Launch of new Immunology-focused MSc

Cardiff University School of Medicine has launched an innovative new postgraduate course aimed at increasing the number of skilled biotechnicians and biomedical workers in the UK.

The Applied and Experimental Clinical Immunology MSc course is currently accepting applications for September 2021 entry, and will be taught by international experts aligned to the Division of Infection and Immunity and the Systems Immunity University Research Institute.

Immunology has never been more topical than now, and the ‘arms race’ between host and pathogen has taken on sharp new meaning for many graduates wishing to develop a career in immunological research, biotechnology and biomedicine. This new programme has been developed with biotechnology and biomedical sciences sector experts, to ensure that this one-year, full-time MSc continues to meet the changing demands of the future job market.

Head of the School of Medicine Professor Steve Riley welcomes the new course. “Immunology is at the forefront of science development, and our understanding of the immunological interactions within body systems will continue to deliver improvements in patient care,” he explained. “With increasing conversations around personalised treatment for patients this course will offer an ideal foundation in understanding ways in which our understanding of immunology can be applied to the delivery of healthcare.”
The course will equip graduates with a range of different research techniques, including training in different ‘omics’ approaches via a module in Computational Immunology; and learning about the impact of multimorbidity on the complex relationship between immunology and medicine.

Professor Anwen Williams, programme director, said, “I'm thrilled to be leading innovative, research-led teaching on this MSc programme. International research experts from the Division of Infection and Immunity and the Systems Immunity University Research Institute designed and will deliver the programme, so teaching and learning dovetails beautifully with their interests. This MSc keeps abreast of changing workforce needs of employers, by working collaboratively with industry to create and deliver relevant content. It breaks the mould in terms of the traditional model for teaching immunology.  This MSc is a training programme that will provide a feeder stream of appropriately trained postgraduate students who wish to apply for research degrees in the School of Medicine, and indeed the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences.”

With a growing number of life sciences and biomedical companies opting to base themselves in Wales, this course will give graduates from disciplines such as Biosciences, Medical Pharmacology, Medicine and Healthcare the skills to embark on a career within the sector. By the end of the course, which includes a final dissertation, graduates will be clear on the importance of research in improving scientific knowledge (e.g. for advising on best practices in pandemic planning) and the development of life-saving vaccines and treatments.

Dr David Cole, Industrial Partner at Immunocore, said, “Immunocore is delighted to be contributing to this exciting new course. We look forward to the opportunities for our staff to contribute to teaching and development within the course, as well as the chance to train the next generation of scientists with the skills and knowledge that will make them highly attractive potential recruits in the biotechnology sector and beyond.”

School of Medicine Postgraduate Taught Director Professor Ann Taylor said, “We are very excited to be able to now offer this leading-edge MSc programme, to support and grow the skilled biotechnicians and biomedical workers of tomorrow. This programme combines the research and educational excellence we have in our world-renowned Institute of Infection and Immunology and in the Centre for Medical Education, one of the largest providers of Postgraduate Taught educational providers for health and health related professionals in the UK.”

For more information about the programme, please contact Professor Williams or visit the course page.