Molecular and Cellular Biosciences
Develop the fundamental skills needed for a career in biosciences research or academia.
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
-
Course overview
Receive practical training towards a career in modern biosciences research on this Master's course.
Suitable for graduates in a range of scientific disciplines, this course provides considerable flexibility to focus on specialist subjects in line with your research interests and career intentions.
You'll carry out two equally weighted research projects, one in the autumn term and the second in the summer term. These will be planned in consultation with expert staff.
You'll also develop transferable skills through a mixture of laboratory work, presentations and computer-based work.
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 these core modules.
Through two research projects, you'll explore a wide range of biochemical research areas, and receive training in fundamental skills for a career within this area of science.
You'll focus on specialist subjects consistent with your interests and future career intentions.
Projects are available in a variety of subjects covered by the departmental research laboratories.
During the projects, you'll design experiments, analyse complex data and interpret your research findings.
Your work will be assessed by an individual research project report, oral presentation and viva.
The projects have an emphasis on developing your independence as a researcher, with training from individual supervisors.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Computer-based work
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Formal presentations
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Individual lab research project and project reports
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Laboratory work
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
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Individual research project report
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Oral presentation
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Oral assessment
Entry requirements
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.
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: CAH03-01-08
- Descriptor: molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
- Supervisor name: Professor Daniel Davis
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Fees and funding
Home fee - 4x MRes "Low/High" (Mol.Cell, Mol.Plant, Structural, Sys.Synth)
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £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 £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 - 4x MRes "Low/High" (Mol.Cell, Mol.Plant, Structural, Sys.Synth)
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £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 £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?
Graduates of our Department go on to succeed in a wide range of sectors. These include scientific research, biotechnology, healthcare, medical communications, consulting, finance, law, public relations, and environmental sectors.
What jobs do our graduates do?
Research Scientist, Bioinformatician, Medical Writer, Ecological Consultant, Data Scientist, Geo-spatial Data Manager, Account Executive, Commercial Analyst, Management Trainee, Trainee Patent Attorney.
Who do our graduates work for?
Natural England, Nucleus Global, Costello Medical, Pell Frischmann Consultancy, Kilburn & Strode, PwC, Johnson & Johnson, IBM, Engitix Therapeutics, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
What about further study?
Some graduates progress to further research or specialist professional training.
What careers support does Imperial offer?
Our Careers Service works closely with the Department of Life Sciences to support events such as the Silwood Park Careers Day, helping you connect with employers and explore opportunities beyond academia.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: s.dennison@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Michalis Barkoulas
Course Co-Director: Dr Marco Trizzino
Course Administrator: Sally Dennison
Visit the Department of Life Sciences website.
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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.
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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