The pharmaceutical and life sciences industries are investing in stem cells, either in direct applications where the stem cells themselves would be used for therapy or indirectly, where stem cell derived tissues will be used for drug screening and toxicity testing. This programme is intended to meet current and future needs of the pharmaceutical industry and health care providers by providing a cadre of well-trained scientists capable of fulfilling managerial, administrative, research and technical roles within the developing commercial regenerative medicine sector. It covers key theoretical and practical aspects of the growth and maintenance of pluripotent stem cell lines, the directed differentiation of these cells into defined tissue phenotypes, and the maintenance of the differentiated state under conditions suitable for drug testing/screening programs. Essential elements of good practice will also be included, such as quality assurance and the regulatory framework that surrounds the derivation, storage and use of human cells.