Program Overview

Course summary

MPhil Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre

The Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre (BMRC) offers a higher degree by research in biomolecular sciences. This program involves training in research methods and a laboratory-based high-level scientific investigation.

How you learn

• Your research takes place with the Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre (BMRC).
• The BMRC has been established for over 15 years and has over 40 postgraduate students enrolled on MPhil/PhD programmes, as well as a number of postdoctoral research assistants.
• This provides an active and stimulating research environment.

Applied learning

• Networking opportunities: Whilst studying, postgraduate students are encouraged and supported to present their latest research findings at national and international conferences as part of the BMRC.
• You present your results in a thesis, explain the methods used in your research, and defend them in a viva voice examination.

Future careers

• Research degrees are a vital qualification for most academic careers, and for professional specialisation and development in an existing or planned career.

Equipment and facilities

• The Biomolecular Sciences Laboratories are highly specialised laboratories situated over two floors in close proximity to academic and student office space.
• Depending on your program of study, you will work with a variety of specialist equipment, such as:
  • biacore facility
  • cell culture facilities for bacterial and mammalian cells
  • confocal and inverted fluorescence microscopy suite
  • DNA microarray scanner
  • flow cytometry
  • histological processing and staining
  • hypoxia culture facilities
  • NMR
  • Q-TOF-MS with electrospray and imaging MALDI options along with LC and associated equipment for proteomic analysis
  • real-time PCR
  • synaption mobility mass spectrometer

Where will I study?

• You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

• City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
• City Campus map | City Campus tour

Adsetts library

• Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus and is open 24 hours a day, every day.

Entry requirements

All students

• Please contact the relevant research area or centre to enquire about the entry requirements for this MPhil.
• Where English is not your first language, you must also show evidence of English language ability.
• All applicants must submit a completed postgraduate application form, including a 1500-word research proposal.
• You are encouraged to find out more about our staff and their current research to inform the development of your research proposal and to ensure it aligns with our research themes.

Additional information for EU/International students

• If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country-specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
• For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.

Fees and funding

Home students

• Our tuition fee for UK postgraduate research students will be aligned to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fees, which have not yet been confirmed for 2025/26.
• For an indication of the tuition fees, please view the 2024/25 course page.
• An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities.
• Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

International students

• Our tuition fee for International/EU postgraduate research students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £8,865 per year.
• (Note that this course is not suitable for students requiring a Tier 4 visa).
• An additional bench fee may also be charged for this course, depending on the nature of your project and requirements for specialist facilities.
• Information on whether a bench fee is chargeable can be provided by the relevant Research Institute, and will be confirmed in your offer letter.

Doctoral student loans

• Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Additional course costs

• The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses.
• These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses.
• Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
• General course additional costs
• Additional costs for Biosciences and Chemistry (PDF, 133.1KB)

Legal information

• Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.