Resources for starting out in regulatory affairs

If you are looking for your first role in regulatory affairs for human or animal medicines, or for medical devices, TOPRA's careers pages are an essential port of call. As a leading professional body for healthcare regulatory affairs we are committed to delivering the support you need throughout your career.

Here are some useful tips for starting your regulatory affairs career:

  • Be prepared to take another role in the drug or device development process as a stepping stone.
  • Review your CV for skills and experience that would be particularly transferable (eg, good communication skills, project management and/or the ability to synthesise information).
  • Enrol with a specialist regulatory recruitment consultant who can advise you.

 

How TOPRA can help

Our courses for those new to Regulatory Affairs

TOPRA offers two levels of in-person courses for those new to or exploring a career in healthcare regulatory affairs. Basics courses are one-day primers on pharmaceutical, veterinary or medical device regulatory affairs; our Introductory courses are multi-day classes covering pharmaceutical or medical device regulatory affairs in much greater depth. 

Upcoming Basics courses

Begin DateTitleDescriptionCityCountry
19/02/2025Essentials of European Veterinary Regulatory AffairsThe world of veterinary regulatory affairs can be a confusing and complex place, particularly if you have no formal veterinary or regulatory affairs background. The purpose of this course is to provide you with a clear and concise understanding of the role played by regulatory affairs in obtaining and maintaining marketing authorisations for veterinary medicinal products.LondonUnited KingdomVETB0225F
19/02/2025Essentials of European Veterinary Regulatory AffairsThe world of veterinary regulatory affairs can be a confusing and complex place, particularly if you have no formal veterinary or regulatory affairs background. The purpose of this course is to provide you with a clear and concise understanding of the role played by regulatory affairs in obtaining and maintaining marketing authorisations for veterinary medicinal products.Online VETB0225O
09/04/2025Essentials of European Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic but comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs in a relaxed and interactive environment.LondonUnited KingdomBAS0425F
09/04/2025Essentials of European Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic but comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs in a relaxed and interactive environment. OnlineBAS0425O
21/05/2025Essentials of European Medical Device Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide an overview of regulatory requirements and considerations for medical devices in a relaxed and interactive environment. OnlineMDBAS0625
21/05/2025Essentials of European Medical Device Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide an overview of regulatory requirements and considerations for medical devices in a relaxed and interactive environment.LondonUnited KingdomMDBAS11
11/06/2025Essentials of European Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic but comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs in a relaxed and interactive environment. OnlineMBAS0825
11/06/2025Essentials of European Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic but comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs in a relaxed and interactive environment.LondonUnited KingdomBAS0825O
11/07/2025Essentials of In-Vitro Diagnostics Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic, comprehensive grounding in regulatory affairs for IVDs in a relaxed and interactive environment. OnlineIVB25O
11/07/2025Essentials of In-Vitro Diagnostics Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic, comprehensive grounding in regulatory affairs for IVDs in a relaxed and interactive environment.LondonUnited KingdomIVDB25
06/08/2025Essentials of European Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic but comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs in a relaxed and interactive environment.LondonUnited KingdomBAS0825
06/08/2025Essentials of European Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic but comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs in a relaxed and interactive environment.Online BAS0825ON
09/10/2025Essentials of European Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic but comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs in a relaxed and interactive environment.LondonUnited KingdomBAS1025
09/10/2025Essentials of European Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide a basic but comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs in a relaxed and interactive environment.Online BAS1025ON
26/11/2025Essentials of European Medical Device Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide an overview of regulatory requirements and considerations for medical devices in a relaxed and interactive environment.LondonUnited KingdomMDB1125
26/11/2025Essentials of European Medical Device Regulatory AffairsThis course will provide an overview of regulatory requirements and considerations for medical devices in a relaxed and interactive environment.Online MDB1125O

 

Upcoming in-depth Intro courses

Begin DateTitleDescriptionCityCountry
15/04/2025Overview of EU Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsModule 0 of the MSc:  This course covers all aspects of the product development process, and provides a sound overview of EU legislation and regulatory procedures, including the central role regulatory affairs plays in modern healthcare companies.LondonUnited KingdomIC042025
16/06/2025The Medical Device Introductory CourseThis Masterclass will provide those new to Medical Device Regulatory Affairs with an understanding of the regulatory requirements for medical devices in the EU. This Masterclass is  also Module 13 of the MSc.LondonUnited KingdomMDINTRO25
04/11/2025Overview of EU Pharmaceutical Regulatory AffairsModule 0 of the MSc:  This course covers all aspects of the product development process, and provides a sound overview of EU legislation and regulatory procedures, including the central role regulatory affairs plays in modern healthcare companies.LondonUnited KingdomIC0112025