Program Overview

Biological Sciences

Overview

Our research is organised into nine distinct research themes:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Microbiology
• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Disease Ecology and Evolution
• Ecosystems
• Environmental Biology
• Marine Ecology
• Medical Mycology
• Microbial Evolutionary Ecology
• Plant and Algal Biology

Degrees

• MPhil/PhD Biological Sciences
• MSc by Research Biological Sciences
• PhD Complex Living Systems
• PhD Natural Sciences

Duration

• Degree duration details

Start Date

• September, January or April

Locations

• Streatham Campus
• Penryn Campus

Study Modes

• Full time or part time

Entry Requirements

• Applicants will typically hold (or be expected to attain) a First Class or Upper Second Class degree in biology or a related subject (or equivalent qualifications from other countries).
• Specific requirements may vary and prospective applicants should contact the team via our enquiry form, or by calling +44 (0).

English Language Requirements

• International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
• The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2: view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

PhD and Research Programme Application Process

• Pinpoint your PhD research area
• Investigate whether this area is available at Exeter
• Ensure that you meet our English language entry requirements (international students only)
• Construct and refine your PhD research proposal
• Approach your potential supervisor(s)
• Apply online

Fees and Funding

• Fees 2025/26
  • Home: £5,006 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
  • International: £28,600 full-time
• Fees 2024/25
  • Home: £4,786 full-time; £pro-rata part-time
  • International: £27,500 full-time

Current Funding Opportunities

• Award| Value| Application Deadline| Description
  • Climate Change, future water resources and the evolution of glaciers in High Mountain Asia.| £20,780| Mon 30th Jun 2025| High Mountain Asia (HMA), known as Asia’s Water Tower, is undergoing rapid economic development with growing populations in quickly developing countries. However, future development is hampered by increasingly vulnerable water resources and climate change. As a result, this project uses climate science, ecology and remote sensing to better assess the future stability of water resources in the wider region.
  • Climate Change, future water resources and the evolution of glaciers in High Mountain Asia. PhD-funded in Geography| £20,780| Mon 30th Jun 2025| UK and International tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,795 (pro rata) per year
  • Maintaining muscle mass and physical function during GLP1 agonist induced weight loss with progressive resistance exercise training or protein nutrition| UK tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year| Fri 4th Jul 2025| UK tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 per year
  • Assessing the impact of progressive organic farming standards on the nutritional quality of dairy products, PhD, funded.| 4 Year Studentship| Wed 30th Jul 2025| The University of Exeter’s Department of Public Health and Sports Sciences is inviting applications for a 4 year PhD studentship funded by Yeo Valley to commence in October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in St Luke’s campus in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences but with some work carried out at
  • University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship 2025/26| 20% reduction in the first year tuition fee| There is no application for this award. You will be automatically considered.| A tuition fee discount for University of Exeter alumni who start a postgraduate degree with us in 2025/26
  • University of Exeter Class of 2025 Progression Scholarship| 20% reduction in the first year tuition fees| There is no application for this award. You will be automatically considered.| A tuition fee discount for current University of Exeter students completing a degree in 2025 and progressing directly to a standalone postgraduate programme with us in 2025/26

Supervision

• You can expect:
  • High-quality research supervision to develop and nurture your scientific potential
  • A tailored supervision approach to help best suit your requirements
  • Accessible supervisors who are enthusiastic about working directly with postgraduate research students
  • Regular timetabled meetings with your supervisor
  • 'Open door' policy to all postgraduate students - instant access to world-leading researchers who will share their expertise and ideas with you
  • Regular meetings with your supervisory team, other members of your research group, and mentors

Training

• Opportunities to teach
• Postgraduate training and support
• Research Opportunities and Careers
• Researcher Development Programme (training and development events exclusively designed for our Masters by Research and PhD students)

Careers

• We are committed to ensuring you receive high quality research supervision to maximise your scientific potential and prepare you for a rewarding future, whatever your chosen career path.
• While many of our research degree graduates choose to continue their scientific research, others have embarked on careers in a variety of other sectors.

Facilities

• Facilities at Exeter
  • Biosciences in Exeter is based in three buildings:
    • Geoffrey Pope
    • the Henry Wellcome building for Biocatalysis
    • Hatherly
  • It is also supported by purpose-built greenhouse facilities.
• Facilities at Penryn
  • We have state-of-the-art research facilities to create a stimulating environment in which to undertake an MPhil/PhD.
  • Our Penryn Campus is home to the £30 million Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI).
  • Our laboratories are fully equipped with the needs of a modern laboratory and are complemented with state of the art cold rooms and numerous temperature and light controlled incubators, enabling rearing of model and non-model organisms for study.

Student Stories

• PhD student Daisy talks about her research into microplastics in wastewater treatment works.
• PhD student Kathryn talks about her research looking into the mating behaviours of swordtail fish.
• PhD student Chrisna from Namibia talks about the risk of pharmaceuticals in the environment to fish.

Learning and Assessment

• The MbyRes, MPhil and PhD programmes give you the flexibility to shape your own research in an area of particular interest to you.
• Like other research degrees you will be required to work independently, but with the support and guidance of an appropriate supervisor.
• A wide range of training is available to postgraduate students, including traditional, transferable skills and research specific training.
• There are a number of events, workshops and sessions available every year.
• Research seminars featuring internal and external speakers are organised each week during term time.
• You will be encouraged to attend additional optional courses, graduate schools and conferences and these are arranged through discussion with supervisors on an individual basis.

MbyRes Assessment

• You will be assessed by a written thesis or scientific paper of up to 40,000 words in length.
• Candidates may be required to take a viva voce examination.

MPhil/PhD Assessment

• All MPhil/PhD students enter onto an MPhil degree and undergo an upgrade to the full PhD typically during the first year of study.
• This upgrade typically involves a written progress report assessed by an internal viva with academics from within the department.
• For students who successfully upgrade to PhD, the PhD is assessed by a thesis of up to 100,000 words and a viva voce examination.
• For students who remain on the MPhil, the MPhil is assessed by a thesis of up to 60,000 words, and candidates may be required to take a viva voce examination.