Molecular Biology MSc

UCAS code

Duration

13 Months

13 Months

22 Months

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Molecular biology is increasingly important for professionals in health and related areas such as pharmaceutical sciences and biotechnology. Our MSc focuses on the way advanced molecular technologies inform clinical practice.

The study of biology at a molecular level is leading to advances in the treatment of many diseases. This course is designed for health professionals who want to understand its impact on biomedicine and related subjects. It will also be of interest to those working in other areas of biology where molecular biology has applications.

The course will enable you to study areas of molecular biology of particular interest or relevance to your employment. It includes a workplace project which you can tailor to be highly relevant to your current work and interests.

The study of biology at a molecular level is leading to advances in the treatment of many diseases. This course is designed for health professionals who want to understand its impact on biomedicine and related subjects. It will also be of interest to those working in other areas of biology where molecular biology has applications.

The course will enable you to study areas of molecular biology of particular interest or relevance to your employment. It includes a workplace project which you can tailor to be highly relevant to your current work and interests.

The study of biology at a molecular level is leading to advances in the treatment of many diseases. This course is designed for health professionals who want to understand its impact on biomedicine and related subjects. It will also be of interest to those working in other areas of biology where molecular biology has applications.

The course will enable you to study areas of molecular biology of particular interest or relevance to your employment. It includes a workplace project which you can tailor to be highly relevant to your current work and interests.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Molecular Biology

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Molecular Biology

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Molecular Biology

Course content

The course will introduce you to recent advances made in the study of disease, with an emphasis on how advanced molecular technologies inform, and impact upon, clinical practice. You’ll develop hands-on practical skills during two one-week residential short courses.

You can tailor many elements of the course to focus on your personal or employment interests. For example, you’ll undertake a research project which can be completed at your place of work or at the University.

The course will introduce you to recent advances made in the study of disease, with an emphasis on how advanced molecular technologies inform, and impact upon, clinical practice. You’ll develop hands-on practical skills during two one-week residential short courses.

You can tailor many elements of the course to focus on your personal or employment interests. For example, you’ll undertake a research project which can be completed at your place of work or at the University.

The course will introduce you to recent advances made in the study of disease, with an emphasis on how advanced molecular technologies inform, and impact upon, clinical practice. You’ll develop hands-on practical skills during two one-week residential short courses.

You can tailor many elements of the course to focus on your personal or employment interests. For example, you’ll undertake a research project which can be completed at your place of work or at the University.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 2 compulsory modules
Bioinformatics (Bl) 20 credits
Research Project (Bl) 40 credits
Research Project Proposal (Bl) 20 credits

Entry requirements

You’ll normally need a minimum 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. However, accredited professional qualifications or vocational experience can be considered, and we strongly encourage anyone interested in the course to get in touch.

You’ll normally need a minimum 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. However, accredited professional qualifications or vocational experience can be considered, and we strongly encourage anyone interested in the course to get in touch.

You’ll normally need a minimum 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. However, accredited professional qualifications or vocational experience can be considered, and we strongly encourage anyone interested in the course to get in touch.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Read more

Find out more about our Science Centre Facilities. 

Molecular Cellular Biology and Genetics

Facilities for genetic and gene expression analysis, cellular imaging, and growth of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Read more

Find out more about our Sequencing Hub and Sequencing Room. 

Careers

The course is designed to aid your career advancement in any field where molecular biology is relevant. Or you may be looking to change or re-focus your career in this direction.

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Support is available when you need it. You can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are. This includes discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Support is available when you need it. You can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are. This includes discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Support is available when you need it. You can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are. This includes discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Assessment

Module assessment is mainly through course work, plus two online exams.

Module assessment is mainly through course work, plus two online exams.

Module assessment is mainly through course work, plus two online exams.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

You'll typically need to complete 12 – 15 hours of independent work each week. However, the actual study time will vary from student to student.

You'll typically need to complete 12 – 15 hours of independent work each week. However, the actual study time will vary from student to student.

You'll typically need to complete 12 – 15 hours of independent work each week. However, the actual study time will vary from student to student.

Independent learning

The focus of this course is independent learning and individual study time. This could involve:

  • Set reading material or e-text books
  • Researching e-journals and e-books from the library or library books which can be posted to you (UK based students only)
  • Preparing for your dissertation

The focus of this course is independent learning and individual study time. This could involve:

  • Set reading material or e-text books
  • Researching e-journals and e-books from the library or library books which can be posted to you (UK based students only)
  • Preparing for your dissertation

The focus of this course is independent learning and individual study time. This could involve:

  • Set reading material or e-text books
  • Researching e-journals and e-books from the library or library books which can be posted to you (UK based students only)
  • Preparing for your dissertation

Staff

You'll be taught by staff who have a range of academic and industry experience. 

Dr Ahmad Haidery

Senior Lecturer

I am a Senior Lecturer in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, serving as Course Leader for the Postgraduate Programme in Molecular Biology and Health and Director of Studies for PhD and Professional Doctorate programs.

Ahmad's profile

Trust Diya

Lecturer

Trust is a biomedical scientist whose core discipline is histology and cytology. His main area of interest is lipidomics and nutrition with a focus on the effects of flavonoids on adipogenesis.

Trust's profile

Ian Davies

Associate Professor

My expertise is within clinical pathology laboratories and the use of biomedical investigations in the diagnosis and investigation of disease. I'm Module Coordinator for Professional Practice for Biomedical Scientists and Cellular Pathology.

Ian's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,165 per course £16,750 per course

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,165 per course £9,165 per course

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £9,135 per course £9,135 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in the fees:
  • The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book.
  • The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book.
  • The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book.
Not included in the fees:
  • Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place.
  • Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place.
  • Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Our students

You get the same quality as on-campus but in your own time.

I’m working full time as a Molecular Biologist so this course is definitely very related to my career. The module offer in the course is all related to what I do in work and some of the modules help me to understand the other developments in my company.

The lecturers were very helpful, especially the tutor for each module – they guide you through and if there was something I didn’t understand, they were willing to Skype with me and to enlighten me for the areas that I wasn't clear in.

I would say that distance learning at Staffordshire is very structured and is similar to the on-campus course. You get all the modules online, you get contact with your lecturers and you get access to the library. You get the same quality as on-campus but in your own time.

Airin Zaba

Graduate, MSc Molecular Biology

I got lots of support from the professors at the University.

I got lots of support from the professors at the University. They granted me extensions because they took my situation into account because they knew the circumstances were out of my control at home.

The advantage of a distance learning degree was that I could study at my convenience but it also required lots of self-discipline. 

My dream job would now be to work in a hospital or research agency trying to find cures for cancer. 

Fadi Hamoui

Graduate, MSc Molecular Biology

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MSc Full-time 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021