Cosmetic Industrial Science 24 months Postgraduate Programme By University of Milan |TopUniversities

Programme overview

Main Subject

Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

Blended

Overview

Where Science Meets Beauty: Training to Shape the Future of the Cosmetic Industry

Our Master’s degree in Cosmetic Industrial Science (CosmIS) offers an in-depth understanding of the cosmetic industry, focusing on product development, formulation, and regulations. This programme equips students with the technical and scientific knowledge required for a career in this global and innovation-driven field, emphasising practical skills through hands-on experiences and a professional internship.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this Master’s, you will be able to:

  • formulate innovative cosmetic products by selecting and combining ingredients to achieve the desired functionality and stability
  • design and develop sustainable, market-ready solutions aligned with industry trends and regulatory standards
  • apply advanced manufacturing and packaging technologies to ensure product quality and efficiency
  • conduct microbiological risk assessments and implement alternative toxicological protocols for safety compliance
  • perform quality control and stability monitoring using appropriate analytical techniques
  • contribute to developing effective marketing strategies, creating business plans, and assessing project feasibility for cosmetic launches
  • manage end-to-end product development, from concept to market placement.

Why Choose Our Master’s Degree in Cosmetic Industrial Science

  • 100% taught in English
  • Individual laboratory training + a compulsory internship
  • A balanced mix of online and in-person learning activities
  • Opportunity to engage with experts and professionals from the cosmetic industry.


Programme Structure

Our Master’s degree in Cosmetic Industrial Science lasts two years and is fully taught in English. Knowledge and skills are acquired through:

  • theoretical lectures
  • individual laboratory activities to help students translate theoretical concepts into practice
  • a compulsory internship (34 ECTS ), to be carried out in the last semester either at a university laboratory or a cosmetic company, in Italy or abroad.

During the internship, students are expected to work on an individual project, which will be the focus of their Master’s thesis.

The programme uses blended learning, i.e. a combination of in-person activities, online lectures and asynchronous videos to help students better navigate their academic journey.

For further details on the courses included in the programme, visit the University’s website


Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme stand out for their ability to combine advanced technical expertise with regulatory, quality, and business skills. Their interdisciplinary training and English proficiency make them easily employable by cosmetic companies anywhere in the world.

Where Your Degree Can Take You

A Master’s degree in Cosmetic Industrial Science opens doors to roles such as:

  • R&D and Production Specialist, designing and formulating new products, managing tech-transfer, leading research teams etc.;
  • Quality Specialist, implementing and supervising quality assurance systems, coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring compliance with standards;
  • Regulatory Specialist, overseeing safety documentation and quality certification, managing authorisation procedures, and interfacing with regulatory bodies;
  • Cosmetics Market Relations Specialist, bridging science and marketing, providing technical insights for product promotion and fostering collaboration across departments.

No matter what your job title will be, get ready to shape the future of beauty and innovation worldwide!

Programme overview

Main Subject

Pharmacy and Pharmacology

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

Blended

Overview

Where Science Meets Beauty: Training to Shape the Future of the Cosmetic Industry

Our Master’s degree in Cosmetic Industrial Science (CosmIS) offers an in-depth understanding of the cosmetic industry, focusing on product development, formulation, and regulations. This programme equips students with the technical and scientific knowledge required for a career in this global and innovation-driven field, emphasising practical skills through hands-on experiences and a professional internship.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this Master’s, you will be able to:

  • formulate innovative cosmetic products by selecting and combining ingredients to achieve the desired functionality and stability
  • design and develop sustainable, market-ready solutions aligned with industry trends and regulatory standards
  • apply advanced manufacturing and packaging technologies to ensure product quality and efficiency
  • conduct microbiological risk assessments and implement alternative toxicological protocols for safety compliance
  • perform quality control and stability monitoring using appropriate analytical techniques
  • contribute to developing effective marketing strategies, creating business plans, and assessing project feasibility for cosmetic launches
  • manage end-to-end product development, from concept to market placement.

Why Choose Our Master’s Degree in Cosmetic Industrial Science

  • 100% taught in English
  • Individual laboratory training + a compulsory internship
  • A balanced mix of online and in-person learning activities
  • Opportunity to engage with experts and professionals from the cosmetic industry.


Programme Structure

Our Master’s degree in Cosmetic Industrial Science lasts two years and is fully taught in English. Knowledge and skills are acquired through:

  • theoretical lectures
  • individual laboratory activities to help students translate theoretical concepts into practice
  • a compulsory internship (34 ECTS ), to be carried out in the last semester either at a university laboratory or a cosmetic company, in Italy or abroad.

During the internship, students are expected to work on an individual project, which will be the focus of their Master’s thesis.

The programme uses blended learning, i.e. a combination of in-person activities, online lectures and asynchronous videos to help students better navigate their academic journey.

For further details on the courses included in the programme, visit the University’s website


Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme stand out for their ability to combine advanced technical expertise with regulatory, quality, and business skills. Their interdisciplinary training and English proficiency make them easily employable by cosmetic companies anywhere in the world.

Where Your Degree Can Take You

A Master’s degree in Cosmetic Industrial Science opens doors to roles such as:

  • R&D and Production Specialist, designing and formulating new products, managing tech-transfer, leading research teams etc.;
  • Quality Specialist, implementing and supervising quality assurance systems, coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring compliance with standards;
  • Regulatory Specialist, overseeing safety documentation and quality certification, managing authorisation procedures, and interfacing with regulatory bodies;
  • Cosmetics Market Relations Specialist, bridging science and marketing, providing technical insights for product promotion and fostering collaboration across departments.

No matter what your job title will be, get ready to shape the future of beauty and innovation worldwide!

Admission Requirements

5.5+
72+

Entry Qualification:

Undergraduate diploma (or higher)

A. Students with an Italian University Degree

Applicants to this Master’s degree programme are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in one of the following classes:

  • Chemistry (L-27)
  • Pharmacy (L-29)

Those holding a Bachelor’s degree in other degree classes are also eligible, provided they have earned at least 35 credits ( ECTS ) in the basic subjects covered by the degree programme (chemistry, biology, etc.). A full list of these subjects is available on the University’s website

B. Students with Non-Italian University Degrees

If you hold a foreign first-cycle degree (i.e. a Bachelor’s or other degree issued by a non-Italian higher education institution), the Admission Board will check your transcript of records to assess whether your first-cycle degree makes you eligible for admission.

As a general rule, the Admission Board is looking for applicants with a first-cycle degree as close as possible to those required of graduates from Italian universities. Please note that the Admission Board may ask you to provide further documents to assess your prior academic studies, and even invite you to an online interview, should it deem it necessary.

Admission Test

All applicants will be invited to take a mandatory online admission test. Questions will focus on the fundamentals of biology and chemistry.

For further details on the test, please visit the programme’s website

Following participation in the test, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application as soon as possible. Please bear in mind that reply times may vary depending on the number of applications received.

The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / German / French / Spanish / Italian.

Please note that we only accept official translations (either issued by your former higher education institution or carried out by a certified or sworn translator).

Language Requirements:

English

A B2 or higher level of proficiency in English is required for admission.

How to Prove Your English Proficiency

  • If you have a language certificate accepted by the University, just attach it to your application for admission. Please note that the University accepts only certificates obtained in the last 3 years (2 years for TOEFL ).
  • If you don’t have a language certificate or if you are a native speaker, the University will send you an email and invite you to take an English entry test. The test is free of charge and can also be taken remotely.

If you miss or fail the English entry test, you will still have a chance to be cleared for admission, by submitting a B2 language certificate accepted by the University before the applicable deadline.

List of language certificates accepted by the University

2 Years

Tuition fees

International
156 DKK

Scholarships

Selecting the right scholarship can be a daunting process. With countless options available, students often find themselves overwhelmed and confused. The decision can be especially stressful for those facing financial constraints or pursuing specific academic or career goals.

To help students navigate this challenging process, we recommend the following articles:

More programmes from the university

Postgrad Programmes 1873