The MRes in Biomedical Sciences and Translational Medicine programme will enable you to develop an advanced knowledge of biomedical sciences and its application to translational medicine. It will allow you the opportunity to specialise in distinct basic and applied research pathways.
Introduction
A key element of the programme design is the development of relevant, appropriate research skills in addition to systematic understanding and critical awareness of the research process at the interface of translational research.
The programme is divided into nine pathways and you will be able to choose a pathway and corresponding project that matches your individual research interests.
The programme pathways are:
Biology of Cancer – undertake research alongside internationally recognised scientists who are performing discovery led research to understand the mechanisms of cancer and find new ways to detect and treat the disease
Biomedical Imaging and Biosensing – work with world renowned researchers who are using biomedical imaging and sophisticated image analysis techniques to answer basic physiological and biological questions for addressing clinical problems
Cancer Medicine – undertake research alongside internationally recognised basic and clinical scientists
Cellular and Molecular Physiology – covering a wide range of different research areas from fundamental studies of cell biology to translational work on the mechanisms of human disease
Medical Science – offers projects in areas of medically relevant research that can be drawn from any of the wide range of research areas covered by staff within the Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Molecular and Clinical Gastroenterology – excellent opportunities for laboratory and clinical research focusing on the pathogenesis of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in humans and animals
Neuroscience – encompassing studies of the basic cellular and molecular properties of neurons and neuronal signalling, analysis of the neurobiological basis of health and disease, exploration of the structure and function of the human nervous system, and investigation of the characteristics and underlying mechanisms of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders in clinically-orientated research projects
Pharmacology and Therapeutics – offers projects in 3 main areas; molecular and clinical pharmacology, drug safety and nanomedicine
Stem Cells, Tissues and Disease – focusses on stem cell research and the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie a variety of human diseases.
Who is this course for?
This MRes aims to attract students who will benefit from studying in a translational research-intensive environment. It aims to be equally relevant to students from a variety of specialist disciplines and career routes including biological sciences, medicine, veterinary medicine, allied health professions and sports science.
What you'll learn
The expertise and confidence to pursue further study or a range of science, clinical, academia and related career pathways
Comprehensive research skills and associated performance within biomedical sciences and translational research, through access to expert researchers, professionals and peers
Advanced knowledge and critical understanding of biomedical sciences and how it relates to health, disease and translational therapeutic interventions
The skills to enable effective communication with professional and lay audiences.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
Compulsory modules
Biomedical Sciences & Translational Medicine Research Project 1 (Full-Time) (BIOM703)
Credits: 40 /
Semester: semester 1
The MRes in Biomedical Sciences and Translational Medicine provides students with high level research training within the Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Medicine (ISMIB). Our aim is to develop research knowledge, skills and attributes including confidence and expertise, to contribute to the pursuit of further study or undertake roles academia, the health sector and industry/education/service sectors in general. The programme is suitable for bioscience graduates, intercalating medical and veterinary students, and science graduates interesting in training in biological sciences. Students will become full members of a research group and take advantage of relevant first-class facilities and an active research environment.
This is a 40 credit module that gives direct authentic research experience. The module represents the first part of a two-part research project within the MRes in Biomedical Science and Translational Medicine programme. The teaching approach relies upon research-connected and enquiry-based learning with authentic assessments in the form of scientific reports, scientific presentations, continual assessment of the student’s performance (Hallmarks of the Liverpool Curriculum Framework).
Techniques and Frontiers in Biomedical Sciences (BIOM604)
Credits: 30 /
Semester: whole session
This is a 30-credit taught module that develops the fundamental practical and theoretical skills required for laboratory-based research. Assessment of the module is via written reviews and critical evaluations of published literature.
Transferable Skills (BIOM603)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: whole session
This module will enable students to develop a range of skills relevant across a wide range of career disciplines. It comprises lectures and workshops. These will give students opportunities to communicate scientific concepts to expert, commercial and lay audiences. Students will receive training in ethics, record keeping, presentation and report writing skills. There will be specific workshops on intellectual property, product branding and commercialisation, as well as grant writing. Assessment is via written grant application, business plan, reflective portfolio, and by oral presentations.
Optional modules
Cellular Biotechnology and Biological Imaging (LIFE749)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
Modern biotechnology and bioimaging applies novel tools and approaches to address today’s global challenges.
You will learn a variety of methods in mammalian cell biotechnology as well as imaging technologies that range from the microscopic scale to cellular and organ imaging in vivo. You will develop knowledge of a diversity of cell analysis techniques. Furthermore, the use of reporter genes for various types of imaging will be explained, including imaging technologies for cell analysis on the microscopic level as well as for cell imaging and functional analysis in animal models of disease.
The lectures will convey basic knowledge and include examples of applications from actual research publications, or the lecturer’s own research work, in equal measure. The students will have learning tutorials on critical appraisal of literature. There will also be a practical workshop on contemporary microscopy.
The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops and practical exercises. There are two written assessments in this module.
CODING FOR LIFE SCIENCES (LIFE733)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module is aimed at postgraduate students in the Biosciences, wishing to learn about methods for use in data-intensive research. The module provides a broad introduction to the use of Python coding for performing basic tasks in the biological sciences. The student will get practical experience in writing their own Python scripts for basic bioinformatics tasks, such as manipulating DNA, RNA and protein sequences, file input/output and working with other programs, such as BLAST. There is also an introduction to data visualisation using Python, and simple techniques used in data science.
Around 10 hours of lectures will be provided on core topics, with a strong emphasis on practical activity in workshops (totalling around 40 hours), allowing students to gain confidence in writing scripts for their own tasks. The module will be assessed by two short coding assignments, one team working coding assignment building a bioinformatics pipeline, and a data science mini-project.
BIOLOGICAL DATA SKILLS (LIFE707)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
Data skills are essential for a career in modern biology. Biological studies increasingly involve the generation of large or complex sets of data, and the ability to analyse data is a core component of a successful biologist’s skill set. Digital fluency is also required more widely outside biological research and a grounding in data analysis is in demand by a broad range of employers. Here you will learn the ability to visualise data, critically test hypotheses, and to interpret and present results.
The learning and teaching materials are delivered as an online set of resources (available through Canvas) coupled with computer-based practical workshops. The module will also introduce students to the powerful open access statistical software package, R.
The module will be assessed by a written data analysis report and an open-book exam
For any students studying off-campus – due to a placement in industry or studying at an overseas University – on-line drop-in sessions will be provided instead of the practical workshops.
Pharmaceutical Toxicology (LIFE765)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This key module in the MSc Pharmacology and Toxicology programme brings together core and novel aspects of toxicology in the context of the development of new medicines. Topics include major organ toxicities, pharmacogenetics, development of in vitro test systems, nanotoxicology and computational/systems toxicology. This builds on local research strengths (e.g. Centre for Drug Safety Science) and strong links with the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies. The module includes research connected lectures and seminars, from leading academic researchers based at the University of Liverpool, as well as external speakers. The two module assessments are aimed at writing reports on topics covered in the first and second half of the module, respectively.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester two
Compulsory modules
Biomedical Sciences & Translational Medicine Research Project 2 (Full-Time) (BIOM704)
Credits: 80 /
Semester: semester 2
The MRes in Biomedical Sciences and Translational Medicine provides students with high level research training within the Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Medicine (ISMIB). Our aim is to develop research knowledge, skills and attributes including confidence and expertise, to contribute to the pursuit of further study or undertake roles academia, the health sector and industry/education/service sectors in general. The Programme is suitable for bioscience graduates, intercalating medical and veterinary students, and science graduates interesting in training in biological sciences. Students will become full members of a research group and take advantage of relevant first-class facilities and an active research environment. This module along with the 40 credit Biomedical Sciences & Translational Medicine Research Project 1 (BIOM 703) is designed to allow for parity of experience between the part-time and full-time programmes and clear progression of research education.
This is an 80-credit module that gives direct hands-on research experience. The module represents the second part of a two-part research project within the MRes in Biomedical Science and Translational Medicine programme. The teaching approach relies upon research-led and enquiry-based learning with authentic assessments in the form of scientific reports, scientific presentations and continual assessment of the student’s performance (Hallmarks of the Liverpool Curriculum Framework).
Techniques and Frontiers in Biomedical Sciences (BIOM604)
Credits: 30 /
Semester: whole session
This is a 30-credit taught module that develops the fundamental practical and theoretical skills required for laboratory-based research. Assessment of the module is via written reviews and critical evaluations of published literature.
Transferable Skills (BIOM603)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: whole session
This module will enable students to develop a range of skills relevant across a wide range of career disciplines. It comprises lectures and workshops. These will give students opportunities to communicate scientific concepts to expert, commercial and lay audiences. Students will receive training in ethics, record keeping, presentation and report writing skills. There will be specific workshops on intellectual property, product branding and commercialisation, as well as grant writing. Assessment is via written grant application, business plan, reflective portfolio, and by oral presentations.
Optional modules
Cancer Clinical Trials (LIFE726)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
Clinical trials are the key final step to translate medical research into the benefit of patients. The Liverpool Clinical Trials Unit is one of the largest in the UK, running a wide variety of surgical and oncology studies, that range from phase I studies to large, practice-changing phase III studies, as well as more novel trial designs. Since new therapies have become available in the treatment of cancer, the methods used in clinical trials have also evolved. The module in Cancer Clinical Trials is aimed at developing the knowledge and understanding of decisions affecting the design, delivery and assessment of clinical trials. This module will be taught by clinicians, researchers, statisticians and trial methodologists at the Liverpool Trials Unit, and cover fundamentals of clinical trials and designs, as well as the challenges that arise at each of these strategies. The module in Cancer Clinical Trials is ideal for current in-service health professionals looking to broaden their role in the design, management, analysis and reporting of clinical trials. It is also suited to those wishing to gain an understanding of clinical trials. The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, case-based learning tutorials and workshops, and assessed via a poster presentation and a written assessment, involving the design of a clinical trial.
Frontiers in Cancer Research and Treatment (LIFE724)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
The module will address three main topics: hallmarks of cancer, cancer diagnosis and biomarkers, and cancer therapies & current challenges. These topics will be taught using various cancer models that have been selected based on the expertise at the University of Liverpool and to illustrate research, diagnostic and therapeutic problems.
This module will be taught by both scientists and clinicians who are experts in cancer research. The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, case-based learning tutorials and workshops. The lectures will convey basic knowledge and include examples of applications from actual research publications and the lecturer’s own research work.
The students will take part in case-based learning tutorials on critical appraisal of scientific seminars provided by cancer researchers. Workshops will cover literature search, referencing, and preparation of oral scientific presentations in preparation for the final assignment which is a conference style talk. A practical workshop will also cover tumour pathology and will train students in the identification and interpretation of tumour biopsies.
The module will be assessed via two assessments. The first assessment consists of a seminar report, based on a pre-recorded seminar provided by a cancer researcher. The final assessment will be an oral presentation, in which students will be required to give a conference-style lecture on an emerging cancer research topic related to one of the lectures and provide an abstract of their presentation.
Immunology (LIFE728)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This is a key module for students on the MSc Infection and Immunity Programme and might also be taken by other MSc, MBioSci and MRes students whose interests include infection and immunology. The module is topical in light of the pandemic and will address areas of research-connected immunology teaching across areas of broad relevance to infectious disease, as well as to coronavirus. The module includes research connected lectures, workshops and structured discussions on selected texts as student-led seminars. The content will focus on areas of immunology that support the programme and are relevant in that: (i) they are current/topical or (ii) they address fundamental questions of general importance. In addition, students will also be supported with key research and ideas in immune mechanisms and host defence, showing how research fields progress and our understanding of defence mechanisms develop. The module assessments are aimed at: 1) using graphics to show illustratively specific and complex immunological host-pathogen interactions and will aid skills in image design; and 2) poster presentation to demonstrate immunological interactions based on the student-led workshops on host defence and microbial evasion.
Proteomics Metabolomics and Data Analysis (LIFE754)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
Proteomics and metabolomics represent powerful tools towards unbiased, quantitative and high-throughput analysis of biological systems. Rapid “omic” technological developments in the post‐genomic era have provided insights into protein structures, biosynthesis and interactions, as well as the complex metabolic processes that are of significant importance in biological and medical research. The aims of this course are to provide a comprehensive understanding of proteomic and metabolomic techniques and related data analysis, and to illustrate how they can be applied in fundamental biological research and industrial applications. The module will be taught by lectures and workshops. The module will be assessed via two a scientific reports.
Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology (LIFE756)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology will provide an in-depth understanding of the grand challenges in biotechnological applications and the principles underlying synthetic biology and modern biotechnological techniques that are designed to sustainably address specific problems. The module also aims to teach tools and strategies being developed and applied in the rapidly expanding field of synthetic biology and train students with practical experience in green biotechnology.
The module will be taught through a combination of lectures and workshops. The lectures will convey basic knowledge or the lecturer’s own research work. The workshops will provide students with the opportunity to analyse relevant data relevant to the biotechnology field. The module will be assessed via a scientific report and a scientific review.
Frontiers in Drug Delivery and Advanced Therapeutics (LIFE766)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
Key advances in novel drug delivery systems and the emergence of advanced therapeutics enabled by significant progress in biomedical science and technology are not only transforming drug administration, but also changing our definition of ‘medicines’. Organisations are adapting very quickly to take advantage of the opportunities created by these advances to tackle some of the biggest health challenges. This key module in the MSc Pharmacology and Toxicology programme will equip students with competencies that will help them advance their career in these areas. The module includes research connected lectures, seminars and workshops on selected student-led topics. Assessment will be by a written report and a presentation.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
Teaching and learning is delievred through the supervised research project which is most often laboratory-based in an active research environment (September-July). Teaching on the taught elements will be through a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, seminars, journal clubs, workshops and group work.
While undertaking the research project, on average, you will spend 4.5 days per week on project work, with half a day set aside for taught work and assignments. Some taught activities and assessments will continue through July and August.
How you're assessed
All assessments are designed to mirror those activities you may undertake as a professional scientists or health professional and include journal reviews and referee reports, writing a grant proposal, a business proposal, report writing, producing a visual abstract, presentations (oral, poster, digital media) either online or in person.
Assessment is used to assess achievement of learning outcomes but also to drive and support individual learning.
All modules include assessments that are linked to the research project, allowing you to gain appropriate skills to complete your final project report at the end of the programme.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
The School of Biosciences offers world-class, inspirational research-led education across the full biosciences spectrum. The School works in close partnership with other disciplines across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, offering students the freedom to cross discipline boundaries.
Graduates from the programme will be able to enter career pathways that require good analytical, numeracy and communication skills. This programme will enhance your opportunities for PhD entry and is therefore well suited to students committed to a career as a research scientist.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
With an MRes in Biomedical Sciences and Translational Medicine you will be well qualified to enter a wide range of modern scientific employment. These opportunities include careers in research, industry and leadership roles.
This course provides valuable research experience to clinicians and can support career progression or help enter a clinical academic pathway.
In the public sector, graduates at master’s level are in demand in research institutes, government departments, the Health Service, and the Environment Agency.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£4,786
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£29,750
Fees stated are for the academic year 2024/25 and are subject to change for 2025/26. Some MRes courses incur additional bench fees. You will be notified of any fee which applies to you in your offer letter.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
An additional £3,000 fee applies to cover research support costs. Please note, this programme may have further additional costs associated with it depending on your choice of a lab or computational/fieldwork-based project.
We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree can be in any relevant subject discipline.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MRes, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT
88 or above with minimum scores of listening 21, writing 21, reading 22 and speaking 23. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Hong Kong use of English AS level
C
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
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Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
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