Online MSc Bioinformatics
Now is the time. Activate your future.
Advance the future of bioscience
Drive new discoveries for today’s data-driven health and life science industries by learning to extract meaningful information from complex data sets at one of the top universities for biological and computer science. Develop the skills for success in this innovative field through flexible, online modules led by expert faculty.
Make Birmingham yours
Complete the form below for detailed programme and pricing information and to be contacted by phone and email.
A top global university in biology and computer science2
This internationally focused and expertly taught bioinformatics programme offers the flexibility and convenience of an online format to tailor your learning. Enjoy eight-week modules that will grow your programming, communication and modelling skills.
Module highlights
- Applied genomics and next generation sequencing
- Computational biology for complex systems
- Health data analytics
- Statistical machine learning
Excellence in distance learning
The University of Birmingham’s online courses encourage students to elevate their ideas and reshape the world. You’ll have the freedom to study whenever and wherever it works best for you while benefitting from world-class instruction delivered by the same lecturers and faculty experts who teach on campus. Enjoy the flexibility of online learning with convenient modules that prioritise immersive activities and lively discussions. Graduate poised to step into your desired role with new knowledge and skills gained from a research-informed, career-centred programme.
Entry to the online MSc Bioinformatics
To be eligible to apply for the Online MSc Bioinformatics, you will need to have obtained (or be predicted to obtain) an upper second-class degree or postgraduate diploma from a UK university OR an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution in life sciences, biomedical sciences, mathematics, computer science or another relevant quantitative subject.
Academic entry criteria
Students who meet the following requirements are eligible for entry to the online MSc Bioinformatics. Academic entry requirements:
| Certificate/transcripts | Students must have obtained (or be predicted to obtain) an upper second-class degree or postgraduate diploma from a UK university OR an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution. |
| Additional documentation |
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| Evidence of language (if applicable) | If English is not your first language, you will also need to supply an up-to-date English language certificate. Please see the detailed language criteria listed below. |
Alternative paths to entry
Students seeking non-standard academic entry may pursue the following routes:
- The degree or equivalent qualification must be from a UK university or recognised institution in life sciences, biomedical sciences, mathematics, computer science or another relevant quantitative subject
- You must provide evidence of at least three years of relevant work experience with evidence of a technical skill set (lab work, research assistant or experience with programming) and may be asked to take a bootcamp course to demonstrate your skills
- You must also submit a personal statement uploaded in PDF format
- The degree or equivalent qualification must be from a UK university or recognised institution in life sciences, biomedical sciences, mathematics, computer science or another relevant quantitative subject
- You must provide evidence of at least five years of relevant work experience with evidence of a technical skill set (lab work, research assistant or experience with programming) and may be asked to take a bootcamp course to demonstrate your skills
- You must also submit a personal statement uploaded in PDF format
- Without a degree, you must provide evidence of at least eight years of relevant work experience with evidence of a technical skill set (lab work, research assistant or experience with programming) and have an A level in mathematics
- You will be required to take a bootcamp course to demonstrate your skills
- You must also submit a personal statement uploaded in PDF format
Earn an internationally recognised masters
At Birmingham University, we’re shaping the future of industries through pioneering research and world-class degree programmes that prepare graduates to succeed in a global community.
If English is not your first language, you will need to supply an up-to-date English language certificate. See the details below.
- Academic IELTS certificates with a score of 6.5, and no less than 6.0 in any band
- TOEFL with a score of 88, and no less than 21 in ‘Reading’, 20 in ‘Listening’, 22 in ‘Speaking’, and 21 in ‘Writing’
- Pearson PTE with a score of 67 and no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge Advanced English with a minimum overall score of 176 and no less than 169 in any component
- Language Cert ESOL SELT B2 ‘Communicator’ test certificate with a minimum score of 33 in each skill
- Trinity ISE III with a ‘Pass’ in each skill
- HKDSE with a minimum score of 4 overall, to include three bands at grade 4 and one band at grade 3
- India Standard XII with a minimum pass of 80% in ISC, CBSE, Maharashtra or 75% in West Bengal, or 85% in other state boards
You may not need to provide evidence of your English language abilities if:
- You’re from a specified majority English-speaking country
- You’ve completed a degree in English in a specified country within two years of your intended start date
If nationals from the following countries have a degree or GCSE English grade 4/C equivalent taken, then they do not need to provide a test and there is no validity period for their degree or GCSE equivalent.
Nationals of other countries can be exempt if they hold a degree from one of the below countries within the last two academic years:
- Australia
- Belize
- Botswana
- British Overseas Territories
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Antarctic Territory
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands (and Dependencies)
- South Georgia
- South Sandwich Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn
- Henderson
- Ducie and Oeno Islands
- Saint Helena (and Dependencies)
- Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Brunei
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guyana
- Republic of Ireland
- Kenya
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- United Kingdom
- United States
- West Indies
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Know your cost up-front
The estimated total cost of this programme is £17,615. You can pay in full or in instalments of £1,355 on a module-by-module basis. All costs are listed to help you make an informed decision. The fees listed above are for academic year 2024-25.
Enter an emerging, innovative field
Data is essential to most industries today, and even more important to the medical field where data-informed critical decisions are made daily. As of 2023, a professional skilled in the use of bioinformatics earns an average of £37,0003 in the UK. With an internationally recognised degree credential from the University of Birmingham, you’ll build the knowledge you need to pursue a variety of roles in this field.
- As of 2023, biostatisticians in the UK earn £42,000 per year4 on average
- On average, UK bioinformaticians earn £35,851 per year5 in 2023
- Senior data scientists working in the UK earn £60,731 per year6 on average in 2023
“Studying online with the University of Birmingham has been a transformative experience for me. Balancing work, motherhood, and education was a challenge, but the flexibility of online learning has allowed me to pursue my passion for bioinformatics. The curriculum is engaging, and the support from the Admissions team has been exceptional. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in a field that combines my love for biology and computer science.”
– Elisa Samaniego, Student MSC Bio, University of Birmingham
We do more than educate. We inspire. We activate.
The University of Birmingham’s 100% online degree programmes are designed to the same standards as our on-campus courses, with research-informed content and the latest in digital learning techniques. Study whenever and wherever it suits you in flexible, career-centred modules with instruction from the foremost experts in your field. Take the first step in transforming your career today by learning more about our programmes and finding out why we’re regularly recognised as a top research and learning university.
Top 100 world university1
#4 in the UK for online learning7
Russell Group university
Top UK employers seek our graduates8
Top University for biological and computer science2
Learn more today
Request InfoReferences
- “QS World University Rankings 2025.” QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. Retrieved on 10 Jun. 2024 from http://www.topuniversities.com.
- “QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.” QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. Retrieved on 6 Jan. 2024 from http://www.topuniversities.com/.
- Payscale. “Salary for Skill: Bioinformatics.” Retrieved on 6 Jan. 2024 from https://www.payscale.com/.
- Payscale. “Average Biostatistician Salary in United Kingdom.” Retrieved on 6 Jan. 2024 from https://www.payscale.com/.
- Payscale. “Average Bioinformatician Salary in United Kingdom.” Retrieved on 6 Jan. 2024 from https://www.payscale.com/.
- Payscale. “Average Senior Data Scientist Salary in United Kingdom.” Retrieved on 6 Jan. 2024 from https://www.payscale.com/.
- Beckett, Max. “Online Learning Index.” Uswitch. 2 Nov. 2022. Retrieved 27 Dec. 2023 from https://uswitch.com/.
- “The graduate market in 2024.” High Fliers Research Limited. Retrieved 10 Jun. 2024 from https://www.highfliers.co.uk.