Join a high-impact industry and help tackle global challenges
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
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Upcoming eventsBioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that applies and develops computational methods to extract and report on insights from biological data. It includes importing, tidying, visualising, analysing and communicating and is applied to complex problems in any domain of biology and beyond.
In the Department of Biology, we have considerable research expertise in the application and design of computational methods for finding solutions for three major global challenges:
This course is aimed at bioscientists with no previous experience of programming or bioinformatic analyses. By undertaking this programme, you will therefore receive a thorough grounding in research bioinformatics that will enable you to pursue a bioscience PhD with a computational component or a range of other specialist career paths within industry.
Learn more about our range of data science and analytics Masters courses offered at York.
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New investment in buildings housing teaching and state-of-the-art teaching laboratories
You'll complete research-led taught modules, comprising evaluation of contemporary research literature and seminars that highlight the research of bioinformaticians in the department. In addition, a group project, and valuable skills training will prepare you for the independent study module, in which you'll join one of our research teams to carry out an extended research project.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
You will complete an independent study module during the summer, which is designed to give you experience in managing and completing a project in a cutting-edge research context.
This is an opportunity to further develop and apply your skills to a current research question, and specialise in a particular area or research technique.
Most students choose to complete a project in collaboration with an academic supervisor within the University, but you may opt to complete this project as an external placement.
You will have full access to our dedicated Masters workspace while completing your project.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £13,300 | £31,900 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
We will provide you with a lab coat and safety goggles. You may wish to buy textbooks used in your modules, but this is not compulsory and most recommended books are open source.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and small group teaching. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with academics, who will present a problem and demonstrate how their research may provide a solution. This will allow you to gain in-depth knowledge of current research and developments in the field.
The Department of Biology is located on Campus West - nearly all of your teaching will take place within the Department. The majority of departments, colleges and facilities are based nearby.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including:
This programme gives you a thorough grounding in research bioinformatics that will enable you to pursue a bioscience PhD with a computational component or a range of other specialist career paths within industry. Around half of our students will pursue further study, while the other half go into industry.
You will develop the following transferable skills:
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in bioscience. We also consider applicants who have substantial industry experience. If you have completed an integrated Masters, this course is not suitable for you. |
| International pre-masters programme | Pre-masters from our International Pathway College |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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