What will I learn?

Overview

The MSc programme in Parasitology and Pathogen Biology is designed for students seeking training in parasite-borne infectious diseases that severely undermine: human health in the developing world and tropics; agri-food production systems globally (including plant health and animal health and welfare).

Students taking the course will develop expertise directly applicable to human, plant and animal health and welfare, food security and the future sustainability of food production, particularly within livestock and plant/crop production systems.

The course will be run entirely by research active and will offer students the opportunity to gain experience in internationally competitive laboratories.

Career Development

The MSc programme embraces the One Health approach to these infectious diseases, with strong recognition of the interplay between health and disease at the dynamic interface between humans, animals and the environment. In addition to embedded generic skills training, students will have the opportunity to acquire subject-specific skills training, e.g. molecular biology techniques, diagnostics, epidemiology (human, animal and plant diseases), drug/vaccine development, pathogen management/control, host-parasite interaction, immunobiology, drug resistance and the potential impact of climate change on parasites and their vectors. The transferable skill set and knowledge base acquired from the programme will equip students with a highly desirable qualification that is suited to those wishing to pursue careers in human health/infectious disease, animal health, veterinary medicine, animal/plant biology, pharmaceutical sciences and food security.

Which department am I in?

School of Biological Sciences

Study options

Full Time (1 year)

Tuition fees

拢25,800.00 (28,11,070) per year

Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

This is a fixed fee

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please

Start date

September 2025

Venue

Queen's University Belfast

University Road,

Belfast,

Northern Ireland,

BT7 1NN, NORTHERN IRELAND, Northern Ireland

Entry requirements

For international students

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above in a relevant area of science or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Applicants with qualifications below 2.2 Honours degree standard (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if they can demonstrate appropriate experience, acceptable to the School. English Language Requirements: Evidence of an IELTS score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (taken within the last 2 years). TOEFL iBT: 80 with minimum marks as follows: Listening- 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 17.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.