General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a Life Sciences 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 A
• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

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.

Our research

• Cells & Development
• Environment & Ecology
• Microbiology & Infectious Disease
• Neuroscience
• Plant & Agricultural Biosciences
• Quantitative, Systems & Engineering Biology

Full details of our research interests are listed on the School of Life Sciences websiteLink opens in a new window.

Find a supervisor

You can identify potential supervisors in the area(s) that are of interest you via the Research pages on the School of Life Sciences website. The academic staff in the School welcome enquiries from potential research students, so you are advised to contact them directly. Send your research proposal or explain that you would like to discuss possible research projects with them and detail how you plan to fund your studies.

For further information, see How to Apply.

Research proposals

A research proposal is a document explaining what you would like to research for your doctorate.

If you are applying for an advertised project, you will not be required to submit a research proposal as the broad aims and objectives of your PhD will already be defined. When applying for an advertised project, you will need to clearly list the title of the project on your application.

If you are not applying for an advertised project, you will be required to develop a research proposal in consultation with a potential supervisor.

A good PhD proposal outlines the scope and significance of your topic and explains how you plan to research it. See how to write a great PhD research proposal on the Find a PhD websiteLink opens in a new window.

See our research degree application checklistLink opens in a new window.

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 research 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

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

How to apply

Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.

For research courses that start in September and October 2025 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2025. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

How to apply for a postgraduate research course