Laboratory management pertains to the oversight of the scientific processes, resources and personnel who conduct activities in a laboratory environment. This programme will provide a grounding in current theory, research, methods, and practice in central business management disciplines, while developing students’ knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of laboratory practice, regulations and management.
Why this programme?
- There are few courses available which provide such a comprehensive formal training and are tailored to the development of future and current lab managers as the MSc Laboratory Management programme.
- Receive formal training to become part of the future generation of managers in the laboratory environment.
- Learn via a critical, evidence-based approach with the opportunity to specialise in one of three key areas: academic, industrial or clinical laboratory management.
- The programme is tailored to enable students to progress and transition to a managerial role in their place of employment in the UK or internationally, where they can implement their new knowledge and skills.
- Be taught by leading academics in the Adam Smith Business School (ASBS), College of Medicine, Veterinary & Life Sciences (MVLS) and via collaboration with leading experts from industry and NHS staff from clinical laboratory environments.
- The University of Glasgow (UofG) has been named Scottish University of the Year in The Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
- ASBS has been recognised as one of the top 100 European Business Schools by the Financial Times in its 2021 ranking results - the School is ranked as 68th in its latest ranking and is considered to be amongst the top 30 in the UK.
- ASBS has accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
- UofG is ranked 2nd in UK Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide and is a centre of excellence for scientific research.
Programme structures
The programme aims to provide students with the necessary skills and attributes to enable them to be effective laboratory managers.
The programme is delivered by online distance learning over three years [via state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE)], with emphasis on the fundamental principles and governance which underpin contemporary laboratory management practice as well as leadership and management skills.
In year 1, students will undertake a total of 30 credits in key central business discipline areas in ASBS along with a total of 30 credits in MVLS, where they will cover laboratory health and safety and key themes relating to laboratory practice, governance and ethics.
In year 2, students will build upon studies in year 1 by undertaking a further 30 credits in key central business discipline areas in ASBS and 30 credits in MVLS, where they will cover principles of providing training and supervision in the laboratory and fundamentals of laboratory management.
In year 3, MSc/PGDip students will complete a dissertation relating to an independent project in a relevant topic of their choice.
Core courses
Year 1
ASBS
- Operations Management (Biotechnology) (10 Credits)
- Project Management (10 Credits)
- Business Finance (Adam Smith Business School) (10 Credits)
MVLS
- Providing Training and Supervision in the Laboratory (10 Credits)
- Laboratory Practice, Governance and Ethics* (20 Credits)
Year 2
ASBS
- Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management (10 Credits)
- Managing Strategic Change (10 Credits)
- Data Driven Leadership Skills (10 Credits)
MVLS
- Providing Training and Supervision in the Laboratory (10 Credits)
- Fundamentals of Laboratory Management* (20 Credits)
Year 3
- Laboratory Management Dissertation* (MSc students only)
Route to specialisms
The route to specialisms is via tailored assessment to the chosen specialist environment in core courses marked with *
Defined exit points
- PgCert (60 credits, year 1 courses)
- PgDip (120 credits, years 1 & 2 courses)
- MSc (180 credits, years 1 & 2 courses plus dissertation - three years in total).
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme.
Career prospects
This programme will provide graduates with an excellent grounding (knowledge, understanding, key transferable skills) with respect to transition and/or progression towards a management role within an academic, industrial or clinical laboratory environment.
Although students will have the opportunity to specialise in one of the three key areas, they will gain an overview of general considerations for laboratory management which would enable them to transition between environments during their career.
Students who are in employment in a laboratory environment will have the opportunity to complete their project with their employer. We also have various partners lined up with respect to offering projects to those who are not working in a laboratory environment while studying.
Example job titles include:
- Laboratory Manager
- Laboratory and Safety Manager
- Laboratory Team/Section Leader/Manager
- Laboratory Operations Manager
- Laboratory and Facilities Manager
- QA/QC Manager
- Laboratory Production Manager
- (Senior/Principle) Scientific Officer
- Healthcare Scientist Team/Technical/Service Manager
- Clinical Research Project Manager
Fees & Funding
Tuition fees for 2023-24:
MSc
UK/ EU/International:
- £14,300 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,589 per 20 credits.
PgDip
UK/ EU/International:
- £9,533 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,589 per 20 credits.
PgCert
UK/ EU/International:
- £4,767 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,589 per 20 credits.
Entry requirements
A Second-class Honours degree or equivalent (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or above) in a scientific discipline.