Course starts: September 2027 Location: London, Bloomsbury

Biological Sciences (Cell and Developmental Biology) (with Study Abroad) MSci

On this four-year integrated master’s, you’ll build a broad foundation in the biological sciences before selecting a research-intensive specialist pathway, working alongside world-leading scientists as an active member of a research group. Specialist pathways include Biodiversity and Conservation, Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics, Human Genetics, or Zoology. You’ll also have the option to spend a year abroad.

Key information

Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 academic years full time
Fees
See main course
Application deadlines
See main course
Course starts
See main course
UCAS code
Apply through the main course
Location
London, Bloomsbury
Department
Division of Biosciences
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Additional requirements for Biological Sciences (Cell and Developmental Biology) (with Study Abroad) MSci

To meet the minimum entry criteria for the Study Abroad programme in Biological Sciences you will need to have achieved an average of 60% across all 120 credits in Year 1.

Please see details of Biological Sciences MSci for the entry requirements of the overall course.

About this course

The Biological Sciences (Cell and Developmental Biology) (with Study Abroad) MSci at UCL offers you the possibility to spend your third year based in a host institution in Asia, Australia, Europe or the USA. It will provide you with the core knowledge and practical skills needed to engage and contribute to current research in cell and developmental biology. You will develop advanced expertise in experimental design, problem-solving, computational analysis, and mathematical modelling, all of which are highly valued by employers and essential for research careers.

We are looking for students who are curious about the living world, enthusiastic about investigating it, and who have a strong drive to perform biological research.

You should be keen to engage with quantitative and evidence-based approaches, using mathematical, computational and data-analysis techniques to tackle complex biological problems. Many of these challenges require interdisciplinary thinking, drawing on concepts from across the biosciences and beyond.

From the outset, you will be expected to show a willingness to develop new research and professional skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration, as you develop into a professional scientist.

Course structure

In Year 1, you will study core subjects spanning the biosciences from molecules to populations, while beginning to develop the computational, analytical, and communication skills essential for modern scientific research.

In Year 2, you will take 75 credits of core modules covering topics such as cell diversity, structure and function, and comparative cell biology, building on your first-year foundation and further developing your computational, communication, and collaborative skills. You will also choose 45 credits of optional modules in areas related to cell and developmental biology or genetics, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests.

You will also attend Go Abroad events to help prepare for your Study Abroad year, submit your preferred university choices, and receive guidance from your Study Abroad Tutor. They will help you identify relevant universities and modules in biological sciences and support you with the application process. The Study Abroad specialism is competitive and has minimum entry criteria.

In Year 3 you will take the equivalent of 120 UCL credits at your chosen university. 

In Year 4 you will return to London and most of your time will be spent on a master’s-level extended individual research project (90 credits) in one of UCL/London’s world-leading research laboratories. For example, you could be based in the Institute for Healthy Ageing, the Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, or the Centre for Life’s Origins and Evolution.

Modules

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

The modules shown below are an indicative list of those currently available as part of the full degree. This includes modules that may be available before selecting a study option and those that may be available after a student moves onto the study option.

Compulsory modules

  • Biological Sciences Specialism 1 (BIOL0062)
  • Biological Sciences Specialism 2 (BIOL0063)
  • Foundations of Life (BIOS0066)
  • Organisms, Evolution and Ecology (BIOS0067)
  • Year 1: Fundamental Scientific Skills and Grand Challenges (BIOS0068)
  • Year 1: Foundations of Programming and Data Handling (BIOS0069)
  • Molecular Cell Biology (BIOS0074)
  • Cells to Organisms (BIOS0075)

In Year 1, you will take eight 15-credit compulsory modules (120 credits), providing a foundational understanding across the full spectrum of biological sciences. 

You’ll build your knowledge and skills through a varied range of teaching, lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals, problem-based learning, e-learning and supported personal study.  

From the very first term, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in UCL’s world-leading research, working with academics from our research department or partner institutions. This includes access to analysing novel datasets and cutting-edge research, as well as hands-on experience in the laboratory.

You’ll also get opportunities to gain practical experience in the field, studying animals and plants in their natural habitats, and applying biological concepts in real-world contexts.

The Biological Sciences (Cell and Developmental Biology) (with Study Abroad) MSci is a four year master’s-level degree on which you will spend Year 3 at an overseas partner institution studying subjects relevant to Cell and Developmental Biology before returning to UCL to complete the final year (Year 4) of your degree.

Your progress will be assessed through a combination of examinations and coursework. Coursework may include practical reports, tutorial exercises, essays, scientific papers, poster and oral presentations, and multimedia projects, giving you the chance to demonstrate your understanding in a variety of ways.

Assessment methods may vary depending on the optional and elective modules you select, allowing you to tailor your learning and evaluation to your chosen areas of interest.

Your typical contact hours range from 10–20 hours per week, depending on your module choices, and include lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals, and e-learning activities.

In addition, you are expected to undertake 10–20 hours of independent study per week, developing your skills in self-directed learning, data analysis, and scientific inquiry.

Independent study increases in the third year, reflecting the greater emphasis on research and project work. Third-year contact hours also typically range from 10–20 hours per week, supporting your independent research and advanced study. Students on study abroad courses in Year 3 will have contact hours defined by the host institution. These will likely differ from contact hours at UCL.

Fourth year MSci students can expect to spend the majority of the working week working independently on their research projects, with approximately 5–10 hours per week of contact time for project supervision, research team meetings and taught modules. 

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 are 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.

Fees and funding

Study mode UK fee (2026/27) Overseas fee (2026/27)
Full time £9,790 £42,700

UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.

International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs for Biological Sciences (Cell and Developmental Biology) (with Study Abroad) MSci

Studying abroad during your course at UCL is likely to incur additional costs. Studying abroad may cost between £200 and £1,000 per month, depending on where you choose to study. The cost of studying abroad can be difficult to predict as it will depend on your priorities and choices. There is more information available on the UCL Study Abroad website.

Please see Biological Sciences MSci for details of additional costs for the overall course.

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

Why study this course at UCL?

  • Study within UCL’s Faculty of Life Sciences, a globally recognised research environment historically associated with multiple Nobel Prizes, and be taught by academics at the forefront of their fields.
  • Develop highly valued computational skills, gaining hands-on experience with real research datasets and widely used programming languages such as R and Python.
  • Immerse yourself in a world-leading research culture, with opportunities to engage with prestigious research groups at institutions including the Natural History Museum, the Francis Crick Institute and the Zoological Society of London.
  • Graduate well prepared for further study or professional careers, including PhD research and highly skilled roles or internships in the healthcare, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
  • Build entrepreneurial and innovation skills, exploring pathways to launch your own start-up through UCL Innovation & Enterprise, which has supported over 300 start-ups since 2010, securing more than £280 million in investment.
  • Study in the heart of London at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, a district famous for its cultural and educational institutions. Take a virtual tour and see what our campus has to offer.
  • Broaden your academic and personal horizon through both national and international field trips, with the option to spend a year studying abroad in Year 3.

Discover Uni

To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.

What this course will give you

A degree in Biological Sciences equips you with a versatile set of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers and essential for a wide range of careers. Core modules integrate analytical, computational and research skills, while a dedicated Key Skills module each year ensures you continue to develop abilities in data analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific communication.

These skills prepare you not only for careers in research and academia, but also for a broad spectrum of roles across the public and private sectors, including government and public administration, charities and international development, journalism, teaching, policy, and NGOs. Graduates leave UCL ready to apply scientific thinking and professional expertise in diverse and dynamic environments, making an impact locally and globally.

Since 2010, UCL has graduated over 1,000 students from its Biological Sciences degree courses. We maintain strong connections with our alumni community, many of whom actively support current students through careers events, mentoring and one-to-one conversations, offering valuable insight into a wide range of career pathways.

A significant proportion of our graduates progress to further study, including PhDs in areas such as Computational Biology, Biodiversity and Conservation, and related biological and biomedical disciplines, both in the UK and internationally.

Others pursue careers across a broad range of sectors, reflecting the versatility of a Biological Sciences degree. Recent employers of our graduates include Albany Partners, British Ecological Society, Deloitte LLP, Frequentis Health, Havas Media, Sky Media, HSBC Bank, Barclays Bank, and various NHS Foundation Trusts.*

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), reporting destinations of graduates from the 2017–2023 cohorts.

  • Energy, natural resources and the environment
  • Scientific research, development and analysis
  • Banking and investment
  • Veterinary services
  • IT, technology and telecommunications
  • Charities, NGOs and international development
  • PR, advertising and marketing
  • Academic research and HE
  • Media
  • Hospitality, leisure and tourism
  • Teaching and other educational activities
  • Consultancy
  • Retail and wholesale activities
  • Accountancy and financial services
  • Law
  • Health and social care
  • Publishing, journalism and translation

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How to apply

Apply for Biological Sciences MSci to access this study option. Please note that you will need to meet any additional requirements for this study option to be considered.

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Division of Biosciences

Division of Biosciences

Click to email. biosciences-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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