skip to content

Postgraduate Study

Course closed:

Biological Science (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology) by thesis is no longer accepting new applications.

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology occasionally takes on MPhil students providing they have the support of a group leader in the Laboratory. To obtain support from a group leader, students should contact them directly. For information on our faculty members’ research interests, please visit the Research and the Group Leaders pages on the LMB website.

The research MPhil is assessed by submission of a thesis and an oral examination. Students start in October and the thesis is submitted by the end of August.

Applicants will generally have a bioscience background, but applicants with a computational, physics or mathematical background can also apply.

The MPhil aims to provide research opportunities in fields related to molecular and structural biology that reflect the unique research strengths of the Laboratory and that contribute to the specific research priorities of the Laboratory. The LMB also aims to provide students with general research and transferable skills training in addition to training in their specific research area.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the MPhil, students will be expected to have acquired a detailed understanding of the relevant areas that underlie their research project and to have written a thesis on their work (of not more than 20,000 words in length, excluding tables, footnotes, appendices and bibliography). They will also be expected to have attended courses or lectures on general research and transferable skills, covering subjects such as bioinformatics, statistics, ethics, research integrity, scientific writing and presentation skills, together with the LMB Biophysical Techniques and Molecular Biology Techniques Lecture series.


Continuing

Students who want to continue to a PhD are expected to follow the usual MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology PhD application process and apply via the Postgraduate Applicant Portal.


Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information


12 months full-time

2 years part-time

Master of Philosophy

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Dec. 5, 2023
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 5, 2023
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 11, 2023

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.


Similar Courses