The MRes in Translational Biomedical Research will offer you an extensive experimental learning experience in world-class research that spans the pipeline from discovery research to translational research.

You will aim to unravel the fundamental mechanisms of physiological and pathological processes with the view to translate scientific discoveries and knowledge from the laboratory into practical applications to deliver ground-breaking solutions for a healthier future for all.

Key information

Location: Campus (laboratories based at Gibbet Hill campus or University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire)

Study mode: Full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 years)

Application status: Open

Start date: October 2025

Fees for the 2025/26 academic year: Home students: £8,004; Overseas students: £38,298

Scholarship: Competitive scholarships based on academic performance available for overseas students

Contact course directors: BMS.MRes@warwick.ac.uk

Expression of interest: Please complete this form

Why study MRes Translational Biomedical Research?

Train as a biomedical scientist and build an international network of researchers and future employers.
Graduate from one of the top 10 ranked UK universities.
Train under the supervision of world-leading scientists in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Gain first-hand experience of working in a research setting.
You will be well positioned to move into a range of employment opportunities in biomedical and research environments or to continue with your further studies by securing UK or international PhD positions after graduation.

Course structure

The MRes Translational Biomedical Research includes a significant research component alongside a series of supporting taught modules to further enrich your learning. Teaching is through lectures, seminars, practical workshops, peer-to-peer learning, tutorials, and laboratory-based research projects.

Research project

The MRes Translational Biomedical Research includes a significant research component, amounting to approximately 75% of the course. This is achieved by undertaking a year-long research project. As part of the application process, you are required to select two different projects either under the same research theme or two different themes. During an initial 6-week taster period, you will explore both projects and select one to continue as your main research project.

Themes

Cell and Mechano-biology

The research groups working in this theme explore fundamental molecular mechanisms and pathways in health and disease from cytoskeletal self-organisation, membrane dynamics, and tissue mechanobiology to mechanisms that underpin self-organisational events that produce multi-cellular organisms.

Reproductive Biology

The research groups working in this theme cover topics including gametogenesis, implantation, miscarriage, endometriosis, labour, and pre-term birth.

Host-Pathogen Interactions

The research groups working in this theme cover topics from discovery of pathogenicity factors and host machinery involved in infection to diagnosis, prevention and immunity.

Translational Research

The research groups working under this theme aim to translate scientific discoveries and knowledge gained in a laboratory setting into practical applications to develop pioneering diagnostic and preventive technologies and deliver ground-breaking treatments for a healthier future for all (including chronotherapy, nanoparticle-based drug delivery, metabolism, surgery, neuroscience).

Taught components

You are required to complete a core taught module in Essential and Transferable Research Skills (MS914) which will prepare you with the fundamental research skills required for a successful research career. In addition, you are expected to complete two optional modules from a list of available options. Guidance will be provided to align your options to your chosen research topic.

MS23157: Extended Research Project (Core module)

This module provides extensive experience in conducting high-quality research in real-world settings. The module will start with a 'taster' period where students can explore two of their chosen research projects to make an informed decision about the project they wish to pursue.

MS914: Essential & Transferable Research Skills (Core module)

This module will provide extensive training in research and professional transferable skills to enhance employability. The module will develop analytical and critical skills and will provide training in topics including data analysis and scientific communication.

NT908: Programming for Biomedical Data analysis (Core optional module)

This module provides the foundations in programming in R. Students will learn basic principles of programming through learning-by-doing workshops and a series of mock exams with increasing complexity from one-line statements to multi-loop programs.

MD9A5: Mathematical Modelling for Biosystems (Core optional module)

This module provides a basic understanding of the mathematics of ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations (ODEs and PDEs), how to solve elementary problems analytically, and how to solve them numerically on the computer using MATLAB.

MS913: Translational Biomedical Research & Diagnostics (Core optional module)

This module provides an understanding of new technologies and methodologies in the field of translational medicine to enable translation of discovery science. It will provide knowledge of ethics and regulations around the use of animal models and clinical research.

MD991: Physical biology of the cell (Core optional module)

This module explores the basic physical concepts underlying the behaviour of biomolecules, dynamic cell processes, cellular structure and signalling events, and equips students for a research career at the interface of biology and physics.

CH922: Microscopy and imaging (Core optional module)

This module provides a foundation in the principles and applications of microscopy, starting with the basics of light microscopy and progressing to state-of-the-art super-resolution microscopy, electron microscopy, and scanning probe microscopy.

MD998: Molecular biology: principles and technique (Core optional module)

This module provides students with a background in mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, physics, or chemistry with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of molecular biology.

Assessment

The course uses a diverse and inclusive range of assessments. All assessments are designed to promote learning and prepare students for a career as independent resourceful scientists.

Oral Assessments

Presentations

Journal Clubs

Research Reports

Films

Problem Sets

Lay Audience

Where you will study

You will be based at laboratories located at Gibbet Hill campus and/or University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building

Centre for Mechnochemical Cell Biology

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire

Entry requirements

The course is aimed at students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree (minimum of an upper second-class degree or equivalent) in a relevant scientific (e.g. biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, statistics) or medical discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. If you hold an international qualification, please consult the International Office webpages for information on UK equivalents.

If you were not educated in English, you will be expected to obtain one of the following recognised English Language qualifications:

IELTS (British Council International Testing System) overall score of at least 6.5 (with no minimum component scores below 6.0)
TOEFL (iBT) overall score of at least 92 (with minimum component scores of Reading 22, Listening 21, Speaking 23, Writing 21)

For further information, please visit the Graduate School English Language Information and Entry Requirements webpage.

How to apply

Study mode: Full-time and part-time

Duration: One year full-time or two years part-time

In the application form, students are required to provide names of the two potential supervisors listed under research themes, to join their labs for their two taster projects. Students are encouraged to contact potential supervisors regarding projects of their interest before application. Students will have the opportunity to explore both options during the first six weeks of term one and select one of the options as their extended research project topic. If you require any assistance to identify a project please contact the course co-directors (Dr Aparna Ratheesh and Dr Leda Mirbahai) at BMS.MRes@warwick.ac.uk.

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview to discuss their chosen projects.

Please note: Applications will open soon. For updates about the application window, please register your interest below and our team will contact you when applications open.

Deadline: Our first application deadline is 1st May 2025.

The final application deadlines for this course are; 31st July 2025 for overseas (international) fees students. 30th August 2025 for home fees students.

After the first deadline, if the course becomes full before the final deadline, we will close the course to further applications.

Register your interest

All applicants are strongly advised to register your interest ahead of the deadline. This enables the course team to support you in your application process.

Tuition fees

Your host laboratory will fund the research costs for the project. Competitive scholarships based on academic performance are available for overseas students. Further information about travel grants available to students can be found online.

Students are responsible for paying the academic fees. For 2025/2026 the Home student fee is £8,004 and the overseas student fee is £38,298.

https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/study/cpd/translational/