Program Overview

Overview

The University of Huddersfield offers a Master of Science (MSc) by Research in Biological Sciences. This program allows students to undertake a one-year research degree with little to no formal taught component. Students will work on a specific project and have a greater degree of independence in their work than in a taught Master's course.

Key Information

Entry Requirements

• The normal entry requirements for enrollment on an MSc by Research is an upper second honors degree (2:1 or above) from a UK university or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed program to be followed.
• If the first language is not English, students will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent.

Start Dates

• 1 October 2025
• 12 January 2026
• 20 April 2026

Application Deadlines

• For September 2025: 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students, 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For October 2025: 13 June 2025 for International and Scholarship Students, 04 July 2025 for Home Students
• For January 2026: 17 October 2025 for International and Scholarship Students, 14 November 2025 for Home Students
• For April 2026: 23 January 2026 for International and Scholarship Students, 20 February 2026 for Home Students

Duration

• The maximum duration for an MSc by Research is 1 year (12 months) full-time or 2 years (24 months) part-time with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 4 months.
• Sometimes it may be possible to mix periods of both full-time and part-time study.

What Can I Research?

The University of Huddersfield offers several research topics for the MSc by Research in Biological Sciences, including:

• A bioinformatic investigation of the evolution of gamma-glutamyl carboxylase: an ancient posttranslational modification
• Cancer Research: Could cannabinoids provide new hope for cancer patients?
• Codon Bias and tRNA Evolution
• Computational analysis of carryover sequences in a large-scale genotyping experiment
• Computational validation of a novel genotyping protocol for degraded DNA samples
• Conservation Genomics of The Endangered Pillwort Plant
• Effect of Environmental Anthropogenic Chemicals in Haem Catabolism and Jaundice
• Environmental Toxicology: Environment Impact of superwarfarins
• Evolutionary Biology of Prokaryotic Transposable Elements
• Evolutionary Biology of Transposable Elements in The Unicellular Relatives of Animals
• Evolutionary Biology of Transposable Elements in Unicellular Eukaryotes
• Expanding Nature's toolkit with non-natural variants of a biotechnologically important enzyme
• Exploring orphan CYPs and redox partners interactions in the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Exploring the role of the CYP4 enzymes in human health and disease
• Investigating the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Garcinia kola and Garcinoic Acid on Neutrophil Function
• Investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of novel alkaloid derivatives
• Investigation of the function and evolution of vitamin K epoxide reductase and vitamin K dependent proteins
• Molecular Evolution Of The Unicellular Relatives of Animals
• Targeting NETosis to reduce cancer proliferation and migration in 3D bioprinted models of highly invasive, difficult-to-treat cancers

Teaching and Assessment

• As a minimum, students can expect to meet with their supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students).
• Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with the student and their supervisor.
• A research degree has no compulsory taught element, the study period is for 52 weeks a year with a 35-day annual leave allowance.
• Students are expected to study for at least 35 hours a week for full-time study.

Fees and Finance

• In 2025/26, the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £5,050.
• In 2025/26, the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate researchers will be £2,525.
• Tuition fees will cover the cost of study at the University.
• Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Why Choose Huddersfield?

• The University of Huddersfield ranks first in England for the proportion of teaching staff with higher degrees and teaching qualifications.
• The average salary of postgraduates fifteen months after graduating is £36,101.44.
• 97% of postgraduate students go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduating.

Researcher Environment

• The University of Huddersfield is in the top 50 UK universities for research power.
• Nearly two-thirds of the research environment is classified as world-leading and internationally excellent (REF2021).
• Postgraduate researchers contribute to the thriving research culture at Huddersfield and gain access to world-leading facilities, advanced research skills training, and expert careers advice.