Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences) MScR Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Biological, Biomedical and Life Sciences Year of entry: 2026 Study options Full-time MScR | 1 year | Start date: September 2026 Key facts Programme website MScR Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences) 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 Embark on a transformative journey in biomedical research with our MSc by Research in Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences). This one-year, full-time research masters programme is uniquely designed to provide you with an intensive research experience, preparing you for a PhD or a career in academic or industrial research.You will be immersed in our research environment from the onset, choosing two distinct research projects that align with your interests and career aspirations. This dual project approach allows you to either specialise deeply in one area or explore two different areas of biomedical sciences.Our MScR programme not only equips you with specialised knowledge in biomedical sciences but also strengthens your transferable skills, making you a competitive candidate for future academic and professional opportunities. Whether you aim to contribute to groundbreaking scientific research or advance in the biotechnology industry, you will come out with the foundation you need. Rankings 19th in the world for Life Sciences & Medicine (QS World University Rankings by subject 2025).Top 10 in the UK for the employability of our graduates (Times Higher Education, Global Employability University Rankings 2025). Why choose this programme Gain invaluable hands-on experience by engaging in two extensive 20-week research projects, allowing you to explore diverse areas of biomedical sciences and refine your research focus.Tailor your educational journey by choosing your second research theme based on evolving interests, offering the flexibility to either deepen your expertise or broaden your knowledge across different fields.Conduct your research in cutting-edge laboratories at the University of Edinburgh, equipped with the latest technologies and supported by leading scientists in the field.Enhance a wide range of skills, from critical analysis of research papers and grant writing to data presentation and statistical analysis, preparing you for successful careers in both academia and industry.The programme is designed to provide a solid foundation for further academic pursuits, such as a PhD, by equipping you with the necessary research skills and knowledge.Connect with a community of like-minded peers, experienced researchers, and professionals, expanding your professional network and opening doors to collaborative and career opportunities worldwide. My favourite part of the programme was being fully immersed in the research itself. Doing my research made me feel like I had a purpose every day, and I was part of a team that was doing significant work. Ava Russell MScR Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences), graduated 2024 Applying How to apply You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.If you need help with submitting an application online, you can access a series of walkthrough videos along with further support.Submitting your online applicationWhat to do if you are unable to apply online When to apply Programme start date Application deadline 14 September 2026 24 July 2026 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.References You must submit two references with your application. Interview You may be formally interviewed, in person or by video-conferencing. 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 Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences) (1 year) 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 Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences) (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 compulsory programme cost of £4,000 to cover the bench fee for the two research projects you will undertake. 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 biological, chemical or physical sciences. 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 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 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 Programme structure You are expected to be on campus from week one. You will begin the programme with visits to research centres and institutes where projects are hosted, and discussions with potential supervisors. We aim to embed you within a research laboratory in the first few weeks of starting the programme. Throughout the year, you will develop your core skills relevant to biomedical sciences through a taught component of seminars, workshops, presentations and tutorials. You will also study transferable and research skills.Find out more about skills developmentTeaching is delivered by academic staff who provide an outstanding research-led learning experience and encourage individual academic development.Teaching breaks include:13 December to 6 January3 March to 7 MarchResearch projectsYou will also carry out two 20-week-long research projects selected from the themes available. You must complete an assessed research proposal for the second project.Preferences for your first research theme will be decided after you have arrived on campus, viewed the portfolio of projects available and discussed your aspirations with the Programme Director and relevant experts.Once you have chosen a research theme, you will meet supervisors and discuss the research projects available. We offer many diverse projects to provide you with experience in a wide range of experimental techniques and research laboratories.Find out more about the research themesAt the end of the first research project, you will meet supervisors again and discuss the projects available for the second research theme. You will carry out a research project based on this theme, attend seminars and continue with skills development. Find out more about Research project oneFind out more about Research project two AssessmentYou will undertake two research projects and write up your research in the form of a research dissertation/paper, which should not exceed 10,000 words. In addition, you will write an 8-page research project proposal on one or both of the research projects you undertake.Each assessment will be marked by two independent academic markers. Learning outcomesOn completion of this course, you will be able to: Devise an independent research project.Develop detailed knowledge and understanding of a specific subject area of interest.Acquire a range of core experimental research, and generic and transferable skills.Acquire skills in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), numeracy, data presentation and statistical analysis of experimental results.Develop written and oral presentation skills and demonstrate the ability to communicate science to a range of audiences. Find out the aims and structure for each year of study on this programme. Full-time MScR Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences) (1 year) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Taught courses The formal taught element of the programme is not formally assessed, rather focusing on the core skills required to be an excellent biomedical scientist. This maximises laboratory time and research-led training gained by being embedded in a research group. Support You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree. We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. How we support you Careers Career opportunities This programme is an excellent stepping-stone to a PhD, or a career in biomedical research or industry.Every year, vacancies for PhD studentships in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine are available. Staff are always encouraging applications from outstanding postgraduate students who are on this programme. Graduate profiles The best part about our programme is that it is completely research oriented, which gives us a picture of how a career in Biomedical Sciences would be. I had no previous research experience; however, both my lab supervisors and the school helped me learn the basic essentials and built a strong base, along with my projects.This programme is designed in such a way that it builds your skills and techniques, beneficial for both an academic or an industrial career, irrespective of your background. It also gives you the valuable experience of meeting and interacting with various renowned scientists from across the biomedical sector. It gives us opportunities to explore the various branches of Biomedical Sciences and helps us to decide which one would be the most appropriate for our future career.I was pretty much confused if I should go for a career in academics or industrial work. This programme gave me the chance to work with two projects, one which related more to an academic lab-based environment and the second one was based on clinical research and had an industrial environment. This helped me to decide which one would work the best for me along with building my skills for both academic and industrial careers. Nithya Nair MScR Biomedical Sciences (Life Sciences), graduated 2024 Read testimonials from some of our successful graduates 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 Postgraduate Admissions OfficeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary MedicineCMVM College OfficeUsher Institute, Usher Building, The University of Edinburgh5-7 Little France Road, Edinburgh BioQuarter – Gate 3EdinburghEH16 4UX futurestudents@ed.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 651 7998 Academic contact Professor Paul Le Tissier Programme Director Edinburgh Medical School College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine University of Edinburgh Contact details Email: paul.letissier@ed.ac.uk
