| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
MSc Palaeobiology
Overview
This interdisciplinary MSc programme is for students who are passionate about the history of life, mass extinctions, macroevolution, climate change, and fossil preservation. You will learn the latest techniques in phylogenetics, biomechanics, and macroevolution, providing you with a strong foundation for independent research to PhD level or for careers in fields such as museum curation, science education, science policy, industry, or the media.
Bristol is ranked second in the UK for 'Earth systems and environmental sciences' research (THE analysis of REF 2021) and first in the world for Palaeontology (Center for World University Rankings 2017). You will join Bristol's established palaeobiology research group and engage in current debates in evolution, systematics, and palaeobiology. You will learn how to analyse problems quantitatively and design experimental approaches to resolving questions in macroevolution and the study of both ancient and living organisms.
A key aspect of the programme is preparing your research project for publication, and many of our previous students' projects have been published in leading international journals.
This programme gives you the opportunity to develop a wide range of professional skills, including research planning, problem-solving, and communication. You will learn to present palaeontological data through talks, visual displays, and formal written reports. You will also develop computational skills in data handling, phylogenetics, macroevolution, functional analysis, and 3D digital modelling.
Key Information
- Programme duration: One year full-time; two years part-time. Part-time study requires daytime weekday attendance.
- Start date: September 2025
- Application deadline: Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025; Home applicants: 8 August 2025
- Delivery method: On-Campus
- Location: Clifton
- Awards available: MSc
Programme Structure
The first part of the programme consists of lectures, practical classes, tutorials, and visiting speakers, designed to provide a firm foundation in the theory and methodology of the subject.
The final part of the programme consists of a research project leading to a written thesis. For further information on research projects in the Palaeobiology Research Group, please see the School of Earth Sciences website.
World-Leading Research
- The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
- 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Entry Requirements
- You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics subject (including Anthropology and Archaeology).
- Other degree subjects may be considered on a case-by-case basis if you can demonstrate relevant work experience in laboratories or museums; or roles within the Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics fields (including fieldwork and university roles).
Fees and Funding
- Home: full-time: £13,900 per year
- Home: part-time (two years): £6,950 per year
- Overseas: full-time: £30,500 per year
- Bench fees: £540
- Alumni discount: University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.
Career Prospects
The degree is research-based, and many of our graduates go on to academic careers, usually starting with a PhD. The MSc is focused on methods, and you will learn the latest quantitative and analytical techniques which are highly sought after by PhD supervisors across the world. The training in professional skills, including writing scientific papers, is also highly regarded.
Some students have gone on to careers in museums and now hold senior positions as curators and collection managers in national and regional museums. Other career paths include science policy, the media, science education at all levels, commercial work in marketing, consultancy, industry, and data science.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This interdisciplinary MSc program in Palaeobiology is designed for students passionate about early life, mass extinctions, macroevolution, climate change, and fossil preservation. It bridges the biology-geology divide, providing a strong foundation for independent research at the PhD level or careers in museum curation, science education, science policy, management, or the media.
Outline:
The program consists of lectures, practical classes, tutorials, and visiting speakers in the first part, providing a firm foundation in the theory and methodology of the subject.
Teaching:
The program is taught by Bristol's established palaeobiology research group, engaging students in current debates in evolution, systematics, and palaeobiology. Students learn to analyze problems quantitatively and design experimental approaches to resolving questions in macroevolution and the study of both ancient and living organisms.
Careers:
Graduates of the program pursue academic careers, usually starting with a PhD. The program's focus on methods and the latest quantitative and analytical techniques makes graduates highly sought after by PhD supervisors worldwide. The training in professional skills, including writing scientific papers, is also highly regarded. Other career paths include museum curation, science policy, the media, science education, marketing, consultancy, industry, and computing.
Other:
- The program provides opportunities to develop a wide range of professional skills, including research planning, problem-solving, and communication.
- Students learn to present palaeontological data through talks, visual displays, and formal written reports.
- They also develop computing skills in data handling, phylogenetics, macroevolution, function, and 3D digital modeling.
- A key aspect of the program is preparing the research project for publication, with many previous students' projects published in leading international journals.
- Recent research project topics include the origin of cellular life, the preservation of colors in dinosaurs, and the evolution of culture in humans.
Tuition Fees
UK: full-time £13,100 per year UK: part-time (two years) £6,550 per year Overseas: full-time £29,600 per year For programs that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
Bench fees
£540. Confirmation of bench fees will be stated in the offer letter sent to applicants.
Entry Requirements:
An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in any Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics subject (including Anthropology and Archaeology). We will consider applicants who do not have a degree listed above if they have evidence of significant, relevant work experience. If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications. We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. Specific module requirements may still apply. We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following: evidence of significant, relevant work experience; a relevant postgraduate qualification. If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.
