Medical Sciences

MSc by Research

  • Entry year 2024 or 2025
  • Duration Full time 1 year, Part time 2 - 3 years
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Overview

During the MSc by Research you will undertake a nine month research project with a three month write up of your dissertation.

In the course of your year of research we will train you in how to design, conduct, analyse and write up a medical sciences-related research project. You supervisor will be drawn from our academic staff. Depending on the project this may also involve partners from a local NHS trust.

You will learn to design, conduct and report independent and original research; to critically evaluate relevant literature; to develop problem solving skills; to analyse research data; to communicate the results of research; to understand scholarly conventions in the discipline area; and to have respect for intellectual integrity and the ethics of research.

Recent projects include:

  • The role of osteoarthritic cytokines in ochronotic arthropathy.
  • Localisation of the stem cell population in the cornea.
  • Ethical decision making in organ donation.
  • How do students’ social networks evolve during their time at medical school?
  • Hamstring injury risk, rehabilitation, and different intervention strategies in elite football.

Previous graduates have presented their work at international academic conferences and had their work published in leading academic journals.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Undergraduate medical students intercalating between 4th and 5th years of study require a top quartile outcome in MBChB finals.

We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Fees and funding

The tuition fee for students with home fee status is set in line with the standard fee stipend provided by the UK Research Councils. The fee stipend for 2024/25 has not been set. For reference, the fee stipend for 2023/24 was full-time £4,712, part-time £2,356.

The international fee for new entrants in 2024/25 is full-time £26,490, part-time £13,245.

Depending on the nature of the research project, an additional programme cost may be charged. This additional fee will contribute towards the costs incurred on specific research projects. These costs could include purchasing specialist consumables, equipment access charges, fieldwork expenses and payments for transcription/translation services. Normally any additional charge will not exceed a maximum of £9,720 but this could be increased in exceptional circumstances.

Applicants will be notified of any specific additional programme cost when the offer of a place is made.

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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