BA (Hons) In Pharmaceutical Business Operations

pharma
Type
Undergraduate
Duration
2 Years
Validated by
QQI
Mode
Blended Learning
Campus
Dublin Main Campus / Cork
NFQ Level
8
Apply Now Contact Us

Course Overview

Enhance your pharmaceutical knowledge and skills for an excellent career in highly dynamic industry

This Honours degree course in Pharmaceutical Business Operations is the only pharma course of its type on offer in Ireland.
This course is delivered in partnership with Innopharma. 

Why Study Pharmaceutical Business Operations with Innopharma Education in Griffith College?

The QQI Level 8 BA in Pharmaceutical Business Operations is a is a unique blended delivery of classroom-based training and online delivery. The programme focuses on core competencies such as pharmaceutical business, pharmaceutical manufacturing, regulatory affairs, data analysis, business improvement (Lean Sigma), clinical research coordination, data processing and project co-ordination. The programme is targeted at those who wish to develop their career in the areas of pharmaceutical operations, compliance, business improvement, technology transfer, validation and clinical trials.

  • Gain exceptional knowledge within an ever-expanding industry.
  • Develop a detailed understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing, pharmaceutical life cycles, validation, clinical trials coordination, data management & analysis as well as business improvement.     
  • Achieve your potential using a blended learning approach of classroom training and online learning.
  • Attend classes supported by online delivery two evenings per week and one Saturday per month.
  • Develop your skills in career progression to help you pursue a successful career in the pharma industry.
  • Progress your studies in the future to a range of related Level 9 programme

Intake Dates

  • Dublin - Blended - February 2025
  • Cork - Blended - February 2025


I completed the BA (Hons) degree in Pharmaceutical Business Operations. I already work for the pharmaceutical industry as a Master Data Analyst at Allergan. For me, the online class was incredible in terms of the technology available.

Valter da Silva
BA (Hons) IN PHARMACEUTICAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Innopharma has courses that are really well structured and well-managed. I was able to manage my time and my work and still be able to study. They will be able to assist you with anything!

Goodness Biyela
BA in Pharmaceutical Business Operations

Course Details

 This Honours degree course in Pharmaceutical Business Operations is delivered in partnership with Innopharma.

This course is delivered over two years. Students have the option to enter at Year 1 or Year 2 depending on their prior qualifications.

The following modules are included:

Year 1

  • Pharmaceutical dosage forms
  • Drug product formulation and their chemical function
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturing processes
  • Quality control release testing requirements
  • Stability testing
  • Process validation
  • Change control

  • Organisational structure and design 
  • Organisation culture and change 
  • Management & leadership 
  • Organisational control and power 
  • Work groups and teams in organisations

  • Operations management
  • Sales & operations planning
  • Planning control and improvement
  • Performance measurement
  • Operational governance

  • Regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical manufacturing
  • Distribution and clinical trials
  • Elements of typical cGXP quality systems
  • Clinical trials
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturing
  • Pharmaceutical distribution
  • Marketing authorisation application
  • Current trends in cGMP

  • Lean thinking
  • Six sigma
  • Project planning
  • Process mapping
  • Root cause analysis
  • Creative solutions
  • Corrective action preventative action
  • Statistics
  • Data visualisation
  • Presentation skills
  • Effective decision making

  • Control and data management systems
  • System development lifecycle
  • Process analytical technologies
  • Real-time control system
  • Critical quality attributes

  • Research & development process
  • Clinical studies
  • Statistical concepts in a clinical study
  • Drug safety system
  • Regulations & directives applicable to clinical trials
  • GCP inspection
  • Clinical study reports & clinical overview

  • Fundamentals of developing a successful CV 
  • Cover letters
  • Presentation and communications skills
  • Networking
  • Interviewing skills
  • Personal coaching & mentorship

Year 2

  • Pharmaceutical quality systems
  • Validation
  • Change control
  • Investigations
  • Audit performance
  • Annual product reviews (APR)
  • Quality metrics
  • Quality risk management

  • Biopharmaceutical manufacturing overview
  • Pharmaceutical packaging
  • Good distribution practice
  • Product release
  • Falsified medicines directive

  • Introduction to strategic management
  • Scanning the environment
  • Strategy formulation
  • Strategy implementation & change management
  • Evaluation and control

  • Drug development lifecycle
  • Phases of clinical research
  • Primary regulations & directives
  • GCP auditing/pharmacovigilance
  • Clinical pharmacology

  • Project management
  • Project initiation & conceptualisation
  • Project scheduling and time management
  • Project budgeting/costing
  • Project closure & communication
  • Project leadership & communication
  • Risk management

  • Career preparation skills
  • CV development
  • Interview skills
  • Technical communications

Timetables

This two-semester programme is delivered two evenings a week and two Saturdays a month. For more information please contact [email protected].

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a minimum qualification at NFQ Level 7 in science, engineering, quality or a related discipline. Recognition of prior learning may also be taken into account.

English Language

Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency. 

For more information, please visit here.

How to Apply

Applicants should contact Orla McKiernan or a member of the Innopharma Education team at +353 1 485 3346 or via email.

Students can also apply directly through Griffith.ie

Fees

For purposes of fee calculation, residence is counted from time of application.

Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.

Tuition Fees

Study Mode: Part-Time

Dublin: EUR 5,250.00

Study Mode: Part-Time

Dublin 

Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.

 

Non-EU students: a Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted.

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted.

Flexible payment options

Students wishing to pay their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page for more information and assistance.

Sponsorship

Is your company paying for your course?

They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:

  • Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
  • Email: [email protected]

2% Learner Protection Charge

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.

QQI Award Fee

Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.

Progression

Academic Progression

Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Business Operations may be considered eligible to join related Masters Degree programmes such as the MSc In Pharmaceutical Business and Technology.

Career Progression

 Graduates of the BA in Pharmaceutical Business Operations are well positioned to pursue a range of careers including:

  • Manufacturing Operator / Supervisor
  • Compliance Specialist
  • Business Improvement Specialist
  • Quality Assurance
  • Validation Specialist
  • Data Analytics
  • Clinical Trial Coordination

Ready to take the next step?