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Biological Sciences at UEA
Find out more about studying Biological Sciences at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMSc Molecular Medicine with a Placement Year
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- January 2027
Course options
Other Start Dates
Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Other Start Dates
17th
UEA is ranked 17th overall for research quality in Biological Science
The Times Higher Education REF 2021 AnalysisCourse Overview
Why MSc Molecular Medicine with a Placement Year at UEA?
Explore cutting-edge biomedical science while developing advanced research skills at the world-renowned Norwich Research Park. Build the practical, analytical, and communication skills needed for careers in research, healthcare, biotechnology, and beyond.
Why choose UEA?
- Research-led: Learn from active researchers working at the forefront of molecular medicine, biomedical science, and health research
- World-class environment: Study within the Norwich Research Park and benefit from access to leading research institutes, scientists, and healthcare expertise
- Career skills: Build the practical, analytical, and communication skills needed to design, conduct, interpret, and present high-quality research
What is MSc Molecular Medicine with a Placement Year?
Molecular medicine sits at the interface between biomedical science, clinical research, and translational discovery. Recent advances in genomics, cell biology, immunology, microbiology, and molecular technologies are transforming how we understand, diagnose, and treat human disease. This course places you at the heart of cutting-edge biomedical research, giving you access to world-leading expertise, facilities, and scientific innovation.
Once registered, you’ll gain access to our bespoke, award-winning pre-arrival content. Created by both staff and students, this self-guided material will help you explore our campus and laboratory facilities. You’ll get a feel for what to expect and learn about the support available. When you start, you’ll explore how molecular and cellular approaches can be used to understand the mechanisms of disease and drive innovation in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Support from internationally recognised researchers will help you develop both a strong theoretical foundation and the practical skills needed to investigate complex biological and medical questions.
A highlight of the course is your research project, where you'll join a research group at UEA or one of our partner organisations across the Norwich Research Park. This hands-on experience gives you the opportunity to work alongside leading scientists and clinicians at institutions such as the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, John Innes Centre, Earlham Institute, Quadram Institute, and more. You'll graduate ready for careers in research, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, science communication, and related industries.
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Placement Year and Study Abroad
When you choose a Master’s course with the placement route, the placement forms a compulsory part of the programme and takes place in the second year. During the first semester of your second year, you’ll continue the structured employability development programme, which includes an intensive period dedicated to securing an industry work placement.
The industry work placement is typically undertaken with a UK company for eight to ten months. The University works in partnership with a specialist, award-winning provider to deliver a tailored package of support, giving you the strongest possible opportunity to secure a paid role.
While comprehensive support is available throughout your studies, securing a placement in a relevant sector is ultimately your responsibility. You’ll need to engage fully with your academic programme and with our specialist partner to maximise your chances of success.
If an industry work placement isn’t available, or you’re unable to meet the academic requirements, you’re guaranteed the opportunity to complete three structured industry projects with different UK organisations. These give you the opportunity to build real-world experience across multiple companies. These placements are available in different formats depending on your preference.
As a result, you’ll complete the course with practical, career-relevant experience that strengthens future employment prospects.
Find out more about the Postgraduate Placement Year.
Careers
Career Pathways
With an MSc Molecular Medicine degree, you could pursue careers as:
- Biomedical Researcher: Investigate the biological mechanisms of health and disease to support medical advances
- Molecular Medicine Researcher: Explore molecular and cellular processes to improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease
- University Researcher: Conduct cutting-edge research and contribute to scientific discovery in academic settings
- Science Communicator: Share scientific knowledge with public, professional, and policy audiences through outreach, media, and engagement activities
- Biotechnology or Pharmaceutical Scientist: Develop new technologies, therapies, and products that improve human health and wellbeing
Career Support
Your extensive research project will be a defining part of your MSc, giving you the opportunity to immerse yourself in an exciting area of molecular medicine. Working alongside experienced researchers from UEA and the Norwich Research Park, you'll develop valuable research skills and professional connections. As molecular medicine continues to transform how we understand, diagnose, prevent, and treat disease, you'll be well placed to contribute to future advances in research and healthcare innovation. You’ll also have access to support from UEA’s Career Central, including careers advice, CV and application guidance, interview preparation, and resources to help you achieve your career goals.
After the Course
Upon completion of this course, you’ll be well positioned to progress to further research study, including PhD-level training. Your broad understanding of molecular medicine, together with the practical, analytical, and communication skills developed throughout the course, could also support a successful career in biomedical research, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, clinical or translational research, science communication, healthcare-related roles, or teaching in secondary or higher education.
Study and Modules
Structure
On this two-year MSc course, you’ll explore the fundamental principles and latest advances in molecular medicine while developing the specialist knowledge and transferable skills needed to thrive in modern biomedical and research environments. You’ll build expertise in communication and presentation, employability, independent working, project management, critical thinking and effective time management.
A major highlight is the opportunity to undertake an independent research project with a research leader of your choice, based either at UEA or within one of the prestigious research institutes at the Norwich Research Park. This gives you the chance to contribute to cutting-edge biomedical research, build specialist expertise, and experience life within a vibrant research environment focused on understanding the molecular and cellular basis of human disease.
Upon completion, you’ll be exceptionally well prepared to pursue PhD opportunities nationally and internationally in molecular medicine, biomedical science, translational research, and related fields. You’ll also graduate with a diverse set of transferable skills and in-depth subject knowledge that will enhance your employability across biomedical research, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, government, non-governmental organisations, and the wider scientific sector.
To prepare for year two, you’ll undertake a year-long Employability Skills module which will help to equip you with the relevant skills you’ll need to seek, secure and undertake your placement. You’ll benefit from workshops on CV writing, interview practice, and use of LinkedIn. You’ll also have one-to-one meetings to help plan your application strategy and give you opportunities for mock interviews. Sessions will be a mixture of online and in-person. This is a pass/fail module, and you'll need to meet the attendance requirements to progress.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a placement aligned with your discipline, gaining valuable professional experience alongside your studies.
During the first semester, you’ll take part in an intensive placement search, supported by dedicated guidance and a series of six in-person workshops at UEA. These sessions will help you develop your employability skills, reflect on your professional development and prepare for your future career.
If you don’t secure an industry placement, you’ll complete a series of three structured industry projects, giving you the opportunity to gain practical experience with different organisations and apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
At the end of the year, you’ll submit an assessment comprising a portfolio of materials from your placement search and a reflective report on your placement experience or industry projects. This will allow you to demonstrate the skills you’ve developed, your increased understanding of the sector and areas for future professional growth. The assessment is graded on a pass/fail basis.
By the end of the year, you’ll have enhanced your career confidence, strengthened your CV and expanded your professional network, preparing you for the next stage of your career in the UK or internationally.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
All teaching within the School of Biological Sciences and the Faculty of Sciences is research-led. Throughout your two-year MSc, you’ll benefit from the expertise of a large, enthusiastic and approachable team of academic staff, who bring internationally recognised research expertise across areas including molecular medicine, biomedical science, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology and disease biology.
You’ll also gain insights from researchers and professionals working across UEA and the Norwich Research Park, ensuring that current discoveries, emerging technologies, and the latest ideas in biomedical research are embedded into the course. This creates a dynamic, stimulating, and engaging learning experience that connects your studies directly with real-world scientific advances.
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, and laboratory-based classes, where you’ll develop both your subject knowledge and practical research skills.
Independent study
You’ll conduct your own extensive research project for your dissertation. This is an exciting opportunity to explore an area of molecular medicine that genuinely inspires you, all within an outstanding research environment.
You’ll also have the chance to attend regular seminars and workshops led by internationally recognised scientists, helping you stay connected to the latest developments in molecular medicine, biomedical discovery, and disease-focused research.
Assessment
Your progress will be evaluated through a range of assessment methods designed to reflect the aims and learning outcomes of each module. These may include formal examinations, coursework assignments, data analysis tasks, and oral presentations, allowing you to demonstrate both your subject knowledge and wider academic skills.
Formative assessment and feedback are built into the course, giving you opportunities to test your understanding, develop your ideas, and improve your work before completing the related summative assessments.
You’ll also complete an independent research project on a topic of your choice, which will be assessed through a formal written dissertation and an oral presentation of your findings.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Life or Physical Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Life or Physical Sciences
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
- IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £14,450
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International Students: £28,250
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see additional course fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.