MSc Palaeobiology 12 months Postgraduate Programme By University of Bristol |TopUniversities
Subject Ranking

# 32QS Subject Rankings

Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

30,500 GBPTuition Fee/year

Application Deadline

25 Jul, 2025Application Deadline

Programme overview

Main Subject

Earth and Marine Sciences

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

This interdisciplinary MSc programme is for students who are passionate about the history of life, mass extinctions, macroevolution, climate change and fossil preservation. 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 careers in fields such as museum curation, science education, science policy, industry or the media.



Bristol is ranked second in the UK for 'Earth systems and environmental sciences' research (THE analysis of REF 2021) and first 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.



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 computational skills in data handling, phylogenetics, macroevolution, functional analysis and 3D digital modelling.



Find out more about the programme and hear from current and former students on our Palaeobiology MSc blog.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Earth and Marine Sciences

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

This interdisciplinary MSc programme is for students who are passionate about the history of life, mass extinctions, macroevolution, climate change and fossil preservation. 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 careers in fields such as museum curation, science education, science policy, industry or the media.



Bristol is ranked second in the UK for 'Earth systems and environmental sciences' research (THE analysis of REF 2021) and first 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.



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 computational skills in data handling, phylogenetics, macroevolution, functional analysis and 3D digital modelling.



Find out more about the programme and hear from current and former students on our Palaeobiology MSc blog.

Admission Requirements

67+
85+
6.5+
3.3+
An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalen in Geology, Biological Sciences, Zoology, Animal Sciences, Botany, Plant Sciences, Ecology, Ecology and Conservation, Marine Biology, Mircobiology, Genetics, Environmental Sciences, Archaeology, Anthropology. We will consider applicants who do not have a degree a degree listed above if they have evidence of significant, relevant work experience. If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

25 Jul 2025
1 Year
Sep

  • Candidates are required to submit references or letter(s) of recommendation for acceptance
  • Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance

Tuition fees

Domestic
13,900 GBP
International
30,500 GBP

Scholarships

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