Immerse yourself in biological science research on a course that introduces you to contemporary research methods, advanced statistical techniques and specialist subject knowledge. You’ll be supported in undertaking an extended research project in preparation for potential PhD study and a career as a research scientist.
If you’re looking to move into a career in science, whether in academia, industry or biomedicine research, this MRes will enable you to develop advanced knowledge, skills and understanding in biological sciences.
A year-long research project, under the supervision of an expert tutor, forms the central part of the course. Selecting the right project is a key decision and we’ll help you choose a topic relevant to your interests and career plans. For ideas about the focus of your research project, please see our MRes Advanced Biological Sciences research projects page.
Complementing the research project are taught modules. These provide key underpinning knowledge of the research methods and technologies that drive contemporary research in biological sciences.
A range of optional modules provide the opportunity to undertake further tailored research training, receive a grounding in essential statistical techniques and study specialist areas of biological science in-depth. Whichever pathway you choose, you’ll discover contemporary debates, controversies, concepts, challenges and innovations that are relevant to your research project. The title of your degree award will reflect your chosen route.
An important component of the programme is the opportunity for non-native English speakers to take a specially designed module in communication skills. This module, delivered by our English Language Centre, is designed to improve your English in a scientific context.
Please note, this programme is also suitable for intercalating medical students.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Three optional module choices across the programme complement the compulsory research methods module that span the first and second semesters and the research project that spans all three semesters.
Your optional module choices must include at least one of LIFE714 Negotiated Research Skills, Research Skills for Advanced Biological Sciences, LIFE733 Coding for Life Sciences, and LIFE707 Biological Data Skills.
Please note, optional modules LIFE714 Negotiated Research Skills and Research Skills for Advanced Biological Sciences span semesters one and two.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Three optional module choices across the programme complement the compulsory research methods module that span the first and second semesters and the research project that spans all three semesters.
Please note, optional modules LIFE714 Negotiated Research Skills and LIFE710 Professional, Employability and Research Skills for Advanced Biological Sciences span semesters one and two.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| RESEARCH METHODS AND APPLICATIONS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (LIFE731) | 15 |
| ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH PROJECT 2 (FULL-TIME) (LIFE738) | 90 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Work towards the dissertation runs across the length of the programme.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH PROJECT 2 (FULL-TIME) (LIFE738) | 90 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
The course is taught through a combination of lectures, practical workshops, small-group tutorials, problem-solving exercises and a year-long research project. You’ll have access to a network of peers, researchers and professionals engaged in biological research.
You’ll be assessed through a variety of coursework including practical and project reports, essays, workbooks, presentations, posters and data handling sessions.
Many of the assessments are authentic and simulate tasks you’re likely to carry out in your future career. This includes activities such as writing reports, analysing data, penning articles for publication, completing grant applications, and giving presentations.
There’s an additional supervisor-based appraisal, assessing your engagement and performance throughout the research project.
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.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Intercalation allows you take a break from your medical degree, usually after year 3 or 4, and study an additional qualification. Most intercalating students choose to study a master's degree. This gives you the opportunity to explore a subject of interest at an advanced level and acquire new skills and knowledge that will enhance and/or complement your medical degree.
Your course is delivered by the School of Biosciences, which has over £30 million of recent investment in facilities where your day-to-day teaching will take place. These investments in our Biology Teaching Centre, the state-of-the-art Biosciences Building, the Biomedical Sciences Building and the Human Anatomy Resource Centre will ensure your studies are fully supported by the very best in teaching and research equipment. You will have access to extensive library facilities.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
I’ve enjoyed the size of the course as it’s small so I know I will always be heard and it’s easier to make friends, I’ve met so many people with similar interests to me! Also, being able to be a part of real research is amazing. I feel like I learn so much every day and I have accomplished so much already, it’s all very exciting.
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Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
You’ll graduate with the expertise and confidence needed to enter a wide range of modern biological science-based professions on completion of this MRes. This includes embarking on careers in research, industry and leadership roles.
Your combination of advanced knowledge of biological sciences alongside transferable skills including research, communication, data analysis and problem-solving will be highly appealing to prospective employers in a variety of sectors.
You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge required for PhD study and be well prepared for a career as a research scientist in academia or industry.
In the public sector, graduates in biological sciences are in demand in research institutes, government departments, the National Health Service, and the Environment Agency. Commercial sectors that actively recruit biological science graduates include the pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology, conservation, water and agriculture industries.
These trends are only likely to intensify given the anticipated increases in the use of next-generation sequencing and the corresponding data analysis that will be required.
Alternative career options include entering the teaching profession, where science teachers are in high demand, after further training on a PGCE. You’ll also have many of the transferable skills which are sought after by employers in management, accountancy and human resources.
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Part-time place, per year - £2,503
Full-time place, per year - £31,250
Part-time place, per year - £15,650
Fees stated are for the academic year 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.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
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 paying for your studies..
Please note, this programme may have additional costs associated with it depending on your choice of a lab or computational/fieldwork-based project.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in a relevant Biological Sciences subject. |
| 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 MSc, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
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.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
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.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
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.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
To discuss your research proposal please get in touch with the programme director.
Last updated 8 November 2024 / / Programme terms and conditions