My MSc helped me to build my skills and confidence in the lab

Baoli sitting on the grass in front of the University accommodation
Baoli Ding
Degree: MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Research focus: exosomes
Baoli loved working in the lab as part of her MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology degree. By learning a variety of techniques throughout the year with the support of her supervisors, Baoli is now looking to expand her knowledge further with a PhD.
Baoli sitting on the grass in front of the University accommodation

“The reason that I chose to study MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at Sheffield University was because of its ranking and the learning environment of the university. The course arrangement is also what attracts me, especially that we spend 3-5 months of practical study in the laboratory - I love working in the lab.

“In the Autumn semester, Dr Qaiser Sheikh taught us a lot of techniques, including cloning, but we mainly focused on CRISPR Cas9. It's a sort of technique I did not know about before, but I think it is interesting as a potential gene editing technique.


In the Spring semester, I mainly followed my supervisor Dr Emma Thomson to do exosome in-depth research. I also learned a lot of techniques that I hadn't seen before, and she taught me the basic Protein-RNA complex analysis, CRAC. We cross-linked Proteins and RNA, and then purified the Protein-RNA complex to do cDNA analysis.

Baoli Ding

MSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology


“In the Spring semester, I mainly followed my supervisor Dr Emma Thomson to do exosome in-depth research. I also learned a lot of techniques that I hadn't seen before, and she taught me the basic Protein-RNA complex analysis, CRAC. We cross-linked Proteins and RNA, and then purified the Protein-RNA complex to do cDNA analysis.

“I feel very happy that the techniques I learned from lectures have been fully applied to my experiments, because practice and theory are quite different. Moreover I am very confident with my lab techniques now, and I can complete basic experiments alone. Next, I want to apply for a PhD to expand my knowledge in the biology world.”

Four students laughing while sat at a bench, outside the Students' Union

International Merit Scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international students including 75 undergraduate scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee and 125 postgraduate taught scholarships worth £5,000 towards the tuition fee. Applications are now open for existing offer holders.