Genetic and Genomic Counselling (MSc)
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Part time distance learning
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Develop the skills to become a genetic counsellor and gain clinical experience, under the tuition of an expert team of genetic counsellors.
Taught by genetic counsellors
Most of our programme team are registered genetic counsellors, who are active within the profession, with clinical, research and/or national roles.
Accredited by professional bodies
Our MSc is accredited by the UK Genetic Counsellor Registration Advisory Board and the European Board of Medical Genetics.
Expert programme team
Counselling skills are taught by an expert counselling tutor, and many of the programme team are involved in research.
Genetic Counselling placement
During year 2 of the MSc, you will undertake a 72-day clinical placement, working with genetic counsellors and providing patient care.
Part-time blended learning
The course structure means you can work alongside your study, and live at home, just coming to Wales for short teaching blocks.
The primary aim of this course is to train graduates interested in the clinical application of advances in human genetics and genomics so that they can provide and critically evaluate genetic and genomic counselling services.
This is an innovative, part-time, largely distance-learning course. This opens up our well-established training expertise to a wider and international audience, as you do not need to relocate to Cardiff to study to become a genetic counsellor. Instead, you will attend short intensive teaching blocks in Wales and engage in online learning throughout the remainder of each year.
The course is particularly suitable if you are interested in pursuing a career as a genetic counsellor. It is designed to meet the educational requirements of the UK Genetic Counsellor Registration Advisory Board (GCRAB) and the European Board of Medical Genetics (EBMG Genetic Counsellors division). This accreditation means that graduates have the appropriate education to enable them to become Registered Genetic Counsellors once they have obtained sufficient clinical experience (outside of the programme).
Being primarily a distance-learning course has meant that I’m able to work alongside my studies, which is beneficial to my pocket. It also provides me with structure, gives me a world outside of studies, and allows me to develop other skills which, depending on your job, supplements my studies. I’m really enjoying the course so far. At the first face-to-face teaching block in Cardiff we met a number of patients and genetic counsellors and covered lots about counselling skills. It is a demanding programme, but the assignments are interesting and serve a purpose - they’re relatable to the role of a genetic counsellor! We have weekly tutorials where we use an online platform to talk with each other and the staff in real time – this is always really helpful. It’s a chance to ask lots of questions and discuss topics / hypothetical scenarios (my favourite part as it makes studying feel more like real life) - and you can even do this in your pyjamas!
Where you'll study
School of Medicine
We are one of the largest medical schools in the UK, committed to the pursuit of improved human health through education and research.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:1 bachelor’s level degree or MSc/PhD in biological / (bio)medical science or equivalent science, social science, nursing, psychology. Those with a 2:2 honours degree will be considered on an individual basis.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 7.0 with 6.5 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
- Evidence you have gained full-time non-family caring experience, equivalent to at least 200 hours, at the point of application. This can be evidenced by an employer's reference. References should be signed, dated and less than six months old at the time you submit your application.
- An academic reference which demonstrates your suitability for the programme. This should be obtained before you apply and will be required before we are able to make a decision on your application.
- A personal statement which demonstrates your knowledge, motivation, and commitment to a career in genetic and genomic counselling (you must use the below questions as headings in your statement):
- What motivates you to apply for this course?
- What personal qualities and attributes do you possess that would enhance your ability to work as a genetic counsellor?
- Please describe any experience you have had working with individuals who might be considered vulnerable.
- If you have previously applied for this course and were unsuccessful, please describe what further experience you have gained which may strengthen your application.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 31 March. You must submit all the evidence listed in the entry criteria by the deadline in order to be considered for an interview. If you submit an application after this date, it will only be considered if places are still available, which is unlikely. Please contact the programme team (geneticsadmin@cardiff.ac.uk) to enquire. Places are limited, so early application is recommended.
Selection process
Short-listing for interview will be based on the academic and other entry criteria, personal statement and references listed above.
At the panel interview, you will need to demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge of genetic and genomic counselling (genetic counselling experience or shadowing is not required).
- Reflective and self-awareness skills.
- Ability to reflect on psychosocial impact of disease and disability.
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
Interviewees will be scored based on pre-determined criteria. The application and interview score will be combined and offers will be made to the top-scoring applicants. Note that offers cannot be issued without a placement agreement in place (this will take place post-interview).
We reserve the right not to consider applicants who have previously been unsuccessful at interview.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful. If you are applying from certain countries overseas, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be required.
If you have a relevant criminal conviction, this will be stated in the check and may affect your ability to enrol on the course. Applicants who are on the barred list should be aware that applying to this course is likely to be considered a criminal offence.
Course structure
The MSc programme consists of two main stages: The taught stage lasts for a total of 24 months. The dissertation stage lasts for a further 12 months, following completion of the taught stages. The total normal duration to complete the full MSc programme is three academic years, from the date of initial registration on the programme.
This is a highly intensive programme and a commitment of 3 full days per week is recommended for general study. There is also the commitment to the face-to-face study blocks, weekly timetabled online tutorials, assignment deadlines, and the 72-day placement in Year 2. Therefore, it is unlikely to be possible to work full-time alongside the MSc.
Taught Stage
This stage consists of eight modules with credit values of 10, 20 or 50 credits, totalling 180 credits, at Level 7.
You can exit the course after successfully completing 90 credits of the taught component (including the Counselling skills module) with a Postgraduate Certificate in Delivering Genomic Healthcare. You can also exit after successfully completing 180 credits of the taught component (including all required modules) with a Postgraduate Diploma in Delivering Genomic Healthcare. Please note, it is only the full MSc in Genetic and Genomic Counselling which is accredited by the Genetic Counsellor Registration Advisory Board and European Board of Medical Genetics (Genetic Nurses and Counsellors Division) as providing the required education to become a registered genetic counsellor.
In Year 2, as well as studying modules, you will be required to complete a clinical placement of at least 72 days (full-time equivalent) in a clinical genetic service, which involves significant patient interaction. Please see the Admissions Criteria section for more information about placement arrangements.
Dissertation Stage
This stage will include a dissertation of 60 credits at Level 7, to achieve a combined total of 240 credits at Level 7 to complete the MSc programme.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Year one
This year provides an introduction to genetic and genomic counselling, and enables you to develop the counselling skills that you will need in your practice, as well as covering the genetic and genomic content required, with a focus on genomic conditions and genomic testing. It explores the contribution of genetic counselling to healthcare, taking you through the patient journey in relation to genomics and teaching the genetic counselling skills at each stage.
The year begins with an 8-day in-person teaching block at Cardiff University so you can get to know the programme team and start to develop the cohort relationships which will support you through the programme and beyond. Both this teaching block and a second 8-day in-person block in Cardiff in March provide opportunities to practice your counselling and genetic counselling skills, as well as to hear from individuals and families affected by genetic conditions.
The rest of the teaching will be provided online via Learning Central, the Cardiff University virtual learning environment. You will have weekly online synchronous tutorials to enable group learning from peers and from the staff team, plus asynchronous learning materials for you to schedule around your other commitments.
The year one modules total 90 credits. You will complete a range of assessments including essays, online presentations to your peers, class tests, reflective pieces, skills assessments and producing patient leaflets.
By the end of year one, you will have the basic knowledge, understanding and skills that you need to start your genetic counselling practice during placement in year 2.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Genetics and Genomics in Clinical Care | MET816 | 20 credits |
| Mainstream Genomic Healthcare | MET817 | 20 credits |
| Counselling and Communication Skills for Genetic and Genomic Counselling | MET818 | 10 credits |
| Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Science and Bioinformatics | MET819 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Genetic and Genomic Counselling | MET822 | 20 credits |
Year two
The main focus of year two is the experiential learning during your 72-day genetic counselling placement, when you will start to bring together the content from year one in order to provide genetic counselling to patients and families. You will be supported by a placement supervisor to initially observe genetic counselling, start to contribute and then provide all aspects of a genetic counselling sessions. You will also undertake the other aspects of a genetic counsellor’s role, including risk assessment, clinic preparation, ordering genomic tests, paperwork completion, referring patients, delivering patient results and writing letters.
This is supported by learning in advanced genetic and genomic counselling practice. In addition to the online learning, you will attend a 5-day teaching block in Cardiff to develop your advanced counselling skills, as well as participating in a 5-day ethics teaching block, where you and your class will be supported to explore the ethical issues associated with genetic counselling and develop the competence to manage ethical challenges that arise.
You will study a research methods module to provide the learning that you need to plan your dissertation. You will choose a topic of interest and plan a structured literature review or empirical study, producing a protocol ready to complete during year three.
The modules in year two total 90 credits, and there are a range of assessments in addition to the research protocol. Your placement supervisor will assess and sign off your competence on placement, and you will record a role-played session for assessment of your genetic counselling practice including integration of counselling skills. You will have the opportunity to present cases to your class and the programme team for formative feedback prior to writing up case studies for submission. You will also provide an education session on a particular aspect of genetic counselling of your choice to your class during tutorial.
By the end of year two, you will have completed the taught aspects of the MSc required to prepare you to work as a trainee/pre-registration genetic counsellor, as well as to complete your MSc dissertation during year three.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Research Methods | MET824 | 20 credits |
| Advanced Genetic and Genomic Counselling | MET827 | 20 credits |
| Advanced Clinical Genetics and Genomics | MET829 | 20 credits |
| Placement: Genetic and Genomic Counselling | MET840 | 30 credits |
Year three
Year three is the Dissertation stage, which comprises 60 credits. You must first pass all components of the taught stage of the programme before progressing to year three.
During year three, you will focus on completing your MSc dissertation project, which you chose and planned during year two. You will have the guidance and support of an experienced Cardiff University supervisor, who will help you to achieve the goals of the project.
You will continue to attend for online tutorials, as well as a four-day teaching block in Cardiff. These will cover content relating to your dissertation such as analytic skills and chapter writing and provide opportunities to discuss your project plans with the programme team. You will also present your dissertation project to your classmates. In addition, they will include case discussions, advanced counselling skills, other topics related to genetic counselling and preparation for employment as a genetic counsellor.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation: Genetic and Genomic Counselling | MET820 | 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.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
You will be taught through a combination of face-to-face and online lectures, tutorials, seminars, skills sessions, self-directed study and experiential learning on placement. All learning is focused towards the development of the knowledge, understanding, skills and competence to become a genetic counsellor. You will be taught by a programme team consisting of Genetic Counsellors, Clinical Geneticists and a Counselling Tutor, all with practical experience, who will enable you to apply your academic learning to your genetic counselling practice.
You will attend for five teaching blocks in Wales over the three years of the programme, where practical sessions will focus on skills best developed in-person, and, during year 2, you will undertake a genetic counselling placement, where you will bring together your learning to provide genetic counselling for patients.
The rest of the learning will take place online – mandatory weekly synchronous (timetabled) one-hour tutorials during term time to enable learning from peers and staff, plus asynchronous learning that you can fit around your other commitments. All modules within the programme make extensive use of Learning Central, the Cardiff University virtual learning environment, where you can find course materials including recordings of lectures, online learning materials, links to related materials, formative online tests, discussion boards and assessment information.
Lectures take a range of forms providing a broad structure for each subject, to introduce key concepts and convey relevant up-to-date information in the rapidly evolving field of genomic healthcare. In tutorials and seminars, you'll have the opportunity to discuss particular genetic and genomic counselling topics, to consolidate and receive feedback on your individual learning and to develop skills in oral presentation. Tutorials will enable you to make individual contributions to group study, for example by summarising a particular genetic condition or your dissertation project for the group.
You will have the opportunity to practise and develop counselling, intellectual, team-working and presentation skills by participating in diverse learning activities, such as solving clinical problems, small-group discussions, debates, oral presentations, independent research tasks and written assignments, as well as your practical placement activities in year 2.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through a combination of means including written work (reports, essays), presentations, reflective pieces, skills assessments and a dissertation.
Assessments are based on the module learning outcomes, ensuring that you develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and competence to become a genetic counsellor. Different types of assessment are used to address the different learning outcomes and the various aspects of genetic counselling. These include academic understanding (for example in essays and case studies), practical skills (such as explaining inheritance, carrying out variant interpretation and providing genetic counselling), reflective skills, presentation skills and research skills. Tutorial sessions provide a forum for group discussion of assessments and their relationship to genetic counselling practice.
The dissertation is based on a literature-review or an empirical study related to genetic counselling. Topic areas could include individual, family or patient experiences of genetic or genomic testing and counselling; patient outcomes from genetic or genomic testing and counselling; social and ethical implications of genetic technologies and genetic or genomic counselling; or the professional experiences of genetic counsellors.
Feedback:
You will be provided with formative feedback on your developing skills, which does not contribute to progression or degree classification decisions. This will help you identify your strengths and the areas that need work and help staff to support you address these areas. You will benefit from formative feedback from the programme team, as well as peer feedback from your fellow students.
You will be provided with summative feedback on your assessments that contribute to progression or degree classification decisions. This will indicate how well you have succeeded in meeting the learning outcomes and provide guidance of how you can improve in future work.
You will have the opportunity to discuss feedback one-to-one with the programme team as needed. You will also have the opportunity to benefit from peer feedback from your fellow students. Tutorial sessions provide a forum for group feedback to and from the course directors.
How will I be supported?
You will be supported by the MSc programme team, who you will meet in-person during the teaching blocks and online during weekly tutorials. Most of the team are experienced GCRAB and/or EBMG registered Genetic Counsellors, and we are all keen to support you to become genetic counsellors, so are available for discussion as needed.
You will be allocated a personal tutor who will arrange to meet you once per semester, with the option for you to request additional meetings as you wish. They will help you reflect on your progress and performance on the course and advise you on study techniques and career planning. In addition, they will provide a first point of contact for pastoral support if you experience any difficulties. Pastoral support is also provided by the University and Students Union, which can be accessed online as needed.
To develop your academic skills, a variety of study skills support is provided by the University, and feedback will be given to support your learning and development. Formative feedback may be provided verbally or in writing. Summative feedback will be provided via Learning Central, the Cardiff University virtual learning environment, usually in writing or as recordings of verbal feedback.
For your dissertation, you will be allocated a Cardiff University academic supervisor who will meet with you on a regular basis to discuss progress, provide advice and guidance, and give you written feedback on one draft of each dissertation chapter.
A range of staff are available to provide further support, including an academic support tutor and a specialist medical librarian. A member of academic staff acts as a designated Disability and Diversity Officer and ensures that reasonable adjustments are made for students with disabilities. Extensive careers expertise in genetic counselling is available within the programme team, with additional careers expertise available with the School and University.
We will support you and your peers to develop strong relationships within the class. Your fellow students are a great source of support, and we will work hard to create an environment that will foster this, especially as your classmates will continue to be useful sources of support throughout your career as a genetic counsellor. We will create opportunities for the group to meet and have fun socially during the face-to-face blocks in Wales. We will also encourage you to create your own closed social media group for the class to foster supportive peer relationships.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The course will provide you with the opportunity to gain a range of valuable skills, both discipline specific skills and more generic employability skills. Through the programme, you will have the opportunity to develop counselling and communication skills, IT and practical clinical skills, and you will be presented with a number of opportunities to extend your communication and analytical skills.
Knowledge & Understanding:
On completing the Programme, you will be able to:
- Analyse the contribution of genetics and genomics to disease and appraise implications for healthcare management of individuals, couples, and families.
- Critically evaluate theories of counselling, decision-making, family dynamics, ethics, and public health that inform psychosocial genetic counselling.
- Assess and justify genetically informed disease risk calculations for individuals, couples, and families to inform healthcare decisions.
- Evaluate the genetic counsellor’s role within multidisciplinary genomic teams and mainstream genomic healthcare contexts.
Intellectual Skills:
On completing the Programme, you will be able to:
- Integrate and synthesise genetic and genomic knowledge across a broad range of conditions to provide accurate genetic and genomic counselling.
- Critically appraise relevant theory and literature to inform evidence-based genetic and genomic counselling.
- Justify and defend the selection of counselling skills and theoretical approaches across diverse clinical scenarios.
- Evaluate the role of genetic counsellors and genomic testing services in varied contexts to propose healthcare improvements.
- Critique current and emerging genomic technologies and care pathways for ethical, legal, cultural, equity, diversity, and inclusivity implications.
- Design and implement a research, clinical audit, innovation, or service evaluation project, and evaluate its outcomes.
Professional Practical Skills:
On completing the Programme, you will be able to:
- Deliver and evaluate safe, effective, patient-centred genetic and genomic counselling in compliance with professional regulations.
- Apply and appraise evidence-informed psychosocial counselling using appropriate theory and literature.
- Develop and justify tailored holistic care plans for individuals, couples, and families, incorporating cultural and protected characteristics.
- ritically reflect on learning and practice to enhance genetic and genomic counselling competence.
Transferable/Key Skills:
On completing the Programme, you will be able to:
- Analyse and solve complex problems across diverse healthcare contexts.
- Evaluate and prioritise workload and time management strategies to meet professional deadlines.
- Collaborate and synthesise ideas with others to develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
- Demonstrate initiative and justify decisions taken to accomplish objectives and goals.
- Communicate and appraise information accurately and concisely using varied styles and media for different audiences.
Tuition fees for 2027 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £7,950 | None |
| Year two | £7,950 | None |
| Year three | £2,650 | None |
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £13,200 | £3,000 |
| Year two | £13,200 | None |
| Year three | £4,400 | None |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
While most of the costs are incorporated in the fee structure, you need to be aware of some additional costs. You are responsible for all costs of travel (including visas), transportation, subsistence and overnight accommodation, from your home base to:
- All face-to-face teaching blocks in Wales.
- Genetic counselling clinical placements (location discussed prior to admittance to the MSc).
- Any required re-sit examinations in Cardiff.
There may be an additional cost to you if you require English Language proof reading for your dissertation or other written assessments.
You will also be responsible for the cost of DBS or local police checks required. If Occupational Health screening identifies the need for additional vaccinations, this may incur a cost.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
This programme is designed to prepare you to become a genetic counsellor and provides the required content for graduates to be employed as a trainee/pre-registration genetic counsellor. It is accredited by the UK Genetic Counsellor Registration Advisory Board (GCRAB) and the European Board of Medical Genetics (EBMG). It provides the relevant academic content for registration as a Clinical Scientist (genomic counselling) via the scientist training programme equivalence route.
The programme covers all aspects of genomic counselling, preparing graduates to work in clinical practice and related areas such as education. It also provides a grounding in research methods, so graduates can consider working within academic research relating to genetic counselling, genomic healthcare and medical ethics. Completion of the MSc programme involves development of a range of transferable skills, which will be useful for future employment.
Career pathways are discussed during the programme, including pathways to genetic counsellor registration, with specialist advice from the programme team, most of whom are registered genetic counsellors. The programme team and Cardiff University can also advise on careers in other areas, such as research and education. During the final year, job applications and interview practice are explored, with opportunities to practice and prepare.
Genomic healthcare is expanding rapidly and is a governmental priority across the UK and internationally. Therefore, there is increasing demand for genetic counsellors within the NHS and other healthcare services, as well as in other areas such as research, education and policy. The majority of our graduates are employed as genetic counsellors in clinical practice, whilst others work in research and education.
Placements
In year two, you will be required to complete 72 days of placement work-based experience in a genetic or genomic counselling service. This will be discussed as part of the selection process as the ability to arrange placement is a prerequisite for being accepted onto the course. You will need to liaise with the MSc programme team about the proposed placement and, if this is taking place outside of the UK and Ireland, provide contact details for proposed placement providers to the MSc programme team, who will arrange an appropriate agreement between you, Cardiff University and the placement provider.
On placement, you will participate in the regular activities of the service and contribute to the genetic counselling of clients of the service. The placement allows you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills developed on the MSc in Genetic and Genomic Counselling in a clinical genetics / genetic counselling service and be assessed in core competences. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your developing skills in genetic and genomic counselling, supported by a local placement supervisor and by online genetic counselling supervision (as defined by the UK Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors). You will work with placement supervisors to complete the requirements of the placement, including a placement supervisor’s report, a Case Log and a Skills and Competences Log.
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
