- Level
- Master Degree
- Duration
- 1 year master degree
- Open intakes
-
Off-shoreJan 2027, Sep 2027
- Field
- Biotechnology and Life Sciences
- Institution
- Public University
- Offer speed
- Superfast Offer Speed2–3 days
- Next deadline
- 2027-01-01
Program overview
A one year research master in the life sciences, covering research design, laboratory technique, data analysis for biology and a substantial supervised research project.
Masters by Research in Life Sciences produces a research output rather than taught credits, and like the other research masters it carries the higher IELTS 6.5 requirement.
Masters by Research in Life Sciences is taught at the Birmingham City University, a UK university with degree awarding powers. Because Masters by Research in Life Sciences is a degree, it supports an application under the UK Graduate Route, which gives two years of unsponsored work in Britain after Masters by Research in Life Sciences ends, or three years for a doctorate. To claim it after Masters by Research in Life Sciences you must be inside the UK on a valid student visa when you apply. One limit applies to Masters by Research in Life Sciences as to every taught course in Britain: the rules introduced in January 2024 stop taught students bringing a spouse or children as dependants, so Masters by Research in Life Sciences cannot support a family move.
Admission to Masters by Research in Life Sciences requires a bachelor degree at 70 percent. The English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, and tuition for Masters by Research in Life Sciences is recorded at GBP 18,970 a year. BCU charges no application fee, so applying for Masters by Research in Life Sciences costs you nothing, and no scholarship is recorded against it. Masters by Research in Life Sciences lists five entry windows a cycle. Apply Study Visa manages the Masters by Research in Life Sciences application, the deposit, the offer, the CAS and the UK student visa as one process.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: A completed bachelor degree from a recognised university, at the percentage stated.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 86 with reading 18, writing 17, speaking 20 and listening 17; or PTE Academic 59 with no component below 59. The Duolingo English Test is NOT accepted.
- Application and deposit: BCU charges NO application fee, so applying costs you nothing. Confirm the tuition deposit and its refundability in writing before any money is transferred.
- Scholarship: No scholarship is recorded against this course. Budget the full tuition.
- Graduate Route: Masters by Research in Life Sciences is a degree, so it supports a UK Graduate Route application giving two years of unsponsored work after you finish. You must apply from inside the UK on a valid student visa. Students on taught courses cannot bring a spouse or children as dependants under the January 2024 rules.
- Student visa: Apply Study Visa prepares the CAS request, the financial evidence and the UK student visa submission with you.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Research Assistant: university and institute laboratories
- Laboratory Scientist: pharmaceutical research
- Clinical Trials Associate: contract research organisations
- Scientific Officer: regulatory bodies
- Quality Control Scientist: regulated manufacturing
- Doctoral Study: life sciences research
Reality check: secure agreement on a supervisor and a research topic before you apply, because that agreement is the substance of a research master.
About Birmingham City University (BCU)
- Type
- University
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.7
- World rank
- #1189
- Established
- 1843
- Reference No.
- 10007140
