MRes Bioscience and Social Justice

Bioscience

School of Health Sport and Bioscience

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Bioscience

School of Health Sport and Bioscience

Start dates

September 2026

Attendance

Full time 1 year, part time 2 years

Learning mode

Hybrid

Course Summary 

Have you ever wanted to become a different type of bio-scientist with a greater understanding of wider societal issues? Begin your career in bioscience with this uniquely structured MRes that brings together specialist research training in the biosciences. There is an additional element of research advocacy training. This will enable you to use your scientific research knowledge and skills for social justice. 

The MRes in Bioscience and Social Justice will provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of current research in the field of bioscience. This will include developing your skills in experimental design and data analysis. With our unique Research Advocacy and Social Justice core module, you will learn how to take your research to the next level. You will explore how your research can address pressing global challenges within the field of bioscience. 

This MRes in Bioscience and Social Justice is specifically targeted at global majority students (individuals from African, South Asian, South American and other non-white backgrounds) who are interested in postgraduate research study and pursuing a research career. Ultimately, we will accept any students from a disadvantaged background.

The MRes in Social Justice is part of the Social Transformation and Advocacy through Research project (STAR), which aims to increase the participation of global majority individuals in postgraduate research.

Please get in touch with the Research Degree Leader before applying. For the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience it's Professor Winston Morgan.

Further information about applying for postgraduate research courses.

Apply full time
Apply part time

Entry requirements

  • A university 2:1 degree or equivalent qualification.

What makes this course different

  • Learn how to combine cutting-edge bioscience research with critical social justice perspectives to tackle complex global challenges

  • Position yourself for careers at the intersection of bioscience and social advocacy such as roles in global health, policy making and biotechnology.

  • Work with world class researchers in the bio and social sciences.

Download Course Specification

How you'll learn

The course offers blended learning opportunities with online and offline sessions.

  • Master classes with high-profile influencers from the broader research landscape
  • Guest speakers reflecting on the political and cultural significance of creating an anti-racist research community
  • One-to-one career planning 
  • An opportunity to contribute to an outreach programme building awareness of the potential real-world impact of research careers with undergraduate cohorts.

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled classes, you will be expected to pursue your learning independently through self-directed study, including through guided reading, construction of research briefings, planning social media and mainstream media campaigns, and review reports.

Academic support

Our academic support team is there to support you in every aspect of your course, from training in advanced academic writing to support with your wellbeing, assessments and support for additional needs.

Dedicated personal tutor

You will be assigned an academic adviser who will be your point of contact throughout the programme.

Workload 

As a full-time research student, the MRes in Bioscience and Social Justice demands considerable independent study and research, amounting to around 1600 hours. Much of your timetable will be shaped by your own bioscience research project. You will be required to attend a four-hour core module session each week in terms one, two and three. In addition, you will have regular meetings and workshops with tutors and your research supervisor. Timetables for part-time students will reflect modules selected in each year. Modules will take place sometime between the hours of 9am - 6pm.

Your timetable

Across the programme, you will spend around 135 hours of scheduled contact time with an academic member of staff. This will include lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary for each module.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 20 students a year. Some activities such as lectures will include the whole cohort of students, in addition to one-to-one supervision for research project work.

What you'll learn

The MRes in Bioscience and Social Justice is a cross-disciplinary course.

  • It embeds research advocacy in research training, developing tools to navigate and challenge racist and exclusionary institutions. 

  • You will develop a broad-ranging understanding of the histories and impacts of racism and inequality through a collective reading group. 

  • Gain specialist research training relevant to bioscience. 

  • Carry out an independent research project addressing a real-world problem.

How you'll be assessed

The approximate percentages for this course are:

  • 100% coursework

This will include briefings, social media campaigns, research overviews, and original research projects.

You will receive detailed feedback on coursework, including one-to-one meetings to discuss drafts and identify strengths and areas for improvement.

We aim to provide feedback on coursework within 20 working days.

Fees and funding

September 2026

  • UK Full Time - £6,500
  • UK Part-Time - £3,250
  • International Full-Time - £17,400

UEL offers a number of partial and complete fee waivers for this programme. Waivers will be allocated on a competitive basis.

Modules

Core:

  • SY7014 - Research Advocacy and Social Justice (30 credits)
  • SY7015 - Research Advocacy through a Research Project (120 credits)
  • BS7500 - Essential Postgraduate (Bioscience) Research Skills (30 credits)

Your future career

The MRes Bioscience and Social Justice will provide you with the training you need for a career in the increasingly competitive environment of scientific research. You will have the additional benefit of learning how to use research advocacy to enhance your career. This will help you learn how to connect your research to real-world issues to shape the direction of your field. 

This course has been specially designed with the Researcher Development Framework in mind to provide you with all the knowledge and techniques required to carry out independent research. This will prepare you for your future career or further studies such as an MPhil or PhD. You will develop an enhanced critical judgement and learn how to collaborate with other researchers to ensure your research has a wider impact.

winston Morgan 2- HSB
The course will create scientists not only with a social conscience but with the means to do something about it."

Professor Winston Morgan

MRes in Bioscience and Social Justice

Who teaches on this course

  • Prof Winston Morgan

    Winston is a researcher in Toxicology and Clinical Biochemistry. He teaches on courses in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Biochemical Science and more.

  • Dr Oliver Keenan

    Oliver is a lecturer to students on the MRes in Social Research and Social Justice programme. He is currently a research assistant and quantitative research lead at ICC’s Evaluation Unit.

  • Dr Darren Sharpe

    Darren is an Associate Professor based at the Institute for Connected Communities (ICC) and is also a UCLP Researcher-in-Residence.

What we're researching

Students will be attached to one of our active research groups. The Medicines Research Group has grown significantly over the years with multidisciplinary research expertise in drug discovery and development, chemistry, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, microbiology and biopharmaceuticals. The group has developed strong collaborative links with many universities and research institutes within the UK and also internationally in China, India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria and Ghana. In collaboration with our partners, we regularly host research meetings and symposiums and also have organised several international research workshops.

The Infection and Immunity Research Group provides a forum supporting a broad range of related research areas recognised both nationally and internationally. This in turn has resulted in several fruitful collaborative links with prestigious institutions around the globe. Through working as a research-oriented group, we provide a scientifically stimulating environment to enhance and benefit the experience of our postgraduate research students.

Our focus is primarily elucidation of the mechanisms that underpin the development of the immune system and the function of the immune response at both cellular and acellular levels. Investigation of potential virulence factors and other mechanisms utilised by pathogens compared to their less virulent environmental counterparts. Assessment of interactions between host and pathogens that might influence clinical consequences or likelihood of infection.

The Course Leader, Dr Darren Sharpe, has an international reputation in the study of structural and health inequalities and research that brings the voices of marginalised communities to the centre in order to inform, interpret and influence research, policy and practice.