Clinical Trials MSc/PgDip/PgCert
Applications will open soon for September 2025 entry.
This MSc in Clinical Trials aims to deliver world-class training and practical experience in the key aspects of designing, conducting, and monitoring a clinical trial. This MSc integrates NHS partners and leading industrial collaborators.
- Academic contact: alisha.aman@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time
Why this programme
- Clinical Trials MSc programme content and collaborative input is unique to Scotland.
- Essential certifications, including Good Clinical Practice and Clinical Trial Management.
- Placements in clinical research groups, Glasgow Clinical Research Facility, and Clinical Trials Units.
- Opportunity to go to international conferences focused on clinical trials.
- Opportunity to work with contract research organisations (CROs).
- The programme will closely work with the NHS Clinical Research Facility, Clinical Trial Units, the Centre of Excellence for Clinical Trials (CETC, University of Glasgow), and academics within the University to provide a more practical experience to the students.
- The courses in this programme will also be developed in accordance with the guidelines provided by The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Health Research Authority (HRA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Programme structure
The programme structure is six core 20 credit courses and a 60-credit project.
Course titles
[to be confirmed following academic approval]
- INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL TRIAL TYPES AND DESIGN
- HOW TO CONDUCT AND MONITOR A CLINICAL TRIAL
- MEDICAL ETHICS AND REGULATIONS FOR CLINICAL TRIALS
- CLINICAL TRIAL DATA MANAGEMENT
- CLINICAL TRIAL MANAGEMENT
- INTERPRETATION AND COMMUNICATION OF TRIAL FINDINGS.
The taught sessions will comprise of lectures, tutorials, workshops, guest speakers, interactive sessions, problem-based learning, blended learning, tours, certified training courses.
Hybrid format (two online courses and four face to face courses).
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
Employment prospects comprise a multitude of sectors, including academia, the public and non-profit health sectors and industry including pharmaceutical and biotech companies and CROs.
- Clinical research: Clinical Trial managers, administrators, research associates.
- Quality Assurance and Control: Clinical Trial monitors, QA managers, Pharmacovigilance.
- Data management: Clinical data managers.
- Regulatory affairs: global regulatory lead, information management associate, executive roles.
- Medical affairs: Chief and Principal Investigators, medical liaison, medical communications, and writing.
- Product development and medical devices.
Entry requirements
2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in a related subject area. Professional experience and 2:2 Honours degree with strong subject specific expertise may also be considered.
This programme would primarily target life science or medical science graduates. Students with an interest in clinical trials who have a background in medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacology, sports sciences, or pharmacy may also be interested. In exceptional circumstances, other science graduates or bioscience graduates may be eligible on demonstration of appropriate postgraduate professional experience.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
- IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 7
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 6.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
