MSc PLANT GENETICS AND CROP IMPROVEMENT
MSC PLANT GENETICS AND CROP IMPROVEMENT
Our one-year MSc Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement course is perfect training if you plan to take a further degree in plant molecular genetics, or alternatively, a career in plant breeding and crop improvement. It’s a unique opportunity to study plant molecular genetics and its potential applications in the 21st century in an environment of academic and research excellence.
The School of Biological Sciences (BIO) at UEA runs this course jointly with theJohn Innes Centre (JIC), which also includes The Sainsbury Laboratory. The John Innes Centre is one of the world’s leading research institutes in plant genetics and crop improvement. This means you’ll benefit from a team of teaching staff that includes members of the School of Biological Sciences together with scientists from the John Innes Centre and a number of leading plant breeding and plant biotechnology companies within the UK.
In your taught modules you’ll cover subjects including plant molecular genetics and biotechnology, target traits for crop improvement, and plant breeding – as well as learning key transferable skills such as research skills and communication. An important element of the course is the substantial six-month laboratory-based research project that you’ll conduct under the supervision of a member of BIO faculty or a senior scientist at the John Innes Centre. As part of this you’ll submit a dissertation and present a seminar on your research project. We offer research projects in the following areas:
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Plant genetics
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Plant biotechnology and crop improvement
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Plant genome organisation
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Plant-microbe interactions
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Cell and developmental biology
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Plant gene function
In recent years the career prospects for students with a postgraduate degree in plant genetics and crop improvement have been very good, often leading to a PhD or employment in the plant breeding industry.
About
You’re ready to specialise in plant genetics and crop improvement at a ground-breaking centre for this highly prized discipline. With this expert, cutting edge training, you’ll have the perfect grounding to move into PhD research or a career in the practical plant breeding.
This MSc enables you to explore genetics, plant genomics, plant molecular genetics and statistics for plant science, in addition to training valuable transferable skills. Alongside your taught modules, you’ll also work on a laboratory-based research project (worth 60 credits), giving you the opportunity to work closely with world-leading scientists at the John Innes Centre or a relevant industry partner. The John Innes Centre – based on Norwich Research Park alongside UEA – is one of the world’s leading research institutes in plant genetics and crop improvement, so there are few places in the world where you’ll find a better opportunity to work with such leading authorities and world-class facilities.

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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.After the Course
You’ll graduate from this prestigious course well prepared for a career in plant breeding and crop improvement, or further PhD study in this area. Having studied at one of the leading research centres in the field, it’s no wonder that our most recent past graduates have had great success in finding employment or academic research posts.
Career destinations
Examples of careers that you could enter include;
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PhD research
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Plant breeding
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Crop improvement

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Assessment for Year 1
We’ll assess your learning in a combination of different ways depending on the module and learning objectives. These include formal exams, laboratory reports, coursework assignments, presentations and problem-based learning sessions. In addition, you’ll complete a six-month laboratory research project, including a dissertation and seminar presentation, which will form a significant part of the course assessment.
Assessment for Year 1
We’ll assess your learning in a combination of different ways depending on the module and learning objectives. These include formal exams, laboratory reports, coursework assignments, presentations and problem-based learning sessions. In addition, you’ll complete a six-month laboratory research project, including a dissertation and seminar presentation, which will form a significant part of the course assessment.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent)Degree subject
Biological Sciences or Plant BiologyAdditional entry requirements
Applicants are required to submit two references with their application - at least one of these must be related to their most recent Academic study.
A full, detailed CV should also be included with the application.
Students for whom english is a foreign language
We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:
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IELTS: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in two components only, with 6.0 in the other two)
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PTE (Pearson): 64 (minimum 59 in two components only with 64 in the other two)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests
INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk.
Intakes
This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2021/22 are:
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UK Students: £10,500 (full time)
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International Students: £21,300 (full time)
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; 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.

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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.
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
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.

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