General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• 7.0 overall with minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Environmental Protection, Risk Assessment and Safety

This module will provide you an understanding of the environmental and safety risks associated with technology together with methods for limiting damage and risk.

Read more about the Environmental Protection, Risk Assessment and Safety moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Soil, Sustainability and the Environment

In this module you will focus on understanding the importance of soil in supporting ecosystem services, ways in which soils are managed in agricultural systems and the wider environmental consequences, and threats to soil security. Key topics are soil biology, biogeochemical cycling, nutrient use and management, soils and environmental pollution, soil degradation, soils and climate change and compost/waste application to land.

Read more about the Soil, Sustainability and the Environment moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Biosciences, Politics and Social Acceptability

We now live in a world in which we face a set of complex, interlocking crises concerning the climate, human health, biodiversity, food and water, all of which have their roots in unsustainable human activity and exploitation of natural resources, and made possible by a combination of science, technology, and commerce. At the same time, we are seeing new advances in science and technology on a scale that would be unimaginable to previous generations - and which offer new opportunities to make life better, but at the same time offer new threats. Added to this, there are deep questions about how science is done and the trustworthiness of some of its findings. In this module, you discuss these issues and possible ways forward, and how we can use science for the common good in a globalised world.

Read more about the Biosciences, Politics and Social Acceptability moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Project/Work Placement/Dissertation

The project is a stand-alone component of the MSc allowing you to experience, first hand, research skills, hypothesis development, hypothesis testing, data collection, data handling, data evaluation and result presentation.

Read more about the Project/Work Placement/Dissertation moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Environmental Accounting

The module examines existing methods of environmental accounting, for example, life cycle assessment, ecological footprinting and carbon footprinting and demonstrates how they can be used to quantify, differentiate and interpret the environmental impacts of agricultural and other land based systems.

Read more about the Environmental Accounting moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Climate Change

Climate change is widely agreed to be the most important environmental driver of economic and societal change for the 21st century. In this module you will consider the science of climate change: origins and evidence, predictions and consequences, mitigation and adaptation.

Read more about the Climate Change moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Organic and Low Input Systems

Crop production within low input systems provides a ‘challenge’ to farmers and crop scientists alike in determining how to use their knowledge of the interactions between the soil and plants, and plant pests and pathogens, to grow crops with sufficient yield and quality. In this module you will develop an understanding of the production techniques employed within such systems. The module will focus on arable and horticultural crops but consideration will be given to livestock production within the context of a mixed farming system.

Read more about the Organic and Low Input Systems moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Biological Invasions in Changing Environments

Non-native invasive species pose significant threats to natural and agricultural ecosystems worldwide and often have very severe, though difficult to quantify, economic impacts. Invasive species rank second only to habitat loss and destruction in a list of global threats to biodiversity. Climate change, environmental degradation, together with increased global trade, promote opportunities for the introduction, spread and persistence of invasive species and hence there may undesirable interactions between biological invasion and climate change. This module will introduce you to the principles of invasion biology and ecology with reference to ecological hypotheses.

Read more about the Biological Invasions in Changing Environments moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Biodiversity, Conservation and Ecosystem Services

Humankind harnesses a multitude of natural resources for the provision of food, materials, energy and recreation. Many of these resources have become overexploited or under severe pressure in both wild and managed landscapes. Our capacity to respond is limited by an associated loss of biodiversity. Conservation of natural and domesticated system is essential, but it must also be managed in ways that allow the biodiversity to be exploited for the benefit of all. Conservation of natural resources (biodiversity and habitat) is vitally important for the future. In this module you will examine this concept by exploring what makes plants and animals vulnerable and devising strategies for conservation of habitats and key species (both in situ and ex situ,) and how practical conservation management is achieved.

Read more about the Biodiversity, Conservation and Ecosystem Services moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Microbiomics and Metagenomics

This module will provide you with the understanding of how analysis of microbial diversity and the functional roles that microorganisms have in the environment and in association with plant, animal and human hosts (microbiomics) can aid understanding of biogeochemical processes and/or be exploited to achieve progress in agriculture, biotechnology and human health.

Read more about the Microbiomics and Metagenomics moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Challenges of Global Food Security

Global food security, providing access for the world’s population to affordable, safe and nutritious food, is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. This module will provide you with an understanding of the elements that contribute to the food security agenda. An essential element of the module will be a critical review of current physical, political and biotic drivers. We will explore the strategies being deployed that influence food security including projected population changes, climate change, ecosystem servicers and resilience, disease and fossil fuel dependence. The module will present a global perspective.

Read more about the Challenges of Global Food Security moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2023/24 year of study).

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• Marketing Management
• Business Strategy
• Habitability in the Universe
• Climate Change and Development (Law)
• Thinking Water (IATL)
• Public Engagement (IATL)

Our optional module lists are subject to change each year to keep the student learning experience current and up-to-date.

Teaching

You'll be taught by expert scientists who undertake research in solving major global challenges in areas such as food security, disease control, bioenergy, systems biology, neurobiology and climate change. Also, external professional experts teach on selected modules giving a vital extra dimension to your teaching experience.

Teaching is via facilitated sessions, including interactive lectures, short question and answer sessions and interactive workshops/tutorials and field visits. Individual and team learning will be used for case study analysis.

Class sizes

Class sizes for this course vary between 5 to 90 students.

Typical contact hours

Depending on the module contact hours vary between 15-25 per week.

Assessment

Assessment is continuous and varies between modules. It typically includes essays, seminar presentations, practical reports, oral evaluation and assessed group work.

You will undertake an individual project during the third term and there is an option to undertake a work-based placement as part of your project. Your project/placement will be assessed by a seminar presentation, a 6,000 word dissertation and a Research Performance piece.

Reading lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogueLink opens in a new window.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Graduates from the School of Life Sciences taught Masters courses have gone on to work for employers including:

• Pfizer
• Severn Trent Water
• Eurofins Agroscience Services
• Novartis
• Philips Healthcare
• Rothamstead Research
• NGO Client Earth
• Public Health England

They have pursued roles such as: research associate, science editor, regulatory affairs officer, marketing manager, business and financial project management professionals, environmental health professionals, agronomist, and climate change consultant.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Life Sciences Networking Event
• Careers in Science
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Mock Interviews for Life Sciences students
• Interested in Careers in Scientific Publishing

Life Sciences at Warwick

The School of Life Sciences is a cohesive, enthusiastic community producing world-class, high-impact bioscience research and teaching within a friendly and collaborative environment. Our internationally recognised academics are engaged in innovative bioscience research, working to investigate solutions to major global challenges. With 90% of research in the School of Life Sciences rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in REF 2021, the school is a dynamic and growing place for biological sciences research.

Our range of postgraduate programmes cover key global priorities and include interdisciplinary courses with modules delivered from colleagues across the Warwick community, including the renowned Warwick Business School. Study a postgraduate degree with us to hone your subject knowledge and enable you to gain the scientific skills and business acumen to develop your future career.

As part of our postgraduate degrees, you will be taught vital transferable skills such as research techniques and management, personal effectiveness, communication, networking, teamworking and careers management, enhancing your employability. You will be supported during your studies by a dedicated Postgraduate support team and a personal tutor who work within the School of Life Sciences, and additional support is offered, if needed, for English language and data handling skills.

Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

• Biotechnology, Bioprocessing and Business Management (MSc)
• Environmental Bioscience in a Changing Climate (MSc)
• Food Security (MSc)
• Medical Biotechnology and Business Management (MSc)
• Sustainable Crop Production: Agronomy for the 21st Century (MSc)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• MSc by Research in Life Sciences
• PhD in Life Sciences

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2025 opens on 2 October 2024.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course