Overview

Attend an open day

Course overview

  • Take a research-focused master's course where you learn through seminars, workshops, small group tutorials and research placements.
  • Undertake a research placement in the laboratory of a leading immunologist, where you will perform experiments on a dedicated and original immunology-related project.
  • Develop your skills in relevant lab techniques, data management as well as the various forms of science communication to present your project.
  • Study at a university ranked 7th in the UK for Biological Sciences (QS World University Rankings 2025).
  • Prepare for a career in the biosciences industry or academic research.

Open days

The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses. On this day, you will find out more about the course and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have. For more information, see Open days .

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Contact name
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Telephone
01615294539
Email
School/Faculty overview
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Courses in related subject areas

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

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a minimum of an Upper Second honours degree with an average of at least 65% (or overseas equivalent) in:

  • biological sciences
  • biomedical sciences
  • or any other biological subject that contains an element of immunology. You must have sufficient evidence of the relevant units taken, to include at least one Immunology unit.

Please note we are generally unable to consider applicants with a medical (MBChB/MBBS/MD) or pharmacy degree for this programme unless they are able to demonstrate that they have significant laboratory or research experience. If your undergraduate degree is in medicine or pharmacy, please contact us prior to making an application, providing details of your biology related lab skills and experience.

English language

International students must demonstrate English proficiency at the point of application 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: minimum 6.5 overall with 6.5 in each component
  • TOEFL: 90 internet-based with 22 in each component

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 , if your current IELTS scores are:

  • Minimum 6.0 overall (with 6.0 in each component) plus enrolment and attendance on the 6-week pre-sessional course (PS6)
  • Minimum 6.0 overall (with 5.5 in each component) plus enrolment and attendance on the 10-week pre-sessional course (PS10).

Please note, we must approve this before you apply for the English course. 1493 /

English language test validity

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.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For more details see entry requirements from your country .

Relevant work experience

Relevant work experience in your chosen pathway is not compulsory but may strengthen your application.

Please, make sure that engagement in scientific projects outside standard university practical courses is clearly explained in your application documents.

Fees and funding

Policy on additional costs

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).

Scholarships/sponsorships

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

The Catherine Chisholm scholarship is applicable to students from selected countries for this course. Find out more details on the scholarship page .

Application and selection

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form. See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Advice to applicants

We require the following documents before we can consider your application:

  • Transcript of your studies to date.
  • Degree certificate (if you have already graduated).
  • Personal statement or statement of purpose.
  • Curriculum vitae (CV). Please, make sure you explain any laboratory or project experiences that you gained outside your standard undergraduate laboratory practicals, which should also be listed in the official application form.
  • Evidence of English language ability.
  • Two academic references. You must provide the contact details of two referees in your application form.

Both references are compulsory. At least one should ideally be from a lab or project supervisor. Applications will not be considered for a final decision until two references are received.

Your referees will be contacted directly and asked to provide a letter of reference. When providing referee details, you must ensure the email addresses are accurate and official, typically ending with an institutional domain. We do not accept references provided from a personal email address, eg Hotmail or Gmail.

If any of the supporting documents are not in English, you must also provide us with official or certified English translations.

If English is not your first language, we require proof of your English language ability at the point of application. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application. We cannot provide a decision on an application without seeing some evidence of a good level of English language ability. If you do not provide this when you apply, your application will remain on hold until evidence is received.

How your application is considered

We consider your full academic history including which undergraduate course units you have taken and the marks obtained. When application numbers are high, even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your marks in the most relevant undergraduate course units in our final decision making.

Interview requirements

Some applicants may be interviewed.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

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 do not make the payment before you are prompted to.

You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course.

Your CAS number is only valid for one student visa application.

Deferrals

Deferrals are not usually considered for this course.

Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications

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.

Course details

Course description

Our MSc Immunology course offers a unique opportunity to experience cutting edge Immunology related research under the guidance of leading experts in the field, before you start a career in industry or academic research.

Rather than attending traditional lectures , you will learn through an interactive approach involving seminars, workshops and small group tutorials preparing you for relevant aspects of a science-based career. As this is a research-focused master's course, you will also undertake your own research project in the laboratory of a leading researcher.

You will gain research experience and professional skills - perhaps in a different area to your first degree. This will allow you to make an informed choice about the research area you want to go into.

You choose the laboratory placement from a list provided by your programme director. Projects on this list will come from a wide range of immunology related areas of research, both within and outside of the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation . For an idea of the breadth of research underway within the Institute, browse our research pages.

Our course will also help you to develop transferable skills in essential areas such as experimental design, statistics, bioethics and science communication.

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

Special features

Extensive Research Experience

Gain laboratory experience with leading immunology researchers, alongside our cutting edge technology platforms to prepare you for your future science-related career.

Teaching and learning

We use a range of teaching and learning methods, including tutorials, workshops, seminars and research placements.

Find out more by visiting the postgraduate teaching and learning page .

Coursework and assessment

We will assess your progress using:

  • written reports on your research projects and tutorials
  • oral presentations
  • written assignments
  • posters
  • multiple choice exams
  • critical assessment of literature
  • online statistics exercises.

Course unit details

The course starts in September and runs for 12 months. You require 180 credits to complete the course, of which:

  • 120 credits are project based
  • 60 credits are from transferable skills units.

Transferable skills

60 credits are achieved through completion of activities that develop your transferable skills in essential areas such as laboratory skills, experimental design, statistics, bioethics (included in the tutorial and workshop unit) and science communication.

The Experimental Design and Statistics unit runs at the start of the year to prepare you for your research projects.

Elements of the other units run throughout the year alongside your research project.

  • Experimental Design and Statistics (15 credits)
  • Tutorial and Workshop (15 credits)
  • Science Communication (15 credits)
  • Laboratory Skills (15 credits)

Disclaimer

Our units teach the current trends in life sciences. Consequently, details of our units may vary over time. The University therefore reserves the right to make such alterations to units as are found to be necessary. Before accepting your offer of a course, it is essential that you are aware of the current terms on which the offer is based. This includes the units available to you. If in doubt, please contact us.

Facilities

You will be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University .

Disability support

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

Careers

Career opportunities

This course will provide training in both transferable and subject-specific skills. Your experience of group-based activities, literature research, applied science communication, data management and hands-on experimental training will provide you with invaluable skills that prepare you for successful PhD applications and a subsequent career in academic research within almost any area in the biological sciences, for industry-based jobs or even non-scientific careers.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.