Molecular Medicine, MSc

Molecular Medicine, MSc

Introduction

This programme aims to provide students with knowledge of molecular medicine and, uniquely, allows students to create their own curriculum from offered molecular medicine courses.

Study Information

At a Glance

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
MSc
Duration
12 months or 24 months
Study Mode
Full Time or Part Time
Start Month
September
Location of Study
Aberdeen

Extraordinary technological advances in molecular biology, ranging from next-generation sequencing to the engineering of biologic therapies, are revolutionising our ability to diagnose and treat patients.

This MSc programme in Molecular Medicine offers a broad curriculum centred around molecular technologies. Subjects are taught from the perspective of understanding how insights and tools from molecular science can help us to understand and treat human disease.

The programme is delivered by molecular medicine researchers, providing a research-led teaching experience. It offers the opportunity to gain highly sought-after skills that will equip you for career destinations across a diversity of molecular medicine subject areas in both industry and academia.

Uniquely, this MSc programme provides a high degree of flexibility to select courses to build a curriculum based upon your research and academic interests. Course options are available in the areas of genetics, biotechnology, drug development and pharmacology, microbiology and immunology, allowing you to tailor the programme to your particular career aspirations.

What You'll Study

The MSc in Molecular Medicine offers a broad curriculum covering recent advances in Molecular Medicine. Subjects are taught from the perspective of understanding how modern insights and tools from molecular science can help us to understand and treat human disease. Uniquely, this MSc programme provides you with a large degree of flexibility to select courses to build a curriculum based upon your research and academic interests. Course options are available in the areas of genetics, biotechnology, drug development and pharmacology, microbiology and immunology, allowing you to tailor the programme to your particular career aspirations. Successful completion of the MSc requires 180 course credits.

Compulsory Courses

  • MT5010: Basic Skills - Induction

Students take two or three from the following courses:

  • MB5021: Bioinformatics
  • BT5014: Biotechnology
  • MB5025: Molecular Genetics

Optional Courses

Students must choose one or two elective courses from the following list:

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Fee information
Fee category Cost
EU / International students £26,250
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
Self-funded international students commencing eligible postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £8,000 tuition waiver - See full terms and conditions
UK £12,200
Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year

Fee Information

Additional Fee Information

  • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
  • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.

Scholarships

All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.

To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

How You'll Study

The teaching on this programme is lecture based with self-directed learning, practical classes and tutorials to support the lecture material.

The majority of lectures are recorded and can be viewed again when required. The MSc makes the most of hands-on learning to enable repeated exposure to evidence-based practice using real life examples. Some of the teaching methods employed in the programme include:

  • Inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary learning
  • Exposure to leading academics
  • Research-led teaching taught by key opinion leaders
  • Insight into real-life situations and examples

On-going support is provided by the University’s dedicated, interdisciplinary team of experienced researchers, who will be tutoring you. Peer support will develop throughout the course(s) as engagement with students from other countries and disciplines is actively encouraged.

Much of the teaching on this course is participatory and you are expected to consolidate all taught content by completing related tasks and activities and engaging in independent study in your own time.

Learning Methods

  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lab Work
  • Research
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment Methods

By practical work, by written essays and by oral presentations, or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course. The project will be assessed on the basis of performance, written thesis, and oral presentation. There will usually be an oral examination to complete the programme. Candidates must pass all courses at an appropriate standard for the award of the MSc degree.

Why Study Molecular Medicine?

  • Gain insights into the rapid and extraordinary technological advances in molecular biology that are revolutionising clinical medicine.
  • Tailor the curriculum to your academic interests and career aspirations by selecting courses from a large range of available options.
  • Enjoy world class teaching delivered by experts within the Institute of Medical Sciences, allowing you to benefit from a research-led teaching experience.
  • Benefit from the opportunity to undertake a comprehensive research project in molecular medicine.
  • Gain highly sought after skills that will equip you for career destinations across a diversity of molecular medicine subject areas in both industry and academia.
  • Be based at our Foresterhill Health Campus, which includes one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, the Institute of Medical Sciences, and the Rowett Institute.
  • Benefit from skills training to help with scientific writing, analytical skills, CV writing, interview skills and reading scientific literature.
  • Enjoy small class sizes that give you the opportunity to participate in class discussions and to have good access to the teaching staff.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

A second class Honours degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent qualification in a biological or medical science degree is required for entry onto this programme.

Please check the In My Country pages to find out if your degree is equivalent.

Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

Document Requirements

You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.

CV
an up-to-date CV/Resumé
Degree Certificate
a degree certificate showing your qualifications
Degree Transcript
a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
Personal Statement
a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Careers

The MSc in Molecular Medicine will provide you with the academic, analytical and practical skills to assist you in to many careers. This course provides excellent training for graduates looking to pursue research careers who wish to expand their knowledge and skills for starting a PhD or becoming research scientists (research assistants or technologists).

The knowledge and skills acquired through this MSc Programme are also of great value for those seeking a career in industry, biotechnology, or hospital diagnostic and pathology laboratories. More generally, molecular medicine graduates can also use their training to pursue careers in education, scientific publishing, intellectual property and patent law, and science outreach.

Gain sought after skills transforming medicine

Enter the world of modern molecular technologies, ranging from next generation sequencing to the engineering of biologic therapies, that are revolutionising our ability to diagnose and treat patients.

What our Alumni Say

Hafeez Ibrahim

Hafeez Ibrahim

Hafeez Ibrahim

Graduated 2021

I was impressed by the friendly and cordial relationship between the teaching staff and students. All these ensured a positive teaching environment was in place for students to learn and freely express themselves. I initially thought that moving from working in a clinical environment to a research-focused environment would be difficult. However, this change was made seamless because of the positive environment I met. The openness and the hands-on approach by the teaching staff was remarkable.

Our Experts

Programme Leader
Professor Neil Vargesson
Deputy Programme Coordinator
Professor Lynda Erskine

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX
University of Aberdeen
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