About the Programme
It aims to provide students with a strong foundation in modern methodologies that combine quantitative and semi-quantitative experimental approaches in cellular, molecular, biochemical and biophysical sciences with computational and AI-based methods.
As computational approaches continue to transform all areas of the life sciences, our emphasis on the interconnection between experimental and computational biology represents a distinctive and innovative feature of this programme. All modules will have a 50:50 experimental:computational component.
Students can choose one of two pathways:
- MSc pathway: includes a six-month research project and dissertation. The course runs for one year (September–September).
- MRes pathway: includes a nine-month research project and dissertation. The course runs for 16 months (September–January).
Entry requirements: a mid 2:1 or 1st class undergraduate degree (or international equivalent).
Call for Research Project Proposals
We invite King's research-active staff to propose MSc and MRes research projects for the upcoming academic year. Projects should be demonstrably interdisciplinary, integrating diverse research approaches to explore fundamental biological questions.
When completing the Project Proposal Form, please:
- Provide a clear and engaging project title and description
- Include an image or schematic, if possible, to attract student interest
- Define the research area and objectives
- Describe the tools, techniques, and skills that students will learn
- Include one or two key references
All submitted projects will be collated into a digital project booklet, which will be distributed to students by the end of September.
Student-project allocations will be announced at the end of November, after which students will contact supervisors to discuss project details.
Bench fees for hosting a student will be generous (to be confirmed following internal budget allocation).
Call for Industry Research Projects
Industry Research Projects are co-created by a King’s academic supervisor in collaboration with an industrial partner (which may include external research institutes or facilities). Projects undertaken in industry follow the same duration, assessment criteria, and academic standards as those carried out in King’s research laboratories, ensuring equivalent levels of research novelty, innovation, integrity, and quality. Each project will have a primary King’s supervisor and an industrial co-supervisor, and all industry-based projects must be linked to an active research collaboration between the academic and industrial partners.
Industry research projects are not guaranteed. Students who wish to undertake an industry project must submit a formal application and will be selected through an interview process held in November. If they wish, industrial partners are welcome to join the interview panel. Students who are not selected will complete their research project within a King’s laboratory. The application, interview, and associated training are part of the Entrepreneurship and Advanced Skills module.
Please note that industry partners are not required to contribute financially, apart from the time dedicated to supervision and any project-specific research costs. Likewise, we will not provide bench fees for industry projects. These projects can provide a valuable opportunity to generate preliminary data for future collaborations, such as iCASE PhD studentships or other joint initiatives. We have already engaged in initial discussions with partners including Unilever, Pfizer, and GSK, who have expressed interest in hosting shorter 6–9 month projects.
For each project, formal agreements will be established to define expectations, roles, and responsibilities, safeguard the student experience, and clarify confidentiality and data management arrangements prior to project initiation. Students undertaking an industry-based research project will not receive a stipend.
Please email your proposed Industry Research Project description to filippo.prischi@kcl.ac.uk and roberto.steiner@kcl.ac.uk by the end of May, to ensure sufficient time for coordination with professional services, industrial partners, and completion of contractual requirements.