Program Overview

MSc Advanced Biological Sciences

Overview

The MSc Advanced Biological Sciences program at the University of Exeter offers students the opportunity to undertake a substantial research project working within one of the world-leading research groups inside one of the UK's leading Biosciences departments, ranked 6th in the UK for research power (REF 2021). The program allows students to tailor their degree to their career ambitions by choosing one of seven specialist pathways, including Animal Biology, Microbiology and Infectious Disease, and Frontiers in Plant Science.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum 2:2 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant science subject.
• Relevant subjects include: Biological Sciences, Cell Biology, Ecology, Ecology and Conservation, Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Marine Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Plant Science, Zoology.

Course Content

• Undertake a substantial research project working within one of our world-leading research groups inside one of the UK's leading Biosciences departments, ranked 6th in the UK for research power (REF 2021).
• Opportunity to tailor your degree to your career ambitions by choosing one of our seven specialist pathways, including Animal Biology, Microbiology and Infectious Disease, and Frontiers in Plant Science.
• Boost your employability with advanced laboratory skills and data processing training.

Modules

• 120 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules.
• Compulsory modules:
  • BIOM560: Research Project (90 credits)
  • BIOM509: Professional Skills (15 credits)
  • BIOM549: Advanced Laboratory Skills (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • BIOM543: Ecology of Environmental Change (15 credits)
  • BIOM544: Ecotoxicology (15 credits)
  • BIOM545: Frontiers in Plant Biology (15 credits)
  • BIOM546: Living in a Microbial World (15 credits)
  • BIOM547: Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology (15 credits)
  • BIOM548: Cell Biology of Disease (15 credits)
  • BIOM553: Current Issues in Marine Biology (15 credits)
  • BIOM554: Advanced Applications of Physiology (15 credits)
  • BIOM515: Cellular Basis of Immunity (15 credits)
  • BIOM516: Bioinformatics (15 credits)
  • BIOM567: Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease (15 credits)
  • BIOM568: Blue Planet (15 credits)
  • BIOM570: Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology (15 credits)
  • BIOM571: Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection (15 credits)
  • CSC3011: Medical Genomics (15 credits)
  • CSC3009: Pharmacogenomics (15 credits)
  • GEOM149: Green Planet (15 credits)
  • NSCM005: Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine (15 credits)
  • BIOM555: Bioimaging (15 credits)
  • PSYM205: Advances and Methods in Animal Behaviour (30 credits)
  • PSYM213: Current Research Issues in Animal Behaviour (15 credits)

Specialist Pathways

• Animal Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Ecotoxicology
• Frontiers in Plant Science
• Microbiology and Infectious Disease
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Sustainable Aquaculture

Fees

• 2025/26 entry:
  • UK fees per year: £14,900 full-time; £7,500 part-time
  • International fees per year: £30,900 full-time; £15,500 part-time

Scholarships

• The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Careers

• MSc Advanced Biological Sciences will provide you with a diversity of skills that will equip you for work in a range of sectors.
• Skills include:
  • Analytical skills
  • Applied statistics
  • Scientific writing
  • Independent learning
  • Critical evaluation
  • Research technique
  • Oral communication

Teaching and Research

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Laboratory work
• Group discussion
• Independent study
• Research project

Facilities

• Aquatic Resources Centre
• Bioimaging Centre
• Exeter Sequencing Facility
• Mass Spectrometry Facility
• MRC Centre for Medical Mycology
• Living Systems Institute
• Exeter Cytomics Facility

Tutorial Support

• You will be allocated a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies.
• There is also a postgraduate tutor available to help with further guidance and advice, and our programme director will offer every student a meeting each term to review academic progress.

Assessment

• Taught modules are assessed through essay examinations, individual and group-based coursework assignments, oral presentations, in-module tests and reports or essays.
• A significant proportion of the marks are based on your substantial research project and the associated paper submitted in August.