MSc Clinical Research is a postgraduate course for 2 years providing advanced knowledge and skills in conducting clinical trials, drug development, and regulatory processes. The course offers the opportunity to work with pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
To pursue MSc Clinical Research, one must have obtained BSc in relevant biology stream from a UGC recognized university.
- Admission in the course is through BSc merit or entrance exam scores, depending on the institute’s policy.
- Average course fee ranges between INR 10,000 to 50,000 for government colleges and INR 2 to 4 LPA for private ones.
- One can expect an average salary around INR 4 to 10 Lakhs after completing the MSc Clinical Research.
- MSc Clinical Research: Course Details
- Why Pursue MSc Clinical Research
- MSc Clinical Research Eligibility
- MSc Clinical Research Admission Process
- MSc Clinical Research Colleges in India
- Syllabus of MSc Clinical Research
- Jobs & Future Scope of MSc Clinical Research
- MSc Clinical Research Vs. MSc Medical Microbiology
- FAQs
MSc Clinical Research: Course Details
MSc Clinical Research is a master level qualification dealing with clinical trial management, drug development, ethics in research, regulatory processes, pharmacovigilance, and data management.
Students learn about designing clinical research on living organisms, including humans. The course equips with skills like conducting trials, making informed consents, recruiting volunteers for trials, analyzing the treatment strategy, planning the treatment with doctors, and communicating with industrial experts.
| Programme name | Master in Clinical Research |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years (full time) |
| Eligibility | BSc in Biology domain with 50% marks |
| Admission | BSc merit or entrance exam scores |
| Average course fee | Private Institutes: INR 2 to 4 Lakhs Government Institutes: INR 10,000 - 50,000 |
| Average Salary | 4 to 10 LPA |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital, Max Hospital, Metro Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Artemis Healthcare etc. |
| Job Positions | Clinical Research Associate, Clinical research Analyst, Clinical research Project Manager, Clinical Research Project Coordinator, and Clinical Research Physician etc. |
Why Pursue MSc Clinical Research
Pursuing MSc Clinical Research is advantageous in several ways like it offers diverse career opportunities in healthcare sectors, specialized skills in designing and conducting trials, and the chance to advance medical knowledge for human welfare.
- Individuals pursuing MSc Clinical Research get to work with the latest tools and methodologies in medical research.
- The program provides a strong foundation in ethical frameworks and regulatory requirements, making a learner ethically aware in this field.
- It ensures a stable career as the field of clinical research is experiencing significant growth, ensuring job security and opportunities for advancement.
MSc Clinical Research Eligibility
To be eligible for Msc Clinical Research programme, one must have completed Graduation from Biology background.
- BSc in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry or other equivalent major with at least 50% marks is mandatory.
- Some universities do consider entrance exam scores for MSc Clinical Research admission. For those universities, applicants must ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria with entrance qualification scores.
MSc Clinical Research Admission Process
Many universities grant admission in MSc Clinical Research directly on the basis of BSc merit. However, some government universities ask for entrance exam qualifications, either conducted by them or any state or national entrance test.
Some commonly accepted exams are NEET, NIMS PG, and ICRI entrance exam.
To apply for MSc Clinical Research,
- Visit the official admission portal of the chosen institute.
- Check the admission guidelines and selection procedure.
- Fill out the application form with educational, personal, and contact details.
- Upload the supportive document like identity card, marksheets, degree certificate, etc.
- Pay the registration fee and appear in the exam, if applicable.
Selected students may be called for a personal interview or counselling round by the university.
Students then have to confirm the admission by paying the semester fees.
MSc Clinical Research Colleges in India
There are several public and private colleges/universities offering MSc Clinical Research in India. Some of the best institutes are tabulated below.
| Name | NIRF Ranking for University Category | Admission | Average Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat University, Ahmedabad | 76th | BSc Merit | 55,800 |
| Indus University, Ahmedabad | 5th | BSc Merit | 2,40,000 |
| Ajeenkya DY Patil University | 44th | BSc + ADYPU ACET | 3,00,000 |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 12th | SRMJEE-PG | 2,00,000 |
| Jamia Hamdard | 40th | BSc + University Entrance Exam | 4,00,000 |
| ICRI Mumbai | - | BSc + CAT/ MAT | 2,56,000 |
| CLINI INDIA Research Institute | - | BSc Merit | 22,000 |
Syllabus of MSc Clinical Research
The course, in general, involves subjects like pharmacology, clinical trials, communication, medical writing, coding, and dissertation in the final semester.
Here is the syllabus of MSc Clinical Research followed by Jamia Hamdard university.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Foundation Course in Clinical Research | Advanced Pharmacology-I |
| General Pharmacology | Advanced Clinical Research |
| Regulatory Affairs in Clinical Research | Clinical Research Practicals and Hands On Training |
| Pharmaceutical Management | Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics |
| Clinical Trials in Complementary Medicine | Intellectual Property Rights and Patenting |
| Biostatistical Methods in Clinical Research | Recent advances in Public Health |
| Scientific Communication | Health and Human Rights |
| Seminar on Drug discovery and development | Medical Writing |
| - | Health Communication |
| - | Tropical Medicine |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Advanced Pharmacology-II | Dissertation |
| Clinical Trials Design | - |
| Clinical Trials Practicals and Hands On Training | - |
| Clinical Trial Operations | - |
| Pharmacovigilance | - |
| Medical Coding | - |
| Social medicine and community health | - |
| Research Methodology | - |
| Medical Writing | - |
| Health Communication | - |
| Tropical Medicine | - |
Jobs & Future Scope of MSc Clinical Research
MSc Clinical Research offers a promising career in Research, Industry and Academia. In India, there is a growing demand for professionals with expertise in various aspects of clinical research, including data management, regulatory affairs, and project management.
- Clinical Research Associate: They monitor clinical trials, ensuring ethical conduct, safety, and data accuracy.
- Clinical Data Manager: They manage and analyse data collected during clinical trials.
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Their job is to ensure compliance with regulations and guidelines for clinical research.
- Clinical Trial Manager: They have to oversee the entire clinical trial process, from planning to execution.
- Biostatistician: They analyse statistical data obtained from clinical trials.
- Pharmacovigilance Officer: They are responsible to monitor the safety of drugs and treatments once launched in the market.
- Medical Writer: They develop scientific reports and other medical documents.
- Clinical Investigator/Researcher: They delve into the scientific core of clinical trials.
The salary for clinical research professionals in India can vary depending on experience, role, and location. However, one can earn up to INR 4 to 6 LPA in initial years of career and with increasing experience in the field, salary can rise up to INR 10 to 12 LPA.
MSc Clinical Research Vs. MSc Medical Microbiology
MSc Clinical Research is all about how to conduct and manage the clinical trials whereas the MSc Medical Microbiology is the specialised programme focusing on studying the role of microorganisms in causing various diseases.
Both these specialisations are related to human health and welfare. However, they vary in their curriculum, skills, job opportunities, etc.
| Parameter | MSc Clinical Research | MSc Medical Microbiology |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years | 2 years |
| Focus | Focused on scientific investigation of the safety and efficacy of drugs, medical devices, diagnostic procedures, and treatment interventions. | Focuses on study of microorganisms and their role in disease. |
| Career Paths | Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Trial Coordinator, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Pharmacovigilance Officer, Medical Writer, etc. | Medical Microbiologist, Research Scientist, Public Health Microbiologist, Diagnostic Laboratory Technician. |
| Skills | It imparts skills like designing, conducting, and analyzing clinical trials, understanding ethical and regulatory aspects of research. | It provides skills like identifying pathogens, understanding disease mechanisms, developing diagnostic and treatment strategies. |
| Hiring Sectors | Healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotechnology. | Hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, public health agencies. |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3-6 LPA | INR 3-5 LPA |
FAQs
Does clinical research pay well in India?
In India, there is a growing demand for Clinical Research professionals. In the healthcare sector and pharma research, they are getting paid around INR 7,00,000 annually. The pay scale may vary among the industry type and governing bodies.
Is there any relaxation for Sc/St Students during admission in MSc Clinical Research?
Yes, there is a 5% relaxation in marks for reserved category, as per the government policy.
Can I pursue MSc Clinical Research with BSc in Food Biotechnology?
Yes, to pursue MSc Clinical Research, one must have a BSc degree in any biology branch. BSc Food Biotechnology or Dairy Microbiology specialisations are equivalent to BSc Biology/Biotechnology/Microbiology hence, eligible to apply for MSc Clinical Research programme.
Is a clinical researcher a doctor?
No, a Clinical Researcher is not a Doctor. Researchers are professionals who design and conduct the clinical trials on patients with the help of respective doctors and other healthcare professionals.
