Biology MBiol (Hons)

University of York

Our integrated Masters in Biology is a flexible and broad-based degree that covers biomedicine, biotechnology, genetics, ecology, and evolutionary biology.

This course is ideal if you are interested in an interdisciplinary approach to biology, or wish to specialise at a later stage; you will have a wide range of options to tailor the course to your developing interests.

The study of life ranges from the chemistry of single molecules to understanding how populations of different species respond to changes in the environment. Driven by cutting-edge technologies, we now live in an era where medicines can be tailored to individuals and the genomes of novel organisms can be sequenced in less than a day. An explosion of discoveries relating to how cancer develops, predicting the effects of climate change and harnessing the biotechnological potential of organisms to produce fuel, food and medicines makes the biosciences one of the most exciting and relevant subjects of the 21st century.

The integrated Masters course introduces a four-year programme that specifically focuses on the skills needed for a career as a research scientist. During this time you work with researchers within one of the UK’s top bioscience departments to learn specialised techniques; you will gain experience in a research lab doing pioneering work at the forefront of their field. You also undertake specialist research training and take Masters-level modules.

Adding a year in industry or a year abroad are both an option with this course too, so you can benefit from the advantages that a year away can bring. The Department of Biology will provide you with the opportunity to learn in new, spacious and modern teaching laboratories which provide excellent facilities for practicals and small group project work, alongside our state-of-the-art computing facilities.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Careers and skills

A degree in Biosciences provides an excellent basis for science or health-related careers, and for a wide range of other occupations and professions from management and finance, to journalism and teaching.

Studying Biosciences at Masters level will develop your critical thinking and research skills, and prepare you to be competitive for entry into relevant postgraduate degree courses, and in particular PhD study.

Employment opportunities are diverse: ranging from biological and biomedical research and development, to careers in science communication, the health service, forensic science, environmental health and wildlife conservation. Our graduates are not confined to science-related careers, and a significant number enter jobs within finance, public and private sector management, social and health service work, the media and law.