MSc Developmental Biology and Stem Cells (Research)

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

• Biosciences

We require a BSc (First or Upper Second) or MBChB or equivalent from a British university (or overseas equivalent) in an appropriate biological or medical subject.

This course is also available for intercalating medical students, both from The University of Manchester and other UK universities. For intercalating MBChB students, we require satisfactory achievement in Years 1-3 or 1-4, with normally no failure at any examination, as well as research motivation.

We will consider applicants with other professional or research-related experience.

We do not require applicants to develop a research proposal or have any research experience.

International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. We ask for English language proof if you are from non-majority English speaking countries (a list of majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here ).

Specifically, we require a minimum of:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all components.

See further information about requirements for your country.

We may also accept evidence of a confirmed place on a University Pre-sessional English language course. Please visit the University Centr e for Academic English webpage for details.

Please note, we must approve this before you apply for the English course. If you wish to be considered for a pre-sessional course please contact the admissions team at pgtaughtmedicine@manchester.ac.uk

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
  UK students (per annum): £15,800
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £36,800

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees. Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees or provide a sponsor letter (which we must first confirm), before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

CAS Information

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.

You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course, the Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.

Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.

Deferrals are considered on an individual basis. Successful applicants may defer entry to the course for up to one year.

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved.

We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Our MSc Development Biology and Stem Cells (Research) course has a strong research component.

You will undertake two interrelated research projects, supported by taught units providing detailed knowledge of cell and developmental biology and training in research skills.

Research Units

Research Project 1

You will select your research project and supervisory team in the first three weeks of the course. Between October and January, you'll complete an in-depth literature review on your research topic, followed by a research proposal based on a six-month project.

Research Project 2

From February to August, you will undertake a six-month research project focused on a specific aspect of cell and developmental biology. All projects are co-supervised, which encourages the development of complementary skillsets. Thorough training and supervision is given in all laboratory, analytical and computational methodologies, as appropriate.

Projects may be directed at fundamental questions in cell and developmental biology or applied aspects such as biotechnology or translational medical research.

You will write a dissertation at the end of the research project and give a poster presentation based on your findings.

Taught Units

Research Methods

This unit consists of series of lectures and training workshops that provide an introduction to research and transferable skills such as experimental design and statistical assessment, IT skills, critical analysis of research papers, health and safety, scientific writing and communication and career development.

Laboratory Skills

You will undertake training in a range of basic laboratory techniques applicable to medical research. Workshops include cell culture, histology, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology. Training in recording laboratory methods and analysis of results is provided.

Masterclass in Experimental Cell and Developmental Biology

You will complete a series of three masterclasses that provide an understanding of fundamental developmental biology and stem cell research and an insight into translational research. These include lectures and discussion groups on the following topics:

• Experimental model systems, such as human iPS cells, organoids, fruit fly, xenopus, zebrafish, mouse.
• Classical and cutting-edge technologies, such as genetic manipulation, quantitative cell imaging, next-generation RNA sequencing.
• Cell and developmental biology at the translational interface between fundamental and clinical research.

Reproduction and Development Tutorial

You will have an opportunity to learn about and discuss research in developmental biology and stem cell research and the basic science areas and clinical applications that are central to the discipline. Tutorials use a range of teaching styles, including taught seminars and group discussions. Assessment will be via group oral presentations, leaflets, quizzes or written reports.

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Programme committee:

• Dr Mark Dilworth (Programme Director)
• Dr Daimark Bennett (Pathway Lead)
• Dr Elizabeth Cottrell (Deputy Programme Director)
• Dr Michelle Desforges (Tutorial Unit Lead)
• Dr Cerys Manning (Masterclass in Experimental Cell and Developmental Biology Unit Lead)
• Prof Alexander Heazell
• Dr Stephanie Worton
• Dr Victoria Palin
• Student Representative

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

This course can be taken by qualified and experienced professionals to update your knowledge of current developments in developmental biology and stem cell research and acquire experimental research skills.