Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair MScR
Awards: MScR
Study modes: Full-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair
I am really enjoying the programme. I love having two projects as this allows me to explore the area of regenerative medicine and learn new techniques. This programme is an excellent stepping stone to continue in academia with a PhD or go into industry.
Our MSc by Research in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair is a one-year, full-time, on-campus masters programme.
The programme is structured around:
- two research projects; and
- a research project proposal writing component
Who is this programme for?
This masters programme prepares you for a career in academia or industry, whether you have recently completed an undergraduate degree or are a professional wanting to pursue a career in research.
The programme delivers cross-disciplinary training in a vibrant research environment to train skilled researchers uniquely equipped to capitalise on regenerative medicine's potential to advance human health.
Successful advancement of tissue regeneration and repair relies on combining fundamental and translational research expertise in areas of:
- regenerative medicine
- developmental biology
- stem cell biology
- inflammation research
Such a cross-disciplinary approach will underpin the development of novel cell and drug-based therapies to stimulate repair of tissues damaged due to congenital conditions, trauma or disease.
An optional pathway of study is the clinical development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), which is offered to students who are interested in exploring a broader range of specialities and applications available in the regenerative medicine field beyond the bench.
Through this pathway you will gain an understanding of the applied science, manufacturing, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Quality Assurance, and ethics & regulatory frameworks and practices in ATMP delivery that are crucial for the advancement of these therapies to the clinic. You will then consolidate and apply your knowledge with a research project focused on real-life manufacturing scenarios.
Centre for Regenerative Medicine
The programme is based at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM), a purpose-built research centre with a track record of training over 200 postgraduate students.
The Centre is part of the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR). Our scientists and clinicians study stem cells, disease and tissue repair to advance human health.
By better understanding how stem cells are controlled and how diseases develop in a lab environment, we hope to find new ways to treat patients.
Research excellence
The University of Edinburgh is a world-leading research university, currently placed 22nd in the QS World University Rankings (2024).
Edinburgh is a vibrant, historic capital city - regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world, with world-famous cultural festivals and the mountains and beaches of Scotland on your doorstep.
Research projects
You will undertake two 20-week research projects in:
- Laboratories of the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM)
- Laboratories of other centres at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR)
- Laboratories, GMP facilities or research offices of collaborating centres or organisations
The research projects are core components of the programme.
You will:
- Choose your projects from a list submitted by group leaders and professional experts, based around their current research and projects. Each research project bears 80 credits towards the programme total of 180 credits.
- Disseminate your findings at group meetings, a poster day and a retreat.
- Write up your project results as a dissertation (10,000 words), to be submitted for formal assessment towards your MSc by Research degree.
The projects provide you with practical experience of a range of research techniques in cellular and molecular biology and genetics and bioinformatics tools relevant to tissue regeneration and repair.
The projects will also provide you with:
- good research practice
- scientific writing
- analytical skills
Pathways of study
You can choose one of two pathways of study:
- Discovery Science pathway
- Clinical Development pathway
During both pathways you will receive training from experts working across the life cycle of cell and gene therapy development and production, ranging from discovery science and phase I/II clinical trials to manufacturing of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).
If you choose the Discovery Science pathway, you will undertake both research projects in an academic research lab. If you choose the Clinical Development pathway, your second project will focus on real-life development and manufacturing scenarios for ATMPs to enhance your practical understanding of the cell and gene therapy production pipeline. Project examples for this pathway include working on the product journey from proof of concept to the GMP suite; product scalability; quality control of ATMPs; ethics; and ATMP manufacturing.
Developing project planning skills
Before starting your second research project, you will work in consultation with your supervisor to design the project in more detail. You will write this up as a project proposal (max 3500 words) with detailed research plan, to be submitted in April for assessment towards your MSc by Research degree (20 credits). This research proposal writing course will teach you project design and planning, and allows you to develop your academic writing skills further. Importantly, it allows you to take ownership of your second research project from the start.
How will I learn?
The programme offers training that builds on world-class clinical research, translation and development performed at Edinburgh Medical School, Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult Edinburgh, and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), international leaders in the fields of cell transfusion, transplantation and tissue banking.
The programme features a series of seminars by experts from various backgrounds related to:
- stem cell biology
- developmental biology
- regenerative medicine
- inflammation research
- tissue repair
- translational research
- clinical delivery of cell/gene therapies
You will also have the opportunity to participate in discussion groups and journal clubs where you will learn manuscript reviewing skills.
The institute runs weekly seminars by local and invited speakers, which will expose you to a wide range of research topics related to regenerative medicine and tissue repair. In addition, you will be able to attend a range of seminar series across the University, including at the various biomedical research centres at the campus where you will be based - Edinburgh BioQuarter.
Throughout the programme you can attend a range of transferable skills courses, ranging from statistics to communication skills and professional development, including those offered by the University's Institute for Academic Development (IAD).
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 | Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
Research labs and facilities
Throughout your studies you will have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art research facilities at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR) and the training and support provided by dedicated Facility Managers (including Imaging, Histology, Tissue Culture, Flow Cytometry and High-content Screening).
You will undertake two research projects in different laboratories at IRR or collaborative centres and organisations. During your research projects you will become a fully integrated member of your supervisor’s research group and participate in, and contribute to lab meetings and other activities.
Research projects
The research projects will provide you with training and practical experience of a wide range of current research tools and techniques in cellular and molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics relevant for stem cell biology, developmental biology, inflammation research, regenerative medicine and tissue repair.
The research projects will teach you good research practice, and enable you to gain analytical skills, critical appraisal and scientific writing skills. During your research projects you will disseminate your findings through various presentation opportunities, including at lab meetings and a poster day.
Postgraduate and researcher community
You will be embedded in the postgraduate student community at the Institute and welcomed onto the programme during our student welcome events at the start of the academic year. You will also take part in Welcome Week activities organised by the College and the wider university.
From the start of the programme there will be strong connections with PhD students at IRR as well as with peers on several other MSc by Research programmes at Edinburgh Medical School.
IRR and other centres on the campus boast active seminar series which provide excellent opportunities to attend talks on a wide range of topics to further your academic knowledge and reflect about personal research interests and your career direction.
Take a virtual tour of our facilities at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine:
As a graduate of our programme, you will be well-placed to successfully pursue a PhD in biomedicine or take on challenging professional roles in academia or health care industries.
You will gain valuable transferable skills that will be beneficial in a wide range of professions.
We aim to equip our graduates with:
- a critical understanding of the fundamental principles of regenerative medicine, developmental biology, stem cell biology, inflammation research and tissue repair
- an advanced knowledge of the concepts underpinning regeneration and repair of various tissues and organs
- fundamental knowledge of designing and conducting biomedical research projects
- the ability to communicate complex concepts and to present research projects and data
- the ability to formulate a valid research hypothesis and research aim, building on their knowledge and independent learning
- the ability to interrogate a research hypothesis by successfully planning and applying a variety of appropriate biomedical experimental, bioinformatics or modelling approaches
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 a relevant biological, medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine discipline.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
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:
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).
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:
Tuition fees
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MScR | Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair | 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
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your residency status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Programme Administrator, Lorena Rosello
- Phone: +44 (0)131 561 9510
- Contact: mscr.regenmedrepair@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Marieke Hoeve
- Phone: +44 (0)131 561 9539
- Contact: mscr.regenmedrepair@ed.ac.uk
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair
- The University of Edinburgh
- Little France
- Edinburgh
- EH16 4UU
- Programme: Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair
- School: Edinburgh Medical School: Clinical Sciences
- College: Medicine & Veterinary Medicine
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc by Research Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair - 1 Year (Full-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
8 September 2025 | 25 July 2025 |
We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
You must submit two references with your application.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Programme Administrator, Lorena Rosello
- Phone: +44 (0)131 561 9510
- Contact: mscr.regenmedrepair@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Marieke Hoeve
- Phone: +44 (0)131 561 9539
- Contact: mscr.regenmedrepair@ed.ac.uk
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine
- Institute for Regeneration and Repair
- The University of Edinburgh
- Little France
- Edinburgh
- EH16 4UU
- Programme: Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair
- School: Edinburgh Medical School: Clinical Sciences
- College: Medicine & Veterinary Medicine