Science Communications MSc

The world of science has changed dramatically since the arrival of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in 2019. Never has it been so crucial to have skilled science communicators presenting technical information accurately and engagingly, while also organising and managing communication across the complex areas of science. It is vital to engage all stakeholders, to participate in scientific research, and to make science more accessible and inclusive.

Academic contact:
mvls-sciencecomms@glasgow.ac.uk
Teaching start: September

MSc: 12 months full-time

Apply now

Why this programme

Be a part of the next generation of writers and editors responsible for disseminating scientific discoveries to the general public.
Join a unique programme that will develop skills related to communicating science to different audiences.
Attend and participate in seminars from leaders in the field: Ashfield Medical, Allegro and Sense about Science.
Focus on employability skills.
Gain skills on how to write science magazine articles, press releases, use social media and podcasts for the delivery of science to the general population and others.
Gain valuable understanding and a range of skills for interdisciplinary working and interpreting copyright law and intellectual property.
Be taught by international staff and external experts, offering great flexibility to suit individual student needs.

Programme structure

The programme provides a grounding in the principles and practice of science communications, and an opportunity to start a career in the UK and overseas.

The teaching programme is given in the form of lectures, seminars, tutorials, team work and self-directed learning.

Additional resources such as videos and online chats are available through Moodle, the university’s virtual learning environment, and Microsoft Teams, to support and enhance the learning experience.

The following core and optional courses are available:

Core courses

CLINICAL TRIALS : PRINCIPLES AND METHODS
DIGITAL MEDIA
INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS
SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS DISSERTATION
SCIENTIFIC WRITING FOR MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS

Optional courses

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 an excellent background for those wishing to establish a career in science communications, from medical writing/editing to freelance writing.

Students will receive training by attending courses and seminars with Ashfield medical and Allegro, two prominent medical writing and editing companies. We also have a number of industrial partners that will deliver sessions on social media management, press releases and freelance writing.

Example jobs include:

Copywriter
Freelance writer
Medical editor
Medical writer
Social media manager

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2023-24

MSc

UK

Full-time fee: £10560

International & EU

Full-time fee: £25980

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

University of Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has several International Leadership Scholarships available to International and EU (non-UK) students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline for Academic Session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fees discount.

University of Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship

DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Master’s grant

The University of Glasgow will offer a full tuition waiver to those students that successfully apply and are nominated by DAAD to the University. DAAD offers a monthly stipend of EUR 1,100 (for the academic year 2024/2025) and travel bursary of EUR 250.00 as well as health, accident, and personal liability insurance coverage in addition to the full tuition fee waiver from the University of Glasgow.

Wichtige Hinweise zu DAAD-Stipendien - DAAD (general info on DAAD tution fee reimbursement)

Current list of tuition reduction / waiving offers (not including U Glasgow yet) : Stipendien für ein Masterstudium im Ausland - DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst

DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Master’s grant

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award

The University of Glasgow has 40 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to students from low and middle income countries, starting a 1 year postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline, in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award (Nigeria)

The University of Glasgow has 10 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to Nigerian students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in academic session 2023-24. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

University of Glasgow Chancellor's Award (Nigeria)

University of Glasgow Scholarships for Turkey and Syria

Following the devastating earthquake which struck Turkey and Syria, the University of Glasgow is offering 6 exclusive full tuition fee waivers to students from this region, who are facing challenges in progressing on to Higher Education. The scholarship is available to students entering any of the University’s Colleges to undertake an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Taught (one-year Masters) programme in 2023-2024.

University of Glasgow Scholarships for Turkey and Syria

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in a related subject area. Professional experience and 2:2 Honours degree with strong subject specific expertise may also be considered.

This programme would primarily target life science or medical science graduates. Students with an interest in science communications who have a background in chemical sciences, physics, mathematics, computing or pharmacy may also be interested. In exceptional circumstances, other science graduates or bioscience graduates may be eligible on demonstration of appropriate postgraduate professional experience.

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

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23.
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, this includes TOEFL mybest.

PTE (Academic or Academic Online)

60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.
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.

Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)

65%.
Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.

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:

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

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, check Frequently Asked Questions

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 then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

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

September 2023

International applicants

As there is extremely high demand for places on this degree programme, the University has established an application process with application rounds. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants and should support applications being open for the full admission cycle.

Round 1 application dates

1 October to 1 December 2022. You will receive our decision on your application by 28 January 2023.

Round 2 application dates

2 December 2022 to 1 February 2023. You will receive our decision on your application by 1 April 2023.

Round 3 application dates

2 February to 1 April 2023. You will receive our decision on your application by 20 May 2023.

Round 4 application dates

2 April to 15 May 2023.You will receive our decision on your application by 1 July 2023.

Round 5 application dates

16 May to 1 July 2023. You will receive our decision on your application by 4 August 2023.

As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.

UK applicants

17 August 2023