University of York

What you'll study

This programme is centred on a substantial individual research project carried out over the majority of the course and presented as a dissertation. Projects reflect the breadth of the Department of Biology’s research strengths, including molecular and cellular biology, microbiology and infection biology, plant sciences, ecology and evolution, and conservation biology.

Alongside the project you will receive structured research training and professional development. Typical elements include:

• Research project and dissertation — independent experimental, computational or field research supervised by one or more academic staff; project design, data collection, analysis and critical interpretation required.
• Research methods and statistics — training in experimental design, quantitative analysis, data handling, reproducible workflows and specific analytical techniques (e.g. statistical modelling, bioinformatics pipelines, imaging analysis).
• Advanced laboratory and analytical techniques — practical training aligned to your project (e.g. molecular cloning, microscopy, high‑throughput sequencing, mass spectrometry, stable isotope analysis, ecological survey methods).
• Literature review and scientific communication — preparation of a critical literature review, oral presentation skills, and training in scientific writing for theses and publications.
• Research integrity and professional development — sessions on ethics, reproducibility, project management, grant writing and career planning.

Assessment is dominated by the project dissertation and viva, supplemented by coursework, laboratory reports, presentations and any taught module assessments you undertake as part of your training plan.

Entry requirements

• A UK 2:1 honours degree, or the international equivalent, in biology or a closely related biological or biomedical science. Applicants with a lower 2:2 and substantial relevant research experience may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
• Evidence of research potential, such as prior laboratory or field experience, a strong final year project, publications or relevant employment, is highly desirable.
• A clear research proposal or statement of research interests is often requested so that suitable supervision can be identified.
• For applicants whose first language is not English, a recognised English language qualification is required (for example, typical offers expect an overall IELTS score around 6.5 with no component below 6.0, or equivalent). Specific requirements may vary and should be checked with admissions.
• Admissions are competitive and selection may involve review by potential supervisors; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an offer.

Career prospects

Graduates of this programme gain concentrated research experience that positions them well for a range of next steps. Common career paths include:

• Progression to a PhD in a related area, either at York or elsewhere, leveraging the research project and supervisor network.
• Research employment in academia or research institutes as research assistants or technicians.
• Roles in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and environmental consultancy sectors, including experimental scientist, bioinformatics analyst and laboratory manager positions.
• Conservation and ecology careers within NGOs, government agencies and consultancy, particularly for those who carried out field‑based projects.
• Science communication, policy and knowledge exchange positions that value the ability to synthesise and present complex scientific information.

The Department and the University’s careers service provide support with applications, CVs, and networking with research groups and external partners to help translate your research training into employment or further study.

Why study at University of York

York offers a research‑intensive environment with active research groups spanning molecular to ecosystem scales. The Department of Biology benefits from interdisciplinary links across the university and with research institutes, providing access to modern laboratories, shared instrumentation facilities and high‑performance computing resources.

Supervision is provided by experienced researchers who publish in leading journals and lead externally funded projects. You will join a research community that runs regular seminars, journal clubs and technical workshops, giving opportunities to present work and collaborate across disciplines.

The campus provides pastoral and academic support, and York’s careers and research training programmes help develop transferable skills such as grant writing, project management and public engagement. These features make the MSc Biology by Research a strong choice for students seeking an immersive research experience before moving into doctoral study or a science career.