Two researchers in lab coats holding petri dishes in a lab

Biology

Discover your research degree options, including areas of expertise for our academic supervisors.

Why you should join us

Our research degrees will help you advance or change your career, deepen your expertise, and expand your research and practical skills.

Work with leading experts

We ranked 5th for real-world impact in the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), with 100% of our research impact ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Choose from our flexible pathways

You can study full- or part-time, so our degrees fit your circumstances.

Use our outstanding facilities

A genomic suite, marine and freshwater aquaria, plant growth, earth observation drones and software, and state-of-the-art analytical facilities.

Develop your personal and professional skills

We provide a comprehensive development programme for research students to learn transferable skills for careers in academia and industry.

Make real-world impact

Our graduates' careers include academia, research, companies and charities.

Network with practitioners and industry

We work with Chester Zoo, Defra, Natural England and the Canal and River Trust, as well as international collaborators such as the Kenyan Wildlife Service.

Our research areas

Discover our areas of expertise and browse our experts. We encourage you to discuss your research ideas with us – even if your topic is not listed.

  • Animal behaviour
  • Animal anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology
  • Applied microbiology and biotechnology
  • Biogeomorphology - the interaction between plants, animals and river sediments
  • Conservation biology
  • Ecological and population genetics
  • Ecology
  • Ecosystem services
  • GIS and remote sensing
  • Microbial ecology of aquatic, terrestrial and host environments
  • Ornithology
  • Palaeoecology and evolution
  • Restoration ecology

For biomedical and life sciences topics, visit bioscience research degrees.

Research with real-world impact

Discover our five research missions.

Go to research missions
Researcher tightening bolts inside a test chamber

Qualifications you can study

Choose from one of these programmes:

  • PhD — three years full-time, six years part-time
  • Masters by Research — one year full-time, two years part-time
  • MPhil — 18 months full-time, three years part-time

Find out about the research degrees we offer.

Start dates

Most of our students enrol in October. You can also join us in January and April.

Application information

Entry Requirements

To apply, you’ll need a first or 2.1 honours degree, or an equivalent qualification.

International students must have strong English language skills.

We welcome applicants from non-standard backgrounds. We’ll take subject knowledge, professional experience, publications, or other relevant achievements into consideration.

Find out more about our standard entry requirements.

How to apply for a research degree

Discover the key steps in the application process.

Go to application guidance

Scholarships, fees and funding

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Scholarships

Discover financial support available to help with study costs.

Go to scholarships

Postgraduate research fees

What will your research degree cost?

Go to fees

Postgraduate research funding

Find out how to fund your research degree.

Go to funding

Speak to us

Contact us

About this subject

For an initial discussion, contact Dr Emma Coulthard, our Doctoral College departmental lead, at e.coulthard@mmu.ac.uk

General admissions

For further information on the application process, contact the admissions team at pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk