Bioinformatics and Theoretical Systems Biology
Gain the skills to produce effective research in bioinformatics and theoretical systems biology
Gain the skills to produce effective research in bioinformatics and theoretical systems biology
Liaise with leading biologists, mathematicians and computing specialists
Plan and execute an individual research project and become comfortable using modelling software
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£16,600 Home
£40,500 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
2:1 in a biological/biomedical/bioengineering, clinical or physical sciences, computational, or mathematical subject.
Course overview
Build the multidisciplinary skills required to produce effective research in bioinformatics and theoretical systems biology on this Master's course.
Taught by experts in relevant fields, you'll acquire core biological, computational and mathematics expertise through lectures, practical classes and assignments.
This course will help you enhance your research techniques, including in information and data retrieval, study design, and data analysis and statistics.
You'll also liaise with biologists, mathematicians and computing specialists to produce a series of research projects throughout the academic year.
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 complete the following core modules.
Core modules
This module starts with an introduction to molecular and cellular and systems biology, and is particularly aimed at students from a non biological background. It is then followed by in-depth lectures on protein annotation, genome annotation, statistical genetics, systems modelling, and machine learning.
The Mathematics and Computing module starts with an introduction to calculus aimed at those who did not study beyond an elementary level, or require a refresher. The course proceeds with both mathematical modelling, particularly solving differential equations and statistics. The computing language currently taught is Python.
Reinforce your programming skills and experience the creation of code in detail. This is normally undertaken as a group project and runs for about 11 weeks. All projects must be within Imperial and normally are only with the Department of Life Sciences.
Apply your skills obtained from the course in a research environment.
You'll become part of your host laboratory within Imperial, including associated hospitals and Silwood Park. All projects are based at Imperial.
Many of these projects contribute directly to scientific publications.
The project runs for about 22 weeks.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Computing labs
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Practical classes
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Presentations and seminars
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Group work
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Virtual learning environment
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Lecture recordings
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Projects and assignments
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Independent study
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
- Projects
- Examinations and coursework
- 70% Title 1 goes here
- 30% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Written exams
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Dissertation
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Computer and mathematics assignments
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Individual research project
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Presentations
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Group report
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Oral exam
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
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.
In your personal statement, please provide detailed information about the extent to which you have developed computer software. Please let us know what language(s) you have used, an overview of the problem coded, and a rough indication of the number of lines of code.
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: CAH03-01-02
- Descriptor: biology (non-specific)
- Supervisor name: Professor Daniel Davis
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Fees and funding
Home fee - Applied Biosciences, Bioinformatics
2026 entry
£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 £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 - Applied Biosciences, Bioinformatics
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?
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Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for a bioinformatics or systems biology career.
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Our graduates often pursue further study in master's programs or doctoral research.
Life sciences graduates are in demand across a wide range of industries.
These include government and industrial research, public health, and careers in business.
Further links
Contact the department
- Email: s.dennison@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor Michael Sternberg
Course Co-Director: Dr Derek Huntley
Course Administrator: Sally Dennison
Visit the Department of Life Sciences website.
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Request info
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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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