Biomedical Science - Clinical Biomedical Research

Entry requirements

You should have or be expected to achieve, a minimum of a second class degree (2:2). For healthcare graduates, a pass is required. All degrees must be awarded before 1 August on the year of entry.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Discover how to carry out research in clinical settings and work alongside experts to address a healthcare challenge.

How do you effectively carry out research in a clinical environment? And what can we do to improve healthcare practice and strategies? Join us to uncover the answers and prepare to shape the future of healthcare.

This course is designed for healthcare professionals or life sciences graduates interested in research. You’ll also be a great match if you work in clinical trials or are progressing from our Healthcare Research Skills and Methods PgCert.

Kickstart your research career

Research and innovation are in our DNA. Edward Jenner, the ‘father of vaccinology’ who created the world’s first vaccine (against smallpox), completed his medical training at St George’s in 1770. More recently, our research has helped accelerate the treatment of tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and Covid-19.

From patient engagement to laboratory analyses, you’ll experience the entire clinical study cycle. We’ll also share the latest research insights – our experts are exploring everything from new therapies for neonatal disorders and cancer, to how plants might help us make medicines accessible.

Why St George's?

1. NIHR Clinical Research Facility – we carry out early-phase translation and complex clinical studies. Our clinical trials benefit from our expertise in measuring laboratory endpoints on site and with rapid turnaround.
2. Expert research community – you’ll have access to specialist equipment and expertise in clinical, epidemiological and laboratory research. Your project might involve working with clinical samples or staff on our hospital sites.
3. Intense research training – completing an MRes means you’ll spend nine months working on a research project and receive one-to-one training. Past students have even been listed as authors of published papers.

Course content

Whichever biomedical science pathway you pick, you’ll complete three core modules: Research Methods, Statistics, and Research Project Planning and Management.

All the core modules provide advanced training in biomedical research and help you interpret data. You’ll develop specialist skills in tissue culture, handling of clinical specimens, flow cytometry, gene cloning and protein techniques, microbiological techniques and more.

Throughout the year, you’ll also develop specialist knowledge in clinical biomedical research. We’ll look at how to carry out studies in a clinical environment and implement strategies needed to improve current healthcare practices.

Your research project

Unlike MSc courses, you’ll complete an extensive research project which involves spending up to nine months working as part of a research team. This may provide an opportunity to work with clinical samples or staff on our hospital sites.

During the first term, you’ll meet potential supervisors and pick a project. Past projects have explored immunity and pain in osteoarthritis, the impact of occult carbon monoxide exposure and tools to manage polypharmacy in acute care.

Careers

Biomedical scientists work at the cutting edge of research and medicine, helping to solve some of the most threatening diseases and conditions facing mankind. Specialising in clinical biomedical research, you’ll understand how to carry out research in clinical settings and use your findings to shape the future of practice.

By the end of the course, you’ll be confident planning and managing a research project. This includes knowing how to write a research proposal​, evaluate published research​ and identify good quality research. You’ll also have advanced skills in data handling, scientific communication and using technology to support research projects.

Some of our graduates work in research-active healthcare roles, while others engage with clinical research as trial managers or laboratory scientists. You might find opportunities in:

• Academic biomedical research institutes and universities​
• Clinical medicine and hospitals​
• Pharmaceutical industry​
• Science communications and journalism​
• Teaching

With your extensive research experience, you’ll also stand out as a candidate when applying to continue to PhD study.

Information for international students

For information on how to apply, advice on visas and immigration and English language requirements please visit our international student support webpages.

Fees and funding

For information about tuition fees, funding and scholarships please visit our fees and funding webpages.