Integrative Biomedical Sciences (Based in China) MScR

The details provided are subject to any restrictions related to Covid-19 being imposed. Should any restrictions be put in place on the International campus in Haining, China, changes to the delivery of the programme may be required.

The programme includes core skills, seminars, taught modules and research projects with research groups and in our well-resourced laboratories which are at the forefront of biomedical research.

Research subjects

You will carry out two 20-week long research projects selected from three overarching research subject areas and submit a dissertation for each project.

Your projects can be ‘wet’ laboratory-based projects and ‘dry’ analytical or modelling projects.

Either project will form the basis of a final assessment in the form of one of:

• a research project proposal
• a proposal for industry funding, or
• public communication

Research subject areas include:

• Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (for example: regenerative medicine, diagnostics and development of therapies)
• Infection and Immunity (including infectious and inflammatory diseases, immunology, vaccine development and microbiology)
• Molecular Biomedicine and Bioinformatics (for example: models of disease, bioinformatics, reproductive biology, cardiovascular science, imaging and neuroscience)

Core taught component

The programme is underpinned by a core taught element providing development and training in key biomedical science research skills including:

• data analysis and experimental design
• critical analysis of research literature
• scientific writing and communication
• seminars to address current and emerging advances in biomedical research

You will have approximately 2 contact hours per week for each semester to include key training activities such as:

• experimental design and data analysis
• bioinformatics, programming, modelling
• science communication, presentation skills and project planning

Inspirational Research seminar series

The Inspirational Research seminar series is designed to address questions from within each of the three research areas (Stem Cell and Cancer Biology, Infection and Immunity & Molecular Biomedicine and Informatics).

Seminars are delivered by staff associated with the programme and you will be expected to attend seminars from one of the three topics linked to your second research project.

Research projects

At the beginning of semester 1, you will choose your first research theme and meet supervisors and discuss the research projects available.

A diverse choice of projects is offered specifically to provide experience in a wide range of experimental techniques and research laboratories.

At the end of the first research theme, you will again meet supervisors and discuss the projects available and choose your second research theme. You will carry out a research project based on this theme

Research proposal

The proposal is the final piece of assessed work. You will reflect on your experience and evidence your learning and write a proposal for a future related research project (out-with the MSc).

This will be based on the research area of either project 1 or project 2, in the form of a grant application, public communication piece or a proposal for translational application in industry.

The programme includes core skills, seminars, taught modules and research projects with research groups and in our well-resourced laboratories which are at the forefront of biomedical research.

You will carry out two 20-week long research projects selected from three overarching research subject areas and submit a dissertation for each project. Projects can be ‘wet’ laboratory-based projects and ‘dry’ analytical or modelling projects. Either project will form the basis of a final assessment in the form of a research project proposal, proposal for industry funding, or public communication.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Award	Title	Duration	Study mode
MScR	Integrative Biomedical Sciences	1 Year	Full-time	Programme structure 2024/25

The programme is underpinned by a core taught element providing development and training in key biomedical science research skills.

Training specific to individual projects will be discussed and agreed with project supervisors.

You will join an expanding international postgraduate student community. You will also benefit from a range of campus and online activities, events and services.

You will have access to support services, research training and resources:

• at the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute in Haining and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China
• online at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment for all aspects of modern biomedical sciences to facilitate their research objectives. These are located at our new International Campus in Haining, China.

This programme provides excellent training and experience for a PhD, or a career in biomedical research or industry.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in biological, chemical or physical sciences.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

• Academic Technology Approval Scheme

Tuition fees

Award	Title	Duration	Study mode
MScR	Integrative Biomedical Sciences	1 Year	Full-time	Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money

  • taking out a loan

  • family support

• personal savings

• income from work

• employer sponsorship

• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding