MSc by Research in Molecular and Cellular Medicine at University of Oxford

Programme overview

A research-based master's degree in which students join one of the Botnar Research Centre's research groups and work on a project supervised by a principal investigator and supervisory team, focused on molecular and cellular mechanisms of immune function and inflammatory and musculoskeletal disease. There is no formal taught component; training is delivered through a tailored research training programme.

Faculty: Medical Sciences | Department: Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (Botnar Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences) | Duration: 1-3 years full-time; 2-6 years part-time | Intake: 5 October 2027 (full-time); 4 October 2027 (part-time) | Study mode: full-time or part-time | Location: Oxford, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

First-year research training including compulsory core lectures on immunology, inflammation, tissue engineering, clinical trial design, epidemiology, rheumatology, orthopaedics and musculoskeletal diseases, a compulsory two-day statistics and clinical research design course, and annual institute student symposia. Research themes include immune-mediated inflammatory disease, mechano-inflammatory disease, cancer, infection, biophysics, microbiome, metabolism, ageing and computational biology.

Career pathways

Most graduates go on to research careers in academic institutions or industry; others work in management, consulting, teaching, science funding organisations, charities and writing, and some have set up their own businesses.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A first-class or strong upper second-class UK undergraduate degree with honours in biological sciences and/or related topics, or equivalent; medically qualified applicants are also considered, and other medically related applicants (for example nurses and allied health professionals) in special circumstances. A previous master's degree is not required. Applicants with substantial professional experience in a related field may be considered in exceptional circumstances. US bachelor's applicants normally need a minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0. No GRE/GMAT. Recent publications are beneficial but not essential; applicants should be familiar with their proposed supervisors' recent work, and clinical applicants need evidence of NHS or HSE trust support. Application includes three referees (at least two academic), transcripts, a statement of purpose (maximum 500 words) and, unless applying for a specified studentship, a research proposal (maximum 2,000 words; combined maximum 2,500 words). Interviews are normally held (online, up to 30 minutes, with a 5-minute presentation on previous or proposed research). English (standard level, international applicants whose first language is not English): IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component; TOEFL iBT 100 overall (Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24); C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 185 overall with 176 per component; Oxford Test of English Advanced 155 overall with 145 per component. Final application deadline for 2027-28 entry: 12:00 midday UK time on 1 December 2026; the course may remain open or reopen if places are available.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,940 a year (2027/28). Home fee, full-time Source

International applicants: GBP 36,260 a year (2027/28). Overseas fee, full-time Source

Intake: 5 October 2027

Duration: 1-3 years full-time; 2-6 years part-time

Explore more study programmes

Health Sciences