Masters in Research (MRes) Applied Sciences

Entry year
2025/26
Course code
C99K1
Application
University
Level
Postgraduate
School
School of Applied Sciences
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
One year full-time; two years part-time
Delivery
Full-time; part-time; starts September
Programme leader
Professor Adrian Crew

This course is open for applications

Introduction

Join our world-class research community in applied sciences and develop specialist knowledge and research experience in your area of interest. Conduct research in your workplace or on innovative collaborations with our organisational partners.

Why MRes Applied Sciences?

Whether it's developing biosensors that provide real-time health feedback or helping test prototype dressings for wounds, UWE Bristol is pioneering exciting innovations in applied sciences.

Our Centre for Research in Biosciences (CRIB) is world-renowned for its research in biomedicine, bio-sensing technology, agri-food plant and environmental science. This is done in collaboration with universities, research institutes, healthcare organisations, knowledge transfer networks, industry and commercial organisations from all over the world.

Why study our course?

With the option to study full-time or while at work, this course enables you to deepen your knowledge in an area of interest alongside our world-class research community.

After developing a solid grounding in academic research practice, you will graduate in an MRes in Applied Sciences with one of the following specialities:

  • Biological Science
  • Biomedical Science
  • Bio-Sensing Technology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Physiology
  • Science Communication
  • Forensic Science
  • Conservation and Environment Forensic Sciences.

Although there is plenty of autonomy, you will be supported throughout by a supervisor. And once you have decided on your research project, you will be able to conduct research in your workplace or in our state-of-the-art science laboratories, which have recently had a £3.2 million investment.

Real world experience

If you are working, you can tailor your research and apply it to your workplace. Thanks to our diverse partners, there are opportunities to work on innovative research with organisations ranging from Bristol Zoo and the Eden Project, to Alzheimer's UK and the Woodland Trust. Throughout the course, you will also record activity so you graduate with a professional training development portfolio.

Where it can take you

On graduation, you will have advanced skills in design data, collection and analysis, and a strong understanding and evidence base in your area of interest. You can also use credits from this qualification towards a PhD, so you can continue to deepen your knowledge and research experience.

Structure

Content

You will study:

  • Research Training and Professional Development Portfolio
  • Research in Theory and Practice
  • Extended Research Project.

Please note this structure is for the full-time course delivery only. For part-time delivery, the same modules will be studied. However, the structure will differ.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

You will learn through a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars, presentations, supervised and independent study.

The course starts with a short period of upfront learning at UWE Bristol. This will give you the chance to learn key research concepts and meet your teachers, peers and our research community.

Research is delivered and supported online, supplemented with on-site group sessions throughout the year. During the extended research project module, you will define your focus area.  

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Study time

This MRes is either one year full-time or two years part-time, and runs from September to September. As this is a research degree, most of your time will be spent on independent study, but you will have regular contact with your supervisor.

Assessment

You will be assessed through coursework, a portfolio and a written dissertation. This is explained further below:

  • The Research Training and Professional Development portfolio is a record of all your research engagement activities.
  • An extended research project of 21,000 words consists of a research proposal, written report, continuation proposal, and draft journal submission.

See our full glossary of assessment terms.

Features

Professional accreditation

UWE Bristol collaborates with universities, research institutes, healthcare organisations, knowledge transfer networks, industry and commercial organisations from all over the world. Examples are below:

Placements

If you are already working, you can tailor your research and apply it to your workplace.

We also collaborate with diverse organisations. So once you've identified your focus, there may be opportunities to do research on:

  • Reducing pollution - Environment Agency, Natural Environment Research Council and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
  • Biosensors for nutrients and pollutants in food and crops - Gwent Electronic Materials and NERC.
  • Biodiversity and conservation - Wildlife Trusts, Bristol Zoo, The Eden Project and National Botanical Garden of Wales.
  • Monitoring plant diseases in natural and agricultural systems - Woodland Trust, Woodland Heritage, Mars and Cocoa Research UK, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana.

Study facilities

We have invested £3.2million in our science laboratories so we can provide the latest equipment and technology for testing, such as:

  • Experiment in well-equipped facilities including dedicated laboratories for electrochemical sensors, volatile analysis, physiology, in-vitro toxicology, microbiology and molecular biology, and plant and microbial research.
  • Conduct biological and environmental research in our new Envirotron building with controlled environmental research spaces and a large teaching space.
  • Study in our interactive learning environments and access industry journals and comprehensive online resources.

Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources. 

Take a personalised virtual tour of the Biosciences facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.

Life

Postgraduate support

Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers

Careers / Further study

On graduation, you will have advanced skills in design data, collection and analysis, and a strong understanding and evidence base in your area of interest. You can also use credits from this qualification towards a PhD, so you can continue to deepen your knowledge and research experience.

Fees

Supplementary fee information

See our funding pages for more information. 

Entry

Entry requirements

An applicant will be expected to have a minimum of a 2:1 in a relevant first degree or equivalent. 

If you do not meet the above grade requirements but have at least 12 months relevant professional experience and/ or equivalent qualifications, we will consider you on an individual basis.

English Language Requirement

International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section.

Please be aware, that due to the nature of this course you're not able to sponsor dependants using the student route visa on the course.

For more information visit our Bringing your family - visas and immigration pages.

How to apply

Ideally when you apply, you will have chosen a project that aligns to one of our supervisor's research fields. Please read through the research projects/topics for the MRes in Applied Sciences list and contact any of our friendly team to discuss whether we can support your preferred project. We encourage you to contact us before you apply. The list is updated every Spring for the following September intake but you can contact anyone on the list at any point in the year. 

Personal Statement

Ideally you will mention that you have already contacted us and have discussed the viability of your project with us. If we are able to invite you in for interview, we will organise this with the most appropriate supervisor and/or a member of the programme team. Your interview will be virtual.

Read more about postgraduate applications. 

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.

For further information

Apply now Apply Book an open day Open day Order a prospectus Prospectus