University of Sunderland

MSc Cosmetic Science

University of SunderlandOn campus, United Kingdom

Course overview

If you're interested in the science behind skincare, personal care, and beauty products, the MSc Cosmetic Science course will prepare you for a rewarding career in the cosmetics, fragrance, and pharmaceutical industries, both in the UK and globally. You’ll gain in-demand skills in formulation, quality control, safety testing, claims substantiation, and the regulatory and business frameworks that support product development. You'll be taught by expert academic staff alongside industry professionals, with access to advanced lab facilities in the John Dawson Sciences Complex.

Specialist labs in skin and hair technology provide the perfect environment to test and develop real-world formulations. What makes this course unique: Throughout the course, you’ll learn to navigate the full product lifecycle, from concept and formulation to safety, regulation, marketing, and distribution, giving you the confidence to step into a wide range of professional roles. Career opportunities include roles i

Key highlights

  • Skills in formulation, quality control, safety testing and claims substantiation
  • Covers regulatory and business frameworks supporting cosmetic product development
  • Taught by expert academic staff alongside industry professionals
  • Specialist skin and hair technology labs for developing real-world formulations
  • Full product lifecycle from concept to marketing and distribution

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2nd class — to include relevant subject; or above

Scholarships

  • We Care Postgraduate Bursary

    The We Care Postgraduate Bursary awards £2,500 cash to eligible postgraduate students.

    Up to £2,500

Careers this course leads to

  • Cosmetic formulation scientist
  • Quality control analyst
  • Regulatory affairs specialist
  • Product development scientist
  • Cosmetic safety assessor
  • Claims substantiation scientist

Cost of study

UK/Home: £9,250 per year | International: £19,000 per year

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Sunderland, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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