Biological Sciences (by Research) - MSc

Refine your research skills and develop advanced scientific and technical expertise with a one-year Masters by Research programme in Biological Sciences.

Choose your preferred research area from Biomedical Sciences, Plant Molecular Sciences and Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour to learn alongside academic staff working at the frontiers of knowledge in their particular fields.

You’ll contribute to a renowned research culture, with Royal Holloway, University of London School of Biological Sciences ranked 25th in the UK for influential research output by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014. 

Study in our state-of-the-art laboratories, providing advanced equipment for bioinformatics, mass spectrometry and protein and gene sequencing. You’ll have access to on-site woodland and meadow field testing facilities, and our campus is within easy reach of sites of special scientific interest, including Windsor Great Park, Box Hill and Chobham Common.

Gain the generic skills and hands-on experience you need to continue into further study as a PhD student, or progress towards a research career in a variety of different sectors.  

• Develop research skills to progress to further study at PhD level or a research career in a variety of sectors.
• Take part in world-class research led by renowned academics, with 76% of our Biological Sciences research ranked world-leading and internationally excellent. (REF 2014)
• Use our state-of-the-art facilities, with £16 million recently invested in equipment for bioinformatics, mass spectrometry and protein and gene sequencing.
• Study on a biodiverse campus with on-site woodland and meadow field testing facilities, within reach of sites of special scientific interest including Windsor Great Park and Box Hill.
• Choose from three areas of research: Biomedical Sciences, Plant Molecular Sciences and Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour.

Find out more and read information on how to apply.

Course structure

Taught element

This will develop your research skills in (amongst other things): 

• Experimental design
• Data analysis
• Quality assurance
• Use of bioinformatics tools
• Grant writing
• Paper writing
• Recording and organising your daily laboratory tasks electronically
• Conference presentation

Research project

The project will be an opportunity to pursue your own independent research within the lab of your supervisor. All of our academic staff are research-active, and so all projects are at the cutting edge within their specific discipline. Day-to-day supervision will be provided by your supervisor or an experienced researcher within their lab, and you will become part of the research team – attending lab meetings and gaining an insight into other projects running alongside yours

Teaching & assessment

Your understanding and interpretation of novel scientific data will be assessed in the form of a thesis, while your training in transferable skills (provided by the taught component) will be assessed by coursework.

Your future career

A Masters in Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London is ideal for students who want to continue to further PhD study or pursue a research career in a variety of sectors. You will develop a range of advances research techniques as well as a range of transferrable skills, including experimental design and data analysis, as well as presenting research findings to an audience in the form of a conference presentation.

Our Masters graduates have gone on to secure PhD positions at Royal Holloway, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, the Max Plank Institute, Germany, St George's University of London and MRC Harwell, as well as prestigious careers including Senior Keeper in Herpetology at London Zoo and Species Recovery Officer at Plantlife International.

• Around a quarter of graduates secure PhD positions at Royal Holloway or elsewhere.
• Excellent preparation for a research career in a variety of fields.
• A close-knit graduate network to draw on, with alumni often visiting Royal Holloway to share their experiences.

Visit the Biological Sciences (by Research) - MSc page on the Royal Holloway, University of London website for more details!