A UK university has launched an undergraduate course that will teach students how to formulate their own cosmetics, from looking at the chemical properties and active ingredients to pitching their products to industry professionals.
The University of Bradford’s BSc Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science course starts in September.
The new course will span the Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Sciences and the Centre for Skin Sciences.
Students will have the opportunity to apply for placements in industry of between nine and 12 months.
There will also be a focus on sustainability, one of the university’s key strategic goals, as well as inclusive cosmetics, such as halal, kosher and gelatin-free pharmaceuticals.
“Through this new course, students will formulate their own products, which could be anything from an anti-ageing moisturiser to a lipstick and everything in between,” said Dr Venu Vangala, programme lead for the BSc Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science course.
“We will also be teaching entrepreneurship skills, meaning they could start their own company after graduating, as well as how to describe their product in lay terms, which will be a vital skill for pitching to industry,” he added.
“When they graduate, they will be able to confidently apply their knowledge and skills in the formulating and manufacturing of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.”
Bradford is the just the fourth university in the UK to offer such a combined course, along with Liverpool John Moores, Keele and De Montfort.
“Bradford School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences has a long history of innovation and are world leaders in the field of formulation sciences,” said Professor Simon Tweddell, Acting Head of the School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford.
“We are excited to be offering this new undergraduate programme, which has been informed by cutting edge research and the needs of industry to ensure we prepare our students for the challenges of working in this field,” he added.
