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This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.
This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.

Overview

Are you ready to kick start your career in Biomedical and Analytical Science?

Our MSc course is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of biomedicine and the analytical methodologies used in this field.

You’ll explore cutting-edge research that enhances our understanding of the human genome and its expression. Discover how new biomedical technology platforms are revolutionizing treatments for human diseases. You’ll investigate the biology, epidemiology, and evolution of pathogens, learning how they are diagnosed, monitored, and treated. This includes studying emerging viruses and multi-drug-resistant bacteria, as well as major human illnesses like cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.

Gain expertise in advanced analytical techniques used in biomedical sciences. You’ll be trained in the latest technologies, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectroscopy (MS), X-ray crystallography, and immunohistochemistry. These skills are crucial for tackling complex issues, solving problems creatively, and functioning as an independent learner in professional environments.

We aim to prepare you for a successful career by providing:

Industry-Relevant Skills: A curriculum that is designed to equip you with the skills that are in high demand in the industry. You’ll gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies and methodologies used in analytical sciences, making you a valuable asset to potential employers.

Research and Development Expertise: The opportunity to engage in project work and research, you’ll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Cover of a wide range of topics, from drug testing and formulation to regulatory affairs and quality control. This broad knowledge base will prepare you for various roles within the analytical science fields.

The course structure is designed to maximise your learning experience, with dedicated teaching time as well as hands-on project work.

The University is nestled within the heart of Huddersfield, a warm and welcoming town, known for its friendly atmosphere and diverse community. When you're not studying, you can enjoy an array of exciting activities and experiences. From cultural events and charming cafes to stunning scenery and fantastic transport links, there's plenty to do in and around the town centre.

Key Information

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

  • Honours degree (2:2 or above) in an appropriate Biological Sciences discipline, or a similar qualification.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Start dates

21 September 2026

Duration

1 year full-time

Course Detail

Research Skills

An introduction to key concepts of scientific research, including project planning, using scientific literature, the application of statistical methods, data processing and the process of creating a journal article from writing to submission. Part of the module will contain subject specific material appropriate to the student’s discipline.

Emerging technologies in Biomedicine

Overview of new biomedicine technologies that are driving research and beginning to have an impact on healthcare. Technologies discussed include next generation sequencing platforms, an overview of their respective chemistries and their limitations/advantages. A detailed overview of the CRISPR/Cas platform and how this is being iteratively improved and adapted for use in biomedicine. The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and organoid systems and their utility in research and healthcare.

Advanced genomics and gene expression

Our understanding of the human genome and how it is expressed has undergone a seismic shift in the past decade. This module will explore our modern understanding of 3D-genomes and how this relates to the complexities of transcriptional activation, post-transcriptional processing of RNA both in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and the explosion of non-coding RNA as regulators of our genes. Also, translation, a process long-thought to be primarily mechanistic, will be discussed in terms of emerging regulation via tRNA-fragments and specialised ribosomes.

Biological Aspects of Disease

Organised by organ system, this module includes the disorders of nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, urinary system, endocrine system, immune system, cancer and concludes in precision medicine. This module provides students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the aetiology and pathophysiology of human diseases by investigating the physiological or pathological concepts of biological systems in states of dysfunction. It encourages students to appreciate the inter-relations of the pathological sciences and how, for example, a genetic predisposition can increase an individual's risk of susceptibility to a specific cancer and thereby the associated targeted cancer therapy for the mutated gene(s).

Infectious Disease and Human Health

This module will cover several aspects of infectious disease, including the underlying biology, epidemiology and evolution of pathogens in relation to host immune response in humans. The diagnosis of disease, disease monitoring and novel approaches to treatment will also be covered in addition to emerging technologies to combat multidrug resistance in bacteria and expediated antiviral and vaccine development for emerging viruses.

NMR Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry for Analytical Scientists

This module provides both a broad and in depth coverage of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. There is a large emphasis on developing your knowledge of the two techniques and you will be exposed to the most recent advances in instrumentation and their applications. You will explore advances in NMR design through a written assignment and you will also be able to demonstrate your ability to interpret spectral data in an exam.

Biochemical Methods

This module provides an in-depth description of many current biochemical methods as applied to analysis. This will include you learning about DNA analysis, in particular PCR and sequencing, immunological analysis techniques and the fundamentals behind them, protein separation techniques and X-ray crystallography. There will be a combination of lectures and computer simulations.

Research Project

​The overall aim of the project is to train you in methods of experimental design and either to develop new analytical methods (for example, to select by critical comparison and apply the most suitable method to a particular problem) or to solve a novel research problem in your subject area.

On this course you will be exposed to advanced technologies that are driving forward our understanding of the human genome and learn how the development of new biomedical technology platforms are reshaping how we treat human diseases. Moreover, you will learn how technology-driven advances in biological research has altered our understanding of genomics and how our genes regulate cell biology and contribute to disease. Human disease will be further considered via investigation of infectious pathogens, including their underlying biology, epidemiology and evolution in relation to host immune response in humans, multidrug resistance in bacteria and expedited antiviral and vaccine development for emerging viruses. Moreover, the biological aspects of disease processes will be considered for major human illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Alongside this, the development and application of advanced analytical techniques in biomedical sciences will be covered, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectroscopy (MS), X-ray crystallography and immunohistochemistry. Finally, via an integrated professional development plan and research project dissertation, you will also gain expertise in several 'capstone' skills, such as interpretation of experimentally-derived scientific data and presentation of complex concepts to varied stakeholders via diverse media.

Teaching will occur predominantly via lectures, academic-led group workshops, tutorials and directed student-centred learning. The development of students as independent learners is a particularly important aspect of the knowledge and understanding learning strategy at postgraduate level and this will be supported by the provision of resource material in the form of required and recommended additional reading during lectures. This will support the development of open learning strategies, where students are able to source the most relevant content themselves and apply their knowledge and understanding of this material to the learning outcomes. During group workshops and personal tutorials, students will be encouraged to reflect upon their learning, performance, and achievement on the course and to plan for their personal, educational and career development, being signposted to university-level support structures, where appropriate. Typically, modules are assessed by a combination of a piece of course work and an end of module test. A diverse assessment diet is employed that includes innovative assessments that that in addition to classic written content provides students with the opportunity to meet learning outcomes via the provision of online material, including podcasts, video presentations and collaborative work. The Research Project module enables comprehensive assessment of all learning outcomes via several means, including oral presentations, viva voce, written report, maintenance of research notes and personal conduct.

This course has modules making up 180 credits over the 1 Years, with each credit being 10 hours of study (1800 hours in total). An average [Approximately*] 38%(677 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors [face to face or online] in [lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals and workshops]. The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study. Assessments takes place through a variety of [exams, coursework, etc].

Subject to mode of study. *Based on current core and compulsory modules. Calculated using data from the academic year 2024/25, as of November 2024.

Teaching

The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available. Students on a full-time course may have to attend every day of the week. Students who choose to study a full-time course on a part-time basis will generally attend modules at the same time as our full-time students. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.

Feedback

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Progression

You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory, or regulatory body guidelines.

  1. Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

  2. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

  3. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Postgraduate Open Days


Learn more about Postgraduate Study at one of our upcoming Open Days

Come along to an on-campus Postgraduate Open Day and discover all there is to know about our wide range of postgraduate taught courses, research degrees and professional development options at the University of Huddersfield. 

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Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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