The MRes in Clinical Sciences will enable you to develop advanced knowledge and research skills in clinical sciences. The programme is aimed at intercalating medical, dental and veterinary students and medical, biomedical and biological science graduates. Under expert supervision, you will produce a major piece of independent research on one of five specialist pathways.
This MRes will equip you with advanced knowledge of clinical sciences and provide a tailored research experience. You can follow a general clinical science pathway or focus your research on cardiovascular and metabolic medicine, eye and vision science, musculoskeletal and ageing science, or women and children’s health.
Whichever of these five pathways you choose, you’ll receive intensive preparation for your future career including PhD study. We’ll immerse you in contemporary clinical science research techniques, explore recent challenges and advances, and examine how evidence-based practice can inform health, disease and therapeutic interventions.
You’ll discover how to develop a research proposal, identify relevant evidence and sources, plan and undertake the research, and analyse and present your findings. This will equip you with a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, project management, written and verbal communication, and problem solving.
You’ll be supported by academic experts in the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences. Our team of MRes supervisors are actively engaged in research that makes a real impact. Their work is focused on exploring key issues to local population health needs, combating health challenges from early years to later life, and positively changing patient care in our communities.
This programme is suitable for:
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
MCMR002 Transferable Skills is studied across all three semesters. Three other compulsory modules are studied in semester one.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
MCMR002 Transferable Skills is studied across all three semesters. MCMR704 is studied across semesters two and three. One other compulsory module is studied in semester two.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| RESEARCH FRONTIERS IN CLINICAL SCIENCES 2 (MCMR004) | 15 |
| CLINICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH PROJECT 2 (FULL-TIME) (MCMR704) | 80 |
| TRANSFERABLE SKILLS (MCMR002) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
MCMR002 Transferable Skills is studied across all three semesters. MCMR704 is studied across semesters two and three.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| CLINICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH PROJECT 2 (FULL-TIME) (MCMR704) | 80 |
| TRANSFERABLE SKILLS (MCMR002) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You’ll learn through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and independent study.
An active research environment encourages individual and group work where you’ll develop ideas and hypotheses to solve problems and analyse, interpret and present your findings.
Research projects may be carried out in laboratories on campus or could be based in local NHS trusts including Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, St Paul’s Eye Hospital or the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. There’s also the option to complete an online research project.
Assessment activities mirror those undertaken by professional scientists and healthcare professionals. These real-life scenarios include drafting grant applications, writing reports, creating visual abstracts, developing a business proposals, and making presentations.
All modules include assessments that are linked to research project work, where you’ll gain appropriate skills to complete your final project report at the end of the programme. Such assessments include a lab report, literature review and referee report.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Intercalation allows you take a break from your medical degree, usually after year 3 or 4, and study an additional qualification. Most intercalating students choose to study a master's degree. This gives you the opportunity to explore a subject of interest at an advanced level and acquire new skills and knowledge that will enhance and/or complement your medical degree.
The Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences addresses the issues that are most important to local population health needs. We conduct research that makes a real impact, delivering results from bench to bedside and positively changing patient care in our communities.
The course has profoundly enhanced my research skills, particularly in the field of musculoskeletal ageing. This is essential for my chosen career as a specialist in metabolic bone disease and osteoporosis.
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This programme prepares you for a future career in biomedical research which could be in the academic, industrial or public sectors. It also provides a strong foundation for doctoral research and satisfies the criteria of UK research councils for Master of Research training.
You’ll gain the research knowledge, skills and attributes to contribute to evidence-based practice, pursue further study, and progress your career.
With an MRes in Clinical Sciences, you’ll be well qualified to enter a wide range of medical and scientific roles or pursue a career in industry or academia.
In the public sector, graduates in clinical sciences are in demand in research institutes, government departments, the National Health Service, and the Environment Agency.
You may choose to pursue PhD study in preparation for a future career as a research scientist. You would also be well prepared for graduate-entry medicine training.
With proven analytical, numeracy, communication and project management skills, you’ll graduate with a skillset well suited to many leadership roles and opportunities, including a career in accountancy or human resources.
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Part-time place, per year - £2,503
Full-time place, per year - £31,250
Part-time place, per year - £15,650
Fees stated are for the academic year 2025/26. Some MRes courses incur additional bench fees. You will be notified of any fee which applies to you in your offer letter.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies.
Please note, this programme may have additional costs associated with it depending on your choice of a lab or computational/fieldwork-based project.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a University of Liverpool graduate starting this master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive a loyalty discount of up to £2,500 off your master’s tuition fees.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
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The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in a medical, biomedical or relevant biological science discipline. Previous MRes or MSc study or a medicine, veterinary or dental qualification may also be accepted. |
| International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MRes, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
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Last updated 27 March 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions