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Molecular Biosciences (Medical Biosciences) MSc

2 years with professional placement, starting in September 2025

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Develop your understanding of human disease and learn to apply cutting-edge methodologies to help tackle global health challenges.

Biosciences research has a huge impact on helping people live longer and healthier lives. With the World Economic Forum identifying healthcare as one of the top 10 Global Challenges for 2030, there is a growing demand for specialists in this field.

This course provides you with a broad understanding of the molecular basis of biological systems, with a focus on how medical biosciences can address some of the world's biggest challenges in human health and disease.

Course highlights

  • Study at a Top 10 University, on a course designed in consultation with clinical and industrial partners to give you the skills employers are looking for.
  • Develop extensive knowledge in your specialist area of medical biosciences, as well as a broad understanding of molecular biosciences.
  • Gain extensive research experience by carrying out two separate research projects.
  • Work in dedicated postgraduate labs to give you the laboratory exposure and specialist skills required by industry.
  • Work with leading researchers from both the Department of Life Sciences and Milner Centre for Evolution.
  • Further strengthen your employability with a project addressing the challenges of global environment sustainability, applying skills related to either entrepreneurship, teaching, media and communication, or public engagement.
  • Get support from your dedicated Personal Tutor who you can go to for academic and non-academic support.

Specialise in medical biosciences

By combining remarkable technological advances, with a deeper understanding of the human body, medical bioscience is enabling us to develop treatments that can save and improve people's lives. From creating artificial muscles to developing novel cancer treatments, the field is advancing rapidly. There are exciting developments in a multitude of areas including stem cell therapies, immunotherapies, neuroscience and developmental genetics.

  • Based within the Cell and Developmental Biology research group you’ll learn to apply cutting-edge methodologies, such as CRISPR, to understanding the molecular and genetic basis of human disease.
  • You’ll work closely with researchers, whose work addresses important questions on how molecular, cellular, genetic and epigenetic processes underpin human development (such as stem cell technologies and regenerative medicine), human disease (such as cancer) and ageing (such as neurodegeneration).

Research projects

You'll undertake two research projects; a group project based in the lab and a lab-based or non-lab based project, working with a researcher in the department. These projects will give you extensive research experience, helping you stand out when applying for jobs or a PhD.

Examples of projects include:

  • Investigating long non-coding RNA function in the development of resistance to current melanoma therapies.
  • Behavioural and neuronal activity mapping analyses of zebrafish larvae overexpressing SNRNP70 specifically in the cytoplasm.

Career prospects

You’ll graduate with the specialist knowledge and sought-after skills for a career in further research, such as a PhD, or roles in academic, clinical, industrial or commercial sectors anywhere in the world. Our dedicated careers team offers individual guidance and help you decide between employment and further study.

Recent examples of graduate roles include healthcare scientist, analyst, production technician and agricultural engineer.

Find out more on maximising your employability while at Bath.

Who is this course for?

This course is for you if you’ve graduated from any bioscience, medical, veterinary or related discipline and you’re interested in specialising in a career within the field of medical biosciences.

We also offer the Molecular Biosciences course with specialisms in Microbiology and Bioinformatics and we have a new dedicated MSc Biotechnology with specialisms available in Healthcare Technologies, Sustainable Biotechnologies or with Entrepreneurship.

Find out more about studying at Bath:

2025/26 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 2 years. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2027. Welcome week starts on 22 September 2025.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

In addition to the compulsory and optional units studied during the course, you'll have access to online study materials two weeks before the start of semester 1, to help you prepare for study at Bath.

Year 1

Semester 1

You’ll choose 15 credits of optional units across Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Compulsory units

  • Advances in molecular medicine

    20 credits

  • Broadening horizons

    10 credits

  • Research project 1A

    15 credits

Optional units

  • Cancer genetics and therapy

    15 credits

  • Tissue engineering

    15 credits

Semester 2

You’ll choose 15 credits of optional units across Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Compulsory units

  • Advances in molecular medicine

    Continued

  • Broadening horizons

    Continued

  • Research project 1A

    Continued

Optional units

  • Cancer genetics and therapy

    Continued

  • Tissue engineering

    Continued

Year 2

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Professional training placement

    60 credits

  • Research project 2

    30 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory units

  • Professional training placement

    Continued

  • Research project 2

    Continued

Placement

Going on placement gives you the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge working in industry. You’ll be employed full-time in a role to match your future career ambitions, broadening your experience and transferable skills. We have links with companies of all sizes from household names to start-ups.

Placement opportunities can't be guaranteed but you will receive tailored support from our specialist team to help you secure a placement.

Find out more about going on placement

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

  • Laboratory sessions
  • Lectures
  • Online resources
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Essay
  • Online assessment
  • Presentations
  • Written examination
  • Other

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

Overall workload

You should expect to spend approximately 35 to 40 hours a week studying on your course. These hours consist of structured activities and independent learning. You will experience a mix of in person teaching, that will take place on campus, and structured online learning delivered through the University’s virtual learning environment.

Structured learning activities

MSc programmes deliver taught unit/modules in the first and second semester, with the Summer dedicated to a dissertation. The second semester will have less structured learning as you will start to prepare for your dissertation. Both during the dissertation preparation and the dissertation, supervision will take place at times suitable to you and your supervisor.

Typically, you can expect to spend between 20 to 25 hours on structured learning activities per teaching week, of which approximately 60 to 80% will be in timetabled sessions on campus, and the remainder online. The hours of structured time are dependent on the optional units you decide to take, with more practical subjects normally having more structured time than more theoretical ones.

In-person teaching and online activities

Timetabled sessions delivered in person on campus will be a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratories. Online activities may include following a recorded lecture, or other learning materials, or joining a timetabled live interactive session through Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

Independent learning

The remainder of your time outside these structured activities will be spent in independent learning which includes individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams.

To support you in your studies you will be able to access, outside of timetabled learning, facilities on campus and in Bath such as study spaces, computers, and the Library.

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘I'm fascinated by how genes know when to be switched on and when to be switched off.’
— Professor Adele Murrell Cell and developmental biology research theme

Entry requirements

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a Bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a high 2:2 or above.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in any biosciences, medical, biomedical-based subject, such as biosciences, medical, veterinary, biotechnology, life sciences, pharmacy or pharmacology, technology or related disciplines.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Molecular Biosciences (Medical Biosciences) MSc with professional placement

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

See the most recent fees for postgraduate courses.

Extra costs

IT requirements

We recommend that students on the MSc Molecular Biosciences have a computer with the current Windows, Mac or Linux operating system; iPads, tablets and Chrome OS are insufficient for some of the software we use.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying a postgraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Read more about tuition fee loans

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information

  • Course title
    Molecular Biosciences (Medical Biosciences)
  • Final award
    MSc
  • Mode of study
    Full-time
  • Course code
    TDUSL-MB34
  • Department
    Department of Life Sciences
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 August 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    31 July 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator
    The Office for Students (OfS)

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