MSc Reproduction and Development
- MSc
- PG Certificate (Postgraduate Certificate)
- PG Diploma (Postgraduate Diploma)
Overview
Ranked 1st globally in THE subject rankings for research quality in clinical and health subjects (THE2025)
This innovative blended learning programme will provide you with a comprehensive understanding and set of skills relevant to the exciting and important field of human reproduction and development. Please note, this programme is delivered mostly via distance learning, with a short period of time in Bristol (up to three weeks per year).
You will study fundamental systems, principles and processes, including the physiological basis and endocrine regulation of gamete formation, fertilisation, implantation and pregnancy.
From practicing clinical experts, you will learn about the symptoms, causes, and mechanisms of reproductive disease and dysfunction, as well as the clinical management of infertility, assisted conception, pregnancy complications and endocrine disorders. You will learn about and discuss cutting-edge academic and clinical research with internationally-recognised researchers. You will also develop your own research skills and be encouraged to think critically about the historical, social, political and legal context of current issues relevant to this exciting, fast-moving field.
Our interdisciplinary programme is designed to appeal to a wide range of postgraduate students. Our full-time and part-time study options allow you to work flexibly and balance your studies with other responsibilities.
A unique aspect of our programme is the combination of face-to-face teaching with web-based technology to support distance learning. Intensive teaching workshops are held online and in Bristol each year, delivered by expert academics, scientists and health professionals. These workshops are made up of lectures, research seminars, group work, and practical sessions that provide an overview of relevant laboratory methodologies and clinical practices. Teaching from the workshops is then augmented by innovative online materials, assignments and activities to help you to consolidate your learning.
An interesting variety of assessment activities will enable you to showcase and enhance your understanding and transferrable skills. For example, producing posters, infographics and delivering presentations will demonstrate your ability to communicate complex scientific and clinical information to a range of different stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients and research funders. Master's students will write a research dissertation based on their own in-depth exploration of the research literature around a focused topic related to reproduction and development.
This programme is available as an intercalated degree for current undergraduate medicine, dentistry or veterinary students from the University of Bristol or other universities. Find out more about our intercalated degrees and eligibility criteria.
Programme structure
The master's programme consists of six mandatory taught units and a research project unit, including a literature review, dissertation, and an oral poster examination.
The six taught units are comprised of interactive, synchronous (live) workshops followed by a period of independent, asynchronous, internet-based home study. Each unit involves a one-week intensive workshop. The first three taught units run in Autumn (September to October) each year as a live interactive online workshop. The next three units will run in January as a face-to-face workshop in Bristol. There is no travel required for the Autumn workshops as these are exclusively delivered online, but you should ensure you are able to fully participate in all the scheduled teaching sessions that are timetabled (UK time) in this period. Attending the teaching workshop linked to each unit is compulsory if you wish to successfully complete that unit.
Part-time students complete the programme over two years, studying half the units each year. Full-time students attend online as well as Bristol-based workshops for up to three weeks per workshop, while part-time students attend for up to two weeks per workshop.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Reproduction and Development
- Postgraduate Diploma in Reproduction and Development
- MSc in Reproduction and Development
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Biological Science, Medicine, Medical Sciences, Clinical Science and Human Sciences. The programme is also open to Members of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. Please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of a relevant postgraduate qualification in Biological Science, Medicine, Medical Sciences, Clinical Science and Human Sciences.
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.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: MSc full-time
- £14,800 per year
- Home: MSc part-time (two years)
- £7,400 per year
- Overseas: MSc full-time
- £34,900 per year
- Overseas: MSc part-time (two years)
- £17,450 per year
- Home: PG Diploma full-time
- £11,840 per year
- Home: PG Diploma part-time (two years)
- £5,920 per year
- Overseas: PG Diploma full-time
- £27,920 per year
- Overseas: PG Diploma part-time (two years)
- £13,960 per year
- Home: PG Certificate part-time (one year)
- £2,860 per year
- Overseas: PG Certificate part-time (one year)
- £6,720 per year
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.
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 and scholarships
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
Students on the programme come from a variety of countries and backgrounds; all have an interest in reproduction, infertility and development, or wish to pursue careers in these areas.
Clinical students follow the programme for progression and promotion in their discipline, or as a foundation qualification to specialise in IVF and infertility, or obstetrics and gynaecology. Our clinical graduates use knowledge and research skills to aid publication, develop their practice and enhance their expertise in reproductive medicine.
Scientific graduates go on to work in a clinical or diagnostic setting, training as clinical embryologists or andrologists, through the NHS Scientific Training Programme. Our science graduates have also used this MSc as a springboard to non-clinical or clinical research and PhD studentships.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk
- Faculties
- Schools