About Bioinformatics Msc/pgdip/pgcert in University of Glasgow

The Masters in Bioinformatics is an exciting and innovative programme that has been updated for 2021/22. Bioinformatics is a discipline at the interface between biology, computing and statistics and is used in organismal biology, molecular biology and biomedicine. This programme focuses on using computers to glean new insights from DNA, RNA and protein sequence data and related data at the molecular level through data storage, mining, analysis and graphical presentation - all of which form a core part of modern biology

• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement
• Equips you with understanding and hands-on experience of both computing and biological research practices relating to bioinformatics and functional genomics.
• Benefit from being taught by scientists at the cutting edge of their field with intensive, hands-on experience in an active research lab during the summer research project.
• Based in the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, which has carried out internationally-leading research in functional genomics and systems biology. It’s an ideal environment in which to train.
• Emphasis is placed on understanding core principles in practical bioinformatics and functional genomics, then implementing that understanding in a series of practical elective courses in semester 2 and a summer research project.
• Gain practical experience of working with large molecular datasets, with semester 2 courses built around real research scenarios, enabling you to see why each scenario uses the particular approaches it does and how to go about organising and implementing appropriate analysis pipelines.
• Advanced biocomputing skills are now deemed essential for many PhD studentships/projects in molecular bioscience and biomedicine, and are of increasing importance for many other such projects. We have also updated the programme to cater more readily for those interested in preparing for life sciences PhD projects.
• We welcome many students pursuing a career in Bioinformatics and several alumni now have careers in the field.
• Learn computer programming in Python, a language used in many areas of bioinformatics and biological computing
• Some of the teaching and research scenarios you’ll be exposed to reflect the activities of 'Glasgow Polyomics', a world-class omics facility set up within the university in 2012 to provide research services using microarray, proteomics, metabolomics and next-generation DNA sequencing technologies.
• Scientists here have pioneered the 'polyomics' approach, in which new insights come from the integration of data across different omics levels. Courses run by GP staff also provide a glimpse of 'systems biology' thinking - we see this as an important approach to the analysis of biological problems.
• We have several world-renowned research centres at the University, such as the Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research and the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, whose scientists do ground-breaking research employing bioinformatic approaches in the study of disease.

Normally an upper second-class Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Professional experience may be taken into account. Applicants with a lower second-class Honours degree in a relevant subject will be considered on a case by case basis.

Relevant degree subjects are

• all biology degrees with a substantial molecular biology or genetics component.
• other biology degrees with at least some molecular biology.
• computing science, software engineering or IT.
• mathematics or statistics (with evidence of experience in computer programming).
• other physical sciences subjects with either evidence of experience in computer programming or evidence of a strong background in molecular biology.

For all other degree backgrounds, please consult the programme director for advice before applying.

You do not need to have previous experience in computer programming, but you should be numerate as part of the programme is spent learning programming and many of the courses involve statistical analysis. We may admit you if your background is outside molecular biology and we are confident that you can develop your understanding of the biology background in a timely manner.

If you have a degree in a molecular bioscience and want to specialise or enhance your skills in biological computing, this programme is designed for you.

If your background is in a non-molecular life science or in another discipline such as computing science, please apply anyway, or enquire (see the contact listed above), as we do often take students with other backgrounds.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

• 6.5 with no sub-test under 6.0. 
• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:

TOEFL (ib, my best or athome)

• 90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23. 
• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.

PTE (Academic)

• 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.
• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.

University of Glasgow Highlights

University of Glasgow Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance will also include any additional costs a foreign student may have, such as living expenses while studying in the UK in addition to tuition fees.

University of Glasgow Fees

Tuition fees for some of the popular programs are as follows:

Cost of Living at University of Glasgow

Other costs involved include rent or on-campus accommodation fees, expenses on books and material, and other lifestyle choices