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Bioinformatics at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Course summary

Our MSc and MRes Bioinformatics provide you with high-quality online training in bioinformatics, with the MRes offering you a larger research component to your studies. You will learn the basics of bioinformatics and skills currently in high demand, such as in data science. We welcome students from a variety of science-based disciplines and academic or professional backgrounds to this course. Why choose this course?

  • This course benefits from being embedded in a highly research-active environment in which you will be taught by expert computational biologists.
  • You can study this course from anywhere in the world, as we provide you with access to high-quality, pre-recorded materials, live online sessions and supervised practicals.
  • You will join a unique student cohort learning alongside students from all age groups with diverse academic and social backgrounds, who bring a variety of professional experiences to our course.
  • We have over 25 years of experience running this course. Our alumni recommend it highly, some of whom are now successfully leading computational biology groups in research institutes or relevant industries.
What you will learn This course covers core concepts underpinning bioinformatics. You will learn the basic skills required for any bioinformatics job, including:
  • coding in Python
  • statistical analysis and fundamentals of data science using R
  • understanding the algorithms used in the analysis of biological sequences
  • core biological concepts such as genes and genomes and protein structure and function.
We also continuously update the course to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnology industries. Our current focus is on growth areas including the analysis of next-generation sequencing data, the application of machine learning to biological data, the use of deep learning in protein structure prediction, and immunoinformatics. How you will learn You can choose to study this course full- or part-time and it is taught entirely online. We offer you pre-recorded material, live online sessions and a range of post-session activities so you can learn at a time that suits you. The live online sessions generally comprise a lecture or discussion and then a relevant, supervised practical. Highlights
  • We are part of the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, a joint initiative with University College London and a major biology research hub in the heart of London.
  • In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), in a joint submission with UCL, Biological Sciences at Birkbeck were ranked 11th in the UK, with a research environment supporting world-leading and internationally excellent research.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this bioinformatics course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • independent problem solving
  • scientific reporting (oral and written)
  • time organisation and completing projects to deadlines
  • analytical skills, including a sound understanding of commonly used statistics
  • writing and sharing code, ensuring reproducibility.
Studying our course will prepare you for roles in a range of fields in:
  • teaching and research in academia
  • biomedical data analysis in industry or academia
  • software development in industry
  • cience writing and reporting
  • bioinformatics support for sequencing centres.
Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at the following organisations:
  • The Institute of Cancer Research
  • The Francis Crick Institute
  • Benevolent AI
  • Genomics England
  • UK Health Security Agency
  • Unilever

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Depending on the module, assessment methods include: quizzes; in-class, open-book examinations in programming; essays; oral presentations; problem-based learning, for example, group programming projects. Also a project thesis and viva voce.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

The MRes is a challenging, interdisciplinary course. We recommend initial entry to the MSc Bioinformatics course until November (full-time) or February (part-time) so that your skills and knowledge can be thoroughly assessed. Occasionally, direct entry to the MRes is possible, when there is very strong prior evidence that the student will perform well on the course. You must have a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above. Some practical knowledge of one programming language would be a distinct advantage. Mathematics to A-level or equivalent desirable, but GCSE/O-level considered. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £6225 Year 1
Northern Ireland £6225 Year 1
Scotland £6225 Year 1
Wales £6225 Year 1
International £10170 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Bioinformatics at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS