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Bioscience (Research and Development) with Practice MSc

London, Old Street

This programme will help you understand how to develop research from the lab to the clinic. With a bioscience background, you will develop your scientific knowledge base whilst improving your ability to design experiments in the context of translational medicine. Understanding clinical trials design in more detail together with improving your critical evaluation of scientific papers and an extended lab based project will equip you with more knowledge and skills required for pursuing a PhD or other scientific career.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£39,200
Duration
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 31 Jul 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences, life sciences, or a medical degree (MBBS), or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this course is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The MSc Bioscience (Research and Development) with Practice is an intensive, preclinical science-based programme intended for those who have a biomedical degree background, and have an interest in furthering their knowledge and understanding of the development of novel therapies, by learning about therapeutic approaches in stem cell, gene therapy, the science of disease and treatment paradigms, engagement with the practical applications of therapies and the translational possibilities within these.

The programme is intended to develop practical skills and strategies for shaping research practice for identifying science-based solutions and innovations, and shaping opportunities for these to be developed and actualised in lab-based and real world contexts.

Who this course is for

The course is well-suited for individuals with a strong foundation in biological sciences, particularly those with an interest in the translational and practical applications of research, such as developing novel therapies. Ideal candidates often have a biomedical or bioscience background, but graduates from computational sciences, mathematics, physics, and engineering are also encouraged to apply if they demonstrate a clear interest in biological questions.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The programme will utilise the expertise available at the institute given that many of the staff are translational researchers in the biosciences.

The programme is also predicated on you being able to shape your own area of interest from a suite of optional modules delivered by other UCL departments. The location allows for students to place their learning on this programme in a context that explicitly consolidates research into translational practice and implementation. 

The extended period of study (18 months) provides you with an intensive taught curriculum, which then feeds into periods of independent research activity, ensuring that you will leave with a substantial lab based skillset in workplace lab contexts and a research portfolio.

This will maximise your capacity to develop your practice further through PhD study/Institutional research or in workplace laboratory contexts.

In Term 4 and Term 5, there will be a more extensive lab placement either at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology or with an international partner institution which will provide additional lab expertise within an academic environment and foster academic collaboration.

There will also be a preliminary module focused on preparing a grant funding application around the proposed project, allowing a thorough understanding of the background science and implementation of grant writing skills taught in Year 1, and a reflective module which will ask you to appraise and evidence your practical bench and lab skills.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates from this programme will have:

  • A systematic understanding of research and therapeutics, and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights informed by current research and practice at the forefront of the field
  • A comprehensive understanding of the techniques and processes which drive both research practice and the therapies themselves
  • A capacity to apply and generate new knowledge through their own research, with a practical integration of established techniques of research and enquiry in this area, and the potential to innovate new models for research in practice.

We anticipate graduates from this course to pursue a future career undertaking lab-based research or analysing scientific data, whether it be in academia, technical services, Clinical Trial Units, administration for grant awarding bodies or Regulatory Institutions or in scientific writing.

Employability

Graduates from this programme will also have:

  • The capacity to critically appraise existing research, methodologies and processes for developing therapies
  • The ability to formulate and evaluate complex decisions, solutions and communications of their findings
  • The autonomy to initiate, plan and actualise effective research projects independently
  • The potential to advance their learning and skillset, and to undertake further research and practice in both subsequent study and employment
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, which support information and data management
  • A substantial individual research portfolio, based on lab practice and experience

Networking

The opportunity to meet students and scientists working in research institutions overseas will give an insight into the various research practices and learning options globally.

You will be invited to the annual Early Career Researchers symposium which showcases PhD and post doctoral research projects in the department. You will be working in labs alongside PhD students and post doctoral researchers.

You will be sharing modules from other MSc programmes across UCL and meeting other MSc students during those sessions.

Teaching and learning

Module teaching is primarily in the form of attended lectures and seminars across terms one and two. Lectures allow for specific, in depth information to be provided while seminars allow for interrogation and discussions of material covered to develop understanding. Group tutorials allow for more detailed appraisal of the learning journey and further consideration of the material covered in lectures and seminars. Lab time and guided practical sessions allow for you to evolve hands on technical skills, facility and processes for lab based research activity.

Module consolidation seminars involving problem or case based presentations relating to module content and informal quizzes allow for knowledge and understanding to be tested, and for formative feedback to be given, in advance of summative assessment, alongside focused revision sessions.

Research in practice seminars allow for investigative, analytical, synthesis and data interrogation skills to be developed, prior to being put into practice in the dissertation module. A considerable number of student-led journal club sessions will develop the crucial skills of scientific scrutiny, peer-reviewing and abstract writing.

Digital learning/VLE you can expect to engage in some online activities to support independent study, which may include guided learning activities (online quizzes, lab simulations), attendance on digital platforms for tutorials, discussion and presentations; review video material such as lectures to consolidate understanding and supply written tasks via digital methods such as e-portfolios, and Turnitin. From time to time you can expect to engage with digital/online learning within taught modules in year one such as video seminars, lectures and presentations. Module guidance, tutorials and dissertation supervision in year two will be conducted via online/distance methods.

Independent research and reflection forms a substantial proportion of the study hours, encompassing time spent preparing for taught module sessions and assessments, and planning, shaping and conducting the research for your projects, which may include self led lab time as well as library based research. You will systematically gather and analyse research data to draw conclusions, with the assistance of academic supervisors.

Summative assessments are taken in the form of:

  • Written exams – testing knowledge, and applying knowledge and understanding to case study/scenario analysis
  • Coursework essays – organisation of knowledge and understanding in order to develop cohesive argument
  • Written reports – demonstrating skills of reflection, evaluation, interpretation and conclusion
  • Coursework Portfolio – arrangement of short form written analyses of practice, skills, research, needs, case, scenario, product and/or data sources, demonstrating breadth of engagement and understanding of principles
  • Presentations – selection, synthesis and communication of information for varied audience/ purpose, media (oral/poster etc), precis/concision, including both group and individual projects. These may be online or in person
  • Abstract /Grant Proposal writing - shaping theses and research into coherent summaries that demonstrate aim and purpose of research, convincing and evidenced argument and integrated contextual understanding of audience and objectives
  • Independent research projects/dissertations – creating/modelling science based hypotheses and research design, interrogating current practice,  literature reviews, practical analysis of planning, implementation, evaluation of results and conclusions
  • Research presentation and panel questions VIVA - communication, information, targeted, persuasive, professional interrogation of knowledge and understanding as demonstrated, capacity to take knowledge to new scenarios

  • Reflective evaluation – appraisal of personal practice and experience, evaluate projects and outcomes, identify personal learning objectives

    Some variation of assessment tasks will result from the optional modules selected

Face-to-face attended sessions form typically approx 18-20 hours per week in Term 1 and Term 2 and students are expected to display a level of independent study (25-30 hours per week), for example, by engaging with key topics and required readings in preparation for the discussions promoted in the programme.

Independent research and reflection forms a substantial proportion of the study hours, encompassing time spent preparing for taught module sessions and assessments, and planning, shaping and conducting the research for your projects, which may include self led lab time as well as library based research. You will systematically gather and analyse research data to draw conclusions, with the assistance of academic supervisors.

Modules

The MSc Bioscience (Research and Development) with Practice programme is structured through a blend of compulsory and optional modules.

This allows a substantial base of key skills, knowledge and understanding to be developed intensively, while also allowing specialist lines of enquiry to develop in respect of individual areas of research. 

The diet of the optional modules from across UCL departments ensures a genuine translational approach is embedded and provides a focus on research driven identification of therapeutic problems to solve, through the range of current and emerging treatment innovations.

Study moves from compulsory taught modules in Term 1 with a core skills and knowledge focus, to a diet of taught options in Term 2 which allow you to construct your learning according to your evolving areas of research interest. This research interest is then focused and interrogated through a research project-based module in Term 3 which will expand lab-based skills. In Term 4 and Term 5 there will be a more extensive lab placement either at the institute or with an international partner institution which will provide additional lab expertise within an academic environment and foster academic collaboration.

There will be a preliminary module focused on preparing a research funding application around the proposed project, allowing a thorough understanding of the background science and implementation of grant writing skills taught in Year 1, and a reflective module which will ask you to appraise and evidence your practical and lab skills. The research project itself will be conducted in Term 5.

The primary location of study provides a distinctive environment in which to learn as the institute's strong record in innovating therapies through research to implementation is longstanding and globally recognised. The collaborative relationship between the institute and Moorfields Eye Hospital not only provides a coherent microcosm of the direct application of research into clinical use, it also affords a particular insight into bench-to-bedside research.

The Institute of Ophthalmology’s relationships with global partner institutions afford you direct experience of how research in this field is not only translational in application, but transnational in its engagement with global health challenges and solutions.

The Research Project, which forms the final assessment, develops your independent practice substantially; working from the science based identification of need into shaping, analysing and reporting your research that could inform therapeutic innovations in the future and that might transform treatments and lives in the context of a global society.

Compulsory modules










Optional modules











Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 300 credits, you will be awarded a in Bioscience (Research and Development) with Practice.

Placement

The study in Year 2 (Term 4 and Term 5) will be supervised by UCL and, while you are attending an external lab placement, supervised onsite. 

The intention is to further develop your independent practice and bench skills in a lab context.

Overseas lab placements have already been arranged with three institutions: Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and University of Sydney, Australia, along with a number of other host institutions to be added, including within the UK, in due course. Throughout this time, you will remain under the supervision of your tutor for both academic and pastoral guidance, with regular online one-to-one meetings, tutorials and seminar sessions.

The three modules studied alongside the placement intersect with your ongoing learning, practical skills and research activity, and expect you to be able to shape, evaluate, implement and conclude in respect of these in the assessment tasks.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

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Graduate Open Events: Bioscience Research and Development (With Practice) MSc

The MSc Bioscience Research and Development (with Practice) will help you understand how to develop research from the lab to the clinic. With a bioscience background you will develop your scientific knowledge base whilst improving your ability to design experiments in the context of translational medicine. During the session you'll get to hear from the programme Director and current students about the course structure, modules, career outcomes and UCL student life.

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800
Tuition fees (2026/27) £39,200

180 credits in Year 1 and 120 credits in Year 2. As such, the fee in Year 1 will be £16,800 (UK) or £39,200 (Overseas) but the fee in Year 2 will be approximately two-thirds of that.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Students are responsible for arranging travel, accommodation and living expenses for the placement, as well as study at UCL.

Students should expect to have IT access to allow them to engage with distance learning methods across year two.

Funds will be provided to the host lab by UCL to cover the costs of the experimentation, including use of equipment and any training required during the placement period.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Institute of Ophthalmology International Excellence Scholarships

Deadline: 30 June 2025
Value: £5,000 towards fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study MSc Bioscience (Research and Development) with Practice at graduate level
  • Why you want to study MSc Bioscience (Research and Development) with Practice at UCL
  • What particularly attracts you to this programme
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this rigorous programme
  • Where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Institute of Ophthalmology
Institute of Ophthalmology

ioo.admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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