Biomedical Science MSc



Our internationally recognised course will prepare you for a fulfilling career in the world of Biomedicine

Course overview

The world's population is living longer, and we are seeing increased prevalence of metabolic disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disease and we need to identify new ways of preventing and supporting those affected.

A key challenge in modern medicine is ensuring that we can diagnose and treat conditions effectively and to do so we need to understand the complexities of the disease process. This course brings together a range of disciplines, taught by experts in their field, covering a range of subjects including the immune system, cancer biology and neurodegenerative disease. There is an emphasis on developing your practical laboratory skills with various opportunities for hands-on experience in a range of current techniques and practices. 

It is designed to enable you pursue a career in the field of Biomedicine in a variety of research, development and leadership roles. 

You'll be supported by an internationally-recognised team of staff with varied research interests and links with healthcare industries, research institutes and the NHS.

Our MSc in Biomedical Science has a 100% overall student satisfaction score (PTES,2026).

Typical entry point to this course is in September and January. Please enquire for more information.

Student holding up a tube to analyse at work in a laboratory

Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as Full-time)

Duration:

2-4 years

Start date:

Jan

Course details

During your study, you will develop a detailed knowledge of key concepts in immunology, toxicology, pharmacology and disease biology and learn how these disciplines are applied in the field of biomedicine.

You’ll gain critical understanding of specialist research areas and unique insights into the challenges currently facing biomedicine. 

You’ll also acquire an in-depth appreciation of research and development practices in the healthcare industries through guest lectures and site visits to specialised laboratories. These experiences will allow you to explore and critique issues of relevance to professional working practice, enhancing your skills in evidence-based decision making.

We have a strong focus on skills development and you will have opportunities to spend time within the lab environment developing your practical skills as well as developing your communication, problem solving, presentation and teamworking skills.  

In your final trimester you’ll undertake an independent project within a vibrant biomedical research team, allowing you to apply and further develop your technical, research and professional skills. There may be the opportunity to conduct your research project externally in a relevant organisation or industry.

If you have any queries contact Biomol-PLTeam@napier.ac.uk

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    How you’ll be taught

    This is a part-time course which you can start in September or January with flexibility in the number of taught modules taken in each trimester. The project may be carried out over one or two trimesters. The course can take 2 to 4 years to complete, depending on your other commitments and availability.

    You’ll learn through interactive lectures, workshops, tutorials and laboratory sessions, and by engaging with guided independent study and supported with information on the virtual learning environment, Moodle. The programme is predominantly based around face-to-face campus, we also use technology-enhanced learning. Site visits and/or guest lectures may also be arranged. A variety of assessment tools are used to enhance and evaluate your learning.

    You will have a Personal Development Tutor: an academic closely involved with this programme who will help you to steer your individual development as you progress through the course. We have a policy of mainstreaming reasonable adjustments which makes the most common adjustments offered to disabled students in teaching/assessment available routinely to everyone.

    The academic year is split into three trimesters with the taught modules running in the spring and autumn trimesters only. An example of a part time study plan might look as follows but this can be adjusted to study less modules if more suitable for your circumstances.

    Year 1

    Trimester 1 (September - December)

    Biology of Disease and therapeutics

    Applied Immunology

    Trimester 2 (Jan - April)

    Research skills

    Trimester 3 (May - August)

    Summer break

    Year 2

    Trimester 1 (September - December)

    Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology

    Trimester 2 (Jan - April)

    Drug Design and Chemotherapy

    Molecular Pathogenesis of Microbial Infection

     

    Trimester 3 and trimester 1 of year 3 (May – August and September -December)

    Research project (60 credits)

    A link to the descriptor for each module can be found by using the module code to search on the Module Search. Note that info on the learning, teaching and assessment strategy is revealed by clicking on the ‘View Full details’ link within each descriptor.

     
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    Assessments

    Your assessments are mapped out across your programme and include formative work to help practice your skills, as well as summative work which will build on this preparatory work. 

    These are carefully spaced out across each trimester to avoid clashes and include many different types of assessment such as essays, lab reports, posters, oral presentations, short discussions, class tests and exams. Some of these assessments involve group-work, whilst others are individual.

    For example: In the Applied Immunology module, you will undertake a class test and prepare a lab report. In the Biology of Disease and Therapeutics module, you will undertake a data handling exercise, a case study analysis and an oral presentation.
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    Facilities

    The MSc Biomedical Science programme is delivered at our landmark Sighthill Campus where students learn in state of the art laboratories equipped with up to date equipment you would expect to find in research and industry facilities, for example, cell tissue culture hoods; confocal microscopy; molecular biology; flow cytometry and histology equipment, to ensure we meet the needs of students entering employment and research roles in the biomedical science sector.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Biomedical Science?

The entry requirements for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:2 or above, or equivalent. 

We look for applicants to have a background in bio-molecular sciences such as biological sciences, biotechnology, molecular biology, immunology, virology, genetics, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, human biology, pharmacology, microbiology, forensic biology in order to be eligible for the programme.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience.

The University does not sponsor students to study on part-time programmes in the UK under the Student Visa route. International Applicants must therefore have other valid immigration leave to study on this programme.

Can I get admission into Biomedical Science based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2026/27 2027/28
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland (per 20 credits) £1,220 tba
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-60credit Dissertation module £725 tba
Overseas and EU (per 20 credits) £3,075 tba
Overseas and EU-60credit Dissertation £2,080 tba

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*. The total fee you will pay is dependant upon the exit award you wish to achieve.

The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online degrees. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please read our full T&C here.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*.

The total fee you will pay is dependant upon the modules you complete and the exit award you achieve.

Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers & employability

  • Employment in hospitals, NHS, local government or health and safety divisions in various roles including research, Research & Development (R&D), management and consultancy.
  • Employment in industrial settings from smaller medical biotechnology enterprises to global pharmaceutical companies.
  • Progression to PhD to follow an academic career.
  • If you currently work in the biomedical sector, this programme will enhance your prospects for career progression.
Lab flasks in a row with green coloured liquid

I was thoroughly impressed by the emphasis that is placed on training students for entering the working environment.…a good progression in my studies.

Masters graduate

MSc Biomedical Science