University of Birmingham - College of Medicine and Health
MSc in Biomedical Sciences
Birmingham, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 31,390 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students: may 12 | UK students: august 29
** for international students I £10,900: UK students
Key Summary
Course overview
Deepen your understanding and identify strategies to tackle global health challenges in areas including antimicrobial resistance, autoimmunity, inflammatory diseases and ageing, cancer and immunotherapy.
Join our thriving community of biomedical scientists to develop your skills and creativity for identifying and developing solutions to existing and emerging global health challenges.
Course highlights
Top 100 for Life Sciences and Medicine
What makes this course different?
Help to tackle global health challenges with a Masters degree in Biomedical Sciences, learning and researching within the huge diversity of the UK’s largest healthcare region.
This programme will develop and equip you with the necessary academic and research skills to be able to make a real-life impact on some of the most pressing biomedical-related health issues through subsequent contributions to the international workforce.
A combination of taught and research components will expose you to cutting-edge research that spans cellular, molecular and whole-body systems and integrates basic, translational and applied clinical science.
- Expert Supervision: Get guidance from world-leading academics throughout your journey, mastering essential techniques and training.
- Benefit from being based at the Birmingham health campus, co-located with the University Hospital of Birmingham and the Birmingham Women’s Hospital, as well as the Institute of Translational Medicine and Institute of Biomedical Research.
- Work in a wide range of cutting-edge research lab spaces embedded in research facilities right across the university and the health partners co-located with us.
- The research project will allow you to practically apply the skills learned in a real-world research environment, with the potential to make a real difference.
- The programme will deliver career-focused skills that will enhance your employability – you will become a critical thinker who can work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.
- In-depth training in critical academic and research skills, providing you with the expertise needed for advanced scientific enquiry and communication in the field of Biomedical and Health Sciences.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
125th Anniversary Scholarships for International Students
We have a proud heritage of removing barriers to education. In 2025, we celebrate our 125th anniversary as a University. To mark this milestone, we’re offering £5,000 scholarships to students from a select number of countries.
Scholarships for international students
At Birmingham, we believe in removing all barriers to education, so all of our talented students can achieve their full potential. As an international student you can take advantage of our wide range of University run scholarships as well as the many scholarships and bursaries from external funding organizations.
Course Structure
This course will run over 12 months in a full-time mode. Semesters One and Two provide the taught elements of the programme, followed by the extended Semester Three where you'll complete your research project.
Term One
In the first term you'll receive in-depth training in critical academic and research skills. Academic skills covered will include scientific communication and the use of research literature and referencing software tools. Research training will include an exploration of experimental design, data interpretation, statistical analysis, and an introduction to bioinformatics, and advanced methodologies such as advanced imaging techniques, gene expression analysis, and flow cytometry.
In Term One you'll also be introduced to cellular mechanisms driving ageing and how this impacts development of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Term One also covers core concepts in cancer immunology, whereby you'll explore evidence of the immune system’s ability to mount potent and potentially curative responses against cancer. You'll gain knowledge of current and future immunotherapy approaches, core principles of the clinical trial pathway and challenges associated with the development of immunotherapies that work across different regions and populations.
Term Two
The second term module ‘Translating science into health impact’ explores how scientific discoveries transition into practical applications that enhance human health and promote well-being, and how scientific strategy and policy shape the direction of biomedical research and healthcare practices at a global level. Modules in this term also build on the themes of inflammation, immunology and immunotherapy by considering drug target identification and emerging approaches to autoimmune disease including cellular therapies and modulation of the host. Finally, you'll take an in-depth look at antimicrobial resistance and learn how different antimicrobials work and how microbes can become resistant to these life saving drugs. Antimicrobial resistance will also be explored from a global perspective through discussion of how resistance arises, spreads around the world, and impacts global health security.
Term Three
During your research project you'll become a member of a research group for three and a half months, undertaking cutting edge research activities. Working alongside world experts in exciting, dynamic and emerging fields, you'll receive full training in relevant bench techniques and will participate in laboratory, departmental and school activities such as scientific seminars, lab meetings and journal clubs. The research project will provide training in identifying a hypothesis, designing a research approach, producing, analysing and interpreting novel scientific data, evaluating available literature on the topic, and producing a research report based on the outcomes.
Module information
The course comprises of a series of taught core modules and a research project. Each of the six taught modules is worth 20 credits with the total taught component being 120 credits. The research project is worth 60 credits, bringing the total credits for the course to 180.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
Modules will be available to view here soon.
This programme could provide you with attributes that could enhance your progression to further postgraduate study including PhD pathways.
Employment opportunities include a wide range of sectors and pathways, including:
- STP pathway within the NHS
- Pharmaceutical industry – a wide range of roles
- Biotechnology
- Clinical scientists
- Clinical trials
- Marketing and management roles
- Scientists working with government departments to provide expert advice
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Course delivery
Taught modules will be delivered through a combination of seminars, workshops and laboratory teaching. The College of Medicine and Health infrastructure provides high level capabilities for laboratory teaching at module level, while leading research groups offer opportunities for innovative and challenging research project opportunities.
- Taught modules – a combination of seminars, workshops, tutorials, journal clubs and laboratory teaching.
- Assessments – these will include data interpretation reports, presentations, essays, critical appraisals, group work, briefing papers, and exams.
- Research project – world leading research groups offer opportunities for innovative and challenging research project experiences.