MSc MSc Toxicology

The MSc Toxicology course at Heriot-Watt University is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the important role toxicologists play in making lives more sustainable, either by considering safety when designing new substances or by identifying safer alternatives.     

During this 1-year programme, students will learn about the fundamental principles of toxicology, the harmful effects that different substances have on human health and the environment, and how the safety and sustainability of substances are assessed and improved through design strategies. 

Heriot-Watt University's MSc Toxicology course will enable students to gain skills that prepare them to work as toxicologists in sectors such as academia, government, and industry, meeting the current growing global demand for trained toxicologists. The knowledge and practical skills gained through this master’s degree will make graduates highly sought after upon completion of the course. 

Heriot-Watt University is a leading university in Scotland for how well its graduates perform after finishing their studies. It is rated number one in the UK for graduates becoming CEOs or managing directors. The university has campuses in different parts of the world, which means you get a worldwide education. The Edinburgh Campus has Oriam, which is Scotland's national sports centre, and the university cares about students' fitness and mental well-being. 

The university's research groups work on big world problems like climate change, saving the oceans, new medical technology, and the future of computers and robots. The university offers many different courses for both people who are just starting university and those doing more advanced studies in subjects such as medicine, law, engineering, business, and the arts.

Applicants need to write a personal statement. In this, they should explain why they want to study this course and give other important information about their studies. They also need to provide a reference from a teacher or someone they worked for. Students can also add their CVs to their applications to show their work experience.

Grade Requirements:

• Applicants are expected to have a minimum of an honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject such as biological sciences, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, pharmacology, chemistry or toxicology.

English Proficiency:

• The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

The tuition fee (2025/2026 session) to study the MSc  Toxicology at Heriot-Watt University is £28,056.

Heriot-Watt University offers a variety of scholarships to support international students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies across its UK, Dubai, and Malaysia campuses. These scholarships are designed to ease financial pressures and recognise academic achievement.​ 

For instance, the Postgraduate European Union Scholarship awards an automatic £5,000 tuition fee reduction for all EU students enrolling in full-time taught courses at the UK campus.

Graduates of the MSc Toxicology from Heriot-Watt University can pursue various roles, including:

• Toxicologist
• Drug Safety Specialist 
• Regulatory Affairs Officer
• Food Safety Scientist
• Risk Assessor 
• Policy Advisor 

To apply for the course at Heriot-Watt University, international students should apply through UCAS. For personalised help with your application, please speak to one of our trained counsellors.