Bioscience - MRes
Engage in a major bioscience research project through our Bioscience MRes programme, designed to provide you with essential subject knowledge, versatile research skills, and the dedicated time and hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories to prepare you for a career in research or industry. Specialise in one of six core research themes; bioengineering, entomology, glycobiology, infectious disease, neuroscience, or structural biology.
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Full time
Fees for 2026/27 academic year
- UK - Full time £11,700 per year.
International - £18,200 per year.
Duration of study
- 1 year
This course is no longer accepting applications from international students for the 2025/26 academic year.
Why study Bioscience at Keele University?
Course summary
Bioscience research plays a vital role in advancing the health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment; from uncovering the three-dimensional structures of proteins to addressing global pandemics. Our Bioscience MRes provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in a research environment, whether as a standalone degree, preparation for PhD study, or to pursue diverse career paths.
The core part of the programme is a significant piece of independent research in one of the following research areas:
Your project can be undertaken at an external institution, nationally or internationally, to increase your experience of working in a laboratory related to your area of research. This is dependent on the type of project and the research links of the lead project supervisor. We encourage you to explore the above pages and reach out to potential supervisors whose work you find interesting and who you may consider working with on your project.
Taught modules in semester one will establish the key skills and knowledge you will need to complete your independent research. Topics include critical literature searching, advanced research techniques, grant writing and experimental design.
Your research project will advance your individual research skills, with support from expert academics who will deepen your understanding of various theoretical perspectives, methodological approaches, and practical applications in biosciences
You will formulate a research strategy, carry out thorough investigations, analyse and critically evaluate data in the context of current literature in your field. You’ll present this data in various scientific formats, including your dissertation, viva, poster, and presentations at our postgraduate student research conferences. Overall, the programme equips you with transferable skills in practical research, problem-solving, organisation, time management, collaboration, and scientific communication.
The project will culminate in your dissertation, where you’ll demonstrate your ability to identify problems, formulate hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, extract, analyse, and interpret data, critically evaluate findings, relate them to current literature, and present complex research in scientific writing.
Course structure
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Core modules
Semester one
Compulsory modules
LSC-40065 - Literature Review & Grant Proposal, 30 credits, existing level 7 module.
In this module you will further develop skills in the evaluation of scientific literature and experimental design. In addition to producing a comprehensive literature review, you will also formulate research questions/hypotheses and design appropriate research strategies to address these in the form of a mini grant proposal and lay summary.
Optional modules
LSC-40107 - Advanced Research Topics in Glycobiology (30 credits)
This module will develop skills in the acquisition and critical analysis of primary scientific literature of relevance to a range of research methodologies, tools and techniques in Glycobiology and the broader Biosciences disciplines. Research-level content will be delivered by staff and/or invited speakers and you will critically evaluate the primary literature of relevance to your subject area. You will develop a deeper understanding of appropriate experimental design, data analysis, presentation and evaluation, and the application of a wide range of molecular, biochemical, biophysical and/or cell biology techniques in a discipline-specific manner.
LSC-40111 - Advanced Research Topics in Structural Biology (30 credits)
This module will develop skills in the acquisition and critical analysis of primary scientific literature of relevance to a range of research methodologies, tools and techniques in structural biology and the broader biosciences disciplines. Research-level content will be delivered by staff and/or invited speakers and you will critically evaluate the primary literature of relevance to your subject area. You will develop a deeper understanding of appropriate experimental design, data analysis, presentation and evaluation, and the application of a wide range of molecular, biochemical, biophysical and/or cell biology techniques in a discipline-specific manner.
LSC-40119 - Advanced Research Topics in Infectious Disease (30 credits)
This module will develop skills in the acquisition and critical analysis of primary scientific literature of relevance to a range of research methodologies, tools and techniques in Infectious Diseases and the broader Biosciences disciplines. Research-level content will be delivered by staff and/or invited speakers and you will critically evaluate the primary literature of relevance to your subject area. You will develop a deeper understanding of appropriate experimental design, data analysis, presentation and evaluation, and the application of a wide range of molecular, biochemical, biophysical and/or cell biology techniques in a discipline-specific manner.
LSC-40115 - Advanced Research Topics in Neuroscience (30 credits)
This module will develop skills in the acquisition and critical analysis of primary scientific literature of relevance to a range of research methodologies, tools and techniques in Neuroscience and the broader Biosciences disciplines. Research-level content will be delivered by staff and/or invited speakers and students will critically evaluate the primary literature of relevance to Neuroscience. Students will develop a deeper understanding of appropriate experimental design, data analysis, presentation and evaluation, and the application of a wide range of molecular, biochemical, biophysical and/or cell biology techniques in Neuroscience-specific manner.
Semester two and three
Core module
LSC-40105 - MRes Biosciences Extended Research Project (120 credits)
Want to know what it is like to be a researcher? In this module, you will be fully immersed in a research environment by joining one of our world leading experts in their laboratory. You will undertake a full time project which will involve planning research, conducting experiments, data analysis (including statistics) and interpretation and data presentation in a variety of forms (written reports, viva and oral presentations). This will culminate in presenting your work at our Postgraduate Student Conference.
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject from a public university
or
CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject from a private university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in a biomedical, pharmacology or bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), related subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
65% in a degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in a bioscience (Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science), medical, or pharmacology related subject
or
demonstrated professional or relevant qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group C.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application. For international students, find out how we work with approved agents as part of our admissions process.
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Postgraduate funding and scholarships
Funding
Whether you're continuing from undergraduate study or returning to education, our dedicated financial support team is here to help.
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2026 start date falls in the 2025/26 academic year. Please see the tuition fees archive for the 2025/26 fees.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our financial support team.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Additional costs
Teaching, learning and assessment
How you'll be taught
Our programme is delivered through a variety of activities including tutorials and workshops that will deepen your understanding of core methodologies, allow you to reflect on your own learning and have discussions with other students and tutors.
Seminars and journal clubs will develop your research skills particularly in the Advanced Research Topics module. We also run weekly seminars with internal and external speakers currently working across the Bioscience discipline.
Independent study will further improve your subject understanding as you gather knowledge of core material from text books, research papers and research reviews.
The extended research project, which is the main focus of this MRes programme, will see you undertake an in-depth research project with the the support and supervision of academic staff from the School of Life Sciences.
How you'll be assessed
We have an assessment strategy that aims to evidence your abilities. The work you undertake in the extended research project module will assess your skills in designing hypotheses-led investigations, plus demonstrate that you can perform research at an independent level, conduct reliable experiments and evaluate outcomes.
Your research project along with the literature review and grant proposal modules will highlight your abilities in contextualising and critically analysing data. You will also be required to present your scientific findings at an advanced level. Again, your project and the literature review module will give you the opportunity to create a research topics portfolio and journal club-style presentation which will focus on the critical evaluation of recent articles in your chosen specialism. The outcomes of your research project will also be presented as research posters and/or an oral presentation at our postgraduate research conference and through a professional discussion to an academic panel.
We will assess the range of professional skills you will develop undertaking your individual project including leadership, innovation, timekeeping, communication, experimental design and the ability to work safely and ethically - all essential qualities in developing greater autonomy in the conduct of authentic research studies.
