Reproductive Sciences MScR

This Reproductive Sciences (MSc by Research) gives you the opportunity to study at the 15th ranked university in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023).

Public Health is about preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the efforts of society. A degree in public health can make a difference to the lives of everyday people. From the smallest communities to worldwide populations, the importance for public health professionals continues to grow.

This programme is taught on-campus by lecturers at the Usher Institute, an interdisciplinary research hub that draws together researchers, clinicians and practitioners from public health, primary care, medical informatics and biomedical and social sciences.

This programme in Reproductive Sciences is suitable for:

• High-calibre students who have biological science, medical or veterinary backgrounds

Key information:

• This programme is one year of on-campus, full-time study
• You must have an interview with the programme director prior to making your application to ensure this programme meets your academic aims

Entry requirements: A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant biological, medicine or veterinary medicine discipline.

“I chose this programme because I'm really interested in reproductive sciences but I also love being in the lab. When I found this Masters I thought it was perfect because it combined my two greatest passions.”

Cristina Peralta

MSc by Research Reproductive Sciences graduate 2018

What to expect at The University of Edinburgh

As a student within the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, you will join more than 7,000 students studying a range of postgraduate programmes. Following the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, our vet school and our medical school were both among the UK top five, ranked by research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions REF 2021).

Your postgraduate experience here will be supported and enhanced by the wealth of resources and opportunities we offer. We are committed to delivering high-quality, innovative teaching. The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience.

The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

The programme is intended for high-calibre students with biological science, medical or veterinary backgrounds.

An interview with the programme director is required prior to making your application to ensure this programme meets your academic aims.

This programme is the ideal route for those wishing to embark on a PhD, or explore a PhD as a career option, or in a technical laboratory role, in the field of reproductive sciences and health, or spanning the biosciences, clinical and veterinary fields.

The broad range of skills gained is also readily transferable into careers at the clinical-laboratory interface and in the broader biosciences industry opportunities.

This programme does not amount to specific training to become a clinical embryologist.

The programme provides a core grounding in basic science and interlinked medical aspects of reproductive sciences.

It is delivered by undertaking a two-week basic core laboratory skills training course, followed by gaining practical experience by performing two 20-week laboratory-based research projects.

Research projects

These research projects provide you with hands-on laboratory experience and training in a wide range of up-to-date techniques in molecular and cellular biology.

Skills development

You also gain a wide range of generic professional and scientific skills such as developing effective communication skills, and scientific writing through project reports and a grant application.

Lectures and seminars

Alongside the project work, there is a series of lecture modules and seminars delivered by internationally-recognised experts in the field, together with both staff- and student-led small-group tutorials.