The future of healthcare is bioinformatics. Work with the world’s most advanced biological and clinical datasets and start your career path in omics-enabled biosciences.
Our course will place you at the forefront of the recent genomics and bioinformatics revolution as you’ll develop sought-after skills in statistics, computer programming and molecular biology. Help shape the future of one of the fastest-growing fields in industry and academia.
This course has taught me a lot about various omics, which I wasn't familiar with before. Thanks to the dedication of my professors, I have learned a lot about how omics data can be analysed using different algorithms.
This course will run over 12 months, full-time. It can also be undertaken on a part-time basis. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study each term. This is based on a full time Masters course.
In the first term, you'll study Essentials of Maths and Statistics, Genomics and Next Generation Sequencing, and Data Analytics and Statistical Machine Learning. You'll also do a group project to learn basic programming and biology needed for the course.
Biology is now driven be data and computational methods are essential for uniting, scrutinising, and comprehending both fresh and reused biological data. The approaches you'll learn will enable you to extract valuable insights and achieve scientific breakthroughs from the vast amount and variety of available data.
You’ll learn to analyse different types of omics data, including next generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, emerging single molecule techniques, genome engineering, imaging and integrative analysis toolsets.
You’ll also explore the frontiers of bioscience, from precision medicine to precision agriculture, and emerging fields such as molecular ecosystems biology, and topological data analysis.
The University of Birmingham is also ranked as the first choice for leading graduate employers in the UK.
in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine (2024 QS World Rankings)
Learn from the world-leading researchers in Bioinformatics
Help drive our understanding of human genome biology by working with health science experts in the West Midlands Genomic Medicine Centre. Along with University Hospital Birmingham, they are a major contributor to the pioneering 100,000 Genomes project.
This programme is available both full- and part-time at our Edgbaston and Dubai campuses, along with a flexible, distance learning version. You’ll learn from world-leading academics and researchers at a top 100 UK university. From the outset we’ll challenge and encourage you to become an independent and self-motivated learner.
This course consists of five taught modules, one group project, and one independent project.
Taught modules - provide you with foundational knowledge and skills in statistics, computer programming, and molecular biology.
Individual projects - are closely supervised and prepares you to tackle real-world research or industrial problems at scale.
Group projects – will put you with other students from various backgrounds. You’ll use mathematical and/or computational approaches to address a real-world research question involving biological data.
The projects on this course are developed in collaboration with our world-leading academics and industrial partners in the West Midlands. This ensures that you are equally prepared for academic or industrial career paths.
The programme comprises 100 credits of taught material. There is also a 20 credit group project and a 60 credit individual project.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Bioinformatics Group Project: Growth of an Idea | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Bioinformatics Group Project: Seed of an Idea | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Computational Biology for Complex Systems | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Data Analytics and Statistical Machine Learning | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Essentials of Mathematics, Statistics and Programming | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Genomics & Next Generation Sequencing | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Individual Project | 60 | |
| Metabolomics and advanced (omics) technologies | 20 | Semester 2 |
Students have the opportunity to take the following modules in place of the dissertation module listed above:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Taught Knowledge Exchange Pathway | 60 |
For the spread of the modules over the course of programme please speak to your School
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Bioinformatics Group Project: Growth of an Idea | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Bioinformatics Group Project: Seed of an Idea | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Computational Biology for Complex Systems | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Data Analytics and Statistical Machine Learning | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Essentials of Mathematics, Statistics and Programming | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Genomics & Next Generation Sequencing | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Individual Project | 60 | |
| Metabolomics and advanced (omics) technologies | 20 | Semester 2 |
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Bioinformatics Group Project: Growth of an Idea | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Bioinformatics Group Project: Seed of an Idea | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Computational Biology for Complex Systems | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Data Analytics and Statistical Machine Learning | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Essentials of Mathematics, Statistics and Programming | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Genomics & Next Generation Sequencing | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Individual Project | 60 | |
| Metabolomics and advanced (omics) technologies | 20 | Semester 2 |
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
You should have, or expect to obtain, a 2:1 Honours degree in Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related subject.
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 honours degree or higher in a field related to quantitative knowledge from sciences, technology, engineering, or medical fields.
Common degrees include Biology, Biomedical Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Pharmacology. Other relevant subjects are Biochemistry, Genetics, Genomics, Medicine, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Biostatistics, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Systems Biology, Botany, Ecology, Zoology, and Marine Biology.
International requirements
For international students there is an English language requirement to have an IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.
If you're made an offer of a place to study and you don't already meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course. If you successfully complete this, you'll be able to fulfil the language requirement without needing to take a further qualification.
Full-time
Part-time
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
Application deadline for UK and non-tier 4 applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Lead the future of healthcare innovation. Our MSc Bioinformatics degree is ideal for 'wet-bench' biologists and clinicians interested in data analysis, as well as statisticians or computer scientists wishing to work in biology. After graduation, our students have pursed PhD studies or research roles in pharmaceutical companies, government institutions and medical publications. Other career options include bioinformatician, pharmaceutical scientist, biostatistician, medical data scientist, and medical AI architect.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.
