Laboratory Management MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning
Register for programme webinar: Monday 29th April at 2pm BST
Laboratory management pertains to the oversight of the scientific processes, resources and personnel who conduct activities in a laboratory environment. This programme will provide a grounding in current theory, research, methods, and practice in central business management disciplines, while developing students’ knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of laboratory practice, regulations and management.
- Online distance learning
- Academic contact: mvls-laboratorymanagement@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- MSc: 36 months part‑time
- PgDip: 24 months part‑time
- PgCert: 12 months part‑time
Why this programme
- There are few courses available which provide such a comprehensive formal training and are tailored to the development of future and current lab managers as the MSc Laboratory Management programme.
- Receive formal training to become part of the future generation of managers in the laboratory environment.
- Learn via a critical, evidence-based approach with the opportunity to specialise in one of three key areas: academic, industrial or clinical laboratory management.
- The programme is tailored to enable students to progress and transition to a managerial role in their place of employment in the UK or internationally, where they can implement their new knowledge and skills.
- Be taught by leading academics in the Adam Smith Business School (ASBS), College of Medicine, Veterinary & Life Sciences (MVLS) and via collaboration with leading experts from industry and NHS staff from clinical laboratory environments.
- The University of Glasgow (UofG) has been named Scottish University of the Year in The Times & The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
- ASBS has been recognised as one of the top 100 European Business Schools by the Financial Times in its 2021 ranking results - the School is ranked as 68th in its latest ranking and is considered to be amongst the top 30 in the UK.
- ASBS has accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
- UofG is ranked 2nd in UK Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide and is a centre of excellence for scientific research.
Programme structure
The programme aims to provide students with the necessary skills and attributes to enable them to be effective laboratory managers.
The programme is delivered by online distance learning over three years [via state-of-the-art virtual learning environment (VLE)], with emphasis on the fundamental principles and governance which underpin contemporary laboratory management practice as well as leadership and management skills.
In year 1, students will undertake three courses run by Adam Smith Business School (ASBS) (a total of 30 credits) in key central business discipline areas along with two courses run by college of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) (a total of 30 credits), where they will cover laboratory health and safety and key themes relating to laboratory practice, governance and ethics.
In year 2, students will build upon studies in year 1 by undertaking a further three courses run by ASBS (30 credits in total) in key central business discipline areas and two courses run by MVLS (30 credits in total), where they will cover principles of providing training and supervision in the laboratory and fundamentals of laboratory management.
In year 3, MSc/PGDip students will complete a dissertation relating to an independent project in a relevant topic of their choice.
Year 1
Semester 1
- DATA DRIVEN LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR PRACTITIONERS
- PROVIDING TRAINING AND SUPERVISION IN THE LABORATORY
Semester 2
Summer
Year 2
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer
Year 3
- LABORATORY MANAGEMENT DISSERTATION (MSc students only)
Defined exit points
PgCert (60 credits, year 1 courses)
PgDip (120 credits, years 1 & 2 courses)
MSc (180 credits, years 1 & 2 courses plus dissertation - three years in total).
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
This programme will provide graduates with an excellent grounding (knowledge, understanding, key transferable skills) with respect to transition and/or progression towards a management role within an academic, industrial or clinical laboratory environment.
Although students will have the opportunity to specialise in one of the three key areas, they will gain an overview of general considerations for laboratory management which would enable them to transition between environments during their career.
Students who are in employment in a laboratory environment will have the opportunity to complete their project with their employer. We also have various partners lined up with respect to offering projects to those who are not working in a laboratory environment while studying.
Example job titles include:
- Laboratory Manager
- Laboratory and Safety Manager
- Laboratory Team/Section Leader/Manager
- Laboratory Operations Manager
- Laboratory and Facilities Manager
- QA/QC Manager
- Laboratory Production Manager
- (Senior/Principle) Scientific Officer
- Healthcare Scientist Team/Technical/Service Manager
- Clinical Research Project Manager
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2024-25
MSc
UK/ EU/International:
- £15,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.
PgDip
UK/ EU/International:
- £10,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.
PgCert
UK/ EU/International:
- £5,000 (total cost)
You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
UK Study Online Scholarship
The UK Study Online scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students taking online undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Please see UK Study Online for more details.
Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)
Eligible full-time and part-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £7,000 towards their course. Eligible full-time postgraduate students can apply for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500.
This support extends to online Masters or Postgraduate Diplomas, and not to the online Postgraduate Certificate courses.
For more information visit the SAAS website.
Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)
If you’re an English student looking to study a taught Masters programme in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan. Students from England are able to apply for a non-means tested Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs. You have to repay your Postgraduate Master’s Loan at the same time as any other student loans you have. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.
If you’re studying by distance learning, you can also apply.
Alumni Discount
In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2024/25. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, International Summer School programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.
Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.
* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes
Postgraduate Master's Finance
If you’re starting a full-time or part-time Postgraduate Master’s course (taught or research based) from 1 August 2019, you can apply for Postgraduate Master's Finance and receive up to £17,000 as a combination of grant and loan:
- a maximum grant of £6,885 and loan of £10,115 if your household income is £18,370 and below
- a grant of £1,000 and loan of £16,000 if your household income is not taken into account or is above £59,200.
For more information visit Student Finance Wales
Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
If you’re starting a full-time or part-time postgraduate Doctoral course (such as a PhD) from 1 August 2019 you can apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan of up to £25,700.
For more information visit Student Finance Wales
Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)
If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.
Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.
For more information visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate .
* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
A Second-class Honours degree or equivalent (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or above) in a scientific discipline.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- Oxford ELLT 7
- R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
- W&S: OIDI level no less than 6.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Application deadlines
- Applications for this online programme will be accepted up until it starts.
