Blog: What I do in a day as an MSc by Research student and how I got here

Written by Jin 

Many people think of master’s degrees as being taught courses – lectures, essays, exams – but did you know you can also do a Master’s by Research? 

Hi, I’m Jin from South Korea and I’m currently a master’s student by research at UoB. My research is focused on macrophages and the IFN-gamma response to Cryptococcus neoformans – basically, how the immune system fights a particular fungus so we can understand what helps it to work better. 

In this blog, I will share what I do in an average day, how I applied for an MSc by Research, and some personal tips for international students considering this path.  

A day in the life of a master’s by research student 

Morning admin 

When I arrive at the office, the first thing I do is check my emails, and review my schedule. I always look out for learning and networking opportunities, for example, the School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology Research Conference, or immunology-related presentations. The CMH Infrastructure and Facilities Seminar series also run regular presentations and workshops, and most of them are free.  

These events are great for learning practical tips to help your research and recent information in your field. Sometimes, you even get pizza after seminars while networking! 

Experiments 

Once I’ve planned my day, I head to the lab to set up my experiments. For example, I might select antibodies for fluorescent staining to detect the effects of treatment. 

One of the best parts of working in the lab is learning from others. You’ll be around people doing various different experiments, and I strongly recommend observing their work. You can learn new lab skills and sometimes get advice for your own research. I’ve learned fungal burden CFU assays, how to collect macrophages from mouse bone marrow, and fungal transformation from my lab members. Most people are happy to explain their experiments – just ask! 

If you don’t already have a firm research proposal when you start, you’ll have supervision meetings with your professors to plan experiments in detail. 

Meetings 

I have two supervisors for my research proposal and we meet weekly to discuss my results, troubleshoot issues, and plan future experiments. My primary supervisor takes responsibility for 70% of my research, and my secondary supervisor takes responsibility for 30%. I know a student who has three supervisors, so the number depends on the research project. 

I also attend two types of group meetings: 

1. Lab meeting (every Thursday) 
   Members of my lab share progress updates and run a journal club, where we share recent or interesting articles and papers from various fields. Recently, one of my lab members talked about age-related differences in the gut microbiome. These meetings help me to learn new skills and broaden my knowledge. For example, we talked about the method of detecting breast cancer in mice using fluorescent staining; with a specific stain, we can see the breast cancer without dissection. 
2. Inter-lab meeting (every two weeks)
   This includes several labs across immunology and infection. It’s a great way to learn about broader fields such as immunology, oncology, microbiology, and more. 

Collecting mouse tissue samples from BMSU (Biomedical Services Unit) 

The University of Birmingham has facilities for mouse research, so you can request tissue samples for your research. In my lab, most people use mouse macrophages because mice are a major species in immunology research, and having facilities like BMSU is very helpful.  

Before coming to Birmingham, I worked with an animal sample company, and I know how difficult can be to access certified samples. Having BMSU available at UoB makes research more accessible. 

Monthly report (GRS2) 

A Master’s by Research doesn’t require exams, but you do have to submit monthly reports (GRS2 forms) about the progress of your project. You need to cover what’s been discussed in your supervision meetings, results and progress since the last monthly report, possible future work, and any topics you’d like to raise. 

It helps you stay organised to have a clear overview of how your research is going. 

Facilities training 

UoB has a huge range of research facilities – confocal microscope, wildfield microscope, flow cytometry, and more. You can receive training for all of them from expert technicians. For example, I had training on a widefield microscope in the Imaging Suite. I learned how to set up panels for stained samples and how to use the software to achieve better resolution and different results with varying focus. 

▲ The Imaging Suite 

▲The Widefield Microscope Training 

How I applied for an MSc by Research  

For full, official guidance, I recommend checking the University of Birmingham website – but here’s what the process looked like for me. 

1. Contact a supervisor 
   Most Master’s by Research require you to find a supervisor in advance. I emailed potential supervisors with my CV and research proposal to help them understand whether my interests aligned with their projects.
2. Prepare the documents
   As an international student, I needed to prepare:
   • Student visa (Tier 4)
   • ATAS certificate (if required)
   • CAS statement
   • Proof of English language ability 
   • Translated academic documents such as transcript, reference letter, and graduation certificate. 
Starting early really helps, especially with visa timelines. 
3. Submit the online application 
   Once a supervisor agrees to support your application, you can apply through the University website. 

Tips for preparing for your master’s by research degree 

Choosing the right place and preparing before you start can help you make your research experience much smoother. Here’s what helped me most: 

1. Look at the department’s recent research for their ongoing projects and opportunities to get involved. 
2. Check the facilities available on the university website (I also read the lab’s articles to see what they used for their experiments). 
3. Meet your supervisor at least once via video call; it’s the best way to get to know your future lab. Ask about ongoing work, training opportunities, and facilities, and (most importantly), you can learn about the person you’ll be working closely with. 
4. Build background knowledge early through related papers (if you can’t read the whole thing, read the abstract and methods), articles, and videos. I learnt about experiments and immunology terms. 

Final thoughts 

I truly love being an MSc by Research student, as it allows me to learn so much across different fields. My lab members are nice, and everyone is always ready to help if I have any problems with my experiments. The best part is being surrounded by people who genuinely love their research and never hesitate to share their knowledge.  

My experience at UOB has given me deeper scientific understanding and valuable relationships that will support my future career.