Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024

100%of students agreed that their research skills have developed during the course
95%of students were satisfied with overall quality of the course
95%of students agreed staff are good at explaining things

Specialised facilities

We have specialised laboratory facilities available for your research projects. Our facilities will help develop lab skills required for laboratory projects and experiments. These include a molecular laboratory housing qPCR equipment, an imaging suite, human cell culture facility, a dedicated microbiology laboratory, and an analytical suite housing GC/MS, HPLC, AAS, UV-Vis, IC, as well as a scanning electron microscope.

We also have a new £1.75 million Facility for Omics Research in Metabolism (FORM) at the University. This ultra-modern, research and innovation centre, provides training in the new and emerging fields of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.

A technicians supporting a student using a machine

New Bioscience Superlab

The University of Derby has been awarded £5.8 million from the Office for Students (OfS) to develop a new technology enhanced Bioscience Superlab and Research Lab with an opening date in 2025.

Find out more about the Superlab and Research LabFind out more about the Superlab and Research Lab

Strong industry connections

We have strong connections with the University Hospitals of Royal Derby and Burton NHS Trust, Nottingham University Hospital Trust and other health care providers. This gives you the opportunity to collaborate with a range of organisations on your research project. This will allow you to network with professionals, enhance your career prospects and develop research that makes a real impact.

Experienced teaching team

Our staff expertise covers a diverse range of subjects and we have previously offered research projects in the following areas: 

Research systems at the larger spatial scale include investigating human lifestyle and socio-economic drivers of disease risk. These latest findings and innovative thinking from the field will shape your learning experiences.

A female student holding up her cell culture in a bottle.
Multi-Faith Centre, Kedleston Road

Postgraduate Open Event

Join us at an upcoming Postgraduate Open Event, where you will get the opportunity to meet our expert academics and find out more about your course.

Book your Postgraduate Open EventBook your Postgraduate Open Event

What you will study

You'll study modules such as:

  • Professional Skills in Biomedical Science
  • Applied Microbial Biotechnology
  • Current issues in Biomedical Science
  • Research Methods and Data Interpretation
  • Research Project

Optional (one to be selected from the following)

  • Clinical Haematology and Transfusion Medicine
  • Applied Immunology
  • Advanced Cellular Pathology

Please note that some of the modules may be co-taught with other postgraduate programmes.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

Assessment will be used to track your success and to gauge the understanding and application of skills, and will combine different modes including essays, experimental (laboratory) reports, case studies, reflective portfolios, poster, and oral presentation. The research project will not only assess research skills and application but also advance writing skills by producing a journal style research article at the end of the programme. 

Who will teach you

Dr Vadivel Parthsarathy

Programme Leader

Dr Vadivel Parthsarathy

Dr Vadivel Parthsarathy

Vadivel Parthsarathy is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Derby.

View full staff profile

Entry requirements

English Language requirements

 If English is not your first language, you will need Academic IELTS score of minimum 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0)

Fees and funding

2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025)

TypeFull-timePart-time
UK

£9,000 for the full course or £1,000 per 20 credits*

N/A

International

£14,900 for the full course

N/A

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

2025/26 (August 2025 - July 2026)

TypeFull-timePart-time
UK

£9,720 for the full course or £1,055 per 20 credits*

N/A

International

£16,900 for the full course

N/A

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

About postgraduate awards

Please note at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.

AwardCredits
Postgraduate Certificate60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma120 Credits
MA or MSc180 Credits

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

Students chatting to each other

International student scholarships

We have a range of scholarships and discounts available to international students which can be used together to offer a reduction in your tuition fees.

Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


Careers

As a biomedical science graduate, you’ll be equipped with skills which put you at the forefront of advances in the medical industry – the MSc qualification adds real substance to your CV, giving you an edge in the job market.

As a graduate, the careers you could work in include:

In addition, you’ll have a full complement of transferable skills – such as critical thinking, data analysis, report writing and communication – which are valued by employers and will stand you in good stead for any profession.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.