Biological Sciences MSc by Research

The course

Refine your research skills and develop advanced scientific and technical expertise with a one-year Masters by Research degree 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. Find out more about our Research Projects.

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.
• Use our state-of-the-art facilities, including 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.
• Carry out research in biomedical sciences, plant molecular sciences and ecology, or evolution and behaviour.

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.

Students need to have 2:2 in Biology, Biochemistry or a related discipline. Normally we require a UK 2:2 (Honours) or equivalent. However, individual supervisors might request a higher degree classification.