Masters Degrees
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years full time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | At least a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in Biology or a relevant science subject |
|---|---|
Top 20 in the UK for world-leading research in Biological Sciences
REF 2021, based on 4-star research
Opportunity to specialise with a choice of pathways
Advance laboratory skills with specialist techniques training
Substantial research project within one of our world-leading research groups
The suite of programmes naturally builds on our internationally-leading undergraduate degrees, providing a rich and focused research-led experience. It works both ways - a fantastic opportunity for students to enhance their specialist training, while welcoming a new cohort of enthusiastic, budding scientists into our Departmental community.
Professor James Wakefield
Head of Biosciences
The MRes Advanced Biological Sciences programme is a research-driven programme that will be taken over two academic years enabling you to complete two research projects.
In year one, you will receive training in laboratory methods and transferable skills, take three taught modules and complete your first 45 credit research project. In year two, you will be supported in submitting UK-wide PhD studentship applications, learn how to write effective research proposals, take a core Advanced Topics module plus one other module from an extensive suite of options, and undertake your second, more extensive research project (75 credits).
The core modules will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to develop your research projects which will be supervised from within two of our world-leading research groups, determined by your research project focus.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
75 credits of compulsory modules and 45 credits of optional modules.
You cannot choose the same optional module in Stage 1 and Stage 2.
To graduate with a named adjourned pathway you must select at least 45 credits from the modules indicated against each pathway which are a mixture of compulsory and optional. The pathways available are:
Projects do not automatically relate to the named specialisms. If you wish your Project to count towards a named specialism you must take one that has been designated as such. Specialist designation of all modules and projects will be confirmed by Biosciences.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Professional Skills | 15 | |
| Advanced Laboratory Skills | 15 | |
| Research Project 1 | 45 | |
| Compulsory 2 Bioinformatics Pathway-Specific | ||
| Bioinformatics | 15 | |
| Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease | 15 | |
| Compulsory 3 Ecotoxicology Pathway-Specific | ||
| Ecotoxicology | 15 | |
| Blue Planet | 15 | |
| Compulsory 5 Sustainable Aquaculture Pathway-Specific | ||
| Blue Planet | 15 | |
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 Non-Pathway-Specific | ||
| Cellular Basis of Immunity | 15 | |
| Bioinformatics | 15 | |
| Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Ecology of Environmental Change | 15 | |
| Ecotoxicology | 15 | |
| Living in a Microbial World | 15 | |
| Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology | 15 | |
| Cell Biology of Disease | 15 | |
| Current Issues in Marine Biology | 15 | |
| Advanced Applications of Physiology | 15 | |
| Bioimaging | 15 | |
| Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease | 15 | |
| Blue Planet | 15 | |
| Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection | 15 | |
| Pharmacogenomics | 15 | |
| Green Planet | 15 | |
| Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare | 15 | |
| Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis | 15 | |
| Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine | 15 | |
| Optional 3 Bioinformatics Pathway-Specific | ||
| Pharmacogenomics | 15 | |
| Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare | 15 | |
| Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis | 15 | |
| Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine | 15 | |
| Optional 4 Ecotoxicology Pathway-Specific | ||
| Ecology of Environmental Change | 15 | |
| Advanced Applications of Physiology | 15 | |
| Optional 6 Microbiology and Infectious Disease Pathway-Specific | ||
| Cellular Basis of Immunity | 15 | |
| Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Living in a Microbial World | 15 | |
| Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease | 15 | |
| Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection | 15 | |
| Optional 7 Molecular and Cellular Biology Pathway-Specific | ||
| Cellular Basis of Immunity | 15 | |
| Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology | 15 | |
| Cell Biology of Disease | 15 | |
| Bioimaging | 15 | |
| Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection | 15 | |
| Optional 9 Sustainable Aquaculture Pathway-Specific | ||
| Current Issues in Marine Biology | 15 | |
| Advanced Applications of Physiology | 15 | |
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
105 credits of compulsory modules and 15 credits of optional modules.
You cannot choose the same optional module in Stage 1 and Stage 2.
To graduate with a named adjourned pathway you must select at least 45 credits from the modules indicated against each pathway which are a mixture of compulsory and optional. The pathways available are:
Projects do not automatically relate to the named specialisms. If you wish your Project to count towards a named specialism you must take one that has been designated as such. Specialist designation of all modules and projects will be confirmed by Biosciences.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Research Grant Proposal | 15 | |
| Research Project | 90 | |
| Compulsory 2 Bioinformatics Pathway-Specific | ||
| Bioinformatics | 15 | |
| Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease | 15 | |
| Compulsory 3 Ecotoxicology Pathway-Specific | ||
| Ecotoxicology | 15 | |
| Blue Planet | 15 | |
| Compulsory 5 Sustainable Aquaculture Pathway-Specific | ||
| Blue Planet | 15 | |
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 Non-Pathway-Specific | ||
| Cellular Basis of Immunity | 15 | |
| Bioinformatics | 15 | |
| Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Ecology of Environmental Change | 15 | |
| Ecotoxicology | 15 | |
| Living in a Microbial World | 15 | |
| Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology | 15 | |
| Cell Biology of Disease | 15 | |
| Current Issues in Marine Biology | 15 | |
| Advanced Applications of Physiology | 15 | |
| Bioimaging | 15 | |
| Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease | 15 | |
| Blue Planet | 15 | |
| Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection | 15 | |
| Pharmacogenomics | 15 | |
| Green Planet | 15 | |
| Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare | 15 | |
| Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis | 15 | |
| Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine | 15 | |
| Optional 3 Bioinformatics Pathway-Specific | ||
| Pharmacogenomics | 15 | |
| Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare | 15 | |
| Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis | 15 | |
| Mathematical Modelling in Biology and Medicine | 15 | |
| Optional 4 Ecotoxicology Pathway-Specific | ||
| Ecology of Environmental Change | 15 | |
| Advanced Applications of Physiology | 15 | |
| Optional 6 Microbiology and Infectious Disease Pathway-Specific | ||
| Cellular Basis of Immunity | 15 | |
| Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Living in a Microbial World | 15 | |
| Application of Genomics in Infectious Disease | 15 | |
| Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection | 15 | |
| Optional 7 Molecular and Cellular Biology Pathway-Specific | ||
| Cellular Basis of Immunity | 15 | |
| Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology | 15 | |
| Cell Biology of Disease | 15 | |
| Bioimaging | 15 | |
| Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology | 15 | |
| Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection | 15 | |
| Optional 9 Sustainable Aquaculture Pathway-Specific | ||
| Current Issues in Marine Biology | 15 | |
| Advanced Applications of Physiology | 15 | |
Minimum 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant science subject.
Relevant subjects include: Biological Sciences, Cell Biology, Ecology, Ecology and Conservation, Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Marine Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Plant Science, Zoology.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
The MRes programme at Exeter is research focussed and you will complete two research projects in our world-leading research laboratories which is an excellent preparation for a research career. If you wish, you can specialise in an area of Biology you are most interested in, or you can do your research projects in two different areas thereby broadening your research portfolio.
Programme Director and Senior Lecturer
£11,650 full-time
£16,800 full-time
The 樱花动漫 offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with ?7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
We are pleased to offer the 樱花动漫 Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for 樱花动漫 alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply.
The programme consists of core modules that provide you with a theoretical and applied learning framework for directed student-centred learning in which you will develop skills of synthesis, critical analysis, and interpretation. In addition, you will receive professional skills training tailored to the areas most relevant to your academic and professional development.
You will carry out your independent supervised research projects in one of our . Research projects are individual and can be based on laboratory work, field work or in silico (e.g. bioinformatics).
The research projects will give you first-hand experience in many aspects of research work including data generation, analysis, and interpretation as well as science communication in written, poster and oral presentations.
Depending on your chosen modules and research project topics, you may have access to the following facilities:
You will be allocated a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There is also a postgraduate tutor available to help with further guidance and advice. In addition, the programme director will offer every student a meeting each term to review academic progress.
Taught modules are assessed through essay examinations, individual and group-based coursework assignments, oral presentations, in-module tests and reports or essays. A significant proportion of the marks are based on your substantial research projects and the associated papers.
This programme will provide you with a diversity of skills that will equip you for a range of sectors of work but it will particularly prepare you for PhD study or a career in research.
Skills include:
Our careers teams at the Career Zone can help guide you through a wealth of information to match your skills and interests to a career that will suit you. Our staff work with regional, national and international employers to develop new work placement, project and graduate opportunities.
