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Biosciences MRes

London, Bloomsbury

This degree allows you to undertake a major research project in a specialised subject within the UCL Division of Biosciences. To cater for the diversity of topics available, the degree is split into twelve subject streams, each with a dedicated tutor. The programme can act as a gateway into further research in academia or industry.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
£17,270
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
£31,040
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2022
Applications accepted
All applicants: 18 Oct 2021 – 30 Jun 2022

Applications open

Notification

Application closes at 17:00 GMT.

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Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences, life sciences, or related subject area, or a medical degree (MBBS), or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with an appropriate professional qualification and relevant work experience may also apply.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Good

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. International Preparation Courses

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

ATAS statement

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance. This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place.

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

Students gain knowledge of their chosen specialism through the major research project, alongside basic skills for planning research and the written, oral and visual communication of science. The acquisition and critical analysis of primary scientific literature are essential, as is experiencing the multidisciplinary and collaborative nature of bioscience research.

Who this course is for

The programme is designed for students who wish to increase their research experience or evaluate their suitability for research at this level before committing to a PhD. Applicants will have good fundamental knowledge of the area they wish to study. We will consider applicants with a broad range of experiences, from recent graduates to experienced laboratory scientists.

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

What this course will give you

UCL is recognised as one of the world's best research environments within the field of biosciences (THE World University Rankings 2021)

The UCL Division of Biosciences is in a unique position to offer tuition and research opportunities in internationally recognised laboratories, and an appreciation of the multidisciplinary nature of biosciences research.

The Division includes the Departments of Cell & Developmental Biology; Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology; Genetics, Evolution & Environment; and Structural & Molecular Biology and also hosts the Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, the UCL Genetics Institute and the Institute for Healthy Ageing.

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

The foundation of your career

The flexibility and responsiveness of the Biosciences MRes programme provides training in many areas of cutting-edge scientific research. This launches our students into prime academic and industrial careers. Most of our students progress to further study in PhD positions at leading universities, whereas others have used the generic training from the programme to enter medical publishing and commercial science laboratories, for example.

Employability

This programme provides an ideal foundation for further doctoral research in the field of biosciences, and we envisage that many of the graduates of this programme will undertake a PhD or enter employment in an advanced capacity in industry or the public sector. Approximately 70% of graduates have obtained a funded PhD position, either at UCL or elsewhere.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars and tutorials, combining research-led and skills-based modules. The compulsory modules are assessed by assignments and coursework, whereas the optional module will also have an examination element. The research project is assessed by an oral presentation, submission of a dissertation and is subject to oral examination.

Modules

Full-time

The major component is a year-long research project. You will also take some taught elements that are designed to support your project and develop your professional skills. The degree is split into twelve subject streams for you to select one to graduate in; Biology of Ageing, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Computational Biology, Evolution and Origins of Life, Genetics, Integrative Anatomy, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Structural Biology.

Compulsory 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 is subject to change.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MRes in Biosciences.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

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Graduate Open Events: Applying for Graduate Study at UCL

The Applying to UCL for graduate study session took place in December 2021. The session, covered by our Graduate Admissions and Student Recruitment teams, provides helpful information about the process of applying for graduate study, as well as offering an insight into what we consider to be a competitive application.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Funding your studies

The Funding your studies session took place in December 2021. The session, covered by our Funding and Student Recruitment teams, provides information and guidance about the various scholarships and funding opportunities for graduate study at UCL.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) £17,270
Tuition fees (2022/23) £31,040

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

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

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Biosciences at graduate level
  • Why you want to study Biosciences at UCL
  • What particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging 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 indicate as the first line of your personal statement, your preferred subject stream, from: Biology of Ageing, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Computational Biology, Evolution and Origins of Life, Genetics, Integrative Anatomy, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Structural Biology.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes in any application cycle.

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Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Biosciences
Division of Biosciences

biosciences_pgt_admissions@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.