Postgraduate study
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Integrative Biomedical Sciences (Based in China) MScR

Awards: MScR

Study modes: Full-time

This one year full-time MScR programme is delivered at the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE) on the Zhejiang International Campus, Haining, China.

Courses are taught and assessed entirely in English.

The degree provides excellent grounding for:

  • PhD or other academic study
  • research-based positions in industry
  • alternative careers that use the transferrable skills you will learn

The programme focuses on two 20-week projects. These will be within research groups at the cutting-edge of biomedical and bioinformatics research.

Extensive collaborations exist with the wider biomedical and clinical communities. These help ensure you are supported in a world-class research environment.

Projects

The two-project structure offers experience in two different research environments and areas of research.

You will select ‘wet’ (lab-based) or ‘dry’ (analytical or modelling) projects from across the full range of biomedical sciences and bioinformatics.

Please note, you do not need to include a research proposal in your application and should ignore any mention of this.

Following completion of research projects and writing of dissertations, the final part of the programme is an assessed project proposal. This allows you to assimilate and reflect on the skills you have developed in the programme.

The details provided are subject to any restrictions related to Covid-19 being imposed. Should any restrictions be put in place on the International campus in Haining, China, changes to the delivery of the programme may be required.

The programme includes core skills, seminars, taught modules and research projects with research groups and in our well-resourced laboratories which are at the forefront of biomedical research.

Research subjects

You will carry out two 20-week long research projects selected from three overarching research subject areas and submit a dissertation for each project.

Your projects can be ‘wet’ laboratory-based projects and ‘dry’ analytical or modelling projects.

Either project will form the basis of a final assessment in the form of one of:

  • a research project proposal
  • a proposal for industry funding, or
  • public communication

Research subject areas include:

  • Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (for example: regenerative medicine, diagnostics and development of therapies)
  • Infection and Immunity (including infectious and inflammatory diseases, immunology, vaccine development and microbiology)
  • Molecular Biomedicine and Bioinformatics (for example: models of disease, bioinformatics, reproductive biology, cardiovascular science, imaging and neuroscience)

Core taught component

The programme is underpinned by a core taught element providing development and training in key biomedical science research skills including:

  • data analysis and experimental design
  • critical analysis of research literature
  • scientific writing and communication
  • seminars to address current and emerging advances in biomedical research

You will have approximately 2 contact hours per week for each semester to include key training activities such as:

  • experimental design and data analysis
  • bioinformatics, programming, modelling
  • science communication, presentation skills and project planning

Inspirational Research seminar series

The Inspirational Research seminar series is designed to address questions from within each of the three research areas (Stem Cell and Cancer Biology, Infection and Immunity & Molecular Biomedicine and Informatics).

Seminars are delivered by staff associated with the programme and you will be expected to attend seminars from one of the three topics linked to your second research project.

Research projects

At the beginning of semester 1, you will choose your first research theme and meet supervisors and discuss the research projects available.

A diverse choice of projects is offered specifically to provide experience in a wide range of experimental techniques and research laboratories.

At the end of the first research theme, you will again meet supervisors and discuss the projects available and choose your second research theme. You will carry out a research project based on this theme

Research proposal

The proposal is the final piece of assessed work. You will reflect on your experience and evidence your learning and write a proposal for a future related research project (out-with the MSc).

This will be based on the research area of either project 1 or project 2, in the form of a grant application, public communication piece or a proposal for translational application in industry.

The programme includes core skills, seminars, taught modules and research projects with research groups and in our well-resourced laboratories which are at the forefront of biomedical research.

You will carry out two 20-week long research projects selected from three overarching research subject areas and submit a dissertation for each project. Projects can be ‘wet’ laboratory-based projects and ‘dry’ analytical or modelling projects. Either project will form the basis of a final assessment in the form of a research project proposal, proposal for industry funding, or public communication.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScRIntegrative Biomedical Sciences1 YearFull-timeProgramme structure 2024/25

The programme is underpinned by a core taught element providing development and training in key biomedical science research skills.

Training specific to individual projects will be discussed and agreed with project supervisors.

You will join an expanding international postgraduate student community. You will also benefit from a range of campus and online activities, events and services.

You will have access to support services, research training and resources:

  • at the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute in Haining and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China
  • online at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment for all aspects of modern biomedical sciences to facilitate their research objectives. These are located at our new International Campus in Haining, China.

This programme provides excellent training and experience for a PhD, or a career in biomedical research or industry.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in biological, chemical or physical sciences.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScRIntegrative Biomedical Sciences1 YearFull-timeTuition fees

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Deanery of Biomedical Sciences
  • Chancellors Building
  • Edinburgh
  • EH16 4SB
Programme start date Application deadline
9 September 2024 28 July 2024

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

You must submit two references with your application.

When completing the online application form you are not required to complete a research proposal. You will select your first research theme and project at the beginning of the programme. (Please ignore any automatically generated emails requesting this information from you during the application process.)

You may be formally interviewed (in person, by video-conferencing or Skype).

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Deanery of Biomedical Sciences
  • Chancellors Building
  • Edinburgh
  • EH16 4SB