Systems and Synthetic Biology MSc

On the Systems and Synthetic Biology MSc your study will focus on one of the newer areas of biology: the application of engineering principles to the understanding, control, and design of biological networks. This approach promises solutions to some of today’s most pressing challenges in environmental protection, human health, and energy production.

In systems biology, we use computational modelling twinned with experimental research to understand how biomolecular networks can generate such diverse behaviour as the swimming of a bacterium, to the development of a person from a single egg.

Synthetic biology combines systems biology with engineering principles to design and build new biomolecular networks with goals ranging from modifying microbes to digest industrial waste, to creating artificial life.

Is this MSc for me?

Our MSc offers training that reflects the diversity of systems and synthetic biology, from experimental lab work to stochastic simulations of biological circuits to the social implications of designed cells. We will provide you with a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and biotechnological tools used in systems and synthetic biology, with applications ranging from understanding genome-wide data to designing and synthesising intracellular logic gates.

Often the highlight is the three-month research project, which is typically carried out in a world-leading laboratory at the University’s Centre for Engineering Biology. Your research can be computationally or experimentally based, or both, in either systems or synthetic biology, and focused on bacteria, yeast, algae, plants, or mammalian cells and tissues.

In the School of Biological Sciences, we offer multi-disciplinary opportunities, and you are able to tailor your degree to suit your background and area of interest, selecting courses from across biology, as well as in physics, mathematics, and computer science.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with a strong background in one or more of the following areas: bioinformatics, computer sciences and modelling, molecular biology and related sciences, engineering or biotechnology.

We may also consider your application if you have a background in physics or mathematics.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

The programme is designed to prepare you both for a competitive PhD programme and to enter the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries.

Our Careers Service will support you throughout your time studying with us and for two years after your course finishes. They can provide:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internship and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

• Take a look at some of our alumni profiles