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Discover a master’s course in Life Sciences at Bath

Develop specialist skills and boost your employability with our range of courses in Biotechnology, Molecular Biosciences and Drug Discovery.

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Scholarships worth £10,000 and £3,000 for high-achieving students - find out more

Why choose a master’s course in Life Sciences at Bath?

Our master’s courses will help you develop specialist knowledge and apply it to real-world challenges in healthcare, research and industry. Explore our courses to find the one that best suits your interests and career ambitions.

MSc Biotechnology

Turn advances in biology into solutions for some of the world’s biggest challenges, from improving healthcare to creating a more sustainable future.

Our master’s explores how biological systems can be understood, manipulated and applied to develop new technologies and solve real-world problems. You’ll gain practical research experience and explore the latest advances in molecular biotechnology, with the opportunity to focus your studies on healthcare, sustainable biotechnologies or entrepreneurship.

Through hands-on laboratory work and research projects with leading researchers, you’ll build the scientific and transferable skills needed to progress into roles such as Bioanalytical Scientist, Data Consultant and Life Science Conference Producer.

Find out more about our Biotechnology courses

MSc Molecular Biosciences

Explore the science of life at a molecular level, building the knowledge and research skills needed to tackle challenges in health, disease and the environment.

Our master’s gives you the opportunity to explore the breadth of molecular biosciences while developing expertise in areas such as medical biosciences, microbiology or bioinformatics. You’ll gain hands-on experience through advanced laboratory work and research projects, applying what you learn to real-world scientific questions.

With opportunities to learn from leading researchers and engage with clinical and industry partners, the course prepares you for a variety of careers across the life sciences, as well as further research including PhD study.

Find out more about our Molecular Biosciences courses

MSc Drug Discovery

Develop specialist knowledge and practical skills in modern drug discovery, including emerging technologies and innovative therapeutic approaches.

Designed for graduates looking to enter this fast-changing field, our master’s combines scientific knowledge with practical, industry-focused learning.

You’ll also gain insight into industry through a lecture series and a virtual drug discovery exercise that mirrors the work of a commercial drug discovery team. Graduates have gone on to roles including research scientist, process chemist and bioanalytical scientist.

Find out more about MSc Drug Discovery

Find the right Life Sciences course for you

Whether you want to develop advanced technical skills, explore new approaches to healthcare or apply emerging technologies to real-world challenges, you’ll find a course designed to help you take the next step in your career.

MSc Biotechnology

  • You have a good degree, typically a 2:2 or above, in a relevant bioscience or science subject, such as biosciences, medical, veterinary, pharmacy or biochemical engineering or related discipline.
  • You are interested in the development and application of biotechnology, with opportunities to explore areas including healthcare, sustainable biotechnologies or entrepreneurship.

MSc Molecular Biosciences

  • You have a good degree, typically a 2:2 or above, in a relevant bioscience or science subject, such as biosciences, medical, veterinary, pharmacy or biochemical engineering or related discipline.
  • You are interested in applying molecular biosciences to challenges across healthcare, industry, research or the environment.

MSc Drug Discovery

  • You have a good degree, typically a 2:2 or above, in a relevant subject such as chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacy or pharmacology.
  • You are interested in developing your knowledge of drug discovery and applying scientific research to real-world challenges in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.

Projects and placements

A placement or research project gives you the chance to put your learning into practice before you graduate. Find out more about research projects and placements available on our MSc courses.

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Research projects

Our research projects give you the opportunity to work on current scientific questions alongside experienced researchers. Projects span areas including drug discovery, molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology and bioinformatics, giving you the opportunity to apply specialist techniques, analyse data and develop skills relevant to careers in research and industry.

Project examples include designing and synthesising novel drug receptor ligands, investigating resistance to melanoma therapies, mapping neuronal activity in zebrafish, using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and generating genetic models of Type 2 Diabetes in zebrafish.

Placements

Gain valuable industry experience by applying your knowledge and skills in a professional setting. All of our Life Sciences master’s courses have a professional placement option, 1 giving you the chance to spend a year working full-time in an industrial or commercial environment, with roles matched to your career ambitions.

Bath has links with a wide range of organisations including GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Merck Sharp & Dohme, Abbott Diabetes Care and Immunocore. Throughout your time at Bath, you’ll receive specialist support to help you secure a placement.

Scholarships for postgraduate taught students

Announcing our postgraduate scholarships for 2027 entry.

A group of students walking through campus

We are offering up to 250 Bath Global Excellence Scholarships worth £10,000 to high-achieving international students joining a full-time taught master’s course in September 2027.

For home students, up to 30 Diamond Scholarships worth £3,000 will be awarded for academic excellence.

If you are a new fee-paying student, and have an offer to study a postgraduate taught degree at the University of Bath, you are eligible to apply.

Rankings

Some of the awards, accolades and league table rankings for the University of Bath.

Top 150

Ranked in the top 150 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027
Top 10

Ranked 7th best university in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide

Contact us to find out more.

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Contact us

If you have any questions about our courses, please don't hesitate to get in touch by phone or email.

  1. The MSc Drug Discovery placement option is currently in development and will be available for 2027 entry. ↩