Intro

With a focus on building the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills associated with research, our Natural Sciences MRes is a flexible course which allows you to tailor your studies to your research aspirations and development needs.

You have the opportunity to study areas of natural sciences including biology, biomedical science, chemistry, pharmaceutical science, ecology and conservation, or a multidisciplinary combination of these. You can specialise in one of these areas or choose from the wide range of modules on offer (subject to your background knowledge or experience).

Learning with researchers who are experts in their field, you will develop an extensive understanding and advanced knowledge of specific areas of scientific research and techniques. You will apply theory and practical understanding to propose new hypotheses and undertake a major research project designed to test them.

You will work on your project under the supervision of an academic member staff who specialises in your area of research. Working within one or more of our research groups you will learn alongside postdoctoral and other postgraduate researchers with shared interests. And you will develop your lab-based skills using our specialist, multidisciplinary facilities and equipment.

Our CORE research areas include:

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years

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Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure

The main focus of your studies is your specialist research project. Topics range from the chemical synthesis of novel anti-ageing compounds, to bioanalytical evaluation of neurological phenomena, to fieldwork exploring human-animal interactions.

You will also develop your understanding of research literature and the wider research community through our specialist journal clubs with seminars from expert speakers as well as more informal student-led presentations.

Taught modules support your research specialism, developing your knowledge and skills in your chosen field with learning in small, participatory groups.

The Natural Sciences MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits: 140 credits through the completion of the research project, 30 credits from taught modules and 10 credits from the journal club.

Areas of study

Core modules

Research project

One from:

Evaluating Research in Biosciences
Current Research in Chemistry
Current Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Options

Controversies in Science
Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers
Physical Chemistry Frontiers
Organic Chemistry Frontiers
Applied Nucleic Acid Biochemistry
Applied Protein Biochemistry
Clinical Microbiology in the Post-antimicrobial Era
Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation
Ecology & Conservation in Practice: Work Placement
Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices
Advanced Taxonomy and Survey Skills
Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis
Industrial Manufacturing Processes
Omics for disease: Theory, Practice and Applications
Oxidative Stress and Human Disease
Real Time Techniques for In Vitro and In Vivo Monitoring
Ageing: Pathology and Prevention
Cancer: Bench to Bedside
Understanding Age-related CNS Disorders
Novel Medicinal Products: A Clinical Perspective
Environmental Impact Assessment
Case Studies in Environment Assessment and Management
Water Quality Analysis
Intro to GIS
Applications of GIS

Staff profile

Dr Matthew Ingram, course leader

"I studied medicinal chemistry at the University of Leeds, before moving into the pharmaceutical industry via a PhD at the School of Pharmacy and Chemistry at Liverpool John Moores University.

"My PhD research was in novel nitric oxide-donating anti-inflammatory drugs. I then moved into an academic career and joined the University of Brighton as a senior lecturer.

"During my time here I have supervised PhD students, attracted funding for research and been an admissions tutor. I have also acted as an external examiner for masters degrees and PhD degrees both in the UK and overseas."

Facilities

Our specialist facilities include:

teaching laboratories equipped with instruments for high-performance liquid and gas chromatography, atomic emission, UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy
nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry
electron microscopy
modern synthetic and analytical chemistry equipment
specialist research equipment (for use in projects)
access to environmental research facilities.

Click to view a virtual tour of some of our biosciences facilities.

How this course is delivered

Our approach
We want you to spend as much time on campus as possible. From semester 1 of the academic year which starts in September, every student will have some face-to-face, on-campus learning in their timetable. Your timetable is being designed to make sure that you can make the most out of your time on campus, and all of the usual campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more – will be open. Your timetable will be available in My Studies from late September.

Teaching on your course
In semester 1 timetabled teaching will take place on campus. Your on-campus learning will be supplemented with additional online activities and content.

Any other learning opportunities taking place off campus, such as field work, will be informed by the government guidance in operation at that time. We are not currently planning to run this kind of activity outside the UK in semester 1 of the 2021–2022 academic year. 

COVID-19
Like all universities we will be following government guidance and will be monitoring the pandemic very closely with our local Director of Public Health. Should a worsening of the pandemic occur and Public Health advice require us to make changes, we have robust plans in place for students to continue their studies remotely and for additional safety measures to be introduced on campus.

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Preparing for your career

As a Brighton student we’ll help you to get as much as you can out of your time with, so that you can go on to find – or to create – work that excites and rewards you.

Rock pool survey discoveries

Amy is in her third year studying Ecology and Conservation at Brighton.

Portfolio training on placement

Nadine is studying on our Biomedical Science BSc(Hons) and is currently on placement.

Careers

The course intends to maximise both your personal and professional potential, and in particular provides a foundation for careers in research, industry, the public sector and academia.

On course completion, you will be equipped with practical research-based training, plus the necessary transferable skills to prepare you for career progression.

Student examining liquid in a glass beaker in the lab

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2021. They should be used as a general guide.

Degree and experience
A 2:1 degree in a relevant subject. Students with a degree that does not fall within this category but who have significant relevant experience, will also be considered. All applicants should provide a full description of any research projects undertaken, relevant work experience and non-academic qualifications.

ATAS requirements
The JACS code for this course is B900, meaning that students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland will have to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they apply for a visa. Details can be found on the gov.uk website.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the university's Language Institute.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 7,704 GBP

International (full-time)15,300 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences are listed here.

All students are provided with a laboratory coat, safety glasses and log book.
A budget to cover laboratory consumables and equipment for your final year project is included in the fees for all students.
Access to key subject journals and subject specific databases is provided, as well as a site licence for industry-standard chemical drawing software.
Essential instruction booklets (laboratory handbooks) are provided, as is project poster printing and thesis binding. However, you should budget for books, printing and stationery for personal study.
The school provides some financial support for social activities via the student societies and holds a free annual graduation party.
Optional placements and day trips may include additional costs but this will vary depending on location of the placement.
For our ecology and conservation courses there are compulsory field trips for which you should budget up to £200. There are also optional field trips for which you may choose to budget up to £2,700. You may also need to buy appropriate clothing for outdoor use.
DBS checks for MPharm students are included in the fee.
Costs for MPharm placement travel is reimbursed up to a specified amount depending on location of placement.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships, as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus. Subjects taught here include architecture, business, computing, construction, engineering, geography, product design, law, journalism, media and pharmacy.

On campus you will find professional-standard facilities including a flight simulator, trading room, design and digital media suites and specialist research laboratories, alongside the library, student centre, fitness facilities and Students' Union. There are excellent public transport links.

The Big Build

The Big Build is a major transformation of our Moulsecoomb campus, planned with sustainability, inclusivity and community in mind.

By the start of the autumn term in 2021, we expect our landmark new academic building and over 800 new, affordable, student bedrooms to be ready. The project will also provide new Students' Union and fitness facilities, an accessible pedestrian bridge, new green and social spaces, much improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, and better links to public transport. Find out more about the Big Build.

Next door to our campus, the new Preston Barracks development will provide a variety of new shops, cafes and workshop space.

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Moulsecoomb Place, Mithras halls and Varley Park. All halls are self-catered.
- Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
- Moulsecoomb Place halls are all self-catered and are located right on campus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Halls

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Park

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Students eating at the Hub

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.