioners and industrial experts who integrate both their academic and professional experience into the course. Additionally, the team is supported by visiting lecturers who are experts within the cosmetics industry. The teaching team draw on their research experience in cosmetic science to deliver a programme with a strong emphasis on innovation and product development. 

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
Placements
Placements
 

Health and Life Sciences facilities

Investment of £12 million in Health and Life Sciences has developed our first-class teaching and learning facilities to help you develop your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

In our laboratories, you will enhance your practical skills using technology and equipment for both formulation and characterization aligned to that used in Industry. Our labs are fully equipped to formulate solid, semisolid, and liquid products, as well as their analyse using tools such as  rheometers, texture analysers, viscometers, high-performance liquid chromatography, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy Additionally, you will gain hands-on experience with skin characterisation techniques (e.g., transepidermal water loss, elasticity, moisture content) and hair analysis methods (e.g., scanning electron microscopy, combability, hair tensile strength, and differential scanning calorimetry). 

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our , e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Learning Zone, Collaborate Ultra, 性吧电台 Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live , online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our , and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

性吧电台's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities 性吧电台 Careers Team
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Graduate careers

This course equips graduates with the relevant knowledge and skills to compete for jobs in cosmetic science and wider pharmaceutical sectors linked to industry or academia all over the world. Graduates will be well placed to enter the industry as technical specialists in the areas of cosmetic research and development; formulation, quality assurance and regulatory affairs or to set up their own business.

Our renowned undergraduate programme Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science BSc (Hons) has produced graduates that have joined nationally and internationally recognised companies such as AstraZeneca, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Reckitt. We anticipate that the Cosmetic Science M.Sc. programme will offer opportunities within these and other companies at a higher level.

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性吧电台 Global

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

 

Take your next steps

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