University of Birmingham - College of Life and Environmental Sciences
MSc in Toxicology
Birmingham, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 31,390 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international students | application deadline for home students - 29 August 2025
** for international full-time | GBP 15,695 - for international part-time | GBP 11,740 - for UK full-time | GBP 5,450 - for UK part-time
Key Summary
Discover why we are the UK university most targeted by top graduate employers ('Graduate Market in 2024' High Fliers report) at our on-campus Postgraduate Open Day.
As the only course of its kind in the country, MSc Toxicology offers integrated research-led teaching in a highly interactive environment. Study at the cutting edge of research and kickstart your career in this vital field.
MSc Toxicology is taught by top academics and industry experts at the internationally recognised School of Biosciences. You’ll 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.
This modern, comprehensive course has strong industry and research connections. With input from external industry partners, it will prepare you for the future needs of the sector. You’ll gain valuable skills through vocational training in theoretical, clinical, and laboratory aspects of toxicology. This holistic approach not only enriches the educational journey but also bridges the gap between academia and industry, fostering opportunities, for future careers in the vital field of toxicology.
- Be part of a highly interactive teaching environment, with a modern curriculum• Integrated teaching by well-established centres of bioscience, pathology, clinical pharmacology and toxicology, occupational health and environmental and eco-toxicology;
- Our course is the only Toxicology MSc in the UK and has strong links to industry and input from international experts in the pharmaceutical industries, contract research companies, government and external toxicology centres;
- The School of Biosciences is internationally recognised as a major centre for toxicology, offering integrated research-led teaching;
- Benefit from important contributions from external contacts including the provision of resources, and specialist applied aspects of the training allowing you to build relationships with future employers.
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.
There are six 20-credit taught modules and a 60-credit laboratory or literature research project. There are two taught modules in each semester that run parallel and are taught on Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday respectively. Suitable for part-time students who can take one module each semester over a 2-year period.
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.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
Year 1
The following must be taken:
- Practical Skills for Toxicologists Part A
- Practical Skills for Toxicologists Part B
- Forensic, Clinical and Occupational Toxicology
- Metabolism and Mechanisms of Toxicity
- Integrated Toxicology
- Assessing Toxic Potential
- Regulatory Science and Toxicology for the 21st Century
- Biosciences Postgraduate Masters Skills Programme
- Research Project
- 16th in the UK - QS World University Rankings 2025 for Biological Sciences
- 145th in the World - QS World Rankings 2025 for Biological Sciences
- One of a kind - The only Toxicology MSc taught in the UK.
Specific Program Aims
The MSc in Toxicology program aims to:
- Provide a broad, modern training in the theoretical and practical aspects of toxicology
- Prepare individuals to collate, interpret, and communicate toxicological information
- Provide an opportunity to study at the cutting edge of research in a chosen specialist field of toxicology in clinical practice, industry, or academia
- Develop student awareness of the importance of toxicology to industry, health, the environment and society
Skills Gained
As well as specialist disciplinary knowledge, graduates of the MSc Toxicology program will also acquire many transferable skills such as the ability to design experiments using a variety of research techniques, collate and interpret the data, use specialist computer software packages to predict metabolism and toxicity, communication and interpersonal skills, which will all provide an appropriate grounding for employment or further study.
Career opportunities are excellent. Toxicology remains 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 such as the Health and Safety Executive, Health Protection Agency, Food Standards Agency
- NHS Poisons Units
- water research establishments in pollution control
- hospital and research laboratories
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, career fairs, and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
- One-to-one career guidance from our college-specific advisors;
- CV and job application advice to help you stand out to employers;
- An annual programme of careers fairs on campus to meet employers and find out about a range of opportunities available;
- Employer presentations and networking sessions;
- Careers workshops to improve your interview skills and help you find work experience;
- Skills training for postgraduates;
- Graduate mentoring;
- Support and advice on setting up your own business;
- Online career action planning tools and self-enrolment career development courses to use in your own time and support your career planning;
- Specific support for postgraduate researchers, including events, workshops, advice sessions, socials and wellbeing events.
This course will run over 12 months in a full-time mode. There is also scope to undertake the programme on a part-time basis. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study each semester. This is based on a full-time Masters course.
Immerse yourself in a comprehensive curriculum that blends lectures, hands-on labs, and workshops with real-world insights from industry professionals.
- Lectures – delivered by academic experts and researchers.
- Workshops – contributions from external experts working in pharmaceutical and other industries.
- Practical classes – hands-on activities to build on your practical skills.
- Site visits – to external centres of toxicology.