Molecular Cell Biology MSc

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Level of study:
Masters
Entry Requirements:
More information
Start date:
September 2026 and January 2027
Duration:
One year full-time / Two years full-time with one year placement / Two years part-time
Attendance:
Full-time, Part-time, Placement year
Course delivery:
On-campus (Clifton Campus)

Information for 2026/27

About this course

Covering a wide range of up-to-date and industry relevant technologies, you will become familiar with the latest advances and commercial techniques in molecular cell biology.

This exciting Masters course is designed to give you the theoretical and practical skills needed for a career in molecular bioscience within companies and research organisations.

This course is ideal if you:

are a recently qualified undergraduate and are looking for the professional skills needed to obtain a job in a bioscience company
are working in an organisation and want a masters-level qualification to give you a competitive edge
require the skills and experience needed to study for a research degree
are an international student who would like to study abroad
would like a course delivered by experienced research academics, with the possibility of completing a research project in industry
want to use cutting-edge facilities to develop your own learning and research.

Placement Opportunities

If you choose the Sandwich-route, you will be given the opportunity to do a work placement to develop your professional experience.
World-Leading Research

99% of NTU’s Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent by In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)
High Levels of Student Satisfaction

95% of molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry students are satisfied with the quality of their course (PTES, 2024).

This course is made up of six core modules and a research project. If you are studying part-time or on the sandwich course you will choose from the modules listed in the first year.

Module information

A standard full-time MSc course is made up of 180 credits studied each year. Some courses may vary, however, and you can find information on the total number of credits achieved per module below.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

This Molecular Cell Biology postgraduate degree will be delivered through lectures, laboratory classes, demonstrations, computer packages, and project work. We have state-of-the-art lecture, computing, library and laboratory facilities.

There will be various support mechanisms to help and advise you, including email contact with all tutors, a virtual learning environment for course information and messages, and pastoral support from our International Coordinator and Postgraduate Courses Administrator. The University offers an induction programme for international students, and English language classes.

Learn a new language

Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.

Research-informed teaching

By daring to think differently our research is tackling real-world issues. The subjects you will study with us are informed by our research so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 99% of NTU’s Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.

How you're assessed

Taught modules are assessed by a variety of different types of course work including written assignments, oral presentations and poster presentations, a skills portfolio and examinations.

Contact hours

For each 20-credit module, you’ll spend about 200 hours learning overall. Around 40 of those hours will be taught in labs, lectures or seminars. The rest of the time is for independent study, reading, research, or working on assignments.

Ishwinder Kaur

Senior Lecturer

Dr Ishwinder is a Module Leader for the Level 4 Practical Techniques in Biosciences module, a core module supporting students from across multiple degree pathways.
Visit Ishwinder Kaur's staff profile
Maria Hatziapostolou

Senior Independent Research Fellow in Epigenetics of Diseases.
Visit Maria Hatziapostolou's staff profile
Mark D. Turner

Associate Professor

Dr Turner is Co-Lead for the NTU Research Theme: Diabetes, Chronic Diseases & Ageing and Associate Professor of Biomedical Molecular Biosciences at Nottingham Trent University. His research focuses on understanding the causes of diabetes and inflammatory diseases, and identifying new therapeutic targets for drug development.
Visit Mark D. Turner's staff profile
Adaikala Antonysunil

Senior Lecturer

Dr Adaikala Antonysunil is a Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry at the School of Science and Technology, with an interdisciplinary background spanning Nutriepigenomics, Molecular Biology, and Epidemiology.
Visit Adaikala Antonysunil's staff profile
Bunmi Omorotionmwan

Senior Lecturer

Bunmi Omorotionmwan is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biosciences at Nottingham Trent University.
Visit Bunmi Omorotionmwan's staff profile

Entry requirements

UK students

Academic entry requirements: 2.2 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as Biochemistry, Biology, Molecular Biology or Cell Biology.

Applicants with relevant employment experience or qualifications will also be considered.

Additional requirements for UK students

There are no additional requirements for this course.

Other qualifications and experience

We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.

You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.

International students

Academic entry requirements: 2.2 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as Biochemistry, Biology, Molecular Biology or Cell Biology.

Applicants with relevant employment experience or qualifications will also be considered.

We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.

English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Additional requirements for international students

There are no additional requirements for this course.

English language requirements

View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.

If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.

Other qualifications and experience

You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.

Sign up for emails

Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.

Getting in touch

If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

Full-time - £10,300
Full-time with placement year - £10,300 + £1,905 for placement year
Part-time - £5,150

Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including scholarships, discounts and loans.

Scholarships

You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies. See which courses are eligible for scholarships.

Alumni discount

We’re happy to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU alumni. This discount is currently available for those starting an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.

Postgraduate loans

There is a government postgraduate loan scheme for Masters degrees. The loan contributes towards costs of study, and students can put it towards tuition fees, maintenance costs or other costs at their discretion. Find out more about postgraduate loans.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

Full-time - £20,750
Full-time with placement year - £20,750 + £1,905 for placement year

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including scholarships, discounts and loans.

Scholarships

Alumni discount

Living costs

See our advice on managing your money, the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget.

Paying fees

As an international student, you'll need to make an advance payment as part of your offer conditions. You'll then need to pay your tuition fees in full, or have an agreement to pay in two further instalments, in order to enrol on the course.

Find out how and when to pay your fees, including information about your advance payment, instalment dates and how to make payments securely to the University.

Enquiries

If you have any queries relating to advance payments or arrangements to pay, please contact our friendly and experienced international enquiries team.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Lab lockers

A refundable deposit is required for laboratory lockers (approximately £5).

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, phone the Student Money Team on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

Cost of living in Nottingham

Our student benefits and free services

Money advice for international students

Careers and employability

This course cultivates the professional skills, experience and knowledge necessary to pursue a wide range of careers within the field of biosciences. Graduates are well versed in current relevant ethical issues, with an understanding of how these impact on business, making them a valuable addition to any company.

Placements

NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.

The school of Science and Technology will work closely with you to help find a placement and strengthen your CV and interview techniques. You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you successfully complete your placement and submit your placement report, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice.

Please note that placements are not guaranteed and the process is competitive through an application and interview process.

If you take the sandwich route, and start this course in September / October you will complete your placement following your taught modules and research project. If you start in January you will complete one term of taught modules and your project, then go on placement before returning to NTU for your final term of modules.

Our recent students have taken placements across a wide range of companies including the NHS, The Frozen Ark Project and Public Health England. They secured varied roles such as Biobank Intern, Lab Technician and Volunteer Mentor.

Re:search Re:imagined

To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From conservation management to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.

Employability Promise

Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).
Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have successful careers in organisations such as:
- Covance Laboratories Ltd
- NHS
- Crown Biosciences
Our graduates are…

Graduates from this course now work in a wide range of roles such as:
- Research Assistant
- QA Analyst
- Associate Scientist
- Secondary Science Teacher
Assessed work-like experience

We’ve embedded at least eight weeks of assessed work-like experience into all of our courses. This gives you the opportunity to apply your learning in real-world scenarios, build your confidence, and develop the experience employers are looking for.
NTU Enterprise

If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Campus and facilities

You’ll mainly be studying in the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Centre (ISTeC) and Rosalind Franklin Buildings with access to facilities including our extensive SuperLab, with space for almost 200 students.

Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!

You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.

Applying

UK students

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates' guide. Here you'll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Apply now

International students

Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.