Biosciences MRes

This course has been designed for those with an undergraduate biosciences degree who want to pursue an exciting and rewarding career as a scientific researcher. The course is an ideal blend of skills-based lab work, theory, research, and personal development.

You will have good fundamental knowledge in your chosen field of interest that will be explored in greater depth during the course. The main focus of the programme is an extended research project, which takes up much of the year, where you will gain direct experience of working within the collaborative environment of a modern biosciences research laboratory, alongside research active staff from a range of specialist bioscience fields.

Research projects

We offer a wide variety of research projects, designed to reflect the diverse nature of biosciences research conducted at Aston University. Applicants will have a good fundamental knowledge of the area in which they wish to study. For a full list of extended research projects available for 2023 entry please visit our project page.

International students and post-study work visa

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students. Students from over 120 different countries choose to study with us every year. Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live.

As a University, we welcomed the creation of a new immigration route which will enable international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work. The new post-study work visa will apply to international students starting undergraduate and postgraduate courses from 2020. Click here for more information on post-work visas.

Course outline

From the start of the Biosciences MRes at Aston, you will receive training in essential laboratory skills, and develop your research and communication skills. These modules will ensure you are prepared to embark upon the 120-credit extended research project, which takes up much of the year. You can see the full list of available projects here.

Your chosen project will focus on a specific topic, meaning you’ll get to experience hands-on masters level research working closely within the research team of your specialist project supervisor. Depending on which project you complete, you will receive specialist training in research techniques that could include*:

• 3D cell culture
• Bacterial protein expression
• Computer Aided Design (CAD)
• Molecular biology and microscopy
• Immunohistochemistry
• Mammalian cell culture

*Please refer to the core techniques description in each of the available projects for more information.

In addition to the extended research project, you will also study a series of 15 credit modules that will assist in the development of essential skills for planning, implementing and communicating research.

Core modules

• Essential Laboratory Skills
• Professional Development and Research Communication Skills
• Research Competency Assessment
• Postgraduate Research Skills
• Research Project

This course is part of the School of Biosciences which sits within the College of Health and Life Sciences.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in our course who have the skills and capability to excel. All candidates are considered on an individual basis based on their qualifications, experience, references and motivation.

All applicants require:

• Upper second class (2:1) honours degree from a recognised university in a biological, biomedical or biochemistry based subject, or a related field. More information on international degree requirements can be found on our Aston in your country webpage.
• Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. English language test requirements may be waived where students’ undergraduate degree was studied in an English speaking country.
• Find out more about our English language requirements.

Project selection: Applicants will have be required to select which extended research project they would like to complete as part of their studies. This information should be included within the personal statement section of their application form. Full details on what projects we have available can be found on our projects page. Applicants will be able to demonstrate a good fundamental knowledge of the area they wish to study within their application and at interview. 

Interviews: Successful applicants will be required to attend an online interview as part of the application process.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

More advice on applying to Aston can be found here.

Learning and teaching

While much of your year will be spent conducting research for your chosen extended project, you will also complete a series of smaller taught modules. Combined, these modules are worth 60 credits, with one credit equal to 10 learning hours. The learning hours may include, but are not limited to lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab sessions, practicals, online activity, reading, other independent study or reflecting on assignment feedback.

Throughout your research project, you will be supported by your supervisor, alongside the wider biosciences team of academics, other researchers and technicians.

Assessment

Assessment on the course will be through a combination of class tests, individual and group coursework, projects, presentations and practical assessments.

Key staff

Course Director

Dr Cathy Slack
Cathy is a Lecturer in Biosciences with a background in ageing biology, cell signalling and Drosophila genetics. Her research focuses on the molecular and cellular processes that regulate lifespan and influence life-long health.

Key members of teaching staff

Dr Eric Hill
Eric is a Senior Lecturer in Biosciences, his main research interests include the development of tissue engineering strategies to model stem cell behaviour in the development of neuronal networks and also during neurodegeneration.  He is currently engaged in developing stem cell derived models of the CNS in an attempt to study complex cellular interactions that occur in development and disease.

Dr Steve Russell
Steve is a Lecturer in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, his research interests are predominantly focused on cancer cachexia and metabolic changes in a number of conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

Facilities

You’ll have access to a range of facilities including:

• Extensive and well-equipped laboratories with a variety of equipment designed to support your learning in an industry-relevant environment. Including: tissue culture facilities, bioreactor cell culture, flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging.
• Refurbished lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and computer laboratories.
• A virtual learning environment used for general study, revision and assessment. This platform allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, scientific journals, e-journals, databases and much more.
• Aston Library, fully refurbished and equipped for the digital age. Open 24 hours a day at key points throughout the year, with a variety of study spaces, academic support advisors, and course texts available electronically or in book form.

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as Home students.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

On successful graduation, you will have not only developed a wide range of highly desirable practical laboratory skills and techniques through hands-on research experience, but also crucial skills in team working, critical thinking and communication.

These skills and experience will ensure you are well prepared for a research-focused role in industry; or to undertake further research, in the form of a PhD at Aston or another leading university.

Throughout your time with us, you will have access to specialist support and guidance from our dedicated biosciences team of academics, alongside the Aston University career service, to help you to plan the next step of your career.

Why study Biosciences MRes at Aston?

We’re ranked top 10 UK for research quality (Biological Sciences, Complete University Guide, 2020), making us a great choice for those who want to kick start their career in bioscience research.

With access to our leading academics, specialist facilities and the completion of an extended research project, you’ll gain all the skills and knowledge required to progress onto a research-focused role in industry, or undertake further research in the form of a PhD at Aston or another leading university.

How does the extended research project work?

Your extended research project will take up much of your year with us, worth 120 credits, this is also supplemented with a range of 15 credit taught modules to provide you with laboratory and research communication skills.

Each year we have a variety of projects available to students, examples of this year’s projects include:

• Antibiotic discovery from the Eden Project’s tropical plants with Dr Jon Cox
• Scaling-up of keratinocyte expansion for the treatment of large bun wounds with Dr Patricia Perez Esteban
• 3D culture of stem cell derived neural networks with Dr Eric Hill
• A 3D printing approach for drug discovery with Dr John Simms
• Investigating the effect of lipoxidaition on mammalian cell function with Professor Corrine Spickett

The full list of projects for 2020 entry can be seen here.

You will be required to select which extended research project you would like to complete as part of your degree, and you should highlight this choice in your personal statement section of the application form. 

What facilities will I have access to?

Aston University is home to an extensive bioscience department that includes a combination of student practical and research laboratories. All spaces are well-appointed and furnished with a variety of relevant equipment designed to ensure our students receive the very best training experience.