Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (MSc)
Graduates from this course will have a breadth and depth of cancer-focused training that will make them credible candidates to start or further a career within the health sector or research establishments.
This one year, full-time MSc course is designed to provide you with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills in the rapidly advancing field of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics.
Our aim is to provide you with a breadth and depth of cancer-focused training that will make you a highly attractive candidate to start or continue a career within the healthcare sector and public/private sector research establishments.
Throughout the course, you’ll gain from advanced teaching in the cellular aspects of cancer biology together with the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression. Through this programme you’ll also receive in-depth training in cancer therapeutics, encompassing biomarkers and diagnosis, therapeutic targets, drug discovery and clinical trials and chemo/radio therapy.
The course offers research skills training and a laboratory-based research project that helps you to develop research hypotheses and critically evaluate translational approaches with respect to the development of contemporary cancer therapeutics.
So, whether you’re looking to better prepare yourself for doctoral research or to achieve a self-contained advanced qualification in its own right, this postgraduate programme will give you a balanced combination of theory and practice to suit your needs and set you in excellent stead for your future career.
Distinctive features
Distinctive features of the course include:
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A course developed in collaboration with researchers, academics and clinicians and delivered by leading academic cancer researchers at Cardiff University.
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A broad ranging course that covers basic molecular cancer cell biology through to translational research and therapeutics.
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Key lectures and case study workshops delivered by oncologists and cancer clinicians.
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Opportunity to undertake a research project in one of the internationally cancer research groups at Cardiff.
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Close academic support from an experienced personal tutor.
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Opportunity to study at Cardiff University, one of the UK’s major teaching and research universities.
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Opportunity to join a vibrant postgraduate community studying at Cardiff.
“This truly integrated course delves deeper into the science behind cancer and has also given me the opportunity to see the disease and its treatment from the clinical side as well. Whether you’re a Pharmacist or Biomedic or Medic, you’ll find something in this course that you’ll enjoy and can relate to. And, like me, you’ll be in better stead for your future too.”
Key facts
| Next intake | September 2020 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year |
| Qualification | MSc |
| Mode | Full-time |
| Contact |
Admissions criteria
Students wishing to enrol on this programme will normally possess an initial degree in the biological sciences or a healthcare-related subject awarded by a recognised Institution, at or above the 2.2 level or its equivalent (or higher)
Graduates from the following areas of study would also be considered: Chemistry, radiology.
At the discretion of the University, non-graduates may also be admitted on to the module provided:
- You have held, for a minimum period of two years, a position of responsibility relevant to the course.
or
- In exceptional circumstances, you are deemed to be able to demonstrate equivalent skills that are sufficient to meet the demands of the course.
English language requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all subskills.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements
This is a full-time course over one academic year. You will study 180 credits: 120 of taught material, followed by a 60 credit project.
Academic stages
The full-time MSc lasts for a total of 50 weeks over one academic year and consists of two ‘stages’ – one taught stage and a research project.
Stage 1
This stage consists of two 30-credit modules and three 20-credit modules giving a total of 120 credits at Level 7 in stage 1.
Stage 2
The research project of the programme represents stage 2 and lasts for three months. You will complete a period of laboratory-based research to produce a dissertation worth 60 credits at level 7.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2020/21 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2020.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Research Project | PHT805 | 60 credits |
| Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer | PHT801 | 30 credits |
| Translational Oncology and Therapeutics | PHT802 | 30 credits |
| Academic Research Skills | PHT803 | 20 credits |
| Research Methodology | PHT804 | 20 credits |
| Data Analysis and Bioinformatics | PHT806 | 20 credits |
How will I be taught?
The programme will provide advanced teaching in the cellular aspects of cancer biology together with the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression. In-depth training will be provided in the area of cancer therapeutics, encompassing biomarkers and diagnosis, therapeutic targets, drug discovery and clinical trials and chemo/radio therapy, in addition to developing the student’s theoretical and practical research skills.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment for the course will comprise a combination of exams, written essays, posters, laboratory coursework and case studies.
What skills will I practise and develop?
After fully engaging in this course, you should have developed skills and abilities which you can apply to any professional setting and enhance your future employability.
In addition to greater conceptual understanding of current knowledge, issues and methods, you will have the opportunity to practise and develop abilities in critical analysis, the application of evidence-based medicine and in dealing with complex issues systematically and creatively. Your studies should also help you develop your problem-solving and decision-making abilities by enabling you to utilise evidence effectively and communicate important concepts to colleagues and others. Through the research focused elements you will have the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in literature review, critical evaluation, research design, research methodologies, data collection, data analysis and research principles.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2020/21)
| Tuition fee | Deposit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| £9,700 | None |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
EU students entering in 2020/21 will pay the same tuition fee as UK students for the duration of their course. Please be aware that fees may increase annually in line with inflation. No decisions regarding fees and loans for EU students starting in 2020/21 have been made yet. These will be determined as part of the UK's discussions on its membership of the EU and we will provide further details as soon as we can.
Students from outside the EU (2020/21)
| Tuition fee | Deposit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| £21,950 | £1,000 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Once you graduate from this course, you’ll gain a breadth and depth of cancer-focused training that could make you a highly attractive candidate to start or continue a career within the healthcare sector and research establishments.
Potential employment opportunities include studying for a PhD, becoming a medical laboratory science officer or research technician, clinical trials co-ordinator, medical writer or scientific liaison officer.
