Genetics

Genetics is the science of heredity and variation: the study of how genetic information is encoded, expressed, transmitted from one generation to the next, and how differences in that information give rise to differences between individuals, populations, and species. It is a discipline that operates at the molecular level, examining the structure and function of DNA, the mechanisms by which genes are regulated and expressed, and the ways in which genetic change drives evolution and underlies disease. As the current description of this programme notes, to understand how living things function, grow, and reproduce requires focus at precisely this molecular scale, and genetics provides the conceptual and practical tools to do so.

At Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London, this three-year full-time programme gives you genuine insight into the molecular mechanisms that control life processes, from the genetics of simple model organisms to the complex genetics of human health and disease. You will study the core areas of molecular and cellular biology alongside specialist genetics content covering topics such as gene expression and regulation, epigenetics, population genetics, evolutionary genetics, genomics, and the genetics of complex traits and inherited conditions. Laboratory work is central, developing practical skills in molecular biology techniques that are essential for working in genetics and related sciences at a professional or research level.

The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, providing both professional and international experience. Placements in research laboratories, biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, or clinical genetics settings give you hands-on experience with the professional practice of genetics and strengthen your transition into employment or further study.

Genetics graduates work in academic and industrial research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, clinical genetics and genomics services within the NHS, bioinformatics, agricultural and environmental genetics, and the broader life sciences sector. Postgraduate study leading to a PhD is a common and well-established route for those wishing to pursue research careers, and Masters programmes in genomics, molecular biology, or related fields are available for those seeking specific specialist qualifications.