What is an MSc in Pharmaceutical Business Management?
The MSc Pharmaceutical Business Management trains future experts in marketing, business development and strategic management in thepharmaceutical industry. Designed to meet the needs of a fast-changing sector, this programme combines scientific expertise, business vision and mastery of regulatory issues to prepare students to steer high value-added strategies. From market access to the drug life cycle, via healthcare data analysis and digital transformation, it provides all the keys needed to evolve in an environment with a strong human, economic and societal impact. It is RNCP level 7 certified.
In the first year, students acquire the fundamentals of management, strategy, marketing and business management, while integrating the specific features of the pharmaceutical market. The second year develops expertise in pharmaceutical marketing, business development, project management, organisational transformation and strategic consulting. Thanks to a professionally-oriented teaching approach based on practical case studies, applied projects and interaction with professionals in the sector, this MSc opens the way to positions such as product manager, marketing manager, business developer or health consultant, within pharmaceutical laboratories, healthcare companies or specialist consultancies.
Professional certification
Level 7 (EU) “Manager of companies and organisations” professional qualification, NSF code 310, awarded by “INSEEC MSc” (CEE-RA, CEE-SO, CEFAS, MBA INSTITUTE, CEE-OUEST, CEE-Méditerrannée, ADEFI FORMATION), registered under number 40353 on the RNCP (Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles) by decision of the Director General of France Compétences dated 21/04/2025.
Objectives and skills
The aim of the MSc in Pharmaceutical Business Management is to train professionals capable of managing marketing and sales strategies in the pharmaceutical industry, supporting the development of companies in the sector and meeting the key challenges of regulation, innovation, digital transformation and market access.
The programme develops the following skills:
- Devising and implementing the company’s/organisation’s strategic orientations;
- Managing the company’s financial and non-financial strategy;
- Steering the marketing and sales strategy;
- Managing teams and driving organisational change;
- Develop a corporate strategy consulting business.
The courses
The courses presented below are given as examples and may vary depending on the campus. The programme takes account of the major developments in the pharmaceutical industry, including the challenges of innovation, regulation, market access and digital transformation.
The pace of courses may vary from campus to campus and depending on whether the course is being run under a work placement agreement (initial) or a professionalization/apprenticeship contract (continuing).
The work-study contract must be signed for the entire duration of the MSc 1 + MSc 2 or MSc 2 course.
1ʳᵉ year
30 ECTS credits
The first year of the MSc Food Business Management lays the foundations of management, marketing and business management, while developing the cross-disciplinary skills that are essential for strategic roles in the agri-food sector.
Strategic direction of the company
- Corporate strategy & business plan
- Economics of the agri-food sectors
- Consumer law
- Food safety
Strategic direction of the company
- Healthcare ecosystem and public policy
- The economics of medicines and market access
- Corporate strategy & business plan
- Strategic intelligence & business intelligence
Steering the financial and non-financial strategy
- Decision support systems
- Applied mathematics and medical statistics
- Budget management and dashboards
Steering the marketing and sales strategy
- Business English
- Pharmaceutical and healthcare marketing
- Market research and patient behaviour
- Negotiations
Team management and organisational transformation
- Regulated communication and advertising
- Organisational psychology
- Employment law and HR management
- Business Game
Business consulting
- Project management
- Structure The Data & Gen AI
- Health law
- Professional tools and methods
2ᵉ year
60 ECTS credits
The second year of the MSc Management of Pharmaceutical Companies reinforces expertise in marketing and sales strategy, business development, performance management and transformation management, to prepare students for managerial positions in a rapidly changing pharmaceutical sector.
Strategic direction of the company
- Business Development & Licensing
- Innovation strategy: biotechs & medtechs
- Global Health Strategy & Emerging Markets
Steering financial and non-financial strategy
- Regulatory affairs and international lobbying
- Professional tools and methods
- Performance management and dashboards
- Financial valuation of R&D and pipeline
- Extra-financial reporting and social impact
Steering the marketing and sales strategy
- Pricing and reimbursement
- Digital and omnichannel marketing
- Customer journey
- Strategic Key Account Management
Team management & organisational transformation
- Patient Centricity and the care pathway
- Launching innovative products
- Change management and digital transformation
- Crisis and risk management
Entrepreneurial project
- Applied research dissertation
- Agile methods and design sprint
- Structure The Data & Gen AI
- Supply chain and international drug logistics
Assessment procedures
The two years of the programme combine the acquisition of theoretical skills with practical work experience, in both initial and sandwich courses.
Course validation
- Validation of 60 ECTS credits per year of training.
- The MSc is obtained by successive validation of the two years, i.e. a total of 120 ECTS credits.
- Certification awarded by capitalisation of all the skill blocks.
- Full validation of each block required with a minimum mark of 10/20 for each skill.
- Partial validation of blocks is not permitted.
Conditions for obtaining certification
- Validation of cross-disciplinary skill blocks common to all courses.
- A minimum period of 132 days in a company during the second year (MSc 2) for initial training students.
Assessment procedures
Throughout the course, your progress is regularly assessed by :
- Continuous assessment and final exams organised face-to-face.
- Individual and/or team case studies.
- Individual and/or group oral presentations.
- Individual and/or group written assignments.
- Professional simulations and work placements.
- An applied research dissertation.
Teaching methods
- Lectures and interactive courses
- Role-playing through group and/or individual case studies carried out by students
- Educational conferences and seminars
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Business
What are the career prospects after an MSc in Pharmaceutical Industry Management?
The MSc Pharmaceutical Business Management opens up opportunities in pharmaceutical marketing, business development and strategic management. It prepares students for positions such as product manager, marketing manager or business developer in the pharmaceutical industry.

Application
What are the entry requirements for the MSc Pharmaceutical Business Management?
Admission to 1st year
- Accessible to students who hold or are in the process of obtaining a degree at Bac +3 level (university bachelor’s degree, professional bachelor’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, BUT), i.e. 180 ECTS credits, in the fields of finance, management, economics, law or related fields.
- The course lasts two years.
- Apply using the online application form.
Admission to 2nd year
- Open to students who have completed or are in the process of completing a degree at Bac +4 level (Master 1, MSc 1, business school diploma), i.e. 240 ECTS credits, with experience in finance, banking or insurance.
- The course lasts one year.
- Apply using the online application form.
Your application
in 5 days
- Submitting your application
- Admission test
- Eligibility results(within 48 hours in working days)
School fees
What are the tuition fees for the MSc Pharmaceutical Business Management?
Tuition fees for the INSEEC MSc vary from year to year. Several sources of finance are available to help you.
- Back to school September
- Back to school February
- 24-month sandwich course
- 12-month sandwich course
- International
Financial aid
INSEEC offers a number of financial aid schemes:
Alternating work placements or work-study contracts
Banking partnerships and their advantages
Professional certification is also available through VAE. Find out more about this.
Financial aid
INSEEC offers a number of financial aid schemes:
Alternating work placements or work-study contracts
Banking partnerships and their advantages
Professional certification is also available through VAE. Find out more about this.
Only the second year of the MSc can be completed in 12 months
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Our MSc events
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MSc
02/04
Instalive Online
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MSc
08/04
Open House Days in Bordeaux
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MSc
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Open House Days in Paris
FAQ
All you need to know about the MSc in Pharmaceutical Business Management
Everything you need to know about the MSc Pharmaceutical Business Management. Any further questions? Our teams are available to help you and answer any questions you may have!
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Still not sure? Meet our teams to help you make the right choice!
What languages are used for lessons and exams?
The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Business Management is taught in French on two of our campuses (Lyon and Paris).
Are there any internship or work-study opportunities during the MSc Pharmaceutical Business Management?
Yes, work-linked training is at the heart of the programme. Students can apply for apprenticeship or professionalisation contracts in the pharmaceutical industry, within laboratories, healthcare companies or specialist consultancies.
Depending on the campus, a number of different patterns are offered: 3 days company / 2 days school, or 1 week school / 3 weeks company. This work-study contract enables you to finance your studies while gaining solid professional experience.
To help students apply for the best opportunities, the school offers personalised support, with job-dating sessions organised every month, enabling students to find out more about the major players in the pharmaceutical sector.
Is INSEEC’s MSc in Pharmaceutical Business Management recognised by the State?
Yes, the Master of Science in Financial Management, Banking & Insurance delivers a level 7 RNCP title “Expert in Financial Strategy” (number 40177), recognised by France Compétences and the Ministry of Employment.
This professional certification attests to the quality of the teaching offered by the INSEEC Group schools and helps students enter the banking and insurance job market. The aim of the programme is to train managers who can quickly move into positions of responsibility.
Find out all the details of this recognised qualification on our website, which gives you access to great careers in finance.
What support services are available for students?
The Corporate Relations and Alumni Department supports students throughout their career in their search for work-study placements and jobs through :
- Monthly job dating sessions with companies in the pharmaceutical sector
- Coaching workshops on interviews and sales negotiation.
- A Match’Up offers platform.
- And so on.
The school also offers housing assistance services to help students find accommodation close to campus. The school’s network of 120,000 alumni is a real asset when it comes to finding a job, giving students the opportunity to discover the inspiring careers of graduates working today in the pharmaceutical industry, marketing, business development and healthcare consultancy.
Which partner companies recruit students from this programme?
Graduates are sought by :
- major pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi, Pfizer, Roche, Novartis and Servier;
- health and biotechnology companies;
- consultancies specialising in healthcare and strategy;
- players in market access, regulatory affairs and pharmaceutical business development.
Our network of 10,000 partner companies offers a wide range of work-study opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, in laboratories, healthcare groups and consultancies. These companies regularly recruit students from the programme for their expertise in pharmaceutical marketing, business development, market access and understanding of regulatory issues.
At the company forums organised on each campus, you can find out about all the career opportunities in these growth sectors.
How long does an MSc in Pharmaceutical Business Management at INSEEC last?
The duration varies according to the level of admission: two years for holders of a Bac +3 who can apply in the first year, and one year for holders of a Bac +4 who enter directly into the second year of the Master of Science. The course is taught on six campuses in France (Bordeaux, Chambéry, Lyon, Marseille, Paris and Toulouse), offering a geographical itinerary to suit your needs.
The programme provides all the knowledge needed to become an expert in financial strategy in the banking and insurance sectors. This 5-year postgraduate course offered by our schools prepares you effectively for management positions in finance.
Does INSEEC MSc support students with disabilities?
INSEEC has made accessibility an integral part of its institutional policy. Each campus has a dedicated disability advisor, responsible for providing individualised support throughout the course.
The infrastructure complies with current accessibility standards. The referral manager oversees the implementation of educational, material and organisational improvements, in conjunction with the school’s departments.
This approach aims to provide each student with a suitable learning environment. The contact details of the student advisor are available on the contact page of your campus.
What are the objectives of the MSc Pharmaceutical Business Management?
The main aim of the programme is to train professionals capable of steering the marketing, sales and management strategy of companies in the pharmaceutical industry. The course provides solid skills in pharmaceutical marketing, business development, health data analysis, project management, market access and understanding the regulatory environment.
The skills acquired will prepare you for careers with responsibilities in pharmaceutical laboratories, healthcare companies, biotechs or specialist consultancies. The Master of Science also develops the commercial, relational and strategic skills that are essential for positions such as product manager, marketing manager, business developer or strategy and healthcare consultant.
Is there an active INSEEC alumni network to help with professional integration?
Yes, INSEEC has a network of 120,000 active alumni worldwide, many of whom work in the pharmaceutical industry, laboratories, healthcare companies and specialist consultancies. This network is a real lever for professional integration, mentoring and the development of career opportunities in a sector with a strong human and economic impact.
The Group’s schools also offer continuing education courses enabling former students to update their knowledge, enhance their expertise and explore new specialisations in healthcare and management.
Many of our alumni now hold positions of responsibility in pharmaceutical marketing, business development, strategy or healthcare consulting, and regularly share their experience with students. These exchanges reinforce the professional dimension of the programme and link the teaching of the Master of Science to the operational challenges of the pharmaceutical industry.
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