Synthetic Biology MSc

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

This interdisciplinary programme is based in the School of Computing and taught jointly with:

• the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
• the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
• the Faculty of Medical Sciences

We cater for students with a range of backgrounds, including life sciences, computing science, mathematics and engineering. Half of the course is taught and the remainder is dedicated to a research project.

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral presentation
• Practical lab report
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Research proposal
• Written exercise

Project work

Your five-month research project gives you real research experience in synthetic biology. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with a leading research team in the School and there are opportunities to work on industry-led projects.

The project can be carried out:

• with a research group at Newcastle University
• with an industrial sponsor
• with a research institute
• at your place of work

Our experienced and friendly staff are on hand to help you. You'll gain the experience of working in a team in an environment with the help, support and friendship of fellow students.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

The teaching staff are successful researchers in their field and publish regularly in highly-ranked systems synthetic biology journals.

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.