Natural Sciences MRes

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

Apply online

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
Issues in Ecology and Conservation

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
Viruses and Human Cancer: the Evolution of an Idea
Ecology and Conservation in Practice: Work Placement
Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices
Advanced Taxonomy and Survey Skills
Advanced Pharmaceutical Analysis
Industrial Manufacturing Processes
Psychopharmacology and Mental Health
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.

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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.

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 2020. 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 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

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 institute

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/EU (full-time) 6,426 GBP

International (full-time)15,012 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 2020–21.

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/EU 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

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.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton

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 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, a nursery, fitness facilities and Students’ Union. There are excellent public transport links.

The Big Build
A major transformation of our Moulsecoomb campus began in summer 2018. By the time the Big Build is complete, there’ll be new halls of residence, academic building, and Students’ Union and fitness facilities – all created with sustainability, inclusivity and community in mind.

As the development grows it will provide many exciting learning opportunities for our students, ranging from live projects, placements and internships with the companies involved to guest lectures and site visits. Find out more...

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Looking for clearing accommodation? Accommodation is available, we can help you find your home from home.

All eligible students applying for 2020 are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

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 Varley Park and Moulsecoomb Place halls
- Varley Park offers a mix of room and catering options. Varley Park 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 catered and are located right on campus.

Unihomes and unilets
Unihomes and unilets are student houses that we let to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other commitments. We have unihomes and unilet properties at locations across the city.

Starting in 2019 and looking for accommodation advice? Find out more about our accommodation options.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private rented accommodation. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.