Master of Arts in Comparative Literatures and Cultures

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

In your first year you will gain a broad understanding of the biology of normal and cancerous cells. In addition to studying the immune system, you will take pathology, microbiology and biochemistry units.

In the second year you will study the cellular and molecular basis of cancer and its therapy, as well as autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes and arthritis, and human cancers caused by viruses, such as papillomavirus and hepatitis B. You will take molecular genetics and an optional unit, possibly biochemistry or pharmacology, from a selection offered by other schools.

All practical teaching in years one and two is supported by the eBiolabs dynamic laboratory manual.

In the final year you will undertake a research project or scientific dissertation, working in a research group in our Biomedical Sciences building or in one of the surrounding hospitals. Your work may even be published in scientific literature.

The four-year BSc Cancer Biology and Immunology with Study in Industry is available by transfer after securing a placement during your second year.

You will explore the full range of plant biology, from enzymes to ecosystems. You will gain knowledge of the diversity, evolution and function of plants and of the latest developments in functional genomics, bioinformatics, plant developmental biology, plant pathology, parasite biology, cell signalling, pollination biology, ecology, plant conservation and systems biology.

The degree starts broadly before introducing more choice in years two and three, including a week-long field or laboratory course and a ten-week practical research project.

The University Botanic Garden is nearby. It was the first new university botanic garden to be built for 40 years and holds more than 4,500 plant species.

The MSci is particularly suited to students who are planning to continue in plant science research and would like extra experience and a competitive edge when applying for PhDs or research jobs.

The aim of the MSc in Educational Research is to provide the methodological, analytical and practical expertise required to become a competent educational researcher. This is an Economic and Social Research Council-recognised programme, and one of the research training pathways that make up the South West Doctoral Training Partnership.

This MSc will appeal to those who are interested in developing a career in educational research, as well as professionals working in education institutions or organisations that require research knowledge and skills.

Physics is an inherently international activity carried out by scientists in institutions throughout the world, sometimes competing and often collaborating. This degree will give you an early introduction to this key aspect of physics. It offers you the chance to combine in-depth training as a physicist with the experience of living and working as a researcher overseas.

During your third year overseas the programme you follow will be agreed with a tutor at Bristol and the working language will be English. You will be based at a partner university abroad, spending most of your time taking advantage of opportunities available locally. This will usually mean carrying out a full-time research project as part of a research team at the host university. This might entail nanophysics in Brazil, astrophysics in Canada or particle physics in the US.

Alternatively, you can take taught courses through Bristol's Global Opportunities programme. You will continue to study core physics via distance learning in readiness for returning to Bristol for your final year.

The course gives you the opportunity to develop a physicist's broad range of skills, including problem solving, numeracy and communication, and to supplement these with the experimental, theoretical and analytical skills needed for a career in research and industry.

You will join a friendly department with a very active, award-winning society. Our physics graduates have an excellent record of employment, a testament to the value that employers place on the transferable skills that you gain on this course.

Criminology is a multidisciplinary subject comprising elements of sociology, law, social and public policy, history, psychology and philosophy. BSc Criminology with Study Abroad is an exciting course that gives you the opportunity to study criminology within a broader framework of policy studies. You will also have the opportunity to study at a partner overseas university in your third year.

The course will provide you with an understanding of crime and justice and related social harms and an analysis of public policy interventions that contribute towards a fairer, safer and harm-free society.

The course follows a similar structure to the three-year BSc Criminology. In your first and second years you will take a range of mandatory and optional units that introduce you to the interdisciplinary study of criminology and justice.

You will spend your third year at one of our partner institutions overseas, where you can take criminology or broader social sciences, arts and humanities subjects. For more information about studying overseas see Global Opportunities.

You will return to Bristol for the final year of the course, which is identical to the third year of the BSc Criminology, and will complete a dissertation and further criminology-related units.

This MSc provides skills and knowledge to support your career in the field of water and environmental management. The content of the program has been designed to help you develop a detailed knowledge of fundamental environmental processes, as well as policy, regulation and other tools. 

A key focus is on how you can contribute to sustainable management of water resources and other aspects of environmental management. Teaching covers both academic and practical skills. Teaching staff include leading water and environment researchers at the University of Bristol as well as practitioners with experience in private and government sectors, both in the UK and overseas.

This course combines philosophy with study of Portuguese, providing a valuable skill set that is ideally tailored to the increasingly globalised workplace.

For philosophy, you will study units covering introduction to philosophy, logic, and realism and normativity.

Portuguese is the seventh most widely spoken language in the world, and Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil and Angola have complex and fascinating cultures.

You will spend your third year abroad working or studying at a partner institution in a Portuguese-speaking environment. This will enable you to refine your language skills and cultural understanding. For further details of year abroad opportunities visit Global Opportunities.

Both departments enjoy a strong reputation for teaching and research and this course combination provides intellectual challenge with a cosmopolitan perspective.

This MSc examines the physical processes governing the behaviour of volcanoes. The program is taught by leading scientists working at the cutting edge of research into volcanoes, and will provide you with a strong background for independent research to PhD level or for a career in industry, the public sector or a non-governmental organisation.

Increasing numbers of the global population being at risk means that volcano hazard prediction and mitigation is a fast-growing and competitive area of research that crosses the boundaries between traditional subject areas.

The program is designed to equip you with knowledge of the physical processes of volcanoes, including both sub-surface and surficial behaviour, insights into important historical eruptions, understanding of risk and risk mitigation, and instruction and experiential learning on data gathering, handling analysis and presentation to publishable standard.

You will develop a wide range of skills, such as quantitative and computational skills, including the application of basic mathematical descriptions of physical processes and the use of statistical and data handling software; proficiency in critical analysis of scientific material from a variety of sources, including primary research documents and original data; and the ability to synthesise concise and informative material produced for a variety of audiences. A familiarity with A-level mathematics (or international equivalent) is recommended.

Modern zoology is interdisciplinary and we believe that you need to be aware of the breadth of animal biology from the molecular to the ecological. Our zoology degree begins broadly and introduces more choice in years two and three.

You will have the freedom to tailor your course to your interests and to specialise or maintain breadth in your studies. Opportunities include a week-long field- or laboratory-based course selected from a range of subject areas, and a practical research project. The range of research and transferable skills you will learn will enhance your employability as a graduate.

We have outstanding facilities in our state-of-the-art Life Sciences Building and our lecturers are world-leading researchers in their fields.