COURSE CURRICULUM

The master’s specialisation in Business Studies within the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (BPS) program is structured to provide students with a strong foundation in both advanced scientific research and business management. The curriculum is divided into two main components, with the first year dedicated to Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and the second year focused on Business Studies. This progression allows students to first develop expertise in drug research and development before transitioning to the managerial and strategic aspects of business in R&D-intensive environments.In the BPS component, students complete 60–80 EC of coursework and research. This includes the Introduction Course in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (6 EC), which prepares students for the intensive nine-month Research Project 1 (47 EC) carried out within a division of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR). Alongside the research project, students follow a BPS lecture series (4 EC) chosen from the master’s e-prospectus and the course Advanced Academic Skills and Career Orientation (3 EC), which develops transferable skills in scientific communication, career planning, and professional growth. This structure ensures students acquire the methodological and practical expertise to conduct independent research in pharmaceutical sciences.The second-year Business Studies component comprises 40–60 EC and focuses on developing managerial knowledge and practical skills. Students take Management Courses (15 EC) and a course on Business Research Methods (5 EC) to build a solid analytical foundation. They can further tailor their education with Business Electives (<20 EC), choosing courses aligned with their professional interests, such as innovation, operations, or entrepreneurship. A significant element is the Business Internship (20–30 EC), where students apply their skills in real-world organisational contexts, bridging academic learning with industry practice.Educational methods across both years are varied and interactive, including colloquia, lectures, seminars, individual papers, lab work, research projects, presentations, working groups, and internships. This diverse approach ensures students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical, analytical, and professional skills, preparing them for careers at the intersection of science and business.