Our MSc in Clinical Biochemistry will give you a thorough grounding in a discipline that deals with the clinical analysis of body fluids and other biological material to aid the diagnosis, therapy and monitoring of diseases.
Clinical biochemists are typically clinical scientists who work in hospital laboratories providing advice and interpretation of analytical results to other healthcare professionals such as clinicians, general practitioners and nurses.
They are also involved in the development of new analytical methods and improvement of clinical services, including quality assurance and audit.
Through this MSc, you will gain a core knowledge and understanding of the normal physiology and pathophysiology of the major organs and endocrine systems, as well as more specialist areas such as paediatric biochemistry and drug monitoring.
You will also develop a core knowledge and understanding of clinical disorders and how biochemical parameters and laboratory methods are used for the investigation, diagnosis and management of patients.
We aim to give you:
Innovative teaching
We utilise mobile technology in our teaching by providing you with an iPad for you to use throughout your studies. You will benefit from interactive teaching environments that simulate the clinical laboratory where you will apply your theoretical knowledge to solve real-life clinical case scenarios.
Laboratory research experience
You have the option to spend 10 weeks in the laboratory conducting research to present in your dissertation.
Professional teaching and learning
Most of the course is taught by NHS professionals working in the field of clinical biochemistry. You will also learn alongside students from a variety of health science backgrounds within pathology, helping you to integrate within a health service laboratory team in the future.
We use a range of teaching and learning methodologies throughout the course, including lectures, tutorials, workshops and interactive clinical case tutorials using mobile technology and iPads. Some of these will be delivered online.
Find out more by visiting the postgraduate teaching and learning page.
We will assess your progress using a range of formative and summative assessments, such as MCQs, ECQs, written and verbal presentations.
The assessments will be constructed to assess your knowledge and understanding while at the same time refining and expanding your intellectual and transferable skills.
The units that form part of the MSc are listed in the Course unit list further down the page.
There are also two PGCert pathways available, each comprising the following units:
PGCert Clinical Biochemistry (Foundation)
PGCert Clinical Biochemistry (Advanced)
You will be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University.
You will undertake your theoretical learning on the main University campus.
Your research project may be carried out in a laboratory within the University or at teaching hospitals in Greater Manchester.
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .
Individual units from this MSc can be taken as standalone courses for continuing professional development .
Our course attracts a wide range of students from a bioscience and medical background from home and abroad.
Many students study this course as a springboard for further academic research or as a stepping stone before applying for the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP).
The course may also help individuals with their own career progression if they are already working within a clinical laboratory. The course also attracts intercalating medical students and professionals who may wish to specialise in clinical biochemistry/chemical pathology.
This course is approved by the Association for Clinical Biochemistry.
Following completion of the Human Genome Project, the pharmaceutical industry is preparing for a revolution in cancer and inherited disorder therapies. This course is training a new generation of bioscientists to meet challenges at the interface between biology and chemistry, and to apply pharmaceutical and analytical knowledge directly to improve quality of life.
The course develops a broad knowledge and conceptual base in the field of drug design and discovery, with an emphasis on new developments and advances in drug identification, understanding drug pharmacology and novel therapeutics, and appreciating how these topics interact with bioscience businesses and enterprise.
This programme is designed to enable you to gain systematic knowledge and critical awareness of current problems and new insights regarding the analysis of biomolecules. There is particular reference to drug design and discovery, along with a comprehensive and critical understanding of applied techniques and their current application in research in the field of biomolecule analysis and drug design.
This course is aimed at students who wish to acquire the specialised skills needed to design drugs for the 21st century. It is ideal for anyone with primarily either a chemistry or biochemistry based undergraduate degree wishing to broaden their knowledge base. The part-time route is well suited to those who already work in industry as it is possible to carry out research projects within the place of work. Prospective students must be committed to developing their skills and knowledge for a career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sectors.
Teaching is through:
There are eight taught 15 credit modules each of which have only one assessment (100%). Each exam is 2 hours.
Although particularly relevant to those looking for a career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, this course will also equip you for a career in research, teaching and many other professions including cosmetic science, animal health, food science, medical laboratory research, patent law, scientific journalism and health and safety.
Research projects may be carried out at other institutions (recently Universities in Bremen or France and the Paterson Institute, UK). We also invite visiting lecturers to share their expertise on the subject areas.
After completion of this course you may wish to specialise in a chosen subject area in one of the School’s two main research centres: Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre (EER) or Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
Engineering organisms and processes to generate the products of the future
Many everyday products are generated using biological processes. Foods such as bread, yoghurt and beer rely upon microscopic organisms to generate their structure and flavour. Many drugs are made using cells, such as insulin used to treat diabetes and many anticancer chemotherapy drugs. In the future, more products will be made using biological processes as they are typically ‘greener’ than traditional chemical processes – they are less energy intensive and generate fewer harmful chemical by-products. Biological processes are also responsible for many environmentally-friendly biofuels, which aim to reduce fossil fuel use.
Biological processes are key to many UK companies, from small contract manufacturers of protein and DNA drugs to large companies making fuels, commodity chemicals, foods and plastics. Biochemical engineering is an area that is essential to UK, European and Worldwide industrial development.
This is a highly multidisciplinary subject, requiring the integration of engineering and bioscience knowledge. If you are interested in pursuing a career in industrial biotechnology, biochemical engineering, biotechnology or bioprocessing, then this programme will provide you with the basic knowledge and skills required. Optional modules expand your horizons to include specific product areas (such as pharmaceuticals) and other skills required for a career in the area (such as business skills).
Birmingham is a friendly School which has one of the largest concentrations of chemical engineering expertise in the UK. The School is consistently in the top five chemical engineering schools for research in the country.
It has a first-class reputation in learning, teaching and research, and is highly placed in both The Guardian and The Times league tables.
Biochemical Engineering concerns the use of biological organisms or processes by manufacturing industries. It is a multidisciplinary subject, requiring the integration of engineering and bioscience knowledge to design and implement processes used to manufacture a wide range of products; from novel therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies for treating cancer, vaccines and hormones, to new environmentally-friendly biofuels. It is also essential in many other fields, such as the safe manufacture of food and drink and the removal of toxic compounds from the environment..
This course will provide you with the skills you need to start an exciting career in the bioprocess industries, or continue research in the area of bioprocessing or industrial biotechnology.
Industry involvement
Academics working at Birmingham have strong links with industry, through collaborative projects, so allow students to make contact with companies. Graduates from the MSc programme have gone on to careers in biochemical engineering world-wide, in large and small companies working in diverse areas.
There are also guest lectures from academics working at other institutions.
Practical experience
You will gain practical experience of working with industrially applicable systems, from fermentation at laboratory scale to 100 litre pilot scale, in the Biochemical Engineering laboratories. Theory learned in lectures will be applied in practical terms. In addition, theoretical aspects will be applied in design case studies in a number of modules.
All MSc students complete a summer research project, working on a piece of individual, novel research within one of the research groups in the school. These projects provide an ideal experience of life as a researcher, from design of experimental work, practical generation of data, analysis and communication of findings. Many students find this experience very useful in choosing the next steps in their career.
Special Features
The lecture courses are supplemented with tutorials, seminars and experimental work. Industrial visits and talks by speakers from industrial and service organisations are also included in the course programme.
Pilot Plant
The Biochemical Engineering building houses a pilot plant with large-scale fermentation and downstream processing equipment. The refurbished facility includes state-of-the-art computer-controlled bioreactors, downstream processing equipment and analytical instruments
Course structure
The MSc is a 12-month full-time advanced course, comprising lectures, laboratory work, short experimental projects and a research project. You will take an introductory module, four core modules, and then choose 50 credits of optional themed modules. The course can also be taken on a part-time basis. The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) lasts for 8 months from the end of September until June.
For the first eight months you have lectures, tutorials and laboratory work. Core module topics include:
There are numerous optional modules available across three themes:
From June to September you gain research training on your own project attached to one of the teams working in the bioprocessing research section.
Related links
The MSc is a 12-month full-time advanced course, comprising lectures, laboratory work, short experimental projects and a research project. You will take an introductory module, four core modules, and then choose 50 credits of optional themed modules. The course can also be taken on a part-time basis. The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) lasts for 8 months from the end of September until June.
For the first eight months you have lectures, tutorials and laboratory work. Topics include:
You also have practical experience of working in the newly-refurbished pilot plant of the Biochemical Engineering building
From June to September you gain research training on your own project attached to one of the teams working in the bioprocessing research section.
This course will focus on the physiology and pathology of blood and its use as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. A variety of areas of molecular and cellular bioscience will be covered with an emphasis on new technologies and developments in Haematology and related disciplines such as Transfusion Science. You will expand your knowledge of the basic science and analytical techniques relating to Haematology and gain an up-to-date understanding of the application of Haematology in bioscience / pharmaceutical research, as well as in diagnostic and therapeutic medicine.
There will be an emphasis in the course on development of critical analysis skills in the assessment of scientific literature and laboratory data. In addition you will have the opportunity to design and execute your own research project. The course team is supported by visiting lecturers who are practising scientists in the field, which helps ensure that taught material is current and relevant.
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Core modules
Option modules
The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
As well as gaining specialist knowledge in Haematology and related disciplines, you will develop a range of transferable skills that will enhance your employment prospects and research opportunities in the UK or overseas.
The course is relevant to career pathways in diagnostic haematology, immunology and transfusion laboratories, research institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
The broad spectrum of psychology examines the ways in which human beings think, feel, behave and interact. Study Applied Social Psychology at Royal Holloway and you will develop an advanced understanding of human social interactions, their origins and their impact on the individual, and equip yourself with knowledge of cutting-edge developments and issues in applied social psychology.
You will join a vibrant research community with access to an on-site MRI scanner for studying brain structure and activity, EEG machines, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) equipment, technology for tracking eye movements, software for creating virtual reality environments and a dedicated baby lab for studying the development of young infants.
You will be part of a friendly, welcoming department with an excellent staff-to-student ratio, learning through a combination of seminars, lectures and research led by our expert academics.
You will graduate with a MSc degree from an internationally leading department, and acquire a range of analytical, methodological and communication skills crucial for PhD study. Follow your passion for Applied Social Psychology at Royal Holloway and you will be well-placed to achieve a rewarding career in your chosen field.
This course can be studied full time in one year or part-time over two to five years.
The MSc Programme is designed to equip students with knowledge about cutting edge developments and issues in applied social psychology, in addition to an array of analytical, methodological and communication skills, important for those progressing to a PhD and graduates looking for jobs in applied settings within commercial and governmental settings.
The seven modules are designed to give students in-depth insights into topical issues and the latest research in Social Psychology in a wide range of applied settings. Modules are taught with an emphasis on group discussions and the development of independent thought and analysis, appropriate to such an advanced level of study.
The research project, which forms a major component of the Programme assessment, offers students the option to carry out an independent piece of research of high quality, under the close supervision of a member of academic staff, in an area of interest to the student.
Core modules
Teaching and learning is delivered primarily through sessions lasting between one-and-a-half and five hours. These typically combine seminar discussions with practical exploration or workshops. Where possible, these will be student-led, with participants encouraged to devise exercises engaging with the relevant issues and to direct fellow-students in these experiments.
We place emphasis on group discussion and the development of independent thought and analysis appropriate to carry out an independent piece of research of high quality, in an area of interest to you. In some contributing modules, you will give oral presentations which form part of the formative assessment. Summative assessment is usually by extended essay, although there are written exams for modules focussing on methodology and statistics.
Graduates in Applied Social Psychology at Royal Holloway are well equipped to progress to further PhD study and to careers in applied settings in commercial and governmental organisations. You will graduate with a desirable MSc degree from one of the UK’s top psychology departments, and will develop a range of transferable skills including analysis and interpretation of numerical data, insight into human behaviour, critical reading, conducting ethical research and managing research projects.
Our alumni have gone on to enjoy careers in NGOs, organisational psychology firms, consultancy firms and other rewarding fields. Notable Department of Psychology alumni include leading bioscience innovator Professor Jackie Hunter CBE, Terrence Higgins Trust founder Dr Rupert Whitaker, and Dr Christian Jarrett – author of The Rough Guide to Psychology.
This programme offers an expansion of our already successful MSc Biotechnology into industrial biotechnology and business management. It is jointly run with Adam Smith Business School.
There are two semesters of taught material and a summer session working on a project or dissertation. September entry students start with management courses and January entry students with biotechnology courses.
Semester 1
You will be based in the Adam Smith Business School, developing knowledge and skills in management principles and techniques. We offer an applied approach, with an emphasis on an informed critical evaluation of information, and the subsequent application of concepts and tools to the core areas of business and management.
Core courses
Semester 2
You will study biotechnology courses, which aim to enhance your understanding of using biological processes, organisms, or systems to manufacture products intended to improve the quality of human life. These courses will provide training in state-of-the-art biotechnology applications what have resulted in ground-breaking developments in the areas of medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food production, environmental clean-up and protection and industrial processes.
Core course
Optional courses
Project or dissertation
If you are studying for an MSc you will undertake individual project in the summer period (May–August). This will give you an opportunity to apply and consolidate the course material and enhance your ability to do independent work, as well as present results in the most appropriate format. Project options are closely linked to staff research interests.
The aims of the courses are to
This programme will prepare you for a career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industrial sectors or for entry into PhD programmes.
This course will give you a detailed understanding of the practical and theoretical aspects of pharmaceutical science and help develop the skills needed for individual and collaborative research in areas such as drug development.
Pharmaceutical Science is at the interface of biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, toxicology, analytical and medicinal chemistry, all of which will be studied in the degree course. Your studies will take place in laboratories fitted with the latest analytical equipment. Within the research area of drug development you will focus on both drug design, drug discovery and drug awareness as well as neuropharmacology and bioinformatics. You will complete four taught modules, and an independent research project.It will offer you the chance to study a core MSc alongside a specialisation within different areas of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
This course is designed and tailored to your own preferred specialism in either of the following: Pharmaceutical Analysis; Pharmacology; Physiology; Phyto-pharmaceuticals or Toxicology.
Teaching will be based on lectures, seminars, workshops, independent web-based learning and laboratory-based learning in our state-of-the-art facilities.The broad field of learning also suits people who are simply interested in furthering their knowledge of the subject.The course can be worked around a full-time job and there are intermediate awards available – a PG Diploma and a PG Certificate.
