uk phd bioinformatics

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Course type

Qualification, university name, phd bioinformatics in england.

8 degrees at 7 universities in England.

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Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

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Molecular Biosciences (Bioinformatics) Integrated PhD

University of bath.

This is a specialised PhD Programme that follows an agreed research training model in bioinformatics. Students will develop an Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £13,400 per year (UK)

University of Essex

Our PhD Bioinformatics research in the Department of Mathematical Sciences focuses on the analysis of large functional genomics datasets. Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree
• 7 years Part time degree

Computational Biology - PhD

University of kent.

Research in the School of Biosciences revolves around understanding systems and processes in the living cell. It has a strong molecular Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Bioinformatics PhD

University of west london.

Our bioinformatics doctoral research prepares our graduates as high calibre scientist with expertise in bioinformatics. Our doctoral Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £3,995 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,000 per year (UK)

Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology PhD

University of liverpool.

The Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, the oldest in Europe, has been a beacon of excellence for teaching and research Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

University of Manchester

Programme description Our PhD/MPhil Bioinformatics programme enables you to undertake a research project that offers training in Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)

Bioinformatics (Research) MPhil/PhD

King's college london, university of london.

Bioinformatics is the application of computational methods in the representation and analysis of biological data. The availability of Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,540 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £3,270 per year (UK)

PhD Synthetic and Systems Biology

Programme description The first-of-its-kind dual award PhD programme in Synthetic and Systems Biology brings together two Read more...

• 48 months Full time degree

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• Full time PhD
• Part time PhD

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Bioinformatics PhD

Course detail, entry requirements.

• Fees & funding
• Study & career progression

Our bioinformatics doctoral research prepares our graduates as high-calibre scientists with expertise in bioinformatics.

Our doctoral training in bioinformatics offers the opportunity to analyse biological data including DNA sequence fragments through high-performance computing to bring to light novel and previously unknown mechanisms in human, animal and plant health.

We invite applications for doctoral research in various bioinformatics topic areas, including:

• precision medicine
• pharmacogenomics
• drugs target discovery
• epigenetics
• metabolomics
• metagenomics
• transcriptomics
• protein structure predictions
• RNA Biology
• multi-omics
• cardiovascular genomics
• human reproduction and pregnancy genomics
• Automatic disease recognition (ADR)
• AI manipulation of health and industrial big data,
• application of machine learning for prediction analysis,
• disease modelling for human, animal or plant health
• early disease prediction
• rare and Common Variant analysis
• clinical bioinformatics

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Bioinformatics with us?

What our students say…

The staff members that I encountered were warm, welcoming and supportive of my studies. The relatively small size of the University’s postgraduate school created a close family/communal environment for both staff and students. This provided a good support system as I could quickly grow acquainted with the postgraduate team and other Doctoral research candidates.

World-leading Research

The University of West London has been recognised by the Government's Research Excellence Framework (REF) for its exceptional research work.

Research Centres

We have seven Research Centres, staffed by experts with an enviable record of publications, conferences, media and public engagement work.

PhD Bioinformatics is offered by our School of Biomedical Science .

Genomes, biomes and microbiomes investigations are revolutionising the way we think about healthcare, agriculture, animal and plant breeding. It is providing us with a far more detailed understanding of what causes illness and infectious disease, and it underpins the development of new interventions that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago.

Over the next 10 years the UK government intends to create the most advanced genomic healthcare system in the world, underpinned by the latest scientific advances, to deliver better health outcomes at lower cost.

This ambition has placed a demand for high calibre scientist, with expertise in bioinformatics, trained to lead discoveries and innovations in health and industry using complex biology, statistics and computing.

With academic staff with extensive professional experience, we provide a stimulating and supportive environment where you will benefit from: 

• peer feedback and discussion   
• a series of master-classes and lectures from industry figures   
• support by a supervisor and second supervisor suited to your project. 

About PhD study

This course is available for you to study either on a full-time or part-time basis and you have the flexibility to switch should you need to.

A PhD is founded on independent research.  You will undertake a systematic and in-depth exploration of your chosen topic to produce a substantial body of knowledge and make an original and important contribution to the subject area.  

The support provided by your supervisory team will be vital to your student experience and scholarly advancement.  You and your supervisors will have regular one-to-one meetings which will provide you with opportunities to develop your research topic and discuss your progress.

School of Biomedical Science's Research Group

Our outstanding research encompasses the Computational and Translational Medicine research group .

The group aims to better the understanding of the fundamentals of biomedical and data science.

Find out more about our Research Centres and Research Groups .

Based in the heart of Ealing, west London, you can make use of the excellent transport links to travel to the the capital or further afield - ideal for attending research meetings and networking events.

Got a question?

If you would like guidance or more information about studying for a research degree, you can contact  Obed Brew .

To enable you to enhance your professional profile, we support you throughout your research degree by:

• providing research seminars
• organising doctoral events and activities
• facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities
• encouraging and supporting publication and dissemination of your research
• offering opportunities to gain teaching expertise and experience.

We provide structured research training, expert supervision, and an environment where you can discuss your research with other PhD students and researchers.

We run seminars in research methods from the Graduate Centre, as well as an ongoing series of events and activities organised by Schools and Colleges. Specialist help with academic English for students for whom English is not their first language is available.

The Paul Hamlyn Library

The Paul Hamlyn Library provides an extensive range of books, journals and digital resources, PC and Mac workstations and a variety of study spaces. Find out more about what the  Paul Hamlyn Library has to offer .

Rami Ranger House (Postgraduate Student Centre)

Postgraduate and International Student Centre is a new focal point for the university’s postgraduate and international students, providing dedicated space for social and learning interaction.

This building, which is three storeys high, offers spaces for collaborative working, socialising, supervision and mentoring on the ground floor. The first floor has work spaces for the postgraduate support teams to use while the second floor provides guest accommodation for visiting scholars.

We contribute to national and international initiatives and promote collaboration and networking opportunities. We also encourage and support you to publish and disseminate your research in academic journals and via presenting papers at conferences.

We run an annual conference for doctoral students, where you are encouraged to present a paper about your research. As well as being an opportunity to discuss your work with other students, the conference is a chance to gain valuable experience in presenting your research and participating in open discussions with academic peers.

You will also find other opportunities such as postgraduate student seminars and forums within your specific subject area.

Once you start a PhD course at UWL, you become part of our research community. You will have access to a postgraduate common room, located at our Ealing campus on St Mary’s Road, where you will meet fellow researchers from other subject disciplines offering scope for collaborations or simply to discuss ideas, allowing you to be part of a vibrant research environment.

• Requirements: UK
• Requirements: International

The minimum entry requirements for a research degree are:

• a good first degree (First Class or Upper Second Class), or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• a Masters Degree (MA, MSc, MBA or MRes) with Merit, or equivalent postgraduate or research experience.

We look for students with:

• a passion for their chosen subject.

You will also have a well thought through and persuasive proposal.

• Competence in written and spoken English is a pre-requisite for entrance to this programme. An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 (with no element under 6.0).

Fees & funding

• Funding: UK
• Funding: International

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

Funding for postgraduate students usually comes from one or more of a range of key sources:

• research councils
• charities and trust funds, including those funded by the UK government
• higher Education institutions
• overseas governments (international students only)
• professional and career development loans
• self-funding (including family funds).

Find out more about funding opportunities. Examples of most of these types of funding are included on the postgraduate studentships website , (with the exception of funding you may be able to obtain from your employer and self-funding).

Bursaries and scholarships

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. See our PhD scholarships , scholarships and bursaries .

For any overseas students, your first port of call should be grant-awarding bodies in your own country (eg The Ministry / Department of Education) and your local (or nearest) office of the British Council.

The British Council manage a small number of international studentship grants in some countries and should be able to tell you what other awards may be available to you - they also produce the Sources of funding for international students guide.

Supervisors

Dr obed brew.

Professor Richard Morgan

Dr Bernadine Idowu

Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan

Professor Shanyu Tang

Professor Massoud Zolgharni

Study & career progression

We will prepare you for a wide range of careers in healthcare, biotech industry, teaching and research – whether you want to work in the NHS, in academia, medical research laboratories, pharmaceutical research, the food industry, as a private therapist, in health education and public health or areas such as international aid and development.

Studying for a PhD enables you to develop an area of specialism that will give you an edge whether you are planning to work within the field of law or to develop expertise to teach in academia.

During your PhD, you will also be learning transferable core skills that apply to jobs both in and out of academia, including:

• written and oral communication
• research and information management
• public speaking   
• project management
• critical Thinking
• collaboration
• analysis and problem-solving
• conflict resolution
• negotiation.

By the end of your research degree you will be able to articulately apply these skills to enhance your career path.

How to apply

• How to apply: UK
• How to apply: International

To apply for one of our research courses, click the green 'apply now' link shown below to complete an online application form. You will need to attach the following documentation to your online application form:

• research proposal outline (5000 words maximum)
• transcript of your highest qualification.

The research proposal outline, or statement of research interests, enables us to assess your suitability for higher degree work including:

• viability of the topic as a research study
• the most appropriate supervisor(s) to be appointed.

Click here  for more information on applying for a PhD.

Apply for this course

Next steps after making your application.

We aim to make a decision on your application as quickly as we can. If we need any more information about your qualifications, we will be in touch.

In the meantime, come and visit us and find out more about what studying at UWL is like. Sign up for an  open day  or join a campus tour .

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Any questions about a course or studying at UWL? We're here to help - call us on 0800 036 8888 (option 2, Monday – Friday 10am-4pm) or email us on [email protected].

To apply for one of our research courses, click the green 'apply now' link shown below to complete an online application form.  You will need to attach the following documentation to your online application form:

• research proposal outline

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PhD Bioinformatics

• Ask a question
• Get a prospectus

Entry requirements

Fees and funding.

• What's next?

Our PhD Bioinformatics research in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science focuses on the analysis of large functional genomics datasets. It involves close collaborations between our students and academics with backgrounds in any of: bioinformatics, biological sciences, computer science, mathematics, physics and statistics.

Our staff are strongly committed to research and teaching. They are world leaders in their individual specialisms, with their papers appearing in learned journals such as; Briefings in Bioinformatics, PLoS One, BMC Bioinformatics , and Briefings in Functional Genomics .

Our School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science is genuinely innovative and student-focused. Our research groups are working on a broad range of collaborative areas tackling real-world issues. Here are a few examples:

We also offer part-time research study.

• You will be able to access mathematical software packages on the University's High-Performance Computing cluster.
• Our School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science has an internationally excellent reputation in areas such as algebraic geometry, group theory, semigroup theory, differential equations, optimisation, probability, applied statistics, bioinformatics and mathematical biology.
• Our School is ranked 31st for research power in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Our expert staff

If you are undertaking your research within our School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, then joint supervision across other Essex departments and schools (particularly with our School of Life Sciences, and with our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering) is possible. Some of our current students have a supervisor based in our School and another in one of the departments or schools mentioned above.

We encourage PhD students to meet with their supervisor regularly. While undertaking your research within Mathematical Sciences, joint supervision across other Essex departments and schools is possible. Joint supervision allows you to have a supervisor based in our School and another in a relevant Department or School (such as Biological Sciences, or Computer Science and Electronic Engineering).

At the end of your PhD you may be publishing your research in academic journals. Our PhD students have had papers accepted and published in journals such as: Ecology, Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, Mathematical Modelling of Natural Phenomena , and The North American Journal of Economics and Finance .

Specialist facilities

The School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science is based in the University's state-of-the-art STEM Centre. Research students have a dedicated work space and PCs, with access to software such as MATLAB, Gap, SageMath, Python and R.

All University of Essex research students have access to our innovative and unique scheme, Proficio . Postgraduate research students are automatically enrolled on Proficio, which provides a variety of training courses, and a fund of up to £2,500 per student for conference attendance and relevant external training courses.

Your future

Many of our former PhD students have gone on to work as academics in prominent institutions across the world, such as the University of Cambridge, University of Nottingham and many other international universities. Some have also remained at the University of Essex, working as postdoctoral research fellows, research impact officers, or lecturers.

Other graduates have joined organisations like the Met Office, the Ministry of Defence, and companies based in the City of London. There is a high demand for those with a numerate background in all sectors of the economy, so our graduates are sought after in the UK and abroad.

UK entry requirements

You will need a good honours degree and a Masters degree in a relevant subject. A well-developed research proposal is also essential.

You may be required to attend an interview/Skype interview for acceptance, and acceptance is subject to research expertise in the department.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

Course structure.

A research degree gives you the chance to investigate an area or topic in real depth, and develop transferable research skills. During your time in the School you have opportunities to attend conferences, publish papers, and give talks at departmental research seminars. You may also attend some university modules, and will meet with your supervisor typically on a weekly basis.

Within our School, our PhD students are usually encouraged to take our taught module, Research Methods, in the first year of study, so you are well equipped with the necessary skills to undertake effective research. You may also attend some other modules on an informal basis.

All our students wishing to study for a PhD enrol on a combined MPhil/PhD pathway. In your second year of study, depending on progress, a decision is made by our School on whether to proceed with either an MPhil or a PhD.

Our full-time research students have a supervisory board to review their progress every six months (or annually if studying part-time). Typically, the board involves your supervisor and one other academic. The recommendations of this are considered by our Departmental Research Students' Progress Board, which will make decisions on your registration status.

If you progress well, you should be confirmed as a PhD student in the first term of your second year of study.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

This module is for PhD students who are completing the research portions of their theses.

View Mathematics - Research on our Module Directory

A PhD (taking at least three years) typically involves wide reading round the subject area in your first year, then gradually developing original results over your second and third years, before writing them up in a coherent fashion. The resulting thesis is expected to make a significant contribution to knowledge.

Your PhD is awarded after your successful defence of your thesis in an oral examination (viva), in which you are interviewed about your research by two examiners, at least one of whom is from outside Essex.

Home/UK fee

£4,786 per year

International fee

£18,750 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

• tour our campus and accommodation
• find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more
• talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities
• meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2024 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

• Saturday 15 June 2024 - June Open Day
• Saturday 21 September 2024 - September Open Day
• Saturday 26 October 2024 - October Open Day

You can apply for this postgraduate course online . Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We encourage you to make a preliminary enquiry directly to a potential supervisor or the Graduate Administrator within your chosen Department or School. We encourage the consideration of a brief research proposal prior to the submission of a full application.

We aim to respond to applications within four weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘ how to apply ' information.

Visit Colchester Campus

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If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications . The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

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PhD/MPhil Bioinformatics / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

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Programme description

Our PhD/MPhil Bioinformatics programme enables you to undertake a research project that offers training in state-of-the-art computational approaches to study an aspect of biological and/or biomedical science.

Manchester is a leading centre for bioinformatics and computational biology, with one of the largest concentrations of academic groups in any UK higher education institute.

Biology is increasingly becoming a more digital science that generates large volumes of complex data, requiring allied informatics skills to process, analyse and store the information generated, leading to better interpretation of biological function, and potentially novel predictions. This can be used in both biology and clinical settings, for prediction of gene function in biological processes as well as in diagnostics and prognostics linked to disease.

This growth in the area has, in the main, been driven by the expansion of genomic and post-genomic technologies (e.g. next generation sequencing and allied 'omics) that generate high volumes of sequence and gene expression information, for example for the human 100,000 genomes project.

Incresingly, this can also involve spatial and temporal information such as imaging data, as well as recent developments in protein structure prediction. By integrating such data sources including evolutionary, environmental, text-mining and more, new understanding and discoveries can be made which place bioinformatics at the core of modern bioscience research.

We cover the full range of skills and expertise across an exciting portfolio of research topics, ranging from sequence analysis of nucleotides and proteins, through to integrated systems biology and mathematical modelling and machine learning.

We analyse data and generate tools linked to topics such as noncoding gene function, transcriptional networks, systems biology of cancer, antimicrobial resistance, protein folding and aggregation, quantitative proteomics and metabolomics in organisms ranging from viruses, microbes and model organisms to man. This often involves informatics approaches to help close the genotype-phenotype gap - i.e. why does varying at the genetic level lead to a particular change in phenotype, such as genetic disease. 

Bioinformatics postgraduate research students also often form part of highly collaborative and multidisciplinary teams tackling major problems in biomedical science, offering opportunities to work closely with experimental colleagues in a mutually supportive environment.

Special features

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

Teaching and learning

Applicants are specifically matched with a Primary Supervisor and individual project based on their research interests and background.

International applicants interested in this research area can also consider our PhD programme with integrated teaching certificate .

This unique programme will enable you to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning, whilst also carrying out independent research on your chosen project.

Scholarships and bursaries

Funded programmes and projects are promoted throughout the year. Funding is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. We also have other internal awards and scholarships for the most outstanding applicants from within the UK and overseas.

For more information on available the types of funding we have available, please visit the  funded programmes  and  funding opportunities  pages.

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PhD in Biological Science (EBI)

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Established in 1983, the EMBL International PhD Programme provides students with the best starting platform for a successful career in science. Characterised by first-class training, internationality, dedicated mentoring and early independence in research, it is among the world's most competitive PhD training schemes in molecular biology. All of EMBL's six outstations participate in the programme.

EMBL-EBI provides a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment in which research and service provision are closely allied. We are a world leader in bioinformatics research and service provision, as we are at the centre of global efforts to collect and disseminate biological data. We share a campus with the Wellcome Sanger Institute, 12 miles south of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. EMBL PhD students at EMBL-EBI are members of the University of Cambridge and one of its Colleges. They receive their degree from Cambridge University; the programme is coordinated in Heidelberg with local support at EBI. Please visit the EMBL International PhD Programme  pages to learn about how to apply. Please note all applicants must secure a place on the EMBL programme before submitting an application to the University of Cambridge.

EMBL PhD students receive theoretical and practical training and conduct a research project under the supervision of an EMBL faculty member, monitored by a thesis advisory committee. The duration of PhD studies is normally three-and-a-half to four years.

In Year 1 all new PhD students will attend the EMBL Predoctoral Core Course in Molecular Biology in Heidelberg; attend Primers for Predocs; undergo nomination of a thesis advisory committee to monitor student progress, and submit and defend a project proposal.

In Year 2 students will need to submit a second annual report to the thesis advisory committee, participate in the Bioinformatics course and predoc seminar day.

In Year 3 students will need to submit a third annual report to the thesis advisory committee.

In Years 3/4 students will need to write and submit their thesis:  PhD awarded following Degree Committee approval and successful completion of an oral examination.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, european bioinformatics institute, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Easter 2024 (Closed)

Michaelmas 2024, easter 2025, similar courses.

• Biological Science (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology) PhD
• Biotechnology MPhil
• Biological Sciences (Developmental Biology) by advanced study MPhil
• Medical Science (CRUK CI) MPhil
• Medical Science (Medical Genetics) MPhil

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Imperial College London Imperial College London

Latest news.

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• Postgraduate taught

Bioinformatics and Theoretical Systems Biology

Gain the skills to produce effective research in bioinformatics and theoretical systems biology

Liaise with leading biologists, mathematicians and computing specialists

Plan and execute an individual research project and become comfortable using modelling software

Course key facts

Qualification, september 2024, £15,150 home, £37,100 overseas, delivered by, department of life sciences, south kensington, minimum entry standard, 2:1 in a biological/biomedical/bioengineering, clinical or physical sciences, computational, or mathematical subject., course overview.

Build the multidisciplinary skills required to produce effective research in bioinformatics and theoretical systems biology on this Master's course. 

Taught by experts in relevant fields, you'll acquire core biological, computational and mathematics expertise through lectures, practical classes and assignments.

This course will help you enhance your research techniques, including in information and data retrieval, study design, and data analysis and statistics.

You'll also liaise with biologists, mathematicians and computing specialists to produce a series of research projects throughout the academic year.

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes .

Please note:  it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

Core modules

• Computing Project
• Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Project

You'll complete the following core modules.

This module starts with an introduction to molecular and cellular and systems biology, and is particularly aimed at students from a non biological background. It is then followed by in-depth lectures on protein annotation, genome annotation, statistical genetics, systems modelling, and machine learning.

Mathematics and Computing

The Mathematics and Computing module starts with an introduction to calculus aimed at those who did not study beyond an elementary level, or require a refresher. The course proceeds with both mathematical modelling, particularly solving differential equations and statistics. The computing language currently taught is Python.

Reinforce your programming skills and experience the creation of code in detail. This is normally undertaken as a group project and runs for about 11 weeks.

Apply your skills obtained from the course in a research environment.

You'll become part of your host laboratory within Imperial, including associated hospitals and Silwood Park.

Many of these projects contribute directly to scientific publications.

The project runs for about 22 weeks.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning methods, balance of assessment.

• Examinations and coursework
• 70% Projects
• 30% Examinations and coursework

Assessment methods

Entry requirements.

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

• Minimum academic requirement
• English language requirement
• International qualifications

2:1  in a biological/biomedical/bioengineering, clinical or physical sciences, computational, or mathematical subject.

Previous experience in computational or mathematical biology and computer programming is preferred.

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the university.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the  standard university requirement  in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the  English language requirements .

We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.

The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.

For guidance see our accepted qualifications  though please note that the standards listed are the  minimum for entry to the College , and  not specifically this Department .

If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team .

How to apply

Applications are now closed., application rounds.

We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.

Apply by midnight (UK time) on the relevant application round deadline to ensure that you receive the outcome of your application by the decision date.

We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.

• Apply by 3 November 2023
• Decision by 16 December 2023
• Apply by 19 January 2024
• Decision by 9 March 2024
• Apply by 4 April 2024
• Decision by 11 May 2024
• Apply by 24 May 2024
• Decision by 27 July 2024
• Apply by 5 July 2024
• Decision by 3 August 2024

Application fee

There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.

If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.

The fee applies per application and not per course.

• £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
• £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
• £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.

If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.

Read full details about the application fee and waiver

Application process

Find out more about  how to apply for a Master's course , including references and personal statements.

ATAS certificate (overseas candidates)

Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.

Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.

Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:

• CAH code :   CAH03-01-02
• Descriptor :   biology (non-specific)
• Supervisor name :   Professor Daniel Davis

Get guidance and  support for obtaining an ATAS certificate .

Tuition fees

Overseas fee, inflationary increases.

You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.

Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.

Find out more about our  tuition fees payment terms , including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.

Which fee you pay

Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out  how we assess your fee status .

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a  Postgraduate Master’s Loan  from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.

The government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. As a guide, the maximum value of the loan was £12,167 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023. 

The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for a bioinformatics or systems biology career.

Our graduates often pursue further study in master's programs or doctoral research.

Life sciences graduates are in demand across a wide range of industries.

These include government and industrial research, public health, and careers in business.

Further links

Contact the department.

• Email:  [email protected]

Course Director:  Professor Michael Sternberg Course Co-Director:  Dr Derek Huntley Course Administrator:  Sally Dennison

Visit the  Department of Life Sciences  website.

Request info

Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.

Events, tasters and talks

Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.

Find an event

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

• Doing a PhD in Bioinformatics

What Does a PhD in Bioinformatics Focus On?

Bioinformatics is the application of computational methods in the representation and analysis of biological data. The field of research has become increasingly popular as technological advancements in computing and greater understanding of genome sequencing and other biological metrics has revealed a wealth of potential applications.

Due to overlapping research areas, a PhD in Bioinformatics may see you work with other departments within your University, including biological science, computer science, data science , mathematics , statistics , and physics.

Some of the core areas a PhD in Bioinformatics may focus on are:

• How to store, process, analyse and interpret complex digital data.
• The use of bioinformatics to diagnose and treat diseases, for example, investigating antimicrobial resistance.
• The use of bioinformatics to better understand biological function, for example, investigation protein folding and transcriptional networks.
• Applications in molecular structure and interaction.
• Applications in agriculture, for example developing sustainable methods for food production and improving food security.

A PhD in Bioinformatics can also allow you to use a university’s facilities, industry links, and international research groups to broaden our understanding of the field and find new applications of knowledge.

Some PhDs have elective courses which are designed to further a student’s specific area of expertise in the field of bioinformatics. Courses in molecular biology, microbiology , and cell and molecular evolution are popular electives within this field of study. Students can also choose to take an elective in computer science, statistics, data science or business, depending on the focus of their research project and future career plans.

Entry Requirements for A PhD in Bioinformatics

Candidates applying for a Bioinformatics PhD degree will usually need to hold an upper second class honours bachelor’s degree or overseas equivalent. This does not need to be a bioinformatics degree, but must be a graduate degree in a related subject area, for example biology or computer science.

International graduate students are normally asked to provide evidence of their English Language ability. A number of examinations (online and in-person) are available, and the university will specify which transcripts (and minimum scores) they require. The most commonly requested certifications for prospective applicants are the IELTS and the TOEFL.

Browse PhDs in Bioinformatics

A next-generation genetic technology to identify biotechnologically-valuable enzymes and transporters, ubiquitin-dependent signalling pathways in ageing, exploring the impact of microplastic-bacterial complexes on animal health and the gut microbiome, energy dissipation in human soft tissue during impacts, micro-manufacturing of surface textures for enhanced electrosurgery, how long does it take to get a phd in bioinformatics.

A standard PhD in Bioinformatics requires 3 to 4 years of full-time study, whilst a part-time Bioinformatics course typically takes 6 to 7 years to complete. A Bioinformatics MPhil typically takes 1 to 2 years of full-time study.

Some Bioinformatics courses include additional training modules, outside the core courses, which typically cover transferable skills and prepare you for aspects of research life. These training courses can cover specialist subjects such as computational biology, machine learning biostatistics, and biomedical engineering.

Costs and Funding

The annual tuition fee for a full-time Bioinformatics PhD programme in the UK is typically around £5,500 – £6,000 for home (UK) students. Full-time tuition fees for overseas students are typically around £24,000 – £28,000 per academic year. Tuition fees for UK students studying part-time are normally around £3,000 per annum. The typical cost of a part-time PhD project for overseas students is around £13,000 per year. EU Students starting their programme in the academic year 2021/22 will pay international tuition fees.

Funding for Bioinformatics PhDs is available through UK Research Councils, charities and industry. Most universities also advertise other funding opportunities for students including internal awards and postgraduate scholarships which cover the tuition fees for Bioinformatics PhD programmes. You can also search our database of funded PhD opportunities .

PhD in Bioinformatics Career Paths and Jobs

Due to the various applications and large scope of bioinformatics, there are a number of potential career paths for bioinformatics graduates.

Many PhD in Bioinformatics careers focus on academia. A PhD in bioinformatics salary of those who become professors or lectures can be read in more detail here . You can also join interdisciplinary research groups including related subject areas such as biomedical science, computational biology, molecular biology and systems biology .

In clinical roles, you can use bioinformatics tools to make advances in oncology, genomics and genetic testing, IVF cell scanning and more. This is ideal for those who enjoy the practical application of essential bioinformatics concepts to real world biological problems.

Bioinformatics jobs require specialist knowledge, which PhD students possess. Because of this, the typical bioinformatics scientist salary in the UK is generous, with sufficient experience exceeding £40,000.

Another bioinformatics job is a software developer. Here you are responsible for developing new algorithms and managing data analytics. The salary for bioinformatics doctorates working as software developers can exceed £70,000 at the senior level. This is ideal for those whose PhD project was data oriented, for example those involving statistical genetics, computational methods or artificial intelligence .

Another popular career destination for doctoral students is within agriculture. Those with a doctoral degree in this field can use their knowledge in plant genetics to improve crop yield and reliability. The wheat industry is an example of a common employer in this field.

Other bioinformatics jobs include working as a laboratory technician . As a PhD student you will likely have laboratory experience. These professionals can work in drug development, biopharmaceutical plants, and clinical laboratories.

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

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• Postgraduate study
• Taught degree programmes A‑Z
• Bioinformatics
• Scholarships

Postgraduate taught  

Bioinformatics MSc/PgDip/PgCert

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.

• Academic contact: [email protected] 
• Teaching start: September
• Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
• MSc: 12 months full-time
• PgDip: 9 months full-time

Please note: our Online Application Form and Applicant Self Service will be unavailable between 07:30am to 11:00am (UK time) on Wednesday 8 May 2024 due to essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Why this programme

• 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.
• 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.

Funding opportunities

• Beit-Glasgow Scholarship

One year Scholarship for an MSc in developmental subjects only. The Beit-UoG Scholarship does not cover MBA, PG Diploma, PG Certificate or CPD Online distance learning programmes. 

Please see  Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships  for more details. 

• GREAT Scholarship for Science and Technology 2024- India

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, University of Glasgow is offering a scholarship to students in India applying for postgraduate courses in Science and Technology.

The scholarship offers financial support of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK.

• Southeast Asia Distinction Award

The University of Glasgow is excited to announce the new Southeast Asia Distinction Award for highly qualified students from this region. This scholarship is available to students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme on any eligible degree programme for Academic Session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

• GREAT Scholarships 2024- Greece, Nigeria, Egypt and Turkey

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, University of Glasgow is offering 4 scholarships to students in Greece, Nigeria, Egypt and Turkey applying for postgraduate courses in any subject (excluding MBA and MSc by Research courses). All eligible courses can be viewed under the 'eligible programmes' tab on this webpage. 

The scholarship offers financial support of £10,000 to students pursuing one-year postgraduate study in the UK. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

• The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship

The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship is accelerating exceptional Disabled Students through masters’ programmes into leadership positions to create change.

Do you have ambitions to change the world? Are you pioneering in your field? Are you creating change for Disabled People? Let us open some doors.

We are searching for individuals who choose to use their lived experience of disabling barriers to make a difference. To create change.

Applications open 2pm 15 January 2024.

Please see  Snowdon Trust, Investing in Disabled Students  website for more details.

• Banco de Mexico

The Mexican National Bank (Banco de Mexico) provides special loans for students who wish to undertake a programme of postgraduate study. The University of Glasgow in partnership with Bank of Mexico FIDERH is offering a fee discount to holders of a Bank of Mexico FIDERH loan. See the FIDERH website for further information.

• Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans

Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans are EU-guaranteed loans with favourable pay-back terms. They’re designed to help prospective students finance their Master’s courses in an Erasmus+ Programme country while leaving as little of a lasting economic footprint as possible.

The scheme is designed to provide postgraduate students with the means to pay their tuition and living expenses – thereby allowing individuals to focus on their degree instead of managing their bank balance. The programme aims to be as inclusive as possible, working under the following guidelines:

• No need for collateral from students or parents - ensuring equality of access
• Favourable, better-than-market interest rates
• Pay-back terms that allow graduates up to two years to find work before beginning repayment.

Please visit the  Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans website  for more information.

• PGT Excellence Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has a total of 20 PGT Excellence Scholarships available to UK students entering any of the University’s Colleges.

• Climate Leadership Scholarships

Cop26 was held in Glasgow from 31 st October – 12 th November 2021 and the University of Glasgow recognises the importance of universities in tackling the climate emergency. Glasgow is part of the newly formed  Cop26 Universities Network , a growing group of over 80 universities working together to promote a zero-carbon future. Alongside vital research being carried out by our academics, Glasgow recognises that urgent action is needed on our campuses, and we aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.  We believe that the climate emergency can only be addressed by implementing long-term sustainability policies and our Green Glasgow strategy details our action plan for the next decade.

In recognition of the vital need for action to combat the climate emergency the University of Glasgow is excited to launch our Climate Leadership Scholarships. We have 20 scholarships available to UK students entering any of our Colleges on a PGT programme which engages with the climate emergency.

As a world-changing research-led University we are committed to supporting the next generation of researchers working across disciplines to address the climate emergency.

• DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Master’s grant

The University of Glasgow will offer a full tuition waiver to those students that successfully apply and are nominated by DAAD to the University. DAAD offers a monthly stipend of EUR 1,100 (for the academic year 2024/2025) and travel bursary of EUR 250.00 as well as health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage in addition to the full tuition fee waiver from the University of Glasgow.

Wichtige Hinweise zu DAAD-Stipendien - DAAD (general info on DAAD tuition fee reimbursement)

Current list of tuition reduction / waiving offers (not including U Glasgow yet) : Stipendien für ein Masterstudium im Ausland - DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst

• Chevening Scholarship

Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential. Awards are typically for a one year Master’s degree at universities across the UK. There are over 50,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who together comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.

For further information, please refer to the  Chevening website .

• Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia

The University of Glasgow offer discounts to all successful Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia (Colfuturo) scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.

• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Schemes

Commonwealth Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are offered to citizens from low and middle income Commonwealth countries. The majority of Scholarships are funded by the UK  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO ),  with the aim of contributing to the UK’s international development aims and wider overseas interests, supporting excellence in UK higher education, and sustaining the principles of the Commonwealth.

• Vice Chancellor EU Award

The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow.  

We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the Vice Chancellor EU Award to highly qualified new incoming EU students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline for Academic Session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.  This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

Applicants that graduated from the University of Glasgow or completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow, are eligible for the Alumni discount and this can be combined with the Vice Chancellor EU Award.

• EU Welcome Award

We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the EU Welcome Award to new incoming EU students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme for Academic Session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 tuition fee discount.  This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

Applicants that graduated from the University of Glasgow or completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow, are eligible for the Alumni discount and this can be combined with the EU Welcome Award.

• University of Glasgow African Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow African Excellence Award aims to support high achieving students from across Africa in their journey to become Future World Changers.  We are looking for students who wish to undertake Masters level study, to further develop their knowledge and skills, in order to positively contribute to their community in the future.  

The University is offering up to 15 scholarships for International students from Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2024/25.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.  

• University of Glasgow African Partners Award

The University of Glasgow African Partners Awards aims to support high achieving students from across Africa in their journey to become Future World Changers.  We are looking for students who wish to undertake Masters level study, to further develop their knowledge and skills, in order to positively contribute to their community in the future.  The scholarship is exclusively for students, alumni and staff of the University partners across Africa:  African Partners List 2024 .

The University is offering up to 5 scholarships for International students from Africa, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2023/24.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.  

Applicants much hold an offer of a place for a postgraduate taught one year Masters programme for September 2024 intake (offer is not needed to apply but applicants will require an offer to be considered for interview, and should take programme application timelines into consideration as detailed on programme webpages)

• Emerging Asia Award

The University of Glasgow is proud to introduce an exciting new award designed to support students from a selection of underrepresented 'frontier and developing' Asian countries . 

The University of Glasgow is offering 8 scholarships for highly qualified international students from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Students must be starting a one-year postgraduate taught masters programme, in any discipline, for the academic session 2024/25. The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver with stipend for one year that can not be combined with any other scholarships. 

• University of Glasgow Caribbean Partners Award

The University of Glasgow Caribbean Partners Awards aims to support high achieving students from our partner The University of the West Indies in their journey to become Future World Changers.  We are looking for students who wish to undertake Masters level study, to further develop their knowledge and skills, in order to positively contribute to their community in the future.  The scholarship is exclusively for students, alumni and staff of The University of the West Indies.  

The University is offering up to 5 scholarships for students, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2024/25.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.  

Those who apply must hold an offer of a place for a postgraduate taught one year Masters programme for September 2024 intake (offer is not needed to apply but applicants will require an offer to be considered for interview, and should take programme application timelines into consideration as detailed on programme webpages);

• University of Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has several International Leadership Scholarships available to International students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline for Academic Session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fees discount.

• University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award

The University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award aims to support high achieving students from across the Caribbean in their journey to become Future World Changers.  We are looking for students who wish to undertake Masters level study, to further develop their knowledge and skills, in order to positively contribute to their community in the future.  

The University is offering up to 5 scholarships for International students from the Caribbean, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme, in any discipline for academic session 2024/25.  The scholarship is a full tuition fee waiver.  

• CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)

The University of Glasgow offers a 25% discount to all successful CONICyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.

• University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award

The University of Glasgow has 40 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to students from low and middle income countries, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline, in academic session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

• India Merit Award

The University of Glasgow is proud to announce a new India Merit award for 2024 entry to acknowledge highly qualified Indian postgraduate taught offer holders. The scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 tuition fee discount. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

• University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award (Nigeria)

The University of Glasgow has 10 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to Nigerian students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in academic session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

• CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement

CONACYT offers a non-refundable scholarship, a monthly stipend and medical insurance of an approximate total of $20,000 USD (in the case of the UK, no medical insurance grant is given since students are already covered by the National Health System) The University of Glasgow offer a 30% discount to all successful CONACyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.

• Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)

Eligible full-time and part-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £7,000 towards their course. Eligible full-time postgraduate students can apply for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500.  

This support extends to online Masters or Postgraduate Diplomas, and not to the online Postgraduate Certificate courses.

For more information visit the SAAS website .

• Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)

If you’re an English student looking to study a taught Masters programme in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan. Students from England are able to apply for a non-means tested   Postgraduate Master’s Loan  of up to £11,570   to help with course fees and living costs. You have to  repay your Postgraduate Master’s Loan  at the same time as any other student loans you have. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.

If you’re studying by distance learning, you can also apply.

• Alumni Discount

In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2024/25. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, International Summer School programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.

• Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students

If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

Postgraduate Master's Finance

If you’re starting a full-time or part-time Postgraduate Master’s course (taught or research based) from 1 August 2019, you can apply for Postgraduate Master's Finance and receive up to £17,000 as a combination of grant and loan:

• a maximum grant of £6,885 and loan of £10,115 if your household income is £18,370 and below
• a grant of £1,000 and loan of £16,000 if your household income is not taken into account or is above £59,200.

For more information visit  Student Finance Wales

Postgraduate Doctoral Loan

If you’re starting a full-time or part-time postgraduate Doctoral course (such as a PhD) from 1 August 2019 you can apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan of up to £25,700.

• Postgraduate Access Scholarship

The University of Glasgow is pleased to be offering Postgraduate Access Scholarships to support Home students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University. Applications are particularly welcomed from applicants who met any of our widening participation criteria , or equivalent, at undergraduate level. The value of each scholarship is £4,000 and they are for students undertaking a one or two year Taught Masters programme. For two year Taught Masters programmes, the scholarship is available in year one only.

• Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)

If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.

Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.

For more information visit  www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate  .

• Sanctuary Scholarships

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 20 Sanctuary Scholarships for applicants to the University, who have been forced to travel to the UK for humanitarian reasons and are facing challenges in progressing onto Higher Education. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2024/25. Please note that you must have applied to the University before submitting an application for this scholarship. The scholarship will meet the cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme, for applicants who are unable to access mainstream funding through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or Student Finance . The Sanctuary Scholarship also provides a £5,000 per year stipend, to assist with study costs. In addition, if the eligibility criteria for university accommodation is met, this will also be provided for the duration of your degree, if required. For more information on the accommodation criteria, please see the  Accommodation Services section  on the website.

Undergraduate students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs only, if successful.

Postgraduate Taught Masters students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs and a partial tuition fee waiver, to cover any shortfall not met by your Postgraduate Masters tuition fee loan.

• The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants for 2024 entry.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

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.

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College , who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.

English language requirements

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 subtests under 6.0
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

Toefl (ibt, mybest or athome).

• 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18; Writing 21
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

• 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

• 176 overall, no subtest less than 169

Oxford English Test

• Oxford ELLT 7
• R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
• W&S: OIDI level no less than 6.

Trinity College Tests

• Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

• Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

• students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country  and within the last 6 years
• students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country  and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our  enquiry form

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

• Find out more about entry requirements and other country-specific information
• International student support & visas
• This one-year masters programme is eligible for a new, streamlined visa application process: find out more

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

• A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
• A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
• Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
• One reference letter on headed paper
• Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
• Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
• A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see  how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see  Application System Help .

• Name and Date of birth:  must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
• Contact Details : Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
• Choice of course : Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
• Proposed date of entry:  Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
• Education and Qualifications : Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
• English Language Proficiency : Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
• Employment and Experience : Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference : Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

September 2024, all applicants.

As there is extremely high demand for places on this degree programme, the University has established an application process with application rounds. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants and should support applications being open for the full admission cycle.

Round 1 application dates

1 October 2023 to 1 December 2023 . You will receive our decision on your application by 29 January 2024 . Please note highly qualified applicants with, or on course for, a UK 1st or equivalent should expect to receive a decision on their application by 5 January 2024 .

Round 2 application dates

2 December 2023 to 1 February 2024 . You will receive our decision on your application by 1 April 2024 . Please note highly qualified applicants with, or on course for, a UK 1st or equivalent should expect to receive a decision on their application by 8 March 2024 .

Round 3 application dates

2 February 2024 to 1 April 2024 . You will receive our decision on your application by 20 May 2024 . Please note highly qualified applicants with, or on course for, a UK 1st or equivalent should expect to receive a decision on their application by 3 May 2024 .

Round 4 application dates

2 April 2024 to 15 May 2024 . You will receive our decision on your application by 1 July 2024 . Please note highly qualified applicants with, or on course for, a UK 1st or equivalent should expect to receive a decision on their application by 7 June 2024 .

Round 5 application dates

16 May 2024 to 1 July 2024 . You will receive our decision on your application by 4 August 2024 . Please note highly qualified applicants with, or on course for, a UK 1st or equivalent should expect to receive a decision on their application by 19 July 2024 . 

As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.

Applications received after the final deadline may be considered and any offers will be made based on remaining programme capacity.

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Infection & Immunity

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Related links.

• About postgraduate study
• How to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
• Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z
• How to apply for a postgraduate research degree
• Fees and funding

Postgraduate events

Open Days, information sessions, campus tours, events near you

Postgraduate prospectus

MSc Bioinformatics

The MSc Bioinformatics covers a diverse range of areas in bioinformatics and is suitable for students from a variety of academic backgrounds related to the life sciences (biology, biochemistry, genetics, medicine, and other biosciences). Students will learn and work together with world-leading experts.

In the age of big data, conservation biology, biodiversity, genetics, and evolutionary biology involve the study of large amounts of data that increase in volume and variety at a high speed. The use of computational tools is essential to analyse such large datasets, some of which have shaken the foundations of many scientific disciplines. The advent of these technologies is also central to many companies and the public sector and has driven the emergence of innovative start-ups. The job market for graduates proficient in bioinformatics is expanding rapidly and will keep growing.

You will learn about topics including programming, machine learning, genomics, protein structure, evolutionary biology, as well as professional and entrepreneurial skills. You will undertake a scientific research project supervised by the experts of the Faculty of Life Sciences and will leave with highly transferable skills that will help to boost your future career and employability. Moreover, you will learn how to capitalise your innovative ideas in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment.

On demand academic talks

Hear directly from an academic giving you a deeper insight into this programme.

Programme structure

The programme comprises three components: mandatory taught units (in the first term), optional units (in the second term), and a research project from Easter to September.

Please visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content.

World-leading research

The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK ( Times Higher Education ).

94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in a degrees related to life sciences (for example; biological sciences, biochemistry, zoology, ecology, bioinformatics, etc).

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree. Specific module requirements may still apply.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have a relevant postgraduate qualification. If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our  profile level B.

Further information about  English language requirements and profile levels .

Fees and funding

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support .

£540. Further information about bench fees can be found on our webpages. Confirmation of bench fees will be stated in the offer letter sent to applicants.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.  Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

Bioinformatic skills are essential for future life scientists, not only to molecular sciences, but also in fields such as climate change, biodiversity, metagenomics, or conservation. Outside academia, many sectors are also reliant on Big Data, social media analytics, and other computer-based methodologies such as artificial intelligence or deep learning. Examples in the UK are public projects including Genomics England (Department of Health and Social Care), and the Darwin Tree of Life (Wellcome Trust). Consequently, the job market for graduates proficient in bioinformatics is expanding rapidly and will keep growing.

How to apply

Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.

Overseas applicants: 24 July 2024. Home applicants: 9 August 2024.

Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2023 until all places are filled.

Faculty of Life Sciences

School of Biological Sciences

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28 Universities in the UK offering Bioinformatics degrees and courses

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Are you looking for Bioinformatics courses? Here you can find course providers offering full-time, part-time, online or distance learning options.

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University of York

THE World Ranking: 147

Queen Mary University of London

THE World Ranking: 135

University of Bristol

THE World Ranking: 81

Queen's University Belfast

THE World Ranking: 201

Teesside University, Middlesbrough

THE World Ranking: 1001

Cardiff University

THE World Ranking: 190

University of Glasgow

THE World Ranking: 87

Durham University

THE World Ranking: 174

University of Liverpool

THE World Ranking: 168

Newcastle University

University of Essex

THE World Ranking: 301

University of Leicester

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• Subject Bioinformatics

Qualification

• Destination UK
• Study options
• Annual tuition fees

Subject areas

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• NEW: Want to study in your home country for a foreign qualification? Find out more about cross-border study!

Bioinformatics MSc, PgDip

Awards: MSc, PgDip

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Bioinformatics

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Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

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Programme description

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that develops methods and software tools for understanding biological data.

As an interdisciplinary field of science, bioinformatics studies and processes biological data, combining:

• computer science
• informatics
• statistics/mathematics
• engineering

The emphasis is on leveraging aspects of these disciplines to efficiently explore biology: it is BIO-informatics after all.

The aim of the Bioinformatics MSc is to equip you with a strong background in biology, at the same time training you in the application and development of methods used to interpret the vast amounts of data generated by high-throughput 'omics' technologies, be they proteins or nucleic acids.

Is this MSc for me?

On completing this programme you will be well qualified to undertake further studies, take up bioinformatics posts in industry, or perhaps start your own bioinformatics company.

We recognise that all of our MSc Bioinformatics students come from different backgrounds, and have different interests in biology. This programme in Bioinformatics allows you to take advantage of all the advances in biology, as well as the bioinformatics tools to explore that biology.

We aim to provide you with a set of core skills that all bioinformaticians should have. By offering diverse and extensive course options, you can choose the mix of courses you want and determine the specific content of your programme.

Programme structure

There are two semesters of teaching, followed by a research project over the summer (May-July/early August).

Courses are delivered by staff who are active researchers in each field. Their expertise may be supplemented by selected guest speakers, from industry or other research organisations.

There is a mix of compulsory and recommended elective courses available. These are listed on the Degree Programme Table (DPT). Note that available courses can vary from year to year, so make sure you are looking at the correct version of the DPT for your application year. Here you will be able to see the compulsory courses for this programme, and the optional courses too.

Dissertation

The Dissertation, which you submit in late August, is the write-up for the research project you do from early May to late July/early August.

This independent research project involves doing, or applying, things that you have learnt about in the first two semesters. It is full-time and usually in person. Most students find the project to be the most enjoyable part of the degree.

How will I learn?

The teaching styles and assessment methods vary from course to course. They include:

• computer workshops
• lab demonstrations

For assessment, courses can have a combination of in-course assessments and exams.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Learning outcomes

By studying the MSc in Bioinformatics, you will:

• acquire cutting-edge knowledge about 'omics' technologies, and how best to develop and apply tools to leverage the biological data they generate
• learn that these technologies can be used in different ways to answer different biological questions, and to gain practice integrating or combining these approaches to suit the research interests

be provided with opportunities to practise talks to convey your knowledge to your classmates

• Communicating your knowledge to others is an essential skill. To help you develop these skills, our staff will provide feedback on these talks, and some may be formally assessed.

gain experience writing interactive programmes, generating reports, summarising your knowledge on a subject, and drawing conclusions from a wide range of data types

• These activities will, with practice, equip you with the necessary communication skills for whatever career pathway you have chosen.

Career opportunities

Our Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

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

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

To find out more about our Careers Service, you can visit their website:

• University of Edinburgh Careers Service

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in biological sciences. You must have a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry or related sciences and some experience of computer science and mathematics, especially if your interests include learning about the application of machine learning based tools.

We may also consider your application if you have a background in chemistry, physics, mathematics or engineering

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 at a level that 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 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

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. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

If you receive an offer of admission you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place.

• £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Any applicants who are required to pay will receive an offer with full details.

Find out more about tuition fee deposits:

• Tuition fee deposits

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

• School of Biological Sciences Taught Postgraduate Bursaries

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Programme Administrator
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5988
• Contact: [email protected]
• Biology Teaching Organisation
• School of Biological Sciences
• James Clerk Maxwell Building
• The King's Buildings Campus
• Programme: Bioinformatics
• School: Biological Sciences
• College: Science & Engineering

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

MSc Bioinformatics - 1 Year (Full-time)

Pgdip bioinformatics - 9 months (full-time), application deadlines.

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline.

We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.

If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:

• your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know, or
• your application is still being considered, will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline and we’ll be in touch once a decision is made

Selection Deadlines

• How to apply

You must submit one reference with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

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In-Depth Structure Of Bioinformatics Salary In US In 2024

• Updated on  
• May 7, 2024

A career in the industry of Bioinformatics provides a very high job security and a very strong career outlook, though the roles are competitive. The US has several opportunities in the industry and opens arms to foreign workers too. The bioinformatics graduates can work in a variety of settings in the country and the growth in the field is also very high as it is a rapidly growing industry. Let’s take an insight into the Bioinformatics salary in US.

This Blog Includes:

Average bioinformatics salary in us, bioinformatics salary in us based on level of experience, bioinformatics salary in us based on level of education, bioinformatics salary in us in different sectors, bioinformatics salary in us in different cities, bioinformatics salary in us compared to different professions.

Details about the Masters in Bioinformatics  

The average salary of a Bioinformatics scientist in the US is highly competitive and rewarding. The average yearly salary is 193,400 USD which is known to be a very good salary in the industry.

• The average highest  salary for a bioinformatics scientist is 307,400 USD per year
• The lowest average salary for a bioinformatics scientist  is 92,400 USD per year

Let’s explore the average salary monthly for a bioinformatics scientist in the US:

• The monthly salary is 16,116 USD on average
• The highest monthly salary is 25,616 USD on average
• The lowest monthly salary is  USD on average

The salary in the job of a bioinformatics scientist might differ slightly or greatly from the averages given above because the salary is majorly affected by factors like experience, education, etc.

Experience is one of the most important driving factors for the determination of the salary of individuals in all industries including bioinformatics. The employees with high experience with good knowledge of the working and practice from years are considered to be paid more. A bioinformatics scientist with 2-5 years of experience in the industry can easily earn 38% of a better salary.

Salary can not be decided without considering the education level of the employees, therefore it becomes a very important factor. Higher educated employees have a scope of earning a higher salary considering their knowledge of the subject. In the field of bioinformatics, an individual with a master’s degree educational qualification can earn a 55% higher salary package compared to a bachelor’s level of education qualification.

Similarly, employees with a PhD level qualification can expect an even higher income of about 33% higher than master’s level educational qualifications.

Here are some Jobs in USA for Indians  

There are two different sectors of work in a country, a private sector and a public sector. Both the sectors are paid salaries with a difference. Usually, it is seen that the public sector of all the countries pays a higher amount of salary in comparison to the public sector. In the US the public sector pays the employees salary 6% higher than the private sector.

In the profession of Bioinformatics, it is observed that the employees are paid different salaries in several other cities in the US. Let’s find out the highly paying cities and compare them to know which city you should choose to have a better rewarding career. The image given below contains the cities of the US and the average salary paid in them for this profession. 

By comparing the salaries of similar professions, it can be found out which profession is more rewarding. So let us compare the average pay of a bioinformatics scientist’s salary with similar professions from the same industry and see if it is a rewarding career in the matter of money. The following table lists several different professions and the average salary paid to them:

Here are some Part-time jobs in USA for students

The field of Bioinformatics is brilliant for aspiring individuals. The career scope is high and the job is looked highly upon. The stability of jobs is provided in the country along with developmental pathways. Opportunities are also numerous as the industry is continuously growing. In the matter of salary, the career is highly rewarding and competitive in nature. 

Yes, the industry faces the difference based on gender in the matter of salary. There have been several efforts made to reduce such differences and the results have got the differences to come to very low but not removed yet. The women in the industry earn around 7% lower salaries compared to men for the same work.

The pay raise or annual increment on average mostly depends upon your work and performance throughout the year and the employing company. Though the average pay raise that can be expected in the industry of bioinformatics is 8% every 12 months is 8%

This is all about the Bioinformatics salary in US. To read more such educational and informative blogs on jobs and salary-related topics, follow Jobs Abroad . To learn about studying abroad, follow Leverage Edu . Comment below for any suggestions or doubts.

Relevant Reads:

Anmol Makhija

Content Writer at Leverage Edu with expertise in Blog writing, publishing and editing. write best about Infotainment and Study abroad.

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Mechanical Engineering

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UCL MechEng PhD Philipp Schulz Advances to National Finals of Prestigious Materials Competition

Philipp Schulz, a PhD researcher at UCL Mechanical Engineering, is one of six finalists competing at the National Finals of the 2024 Young Persons’ Lecture competition next week, held by Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining.

Philipp Schulz has emerged victorious in the regional and local rounds of the prestigious 2024 Young Persons’ Lecture Competition, ran by the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3). Schulz’s success in the regional competition has propelled him to the national finals, where he will compete against five other finalists from across the country.

The 2024 Young Persons’ Lecture Competition encourages students and early-career researchers (up to the age of 28) in Materials Science and Engineering to showcase their work and engage with a wider audience. Participants are required to present a Materials Science-related topic within a time limit of 12 to 15 minutes.

The journey to the finals began at the local level, where Schulz competed against peers from various universities in the London area, including Queen Mary University of London, Imperial College London and the University of Surrey.

Philipp Schulz winning the first round of the competition, the Local round in London

His outstanding performance secured him a spot in the regional competition, where he successfully faced competitors from esteemed institutions from across southeast England and secured his position as one of six finalists. The winner of the national competition will then compete at the world competition later this summer.

“ “I am excited and honoured to have the opportunity to represent UCL and the Southeast region in the national finals,” Schulz commented. “The competition has been tough, but it’s also been a fantastic learning experience.”

Schulz’s presentation is on his PhD project titled ‘Environmental Degradation of Nickel-Base Superalloys in Hydrogen Combustion Environments.’ His research addresses the crucial need to develop materials resistant to hydrogen to achieve climate goals, such as making aviation carbon neutral.

Dr Enrique Galindo-Nava (Associate Professor in Materials Science and Engineering and Schulz’s PhD supervisor) emphasised the significance of Schulz’s achievement: “Philipp has worked tirelessly on his research project, and his success in this competition is well-deserved. It’s a testament to his dedication and the quality of his work.”

“The competition is not just about winning; it’s about showcasing the innovative research happening in our field and inspiring others to pursue careers in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering,” Dr Galindo-Nava added. Dr Galindo-Nava is the UCL representative for the London Materials Society, who organised the local round of this competition.

Philipp Schulz and other presenters at the Southeast Regional Finals

The national finals of the 2024 Young Persons’ Lecture Competition will take place on Wednesday 15 May, 5 – 9pm , at The Armourers’ Hall in London . The event is open to the public, with registration available through the IOM3 website. Attendees will also have the chance to network with researchers and industry professionals.

As Schulz prepares for the finals, he remains grateful for the support he has received from his colleagues and the opportunity to represent UCL on a national stage. “I’m proud to be part of a community that values collaboration and innovation,” he concluded.

Further Links

• 2024 Young Persons' Lecture Competition UK final (Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining website)
• Philipp Schulz's UCL Profile
• Dr Enrique Galindo-Nava's UCL Profile

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 03 May 2024

Hunger on campus: why US PhD students are fighting over food

• Laurie Udesky 0

Laurie Udesky is a freelance journalist in San Francisco, California.

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An on-campus food pantry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison helps students with insufficient money for food. Credit: M. P. King/Wisconsin State Journal/AP/Alamy

Jen Cruz’s life as a PhD student is a world away from her childhood. Although not a member of the tribe, she grew up on Yakama Indian reservation land in Wapato, Washington.

Cruz, a first-generation university student, remembers how families, including hers, would often work for local farmers or fishers in exchange for food to supplement the food stamps and free school lunches that most people on the reservation relied on to get by.

Collection: Career resources for PhD students

But once at university, Cruz found that the give and take and sense of community that had helped people to survive just didn’t exist on campus. She relied on food stamps issued by the state during her master’s degree in public health at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “I also took out loans and worked several jobs,” she says. “When the stamps ran out, I’d go to the food pantry.” These are distribution centres where people facing hunger can receive donated food, akin to food banks in other parts of the world.

Now four years into a PhD in social epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, Cruz no longer thinks of herself as food insecure — unable to count on having enough food to be active and healthy — but things are still tight in a city where the cost of living requires a single adult to earn US$62,500 annually to support themselves.

In addition to working full time on her dissertation, she does 20 hours a week as a researcher for a faculty-member colleague, and also teaches to supplement her $37,000 stipend (Harvard will be raising PhD student stipends to a minimum of $50,000 in July). She shops at a discount farmers’ market where she can buy a week’s worth of produce for $10, and she shares accommodation with two other people to minimize housing costs.

Hard evidence

A study published in February revealed that food insecurity at Harvard is not just anecdotal ( N. M. Hammad and C. W. Leung JAMA Netw. Open 7 , e2356894; 2024 ). Commissioned by the dean’s office at Harvard’s School of Public Health, the survey found that 17% of the 1,287 graduate students who responded and 13% of the 458 postdoctoral responders had experienced food insecurity — figures that were on a par with or exceeded those for the general US population (13%).

Respondents reported having to skip meals, cut down their portions and fill up on foods with little nutritional value. Some also reported feeling anxious that they wouldn’t have enough to eat. Food insecurity also correlated with respondents feeling that their housing was at risk because of difficulties with rent or mortgage payments

Widespread issue

The struggle to find enough food is a problem not just at Harvard. Food insecurity on campus is widespread in the United States and elsewhere, with one study reporting that 42% of US undergraduate students on average are unable to feed themselves what they need to stay healthy ( B. Ellison et al. Food Policy 102 , 102031; 2021 ). To lessen the struggle faced by hungry students, some 750 campuses across the United States have set up food pantries. Research is lacking on food-access issues affecting UK graduate students and postdocs, but a study of 161 UK universities found that food insecurity was “off the scales”, says developmental psychologist Greta Defeyter, who led the work, which is yet to be published. It affected 57% of first-year undergraduate and foundation-year students.

Postdocs celebrate 24% pay boost in one of the world’s most expensive cities

Food insecurity affected 20% of PhD students, “which is much higher than the UK average” of 6–10% of the general population, says Defeyter, who directs the Healthy Living Lab, a food-poverty research group based at Northumbria University in Newcastle.

A 2016 report about food insecurity at the ten campuses of the University of California (UC) system found that 25% of graduate students and 48% of undergraduates didn’t have enough to eat (see go.nature.com/49dedjx ).

“We started producing the data to go to the state and say, we have a problem and we need to do something about it,” said Suzanna Martinez, a health-behaviour epidemiologist at UC San Francisco. Martinez led the research in her previous role at the university’s Nutrition Policy Institute in Oakland, California. “Since 2016, the UC system has published updates on food insecurity and actions to address it on its campuses,” she adds. These reports can be accessed online through the university’s Basic Needs Initiative (see go.nature.com/4begaus ).

Social stigma

As well as lowering academic performance and increasing the risk of depression, food insecurity is associated with social stigma.

Gwen Chodur, now a postdoc in nutritional biology at UC Santa Cruz, was a key player in the fight for food security while a graduate student in nutrition at the UC Davis. Chodur’s monthly pay in 2016, her first year as a graduate student, was just under $1,700. A first-generation university student who hailed from ‘coal country’ in Pennsylvania, she often skipped lunch as an undergraduate at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. Despite taking on a couple of jobs while there, she says, “I was always one unanticipated expense away from not being able to finish my degree.”

When she started at UC Davis in September 2016, she explains, she didn’t get her first cheque until November, which forced her to get creative with dried beans and rice, or stock up on cans of spaghetti hoops for dinner. “It was very clear to me that higher education wasn’t designed for students like me, and that was very obvious from the first day that I set foot on campus,” she says of the deep-seated sense of impostor syndrome she felt.

PhD students face cash crisis with wages that don’t cover living costs

Chodur soon learnt that many other graduate students had similar struggles. Bolstered by this knowledge, she joined others to launch a separate food pantry, located in the Graduate Student Association office, for colleagues who felt uncomfortable going to the one on campus. “They were saying things like, ‘If I see my students there, that could undermine my authority in the classroom and it would be embarrassing,’” says Chodur.

Safyer McKenzie-Sampson spoke out about the location of the weekly free food market at UC San Francisco. McKenzie-Sampson, who was then a PhD student researching racism and adverse maternal health outcomes in Black communities, says having access to the market was helpful after spending half of her pay on rent. But a return trip to the food market took one hour from the Mission Bay campus, where she lived and worked. “There’d be a group of us with our big green bags collectively doing the walk of shame to the shuttle bus,” she says. Raising the issue repeatedly with her mentor resulted in a second food market opening at the Mission Bay Campus. “She was able to have the right conversations with the right people,” McKenzie-Sampson says.

Even so, McKenzie-Sampson still did not have enough to eat, and often had to track down free food provided at campus meetings. “I don’t know if you have heard of the example of ‘having sleep for dinner’. Well, there definitely were many nights when I had sleep for dinner,” says McKenzie-Sampson, who is now based at Stanford University in California, where she researches racism and ethnicity. She hails from Canada and, like other international students, would at that time have been ineligible for food stamps provided through the state version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Legislation introduced in California in 2021 broadened eligibility for food stamps in the state’s undergraduates. But food insecurity in graduate students rose by 14 percentage points between 2021 and 2023, after a fall of 5 percentage points between 2016 and 2021.

“At the end of the day, it’s still the dollar amount that impacts graduate students,” says Martinez, noting that their stipends are too high for them to be eligible for food stamps.

Martinez, who advises on basic necessities operations on UC campuses, also attributes the jump to cost of attendance and increases in the cost of living. She says that the 2023 Basic Needs Initiative survey on food insecurity might have been done before pay hikes for graduate students, which took effect after a long-standing and ultimately successful strike over pay and conditions ended in December 2022. According to the university’s latest report on basic necessities, between 2020 and 2023, the US consumer price index rose by 19% and food prices ratcheted up by 24%.

Meanwhile, researchers at Harvard are in the next phase of investigating food insecurity on campus, taking a deeper dive into the details of how graduate students and postdocs are weathering it and what they need. Nour Hammad, a PhD student who researches public-health nutrition and is lead author of the study, says a food pantry is planned. The research continues, she adds, “to see how food insecurity impacts academic performance, their physical and mental health, their relationships — just their whole experience”.

Until recently, Cruz was part of those efforts as leader of the Harvard Chan Alliance for Low Income and First Generation Students Organization, an advocacy group that campaigns for better food access for students in need and serves more broadly as a support system. Group chats announce where on campus students can find free food — usually leftover pizza, sandwiches and fruit from meetings.

“I would say all of us PhD students have Tupperware containers at our desks, so if there is food, we can take extra home,” says Cruz. On the day she spoke to Nature , she had scored some cooked chicken breasts: “I was like, that’s going to be my protein for the week.”

Nature 629 , 489-490 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01279-y

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