Program Overview

Toxicology MSc

The Toxicology MSc is a unique course that offers integrated research-led teaching in a highly interactive environment. This program is designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and expertise to address future toxicology challenges, build transferable skills, and understand the role of toxicology in industry, the environment, and society.

Course Overview

The course is taught by top academics and industry experts at the internationally recognized School of Biosciences. Students will gain the theoretical knowledge and expertise to address future toxicology challenges, build transferable skills, and understand the role of toxicology in industry, the environment, and society.

Course Structure

This course will run over 12 months in a full-time mode, with the option to undertake the program on a part-time basis. The course is divided into three terms, with two taught modules in each semester.

Term 1

• Study of the process of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of foreign compounds by the body, pharmacokinetics, and genetic variation of metabolism.
• Introduction to forensic and clinical toxicology, including the recognition and management of poisoning lectures at NPIS at City Hospital.
• Development of transferable knowledge, including delving into the forensic and clinical aspects of toxicology alongside practical skills.

Term 2 and 3

• Integrated Toxicology
• Assessing Toxic Potential
• Biosciences Postgraduate Masters Skills Programme
• Forensic, Clinical and Occupational Toxicology
• Metabolism and Mechanisms of Toxicity
• Regulatory Science and Toxicology for the 21st Century
• Research Project

Course Highlights

• Be part of a highly interactive teaching environment, with a modern curriculum.
• Integrated teaching by well-established centers of bioscience, pathology, clinical pharmacology, and toxicology, occupational health, and environmental and eco-toxicology.
• Strong links to industry and input from international experts in the pharmaceutical industries, contract research companies, government, and external toxicology centers.
• The School of Biosciences is internationally recognized as a major center for toxicology, offering integrated research-led teaching.

Entry Requirements

• 2:1/2:2 in a relevant discipline, such as Biochemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Microbiology, Zoology/Animal Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Physiology, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Medical Science.
• Graduates not fully meeting the criteria but with at least two years of approved postgraduate experience may also be considered.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band.
• TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 Listening, 21 Speaking, and 19 in Writing.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 25 in each skill.

Fees and Scholarships

• £12,150 for full-time students.
• The fees quoted are for one year only, and tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of the program.
• Postgraduate Masters loan available to all UK students.
• Scholarships available, including the Birmingham Masters Scholarship, which awards £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Application Process

• Application deadline for UK and non-visa requiring applicants: 28 August 2026.
• Applications will close as soon as the program is full, and early applications are encouraged.

Career Opportunities

• Career opportunities are excellent, with toxicology remaining a necessary and important area for funding given the current concern over environmental safety.
• Recent graduates have been employed in the pharmaceutical industries, contract research laboratories, government bodies, NHS Poisons Units, water research establishments, and hospital and research laboratories.

Related Courses

• Microbiology and Infection MSc
• Molecular Biotechnology MSc