Taxonomy, Biodiversity and Evolution
Obtain broad training in modern approaches of taxonomy and collection-based research.
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Course overview
Based primarily at the Natural History Museum, this programme will equip you with the practical and analytical skills required for a career in biodiversity research and evolutionary biology.
You will acquire solid theoretical background in taxonomy and systematics, together with computing and hands-on laboratory expertise required to apply these disciplines to real-world problems in conservation, agriculture, or health.
You will gain research experience conducting an independent research project on taxonomic or ecological questions, which may make use of excellent imaging and genomics facilities and the unrivalled collections at the museum.
This course's close links with the museum will also provide you with opportunities to attend regular seminars and network with leading researchers as you build towards future PhD study or a biodiversity career.
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 will complete the following core and compulsory modules
- NHM Field Course and Basic Computing
- Statistics in R
- Ecological and Evolutionary Data Science
- Natural History Collections and Principles of Taxonomy
- Phylogenetics and Molecular Systematics
- Palaeobiology and Speciation
- Taxonomy Biodiversity and Evolution Research Project
Undertake an extensive independent research project, either at the Natural History Museum or at Imperial.
Topics should relate to the general subject area of systematics and/or biodiversity, and should show the scope for original observation or experimental design.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures and practicals
- Independent learning
- Research project
Terms 1 and 2
- 50% Title 1 goes here
- 50% Title 2 goes here
Term 3
- 0% Title 1 goes here
- 100% Title 3 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
-
Practicals
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Workshops
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Individual research project
Assessment methods
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Project report
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Oral presentation
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Coursework
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 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 Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
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.
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
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
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.
When are applicants invited for an interview?
Applicants will be invited for an interview should their written application pass an initial review.
How long is the interview and what purpose does it serve?
This interview lasts about 10-20 minutes. It serves as an opportunity for a two-way conversation between the interviewer and the applicant to ask questions and probe further. There are several elements that are being explored, including the applicant's motivations, academic ambitions and their suitability for our courses.
When does it take place?
Interviews will usually be scheduled approximately 3-4 weeks after the application round deadline that you applied to, and we aim to inform applicants of the confirmed schedule approximately 1 week in advance.
How is the interview going to be conducted?
Regardless of whether you are in the UK or overseas, the interview will be conducted through an online meeting via Microsoft Teams.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Home fee - Taxonomy
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £16,600.
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 £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that 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 - Taxonomy
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £36,000.
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 £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that 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?
Develop qualitative and analytical skills to prepare for a career as a biodiversity researcher.
Due to its unique location, you will have an opportunity to network with leading researchers in the field at the Natural History Museum.
With specialised knowledge as a Life Sciences graduate, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
These include government and industrial research, public health, and careers in business.
Further links
Contact the department
Course Administrator: s.dennison@imperial.ac.uk
Course Directors: Professor Alfried Vogler
Visit the Department of Life Sciences website.
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Request info
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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