About this course
LJMU’s Cosmetic Science MSc provides postgraduates with expertise in formulation, testing and regulations relating to the UK and global cosmetics industry.
- Study on this Cosmetic Science MSc, which has been designed in consultation with industry
- Learn from a research active, academic team within one of the oldest and well-established schools of pharmacy in the world
- Discover key modules taught by world-renowned academics involved in the EU Horizon Cosmos Project, with a strong emphasis on the safety assessment of cosmetic products
- Undertake research projects with potential industry partners and academic research groups, including: Formulation and Drug Delivery Group, Chemoinformatics Research Group and Biomedical Science Research Group
- Enhance your knowledge of cosmetic products and gain hands-on laboratory experience
- Develop an in-depth understanding of safety and regulatory requirements
- Acquire business knowledge and skills to create and launch new cosmetic products
The MSc Cosmetic Science has been designed to introduce new concepts, ideas and methods to students, whilst also encouraging them to become more independent thinkers.
The curriculum has been designed in consultation with industry to enable you to develop the higher level academic knowledge and practical skills required by the cosmetics sector.
On graduation you will be able to produce and market new products for potential employers in the industry, as well as be in a position to start your own business.
There may be opportunities to undertake a research project at a cosmetic science company as part of the programme.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
20/21 21/22 TBC
Home (full-time, per year):
£9,250
International (full-time, per year):
£16,100
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to programme-appropriate software
- Library and student IT support
- Free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to use your own)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2017) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
This programme offers a coherent and progressive education, providing expertise and knowledge in formulation, testing, regulation and licensing ready for employment in the cosmetic, perfumery and related industries.
Although the majority of graduates will go on to secure employment in cosmetic and perfumery companies, there is also the option to progress your academic studies by studying for a PhD.
The student experience
Discover life as a postgraduate student at LJMU.
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your course
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules and a Research Project.
Core modules
Research Methods
20 credits
Gain the necessary core skills to effectively design, plan, perform and report scientific research.
Formulation and Characterisation of Cosmetics
20 credits
In this module, you will learn to formulate cosmetic products and test formulation characteristics. The module aims to equip you with a knowledge, understanding and application of raw materials and active cosmetic ingredients in producing cosmetic formulations.
Physiology and Toxicology
20 credits
Provides knowledge and understanding of human physiology and principles of toxicology, relating to the mechanisms by which chemicals can disrupt normal biological processes and cause toxicity.
Safety-based Decision Making
20 credits
Describes how information is brought together to make decisions concerning the safety of chemicals in everyday use. Real-world examples of safety-assessment strategies commonly used by industry and regulators will be investigated.
Manufacture of Cosmetics
20 credits
The module will equip you with the knowledge and understanding of large scale-up for manufacturing, packaging, labelling, regulation and claims applicable to cosmetic formulations. In addition, you will acquire the knowledge, understanding and application of microbiological testing.
Business Planning for Cosmetic Science
20 credits
This module will enable you to analyse and identify a commercially viable cosmetic product and produce a business plan to enable the product to be launched.
Research Project
60 credits
This module will provide you with the opportunity to conduct an independent, in-depth study of an agreed topic of research, carried out in an appropriate manner.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
- Semester 1: Monday at 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm, Tuesday at 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm and Wednesday at 9am-12pm
- Semester 2: Monday at 9am-11am, Wednesday at 9am-11am and Thursday at 9am-5pm
- Semester 3: Laboratory projects are held Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Teaching methods
Course content is delivered via a combination of interactive lectures, workshops, seminars and project work.
Applied learning
There may be opportunities to undertake a research project at a cosmetic science company as part of the programme.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme. Assessment techniques vary from module to module to reflect relevant assessment approaches and the key learning points of each topic.
On this programme you will be assessed via a combination of exams and coursework including: laboratory reports, essays, oral and poster presentations, research project reports, problem solving exercises and case studies.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Imran Saleem
Programme Leader
Imran is a Reader in Nanomedicine and ERASMUS coordinator within the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences. He obtained his Pharmacy degree from LJMU and is a registered pharmacist. In 2004, he received a PhD in Drug Delivery from Aston University, which was followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship at the College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico. Imran’s research transgresses multiple disciplines, including formulation, drug delivery, nanotechnology, polymer science, chemistry, cell and molecular biology. His work is involved in the application and understanding of novel nanocarrier systems in overcoming biological barriers for the targeted delivery of small molecules and macromolecules (proteins, peptides, siRNA, miRNA) for human and veterinary use involving national and international academics and industrial collaborators.
I enjoy the interaction with students and seeing them progress with academic and personal life skills that better equip them to deal with the practicalities of life. During the course my team and I apply a student-centred learning approach that fosters creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and practical skills that will equip the students for life in the cosmetic industry.
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School facilities
What you can expect from your School
You will study at the Byrom Street site in the University’s City Campus. With an ongoing £12 million investment in laboratory facilities here and state-of-the-art research facilities in the newly developed Life Sciences building, you’ll enjoy a first class study environment.
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Entry requirements
You will need:
- a minimum 2:2 honours degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, and Microbiology or related Science disciplines
Additional Information:
- IELTS requirements 6.5 (Min. 5.5 in each component)
- Pearson 58-64 (minimum 51 in each component for UKVI purposes)
- RPL is accepted on this programme
- All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC If you have applied to study a full-time taught Masters, MRes, MPhil or PhD at LJMU, you should check if you require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate. Contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team for guidance
If you have any specific queries, please contact scspgt@ljmu.ac.uk
Please note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.
View country specific entry requirements
Contact LJMU's International Admissions Team for guidance on visa information. Further information is also available from our international web pages.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
You will apply for the majority of postgraduate courses using our online application form. You should complete the form thoroughly and provide a detailed personal statement which reflects your suitability and aptitude for the programme.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.