Universities United Kingdom University of Bristol Courses MSc Palaeobiology

MSc Palaeobiology
at University of Bristol

Bristol, United Kingdom

Tuition Fee £ 31,300
Country Rank-
Duration12 Months
Score IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 85

Program Overview

This interdisciplinary MSc programme is for students who are passionate about early life, mass extinctions, macroevolution, climate change and fossil preservation. It bridges the biology-geology divide. You will learn the latest techniques in phylogenetics, biomechanics and macroevolution, providing you with a strong foundation for independent research to PhD level or for a career in museum curation, science education, science policy, management or the media.

Bristol is ranked #2 in the UK for 'Earth systems and environmental sciences' research (THE analysis of REF 2021) and #1 in the world for Palaeontology (Center for World University Rankings 2017). You will join Bristol's established palaeobiology research group and engage in current debates in evolution, systematics and palaeobiology. You will learn how to analyse problems quantitatively and design experimental approaches to resolving questions in macroevolution and the study of both ancient and living organisms.

A key aspect of the programme is preparing your research project for publication, and many of our previous students’ projects have been published in leading international journals. Recent research project topics include the origin of cellular life, the preservation of colours in dinosaurs and the evolution of culture in humans.

This programme gives you the opportunity to develop a wide range of professional skills, including research planning, problem-solving and communication. You will learn to present palaeontological data through talks, visual displays and formal written reports. You will also develop computing skills in data handling, phylogenetics, macroevolution, function and 3D digital modelling.

Course Content
Year 1

EASCM0034 Literature Review and EASCM0038 Research Methods in Palaeobiology are must pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

Students are able to take this programme on a part-time basis over two years. Part-time students will enrol on a selection of the units listed below and then take the others in their second year. All mandatory units must be completed over the course of the programme. The Thesis is completed in Year 2.

Unit name
- Macroevolution
- Current Controversies in Palaeobiology and Macroevolution
- Phylogenetic Methods in Palaeobiology
- Literature Review
- Research Methods in Palaeobiology
- Thesis (MSc Palaeobiology)
and 40 credit points from the list below:

Please note - in order to meet the requirements for the Taught Masters degree award as stated in the University's Credit Framework, for this MSc programme a MAXIMUM of 30cp of options below Level M is allowed.
- Geology for Research Palaeobiologists
- Micropalaeontology
- Advanced Vertebrate Palaeobiology and Biomechanics
- The Cambrian Explosion - the origin of animal body plans
- Tree of Life
- Plant Evolution, Development and Diversity
- Early Human Origins
Entry Requirement
Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree from an accepted Indian university with a minimum of GPA of 6/10 or 60% will be considered for admission to a master's degree (the requirement will depend on your undergraduate university and the programme you have applied for).
Applicants to our Law programmes can be considered with minimum grades of 55-60% from an accepted Indian university.
Applicants who hold a first class master's degree from a prestigious university will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Fees & Scholarships

International Tuition Fees:

£31300 per year

Career Prospect

The degree is research-based and many of our graduates go on to academic careers, usually starting with a PhD. The MSc is focused on methods and you will learn the latest quantitative and analytical techniques which are highly sought after by PhD supervisors across the world.

The training in professional skills, including writing scientific papers, is also highly regarded. Some students have used the MSc as a means to go on to careers in museums, science policy, the media and education and now hold senior positions as curators and collection managers in national and regional museums. Graduates also work in making scientific documentaries, or are involved in science education at all levels.

Finally, some graduates have gone into commercial work in marketing, consultancy, industry and computing, where their practical skills in palaeobiology and communication have proved invaluable.

Cost Of Studying At University of Bristol

Interest rates as low as 8.9% ^*

250K+

Students Assisted

800Cr+

Loan Amount Disbursed

5000+

Loans Sanctioned

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MSc Palaeobiology at University of Bristol