University tops list of pharmaceutical placements

A new survey by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) into links between industry and academia shows that the University of Bath has retained the top spot for the highest number of undergraduates in Industrial Placements (IPS) within the UK’S pharmaceutical industry. The university, over a four-year period, has had the highest number of undergraduates in industry (59) with the majority of these in R&D (39), and a further 20 in other IPS. Furthermore, Bath has doubled the number of students in placements compared to the next university on the list, Loughborough. Overall, the survey found that undergraduate placements had increased; 704 undergraduate IPS were recorded in 2017, an increase of 17% from 2015. Furthermore, the number of undergraduates starting a sandwich course (combining study with a work placement), had risen by 36% over the last five years. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of shorter two to three month long IPS across UK universities, 44% of which were in manufacturing. The survey also shows that since 2015, there has been a 118% increase in the number of IT placements, reflecting the importance placed on digital data analytics by pharma companies. The ABPI asked its member companies to submit data about their academic links across their entire business, from undergraduate placements to large-scale collaborative projects which bring industry, academia, charities and the NHS together. Andrew Croydon, head of education and academic liaison at the ABPI, said: “It is encouraging to see the University of Bath growing their undergraduate IP programme to the pharmaceutical industry as they offer mutual benefit to both students and companies. “Students can gain valuable industrial training and experience in one of the UK’S leading sectors, as well as laying a foundation for future careers, while companies gain access to highly skilled talent which can add value to their business. “While it is reassuring to see that undergraduate IPS are up especially in areas such as manufacturing and IT, this alone will not bridge the skills gaps within the pharmaceutical industry. “It is crucial to develop a strategic approach and have a skills pipeline for the Life Sciences sector if the UK is to retain and grow its world-leading status as a hub of research and innovation. Links between industry and academia are fundamental to achieving this goal.” Professor Stephen Ward, head of the department of pharmacy & pharmacology at University of Bath, said; “It’s great to see Bath leading the way in undergraduate placements, as the only UK university to offer a four-year undergraduate Master’s degree in pharmacology.”