Molecular Plant and Microbial Sciences
Study advanced concepts and technologies related to the molecular basis of plant and microbe functions.
Study advanced concepts and technologies related to the molecular basis of plant and microbe functions
Use experimental design and statistical analysis of data to formulate and test hypotheses
Develop your expertise on two projects, with guidance from research groups
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£16,300 Home
£40,500 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
-
South Kensington
-
Course overview
Explore advanced concepts and technologies related to the molecular basis of plant and microbe functions on this Master's course.
You'll embark on a 12-month period of research, developing skills towards further PhD study or a career in molecular plant sciences.
You'll carry out two research projects, performed in research groups.
Through this work, you'll enhance your research techniques in areas including plant genetic engineering, plant development, plant molecular biology, and proteomics.
You'll also develop your skills in experimental design, critical assessment, presentation, and the use of software and statistics tools for data analysis and display.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take all the core modules below.
Core modules
The first research project begins with intensive practical molecular biology skills training.
You’ll pick from a range of topics offered by the molecular plant and microbial sciences research groups.
After choosing your project, you’ll produce a literature survey and research outline, before embarking on lab work.
Your work will be assessed by presentations, an individual research project report and a viva.
You'll also carry out a second research project, which incorporates a literature survey and outline proposal.
The second project must be on a different topic to the first project, and should normally have a different supervisory team.
Your work will be assessed by presentations, an individual research project report and a viva.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
-
Computer-based work
-
Formal presentations
-
Individual research projects with thesis reports
-
Research laboratory
-
Seminars
-
Skills training practicals
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may be different depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Research Project 1
- Research Project 2
- 50% Title 1 goes here
- 50% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Individual research project reports
-
Presentations
-
Oral assessment
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 2 closes on Wednesday 7 January 2026
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Monday 29 September 2025
- Applications close on Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 4 March 2026
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 8 January 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 6 May 2026
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 12 March 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Decision by Thursday 2 July 2026
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH10-03-05
- Descriptor: biotechnology
- Supervisor name: Professor Daniel Davis
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Fees and funding
Home fee - 4x MRes "Low/High" (Mol. Cellular, Mol. Plant, Structural, Synthetic)
2026 entry
£16,300
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee - 4x MRes "Low/High" (Mol. Cellular, Mol. Plant, Structural, Synth)
2026 entry
£40,500
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at Imperial help my career?
With employers, researchers, and governments realising plant biotechnology's potential, you will have a wide range of career options upon graduation.
-(1).svg){kind=icon}
Many graduates pursue further research leading to a PhD.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
.svg){kind=icon}
Consider joining one of the Research Council-funded institutes that develop and monitor various aspects of plant biotechnology.
Your expertise will be highly sought after by the food industry as well as agrochemical companies with a focus on modern plant breeding methods.
There may also be opportunities for employment in biofuels research.
Further links
Contact the department
- Email: l.barron@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Colin Turnball
Course Co-Director: Dr Tolga Bozkurt
Course Administrator: Lucy Barron
Visit the Department of Life Sciences website.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/180703_thor_lab_ultrafast_molecular_imaging_035.jpg)
Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/Newsletter.jpg)
Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/UG---Events.jpg)
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications