About Biological Sciences Msc By Research in Royal Holloway, University of London
The course
Refine your research skills and develop advanced scientific and technical expertise with a one-year Masters by Research degree in Biological Sciences.
Choose your preferred research area from Biomedical Sciences, Plant Molecular Sciences and Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour to learn alongside academic staff working at the frontiers of knowledge in their particular fields. Find out more about our Research Projects.
You’ll contribute to a renowned research culture, with Royal Holloway, University of London Department of Biological Sciences ranked 25th in the UK for influential research output by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.
Study in our state-of-the-art laboratories, providing advanced equipment for bioinformatics, mass spectrometry and protein and gene sequencing. You’ll have access to on-site woodland and meadow field testing facilities, and our campus is within easy reach of sites of special scientific interest, including Windsor Great Park, Box Hill and Chobham Common.
Gain the generic skills and hands-on experience you need to continue into further study as a PhD student, or progress towards a research career in a variety of different sectors.
- Develop research skills to progress to further study at PhD level or a research career in a variety of sectors.
- Take part in world-class research led by renowned academics.
- Use our state-of-the-art facilities, including equipment for bioinformatics, mass spectrometry and protein and gene sequencing.
- Study on a biodiverse campus with on-site woodland and meadow field testing facilities, within reach of sites of special scientific interest including Windsor Great Park and Box Hill.
- Carry out research in biomedical sciences, plant molecular sciences and ecology, or evolution and behaviour.
Your future career
A Masters in Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London is ideal for students who want to continue to further PhD study or pursue a research career in a variety of sectors. You will develop a range of advances research techniques as well as a range of transferrable skills, including experimental design and data analysis, as well as presenting research findings to an audience in the form of a conference presentation.
Our Masters graduates have gone on to secure PhD positions at Royal Holloway, the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, the Max Plank Institute, Germany, St George's University of London and MRC Harwell, as well as prestigious careers including Senior Keeper in Herpetology at London Zoo and Species Recovery Officer at Plantlife International.
- Around a quarter of graduates secure PhD positions at Royal Holloway or elsewhere.
- Excellent preparation for a research career in a variety of fields.
- A close-knit graduate network to draw on, with alumni often visiting Royal Holloway to share their experiences.
Academic qualification equivalents
- Bachelor degree with 60% to 65% overall or a CGPA of 6.0 to 6.5 out of 10 overall depending on the institution.
English language requirements (one of the below):
- IELTS : 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- PTE : 61 overall. Writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
Royal Holloway, University of London Highlights
Type of university |
Public |
Establishment Year |
1849 |
Campus Setting |
Urban |
Location |
Egham, Surrey, England |
Total Number of Students Enrolled (December 2019) |
10,593 |
Total Number of Undergraduate Students Enrolled |
8,393 |
Total Number of Graduate Students Enrolled |
2200 |
Number of International Students |
2,086 |
Type of Programs |
Undergraduate, graduate, graduate-research |
Mode of Application |
Online |
Financial aid |
Scholarships/ Loans/ Work-Study |
The cost of attendance for international students for 2020-21 sessions is tabulated below:Royal Holloway, University of London The Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses
Expenditure Item |
Amount (per year) |
Tuition |
15,900 - 22,600 GBP |
Living cost |
8,000 - 12,000 GBP |
Accommodation |
3,575- 8,680 GBP |
Food |
40-60 per week GBP |
Social life |
50 per week GBP |
Transport |
760 GBP |
Books |
300- 450 GBP |
The tuition fee for undergraduate and graduate students varies from program to program. Some programs and respective tuition fee are tabulated below:
Undergraduate programs
Name of Program |
Tuition Fee for international students |
Business and Management |
18,800 GBP |
Engineering |
21,400 GBP |
Law |
17,700 GBP |
Computer Science |
21,400 GBP |
Economics |
18,800 GBP |
Graduate programs
Name of Program |
Tuition Fee for international students |
Business and Management |
19,000 GBP |
Engineering |
19,000 GBP |
Law |
17,900 GBP |
Psychology |
19,000 GBP |
English |
17,900 GBP |
Drama, Theater and Dance |
21,000 GBP |
Information Security |
21,000 GBP |