Program Overview

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Overview

The Molecular Cell Biology in Health and Disease MRes is for graduates with a BSc in the life sciences or other science disciplines. We also consider intercalating and qualified MBBS or BDS students. You can take this as a stand-alone qualification or as an entry route onto a PhD or MD.

What You'll Learn

You'll study subject-specific content in cell signalling in health and disease research. There will also be a broad range of complementary options to add to these.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Chromosome Biology and Cell Cycle Control in Health and Disease
  • Therapeutic Applications of Cell Signalling Pathways
  • MRes Project
  • Research Skills and Principles for the Biosciences
• Optional Modules:
  • Biomedical Additive Manufacture and Biofabrication
  • Biomaterials
  • The Biological Study of Behaviour
  • Ageing & Health
  • Experimental Medicine & Therapeutics
  • Drug Discovery and Development
  • Cancer Studies
  • Clinical Epidemiology
  • The Biological Basis of Psychiatric Illness & Its Treatment
  • Biology of Ageing
  • Applied Immunobiology of Human Disease
  • Molecular Microbiology
  • Biomolecular Research in Health and Disease
  • Sensory and Cognitive System Neuroscience
  • Scientific Basis of Neurological Disorders
  • Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells
  • Transplantation Sciences
  • Genetic Medicine
  • Surgical Anatomy
  • Mitochondrial Biology & Medicine
  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular Science in Health and Disease
  • Bioscience Research Development and Enterprise
  • Comparative Cognition: Information Processing in Humans and Other Animals
  • Exercise in Health and Disease
  • Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine
  • Evolution and Human Behaviour
  • Human Health and the Impact of Microbial Genomics
  • Bioinformatics for Biomedical Scientists
  • Enabling Technologies and Methodologies for Biomedical Research
  • Theoretical Aspects of Animal Welfare
  • Practical Aspects of Animal Welfare
  • Human Nutrition Science
  • Global Health and Planetary Boundaries
  • Mechanisms in Genetic Disease: from Genotype to Phenotype

How You'll Learn

You'll be taught using a range of methods, including:

• lectures
• seminars
• group work

Assessment methods will depend on your modules, but may include:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral examination
• Oral presentation
• PC examination
• Practical lab report
• Poster
• Portfolio
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Your Development

You'll develop a range of both research and practical laboratory skills.

Your Future

This MRes can be a pathway for a career in scientific research in academia and industry. It is also excellent preparation for a PhD.

Careers

Graduates from the Faculty of Medical Sciences MRes at Newcastle have undertaken a wide range of roles, including:

• project manager
• research associate
• associate consultant
• senior analysts
• research scientist
• Marie Curie early stage researcher
• clinical research associate
• medical information and patient safety executive
• medical writer
• medical doctor
• research laboratory technician
• sales representative
• immunology development manager

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

Facilities

You'll work in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, which is part of our city-centre campus. The Faculty is also home to:

• dentistry
• medicine
• psychology
• pharmacy Our facilities include:
• individual research laboratories where students carry out their projects
• a dedicated medical library with a wide range of specialist books and journals
• hi-tech computer clusters and study spaces
• dedicated facilities for a range of key bioscience applications, including flow cytometry, bioinformatics, imaging, genomics, and proteomics

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

• Home students: £12,500
• International students: £30,700

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

Academic entry requirements

A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in:

• a life science or related discipline
• or an MBBS/BDS degree

English Language requirements

You must meet the English language requirements for this course.

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University.

How to Apply

The course starts in September. We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must pay a deposit of £1,500 or submit an official letter of sponsorship. You may need an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate. You'll need to get this before you can get your visa or study on this programme.