MSc Cancer Biology and Therapeutics

The programme provides training in the modern practical, academic and research skills that are used in academia and industry. Through a combination of lectures, small-group seminars and practical classes, students apply this training towards the development of new therapies.

The programme culminates with a research project that investigates the molecular and cellular basis of cancer biology or the development of new therapies under the supervision of active cancer research scientists.

Teaching and assessment

The programme features a combination of examinations and practically focused continuous assessment, which gives you experience within a range of professional activities, eg, report writing, patent applications and public health information. The assessments have been designed to promote employability in a range of professional settings.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

• provide an excellent quality of postgraduate-level education in the field of cancer, its biology and its treatment
• provide a research-led, inspiring learning environment
• provide a regional postgraduate progression route for the advanced study of a disease that affects a high proportion of the population
• promote engagement with biological research into cancer and inspire you to pursue a scientific career inside or outside of the laboratory
• develop subject specific and transferable skills to maximise employment prospects
• promote an understanding of the impact of scientific research on society and the role for scientists in a range of professions.

Careers

A postgraduate degree in the School of Biosciences is designed to equip our graduates with transferable skills that are highly valued in the workplace. Our research-led ethos ensures that students explore the frontiers of scientific knowledge, and the intensive practical components provide rigorous training in cutting edge technical skills that are used in the modern biosciences while working in areas of world-leading expertise within the School.

Destinations for our graduates include the leading pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies within the UK and leading research institutes both at home and abroad.

To give you an idea of possible career destinations, recent graduates have gone on to the following roles: Research Assistant at the Institute of Cancer Research and at Illumina, as Scientific Copy Editor at Spandidos Publications, Lab assistant at Givaudan, Cancer Care Coordinator at Macmillan Cancer Research, Clinical Trial Administrator or Medical Lab Assistant at NHS Trusts and onto PhDs at BRIC Copenhagen, University of Kent, Institute of Cancer Research and University of Leeds.