ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú

Skip to main content

Structural Biology

MRes

Come and meet us Get prospectus Contact us

Key information

Key information for 2027-28

Start date:
October 2027
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, on campus

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

The MRes Structural Biology is an intensive, high-quality introduction to research in structural and computational biology, which are key to the dissection of macromolecular 'machines' and cellular pathways of medical interest.

  • Why choose this course?

    This course offers both taught components and extensive research experience for students with backgrounds in biological, chemical and physical sciences. It is particularly suitable for those who wish to gain both theoretical and practical research experience in the techniques of structural biology.

  • What will I learn?

    Our research areas include:

    • Molecular chaperones, amyloid fibrils, pore-forming toxins
    • M. tuberculosis, cytoskeletal proteins
    • Signal transduction, bacterial pathogenesis and DNA replication
    • Electron microscopy, cytoskeletal dynamics and function
    • Electron cryo-microscopy; electron tomography and image processing; development of methods for recognition and separation of heterogeneous molecular complexes; bacteriophage assembly; structural analysis of the transcription factor p53
    • DNA repair
    • Protein folding and misfolding, in particular at the point of synthesis on intact ribosomes
    • Viral protein-nucleic acid interactions.

    This course primarily follows a daytime timetable but also involves some evening classes.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Daytime teaching and some evenings, October to July.

    Part-time: Daytime teaching and some evenings, October to July.

  • Course disclaimer

    ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), in a joint submission with UCL, Biological Sciences at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú were ranked 11th in the UK, with a research environment supporting world-leading and internationally excellent research.
  • Part of the , a joint initiative with University College London.
  • ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú houses state-of-the-art equipment for X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy and tomography and associated image processing. We have excellent facilities for UV and CD spectroscopy, calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy, ultracentrifugation, and protein expression and purification in the biochemical and molecular biology laboratories. We have a 158 processor cluster for intensive data processing. All areas have specialised computer equipment for data analysis, molecular graphics and molecular modelling and programming.

Modules and Teaching

School of Natural Sciences

The school provides a stimulating learning experience in state-of-the-art facilities, with academic staff involved in active research projects.

Visit the school

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements for this postgraduate course are a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above, in a biological, chemical or physical sciences subject.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study  (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Student visa students: dependants

    This MRes is classified as a Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programme. Under UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) rules, Student visa students on this course are not eligible to bring dependants to the UK.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú or another institution.

Come and meet us

14 October
Postgraduate International Webinar

If you are an international student looking to start postgraduate study in January 2027, this webinar is for you. Book Postgraduate International Webinar

11 November
January Starts 2027: Postgraduate Open Evening

Are you looking to start postgraduate study in 2027? Join us on campus and discover your postgraduate study options. Book Postgraduate Open Evening

Campus tours

Join a current student for a lively 45-minute campus tour available year-round. Book a campus tour

Fees

MRes: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2027

Academic year 2027-28

Part-time home students: £6,570 per year
Full-time home students: £13,140 per year
Part-time international students: £10,890 per year
Full-time international students: £21,780 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú.

ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by .

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in academia, or the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Possible professions include:

  • higher education lecturer
  • research scientist
  • science writer
  • secondary school teacher.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú.

How to apply

You apply directly to ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more on our how to apply page.

Study routes for Structural Biology (MRes)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2027

Full-time

Part-time