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    Master of Science (BioSciences)
    Go to University of Melbourne
    University of Melbourne

    Master of Science (BioSciences)

    University of Melbourne

    University of Melbourne

    flag

    Australia, Melbourne

    University RankQS Ranking
    13

    Key Facts

    Program Level

    Master by Course Work

    Study Type

    Full Time

    Delivery

    On Campus

    Course Code

    094593C

    Application Fee

    AUD 154 

    Campuses

    Parkville

    Program Language

    English

    Start & Deadlines

    Next Intake DeadlinesJuly-2026
    Apply to this program

    Go to the official application for the university

    Duration 2 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    AUD 56,000  / year
    Next Intake July-2026

    Master of Science (BioSciences)

    About

    Overview

    Breed zoology with plant science and cross-pollinate with genetics and you've produced the Master of Science (BioSciences).

    This uniquely collaborative course is yours to personalise. Select your area of specialisation and pair it with a choice of professional skill-building subjects.

    The defining feature of the course is a major research project in your study area. You'll be supervised by one of our renowned researchers, who work on everything from sensory ecology to aquaculture technology and plant pathology.

    Be research-ready

    Your research experience might inspire you to continue to a PhD, or you can put your analytical and communication skills to use in the global workforce, alongside many of our alumni.

    A course tailored for you

    You can choose to focus on any of our bioscience disciplines: ecology, evolution, environmental science, genetics, genomics, development, or plant science.

    You'll then complement your discipline-specific subject choices and research project with professional skills subjects.

    Develop your skills with real-world problems

    You’ll leave the course with a major research project to feature in your CV. In the research project, you’ll develop and apply scientific tools to real-world problems, in a lab, out in the field, or on a computer, working in the research team of one of our academics.

    If you’d like to gain even more real-world experience, you can choose to complete an internship in a science or technology-related workplace for course credit.

    More than just technical skills

    We know that soft skills are important too, which is why we include a subject on scientific communication, to ensure you can speak and write effectively about your research.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Admission criteria

    To be considered for entry into this course, you must have an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a directly related discipline with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65% (or equivalent) in the best 50 points of appropriate discipline studies at third year.

    Disciplines relevant to this course include biomedicine, computational biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental science, genetics, physiology, plant science, veterinary science or zoology.

    Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

    Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

    You can use our graduate coursework grade conversion eligibility calculator to get an indication of whether you are eligible for this course based on your previous studies and Weighted Average Mark (WAM).

    Calculate your eligibility

    English language requirements

    All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

    • English language test score requirements
    • If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

      IELTS

      6.5


      with no band less than 6.0

      TOEFL

      79+


      with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

      PEARSON

      64+


      with no communicative skill below 60

      CAMBRIDGE

      176+


      with no skill less than 169
      *Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

    About selection

    When assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider your previous studies and academic performance.

    The Selection Committee may request additional information to clarify any aspect of an application, according to the University’s Academic Board rules regarding selection instruments.

    Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

    Entry into the Master of Science (Biosciences) is subject to the capacity of the relevant school to provide adequate supervision in the research project.

    You must contact a supervisor for the research project before applying and submit the Supervisor Form as part of the online application.

    How to find a supervisor:

    Find out more about our academic staff members and their areas of research on our Supervisor and Project Directory. Read more about finding a supervisor and project. Contact the academics directly to discuss supervision.

    English Program Requirements

    All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

  • English language test score requirements
  • If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

    IELTS

    6.5


    with no band less than 6.0

    TOEFL

    79+


    with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

    PEARSON

    64+


    with no communicative skill below 60

    CAMBRIDGE

    176+


    with no skill less than 169
    *Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.
  • Career

    Career outcomes

    Our graduates go on to work as: bioinformaticians, biotechnologists, ecologists, environmental scientists, food scientists, geneticists, marine biologists, medical researchers, plant breeders, policy analysts, research technicians, school teachers, and zoologists.

    Employers in this field include:

    • Medical research institutes such as WEHI
    • Government organisations, such as the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Museums Victoria
    • Research hospitals such as the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
    • Companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific
    • Universities and public research institutions such as the CSIRO.

    Technical and professional skills

    On graduating from the course you’ll have high level research skills in your specialist area.

    Additionally, you’ll have strong professional skills in:

    • Critical thinking and problem-solving
    • Research planning, literature reviews and ethical considerations
    • Scientific communication, both written and oral
    • Time management.

    Further study

    At the end of the course, you’ll be well-placed to undertake a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

    • Software Developer

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee

    AUD 56,000 

    Application Fee

    AUD 154 
    University of Melbourne

    Master of Science (BioSciences)

    University of Melbourne

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    Australia,

    Melbourne

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