Molecular Biology

Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:: Full-time, blended learning
Study option:: Part-time, blended learning, September start
Study option:: Full-time, blended learning, September start
Study option:: Part-time, blended learning; Choose another study option
Duration:: 16 Months
Duration:: 25 Months
Duration:: 13 Months
Duration:: 28 Months
Start date:: 3 February 2020; 14 September 2020; 14 September 2020; 3 February 2020

Come to an Open Event Enquire about this course Apply now

Molecular biology is increasingly important for professionals in health and related areas such as pharmaceutical sciences and biotechnology. Our distance learning MSc focuses on the way advanced molecular technologies inform clinical practice.

The study of biology at a molecular level is leading to advances in the treatment of many diseases. This course is designed for health professionals who want to understand its impact on biomedicine and related subjects. It will also be of interest to those working in other areas of biology where molecular biology has applications.

The course will enable you to study areas of molecular biology of particular interest or relevance to your employment. It includes a workplace project which you can tailor to be highly relevant to your current work and interests.

The course is designed to be flexible, with the majority being delivered online, plus two practical weeks in our laboratories, where you can put your learning into practice. You can choose to study full-time or part-time, and we offer September or February start dates.

The theory is delivered using our online Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll interact with other students on the course through online discussion groups and receive excellent support from your tutors.

Full-time students usually complete the MSc in around 15 months.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Molecular Biology

Course content

The course will introduce you to recent advances made in the study of disease, with an emphasis on how advanced molecular technologies inform, and impact upon, clinical practice. You’ll develop hands-on practical skills during two one-week residential short courses, held in June and September.

You can tailor many elements of the course to focus on your personal or employment interests. For example, you’ll undertake a research project which can be completed at your place of work or at the University.

The MSc involves eight 15-credit modules plus your project, which is worth 60-credits. Each 15-credit module will involve 12-15 hours of study per week over nine weeks. Part-time students are advised to take one module at a time. Full-time students will take two modules at a time.

The mighty mitochondria and the future of three person babies

Watch our masterclass webinar on mitochondria and the future of three person babies.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Bioinformatics (Dl)	15 credits
Chronic Multifactorial Disease (Dl)	15 credits
Infectious Disease (Dl)	15 credits
Medical Genetics And Genomics (Dl)	15 credits
Molecular Diagnostics	15 credits
Msc Molecular Biology Project	60 credits
Practical Dna Analysis	15 credits
Principles Of Molecular Biology	15 credits

Year 1 optional modules
Current Developments In Genetics	15 credits
Negotiated Learning Module	15 credits

Entry requirements

UK qualifications

International qualifications

You’ll normally need a minimum 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. However, accredited professional qualifications or vocational experience can be considered, and we strongly encourage anyone interested in the course to get in touch.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country

Facilities

Specialist Labs

Our specifically designed Science Centre includes specialist laboratories, interview suites, and dedicated specialist equipment.

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment.

Molecular Cellular Biology and Genetics

Facilities for genetic and gene expression analysis, cellular imaging, and growth of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

Molecular Biology and DNA Analysis

Specialist facilities, including: equipment for molecular biology analysis and DNA sequencing; cell biology, tissue culture and microbiology culture facilities; light, fluorescence and electron microscopes.

Careers

The course is designed to aid your career advancement in any field where molecular biology is relevant. Or you may be looking to change or re-focus your career in this direction.

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

Teaching and assessment

Overview

Study time

Teaching

As a distance learning student you’ll be expected to study independently. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are. This includes discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Assessment

Module assessment is mainly through course work, plus two online exams.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our AccessAbility Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

You'll typically need to complete 12 – 15 hours of independent work each week. However, the actual study time will vary from student to student.

Independent learning

The focus of this course is independent learning and individual study time. This could involve:

Set reading material or e-text books
Researching e-journals and e-books from the library or library books which can be posted to you (UK based students only)
Preparing for your dissertation

Fees

Overview

Additional costs

Financial support

For the course starting on 3 February 2020 the tuition fees are:

Study option
Full time

UK / EU / Channel Islands
To be confirmed

UK / EU / Channel Islands
£3,915 per year of study

For the course starting on 14 September 2020 the tuition fees are:

Study option
Full time

UK / EU / Channel Islands
£7,850 per course

International (Non-EU)
£14,500 per course

For the course starting on 3 February 2020 the tuition fees are:

Study option
Part time

UK / EU / Channel Islands
£3,803. per year of study

International (Non-EU)
£3,803. per year of study

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you have previously completed an undergraduate degree with us, you may be entitled to a discount off your course fee for any subsequent postgraduate taught course. For further information please contact Graduate Relations.

Included in the fees:
The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book. The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book. The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book. The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book.

Included in the fees:

The course fee includes hard copies of two essential text books – the core text and a module-specific book.

Not included in the fees:
Your travel costs to the University for the residential short courses aren’t included in your tuition fees. Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place. Your travel costs to the University for the residential short courses aren’t included in your tuition fees. Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place. Your travel costs to the University for the residential short courses aren’t included in your tuition fees. Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place. Your travel costs to the University for the residential short courses aren’t included in your tuition fees. Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place.

Not included in the fees:

Your travel costs to the University for the residential short courses aren’t included in your tuition fees.
Costs associated with your project are not included if the project is completed in your work place.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,609 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options - part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit postgraduate loans.

Bursaries and scholarships

As a postgraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

Student stories

Airin Zaba
Graduate, MSc Molecular Biology

I’m working full time as a Molecular Biologist so this course is definitely very related to my career. The module offer in the course is all related to what I do in work and some of the modules help me to understand the other developments in my company.

The lecturers were very helpful, especially the tutor for each module – they guide you through and if there was something I didn’t understand, they were willing to Skype with me and to enlighten me for the areas that I wasn't clear in.

I would say that distance learning at Staffordshire is very structured and is similar to the on-campus course. You get all the modules online, you get contact with your lecturers and you get access to the library. You get the same quality as on-campus but in your own time.

Fadi Hamoui
Graduate, MSc Molecular Biology

I got lots of support from the professors at the University. They granted me extensions because they took my situation into account because they knew the circumstances were out of my control at home.

The advantage of a distance learning degree was that I could study at my convenience but it also required lots of self-discipline.

My dream job would now be to work in a hospital or research agency trying to find cures for cancer.

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Location:

Award:

Study option:

Start date:

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Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MSc

Study option:

Full-time, blended learning

Start date:

3 February 2020

Apply now

Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MSc

Study option:

Part-time, blended learning, September start

Start date:

14 September 2020

Apply now

Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MSc

Study option:

Full-time, blended learning, September start

Start date:

14 September 2020

Apply now

Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MSc

Study option:

Part-time, blended learning

Start date:

3 February 2020

Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Course content

The mighty mitochondria and the future of three person babies

Modules

Standard route

Entry requirements

Facilities

Specialist Labs

Science Centre

Molecular Cellular Biology and Genetics

Molecular Biology and DNA Analysis

Careers

Postgraduate Open Event

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Assessment

Learning support

Additional support

Feedback

Fees

Alumni discount

Alumni discount

Alumni discount

Alumni discount

Our students

Apply

Rules and regulations