Bioscience MSc

A flexible course that can be customised to fit your bioscience interests.

As well as developing essential core skills and competencies for the bioscience researcher, you can choose from the full range of optional modules on offer to select the combination of topics that most interest you. You’ll study exciting, contemporary topics in a faculty ranked 6th in the UK for its research impact (REF 2014) and be introduced to the cutting-edge techniques being used to advance scientific discovery.

Choose your independent advanced research project from a wide list of topics, which are designed to offer you an immersive experience in the research laboratory, as well as the opportunity to contribute to science in an area you are passionate about.

The strong research element of MSc Bioscience, along with the specialist and fundamental skills you’ll develop, will prepare you for a range of careers. Many graduates of the programme progress to PhD study, others to different aspects in bioscience-related research and well as a wide range of graduate level occupations.

This course is designed to equip you with the expertise necessary to work at the forefront of the modern bioscience sector. We’ll offer you the flexibility and choice needed to tailor this course to your interests and career aspirations as well as a combination of practical training and theoretical modules to help you build your knowledge and skills.

The practical experience you gain during this degree is a vital part of your career preparation. You’ll receive substantial training in practical methods and technologies currently being used to advance the biological sciences.

During the course you’ll apply yourself through core research training modules. You’ll undertake a laboratory-based mini-project providing a hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques. You’ll also choose and undertake a laboratory-based independent research project on an innovative topic related to your course options.

Importantly, we’ll also give you a strong foundation of theoretical teaching to enhance your practical training. You’ll develop your knowledge through research planning exercises and by studying methodologies underpinning contemporary bioscience, with many optional modules available to choose from including: advanced immunology, infectious and non-infectious diseases, bioimaging, medical diagnostics, treatment of infectious disease and cancer, topics in plant science, plant biotechnology, crop science and sustainable agriculture.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Bioscience MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

You’ll have access to the very best learning resources and academic support during your studies.

Your learning will be heavily influenced by the University’s world-leading research as well as our strong links with highly qualified professionals from industry, non-governmental organisations and charities.

You’ll experience a variety of teaching formats including: formal lectures, interactive workshops and seminars, problem-solving tasks, practical classes and demonstrations, computer-based learning and group work. Our teaching methods are designed to develop your independent thinking, problem-solving, communication skills and practical ability, making you attractive to employers or providing an excellent foundation for further study (eg, PhD).

The learning context has a strong research ethos, preparing you for academic (PhD and post-doctoral), industrial or public sector research. Taught modules address problems at the forefront of the subject, and learning activities (such as group work and mini-research projects) are designed to develop your subject-specific knowledge and research skills.

Your major project will involve cutting-edge research which you will write up in the format of a scientific paper.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

The course is 100% coursework. There are a range of assessments in different formats such as: practical work, data handling and problem solving exercises, group work, literature reviews, research paper critiques, posters and oral presentations. Your individual research project is written up in research paper format.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2:1 in a subject that has covered the cellular and molecular basis of life such as: Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We are now offering online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals.  To find out more, read Online Academic English pre-sessional (10 weeks) and Online Academic English pre-sessional (6 weeks).

Read about differences between our online and on-campus summer pre-sessionals.

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Our Masters programmes are very highly regarded and are therefore competitive in terms of the number of places we can offer. They also focus quite strongly on molecular aspects of science.

Documents and information you’ll need

• completed online application form (for Taught Postgraduate Study)

• full CV

• transcript of degree examination marks achieved to date

• copy of final degree certificate (if completed)

• evidence of English language qualification (non-native English speakers only)

• copy of passport (if you’re an overseas student).

• completed supporting statement:

To help us assess your application, please write a supporting statement. As a guideline, we would expect this statement to be 1-2 pages in length. In your statement please:

• Provide a brief synopsis of any courses/modules you have studies that have covered the cellular and molecular basis of life. Please make reference to your academic transcript, as this information is not always apparent from the course titles.

• Provide details of any previous or current research experience (e.g. undergraduate project, vacation placements, fieldwork, internships). Describe clearly the aim of the work, your part in it, how long the project lasted and whether this research was carried out individually or in a group. Also mention specific techniques you have used. Again, please ensure that you make reference to the cellular and molecular aspects.

• Outline the reasons why you wish to study this particular Masters programme. Explain how the skills and experiences you have outlined above are relevant to your programme of choice and the career you intend to pursue.

Find out more about how to apply.

Apply

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Next steps

• we process your application

• we inform you of our decision

• if we make you an offer, you respond by accepting, declining or deferring.

Taught postgraduate confirmation

Taught postgraduate applicants are required to submit their results for consideration as soon as possible. Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK are recommended to submit their results no later than 31 July, although they will still be considered if submitted after this date.

Interviews

It is standard procedure to interview applicants, prior to making a decision on their application, for MRes Neuroscience, MSc Biopharmaceutical Development (Industrial) and MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine. Interviews do not form part of the standard admissions process for other programmes in the Faculty of Biological Sciences.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

• UK: £11,500 (total)
• International: £25,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships for Faculty of Biological Sciences students

We award a generous range of scholarships to UK and international students. We consider all eligible applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and excellent personal and professional skills. Find out more about the range of scholarships we have to offer.

Government-backed loan = Up to £11,222. Find out more.

Alumni bursary = If you are a former student of the University of Leeds you may be eligible for a 10% alumni tuition fee bursary.

You can also search our postgraduate scholarships database or you can also find information on MoneySavingExpert.

The strong research element of this course, along with the specialist and generic skills you’ll develop, mean you’ll graduate equipped for a wide range of careers.

Our graduates work in a diverse range of areas, ranging from bioscience-related research through to scientific publication, teacher training, health and safety and pharmaceutical market research.

Links with industry

We have a proactive Industrial Advisory Board who advise us on what they look for in graduates and on employability-related skills within our programmes.

We collaborate with a wide range of organisations in the public and commercial sectors. Many of these are represented on our Industrial Advisory Board. They include:

• Labcorp (formally Covance)

• European Bioinformatics Institute

• Astra Zeneca

• Gowling WLG LLP

• Qiagen

• PWC

• Barnsley Hospital (NHS)

• IAOCR

• ApotheCom

• GlaxoSmithKline

Professional and career development

We take your personal and career development very seriously. As well as our Industrial Advisory Board, we also have dedicated employability and professional development officers who ensure that you are aware of events and opportunities to increase your employability. In addition, our Masters career development programme will support you to:

• explore career options and career planning

• understand the PhD application process and optimise PhD application

• learn how to use LinkedIn and other social media for effective networking and career opportunities

• practice interviews for both job and PhD applications.

You’ll have access to seminars and presentations from industry professionals (including our alumni) at faculty led career events. We also have regular research seminars presented by leading academics from around the world on their specialist subjects.

Careers support

Graduate destinations

Examples of posts held by recent MSc graduates include:

• Trainee Cytogeneticist, UK

• Commissioning Editor, scientific publishers, UK

• Research Fellow, National Centre for Biological Sciences, India

• Clinical Researcher, Kent and Medway Cancer Network and NHS Trust, UK

• Research Technician, University of Warwickshire/University of Oxford, UK

• Graduate Medical Degree, UK

• Bioassay analyst, Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, UK

• Laboratory technician, Exova Group Limited

• Quality Management at Johnson & Johnson Lifescan Technologies

• Postgraduate Certificate in Education, UK

• Trainee Embryologist, UK

• Research Assistant, Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar

• Sypol, Health and Safety Services, UK

• Research Executive, Adelphi International Research, UK

• Biopharmaceutical Experimental Officer, Covance, UK.

Further study

A substantial proportion of our graduates undertake further study at Leeds or elsewhere. Recent graduates have gone on to:

• PhD positions in the UK, USA and overseas eg at the Max Planck Institute, Germany.
• Research post at Harvard School of Public Health, Botswana.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.