Program Overview

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Introduction to the Biosciences MRes Program

The Biosciences MRes program at University College London (UCL) offers students the opportunity to hone their skills in a specific area of biosciences, with the goal of progressing to a PhD or pursuing a career in research. This program is designed for graduates who have identified a particular area of interest within the biosciences and wish to explore it through postgraduate and doctoral research.

Program Overview

The Biosciences MRes program is a one-year, full-time course that allows students to design and implement their own major practical research project in their chosen specialism. The program is split into ten subject streams, including:

• Biology of Ageing and Age-related Disease
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• Circuits and Systems Neuroscience
• Computational Biology
• Evolution and Origins of Life
• Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
• Stem Cell and Developmental Genetics
• Structural Biology and Biophysics
• Integrative Anatomy: Vertebrate Form, Function and Evolution

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the Biosciences MRes program, applicants must have a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences, life sciences, or a 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 be considered.

English Language Requirements

The English language level for this course is Level 2. UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are available for international students who wish to improve their academic English and academic skills.

ATAS Statement

Applicants who require a time-limited visa to complete their UCL studies may need to obtain ATAS clearance. This will be confirmed if an offer of a place is made.

Equivalent Qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of equivalent qualifications, can be obtained from the International Students website.

About the Degree

The Biosciences MRes program allows students to choose from one of ten available research streams, ranging from computational biology to integrative anatomy. Students will embed themselves within one of UCL's world-leading research groups and will be in the lab or working on their project at least four days a week under the supervision of an expert senior investigator.

What the Course Will Give You

The Biosciences MRes program will provide students with the skills and knowledge to progress to a PhD in their preferred area of biosciences. Students will gain first-hand insight into globally significant research across a diverse range of biosciences disciplines and will develop their research independence and science communication skills.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Biosciences MRes program will be ideally positioned to progress onto doctoral study in their chosen biosciences specialism or to take up research-related roles in commercial labs across a broad range of industries.

Employability

The Biosciences MRes program is designed for students who wish to undertake a PhD degree or to convert from other relevant disciplines, and for those who wish to enter employment in an advanced capacity in industry or the public sector in the field of bioscience.

Networking Opportunities

Students will have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build professional contacts as part of their master's. They will be able to get involved in projects and events run by partner organizations and institutes, such as the Francis Crick Institute, and will be able to attend conferences and other department events as a fully-fledged member of their research group.

Teaching and Learning

The program is delivered through a combination of lectures, interactive group teaching, and seminars. Assessment is through essays, reports, popular science articles, videos, scientific posters, examinations, oral presentations, and the research project dissertation.

Modules

The major component of the program is a year-long research project. Students will also take some taught elements that are designed to support their project and develop their professional skills. The compulsory modules are:

Compulsory Modules

• The Scientific Literature
• MRes Biosciences Research Skills
• MRes Biosciences Research Seminars
• MRes Biosciences Research Project

Fees and Funding

The tuition fees for the Biosciences MRes program are:

• UK students: Ł21,500 (2026/27)
• International students: Ł42,700 (2026/27)

Additional Costs

Students will not face any additional costs. However, they should be aware of the cost of living in London and the cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2, which is Ł119.90.

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.

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 assessing an application, the admissions team 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 course
• How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging course
• Where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Please indicate your preferred subject stream as the first line of your personal statement, from the list of available subject streams.