Discover how biomedical science can help in the fight against disease
Year of entry: 2021 (September)
Join us at our Faculty Virtual Open Days to speak with departments and current students, and find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Book your placeBiomedical science allows us to understand how the body functions and how diseases progress at a cellular and molecular level. With this knowledge, we have the key to better diagnoses, specialised treatments and future cures.
With personalised medicine, stem cells and the prospect of gene editing at the forefront of healthcare research, it has never been more exciting to be a biomedical scientist.
This MSc combines cutting-edge theory with the practical, applied skills you'll need to become an effective researcher or industry specialist. Our teaching draws directly from our research, meaning you'll be working with academics who are leading in the field. You'll benefit from state-of-the-art facilities in the York Biomedical Research Institute and expertise spanning several areas relevant to molecular medicine, including cancer, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience and parasitology.
This course is an ideal next step for students with a BSc who are interested in pursuing a career in research or industry.
You will complete 180 credits over the year, including 40 credits of research-led taught modules, and 50 credits of valuable skills training which will prepare you for the 90 credit Independent Study Module in which you will carry out a laboratory research project.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
You will complete an independent study project (90 credits) during the Summer Term, which is designed to give you experience in managing and completing a project in a cutting-edge research context.
This is an opportunity to further develop and apply your skills to a current research question, and specialise in a particular area or research technique.
Most students choose to complete a project in collaboration with an academic supervisor within the University, but you may opt to complete this project as an external placement.
You will have full access to our dedicated Masters workspace whilst completing your project.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £9,730 | £23,300 |
Students on a Student Visa (formerly Tier 4 Visa) are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
You may choose to purchase your lab coat, safety goggles and other personal protective equipment (PPE), but there are usually second-hand options available. You may wish to buy any textbooks used in your modules, although this is not compulsory.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2021/22 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
Impact of coronavirus (COVID-19)
We hope to deliver this course as advertised for 2021/22 entry, but it’s unclear when we’ll be able to return to a normal timetable. For an idea of how this course might be affected, see our changes for 2020/21 entry.
You'll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and group work. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with academics, who will present a problem and demonstrate how their research may provide a solution. This will allow you to gain in-depth knowledge of current research and developments in the field.
The Department of Biology is located on Campus West - nearly all of your teaching will take place within the Department. The majority of departments, colleges and facilities are based nearby.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways including:
Your research project will be 50% of your final mark.
This course is an essential step into biomedical research or the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry for students with a BSc in the biosciences. Around half of our students will pursue further study, while the other half go into industry.
You may go on to work in:
You will develop the following transferable skills:
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:1 or equivalent in bioscience. We also consider applicants who have a 2:2 degree with substantial industry experience. If you have completed an integrated Masters, this course is not suitable for you. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, minimum 169 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
| Duolingo | 110, minimum 100 in all other components |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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