Infectious Diseases MScR Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Biological, Biomedical and Life Sciences Year of entry: 2026 Study options Full-time MScR | 1 year | Start date: multiple dates Key facts Programme website Edinburgh Infectious Diseases PhD by Distance Not available School location Multiple campuses Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme This is an immersive degree, structured as a single laboratory placement where you undertake a year-long research project. It provides an introduction to research methodology for biologists, medics and veterinarians.Our students have previously undertaken projects in the following areas:antibiotic resistance and hospital-acquired infectionsarthropod vector biology and vectorborne diseasesepidemiology and mathematical modelling of animal and human infectionsmolecular diagnosis and point-of-care detection of infectious diseasesimmunology of bacterial and parasitic infections, including major tropical diseases such as malaria, trypanosomiasis and schistosomiasispathogenesis of viral diseases (animal and human, including herpes and HIV)Edinburgh Infectious DiseasesThis programme is organised in collaboration with Edinburgh Infectious Diseases (EID). EID is a network of researchers and clinicians from across the University of Edinburgh who share an interest across the spectrum of infectious diseases. Why choose this programme Benefit from discipline-specific research training that encourages the development of an advanced skill set, preparing you well for PhD studies. Applying How to apply Before making your application, please email the Programme Director, Dr Kim Picozzi:kim.picozzi@ed.ac.ukYou should discuss your area of interest concerning the research you would like to undertake. When to apply We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply As part of your online application, you will need to provide: a personal statementrelevant knowledge/training skillsdetails of any published workWhen completing the online application form, you are not required to complete a research proposal or supervisor at this stage. Please enter 'Not Applicable' in this section on the application form.You will also need to provide some or all of the following supporting information and documents:copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksreferencesevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.You will select your first research project at the beginning of the programme. Please ignore any automatically generated emails requesting this information from you during the application process. ReferencesYou must submit two references with your application. Interview You may be invited to interview by the Programme Director to discuss your application further. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -MScR Infectious Diseases (1 year) After you apply We aim to provide a response as soon as possible after submission of your application. To facilitate this process, it is important to ensure that you have completed your application fully and uploaded all the required supporting documentation.If you are currently an undergraduate student, your application may be considered for a conditional offer prior to the completion of your degree. We encourage you to apply early, since for overseas students, the ATAS and visa requirements can take time to secure.Applications are managed by our admissions office, and you can follow the status of your application from within the Applicant Hub. Please contact the programme team or Programme Director if you have any questions. Academic Technology Approval Scheme If you need to apply for a student visa, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme. Academic Technology Approval Scheme Funding, fees and costs Funding Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study UK government loans If you live in the UK, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan for study from one of the UK’s governments.You should check that your chosen programme is eligible for the funding you want to apply for. View details: UK government loans Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.Postgraduate funding opportunities Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Full-time MScR Infectious Diseases (1 year) tuition fees Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Costs Additional programme costs There is an additional mandatory programme cost of £4,000 to cover the bench fee for the research project you will undertake.The precise nature of the costs will vary from project to project, but these may be required, for example, for research consumables, necessary equipment, computing resources, or training. Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a biological science, or a medical or veterinary degree.Students from ChinaThis degree is Band B.Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details Our research community You will be able to call upon research opportunities from across Edinburgh Infectious Diseases (EID), an organisation that brings together over 150 principal investigators and over 760 active researchers across the spectrum of infectious disease science and clinical medicine at Edinburgh. The EID fosters interdisciplinary research that brings scientists, medics and veterinarians together with the latest technologies to investigate all aspects of infectious disease pathogenesis and control. Programme structure This MScR is an immersive degree, creating a stimulating environment for postgraduate training in well-equipped laboratories, with opportunities for collaboration with partner laboratories in other institutions.The learning process focuses on a one-year research project. During this period, you are encouraged to attend research seminars and lectures, including those on the related areas of immunology, microbiology and pathology. It is expected that you will gain expertise in specialised techniques and methodologies during the course of your project.To gain broader skills which are required within a University setting, the ‘transferable skills’ courses offered by the Institute for Academic Development will be an invaluable resource available to you.AssessmentAssessment is based upon the submission of a dissertation. Find out the aims and structure for each year of study on this programme. Full-time MScR Infectious Diseases (1 year) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Support You will be allocated at least one research supervisor from the start of the academic year, and your supervisory team may also contain additional researchers. The Programme Director, programme team and Cohort Lead are available if you have any concerns or issues that might affect your studies, and will be able to advise regarding extensions and interruptions to your studies. Careers Career opportunities Many of our students will continue their interest in research, either by entering the workplace or continuing with further studies. Further study There is no direct programmatic pathway following completion of this degree. If you wish to continue to a PhD, we encourage you to access resources, such as our Careers Service, the University website, and FindAPhD. You can also seek advice from your programme and supervisory teams. Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Programme Administrator SBMS-Postgraduate@ed.ac.uk Academic contact Dr Kim Picozzi Programme Director Contact details Email: Kim.Picozzi@ed.ac.uk
