Synthetic Cell Science
Explore new technologies and approaches for making synthetic cells and artificial life and undertake training towards a research career where your breakthroughs impact healthcare and industry.
Explore how to build synthetic cells and cutting-edge biomimetic nano and micro robots
Collaborate with industry and research partners to deliver applications of synthetic cell technologies to healthcare, materials and environmental solutions
Launch your career across biotech, startups, academia, policy, and venture creation amid strong employer demand
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£15,600 Home
£43,000 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
-
White City
-
Minimum entry standard
2:1 in a Physical Science, Life Science/Biomedical degree or Engineering-based subject.
Course overview
Synthetic Cell Science is an emerging field at the intersection of physical, life, and engineering sciences. This course will equip you with the skills to build synthetic cells – biomimetic nano‑ and micro‑robots assembled from non‑living components that replicate real cellular behaviours such as metabolism, communication, decision‑making, motility, and even evolution.
You will learn to create biodevices ranging from biological circuits to organelles, cells, and tissues, and explore how synthetic cells can revolutionise both fundamental research and applications across therapeutics, agrochemical delivery, diagnostics, regenerative medicine, green biosynthesis, and bioremediation.
Through hands‑on experience you will design, build, and characterise synthetic cells using microfluidics, 3D bioprinting, AI, microscopy, membrane engineering, and other technologies. You will work in world‑class facilities, such as the £200M Molecular Sciences Research Hub and the £5M Advanced Hackspace, and apply your designs to translational challenges, such as delivery in biological systems.
You will develop close links with industry and NGOs, gaining expertise required for further study at PhD level or for a career in industry and the SME sector, where synthetic cell skills are in high demand.
The course begins with a lecture series led by world‑leading experts, covering the fundamentals of synthetic cell science. You will then undertake a hands‑on training project (HackSynCell), followed by a nine‑month independent, original, interdisciplinary research project in Synthetic Cell Science. By the end of the course, you will be ready to lead the next wave of synthetic cell innovation from fundamental discovery to impactful application.
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 the following core modules.
Core modules
Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of biomedical nanoscience, leading into nanomedicine and its applications. Students will become familiar with how nanomedicines are made, characterised and what the clinical translation and commercialisation pathway entails.
Learn about applications of microfluidics technologies for manufacturing synthetic cells, alongside strategies for their construction and characterisation, which will be provided as lectures and hands-on workshops/practicals.
Conduct an independent and original interdisciplinary research project in the emerging field of synthetic cell science. You will choose from available projects given by department academics and their collaborators.
Prior to the start of the experimental work, you will design and plan your upcoming lab work and convey your plans in a format of a research grant proposal. You will then write a manuscript, defend your work with an oral examination, and present your results in a student MRes symposium.
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
- Taught modules and self-study
- Group project work
- Research project
- 20% Title 1 goes here
- 5% Title 2 goes here
- 75% Title 3 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Guest lectures
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Independent Study
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Guided problem-solving and prototyping workshops
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Group work
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Research project
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Technical report writing
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Presentation
Balance of assessment – excluding research project
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Coursework
- Viva Voce
- Video and research Presentation
- 61% Title 1 goes here
- 16% Title 2 goes here
- 23% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Written exams
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Research project manuscript
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Research proposal
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Oral exams (viva voce)
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Research project presentation
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Video presentation
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: CAH07-02-01
- Descriptor: Chemistry
- Supervisor name: Professor Oscar Ces
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
The description of the MRes course that you should use in your ATAS application is the below:
- Title of the research: MRes in Synthetic Cell Science
- Description: The course aims to provide hands on experience in designing, making, and characterising synthetic cells from first principles. Through this programme, students will gain the skills and expertise to spearhead the development of synthetic cells. At the start of the programme, students will attend a bespoke lecture series led by world leading experts, covering the fundamentals of synthetic cell science. Building on this knowledge, students will undertake a hands on, bespoke training project (HackSynCell) using the unique capabilities of the Advanced Hackspace and the Molecular Sciences Research Hub. During HackSynCell, students will employ research and rapid prototyping techniques to design, construct, and validate synthetic cells, including safe laboratory practice. Students will then apply the synthetic cells they have constructed to translational challenges. After HackSynCell, students will undertake a nine month independent, original, interdisciplinary research project in Synthetic Cell Science, applying the knowledge they have gained. The research project is conducted within active research groups at Imperial College and typically involves two supervisors with experience of different aspects of Synthetic Cell Science.
Fees and funding
Home fee - MRes Chemistry courses
2026 entry
£15,600
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 - MRes Chemistry courses
2026 entry
£43,000
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 £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 scholarshipsScholarship students of Black heritage Chemistry
Value per award
- Full cost of Home tuition fees and a UKRI equivalent bursary
Who it's for
- Prospective students of Black heritage applying to Chemistry Master's courses
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Gain in-demand skills in designing, making, and characterising synthetic cells from first principles.
Develop your skills in a unique interdisciplinary learning environment.
Enjoy hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Benefit from strong industry connections and networks.
Further links
Contact the department
Telephone: +44(0)20 7594 2678 or +44(0)20 7594 2936
Email: chemres@imperial.ac.uk
Course Directors: Professor Oscar Ces and Professor Nick Brooks
View the Department of Chemistry web pages.
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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