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:

A course developed in collaboration with researchers, academics and clinicians and delivered by leading academic cancer researchers at Cardiff University.
A broad ranging course that covers basic molecular cancer cell biology through to translational research and therapeutics.
Key lectures and case study workshops delivered by oncologists and cancer clinicians.
Opportunity to undertake a research project in one of the internationally cancer research groups at Cardiff.
Close academic support from an experienced personal tutor.
Opportunity to study at Cardiff University, one of the UK’s major teaching and research universities.
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.”

Lauren, MSc Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Student

Key facts

Next intake	September 2020
Duration	1 year
Qualification	MSc
Mode	Full-time
Contact	Postgraduate Admissions Team pgtphrmyadmissions@cardiff.ac.uk

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.

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.

In exceptional circumstances, you are deemed to be able to demonstrate equivalent skills that are sufficient to meet the demands of the course.

For applicants whose first language is not English, appropriate proof of English skills are required. For IELTS, this will be an overall score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 for each component

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.

Core modules

Module title	Module code	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
Research Project	PHT805	60 credits

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

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.

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.