Cancer Biology and Therapy MSc

Embark on your career in cancer research. Our course offers perfect training to develop you into a leading researcher while we prepare you for a career in research or to pursue a PhD.

Build a real understanding of the application of molecular approaches to the diagnoses, prevention and treatment of cancers. You’ll also undertake a research project, targeting a specific area of cancer biology, working alongside our team of leading experts.

Make an impact

Our course is designed to equip you with the expertise needed to pursue a career in research. You’ll study and develop in a research centre that makes significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of the disease, learning from expert staff. This will prepare you for a career where you can make an impact through your own investigation, increasing understanding and ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

MSc Cancer Biology and Therapy explores the molecular mechanisms of cancer and how such understanding applies in diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

You’ll gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles and application of cancer research and the basis of therapy. The subject encompasses many areas at the forefront of advances in applied biomedical sciences.

This is an exciting opportunity to:

• Get a thorough understanding of cancer biology and therapy driven by the most current research.

• Use the latest techniques in molecular biology, immunology, cell biology and chemistry applicable to cancer biology and therapy.

• Conduct your own research project within one of our internationally renowned institutes.

• Generate results with scientific impact and have the potential to improve cancer outcomes.

• Evaluate critically current issues in cancer research and therapy, and how to translate research findings into therapeutic applications.

This course is mainly taught at St James’s University Hospital.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Cancer Biology and Therapy MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

The taught components of the course provide a perfect knowledge background and research training to get the best out of your research project.

You’ll be taught by active scientists and clinicians who are world-leading in their research fields, through lectures, workshops, laboratory practicals, seminars and tutorials.

Teaching is mainly at St James's University Hospital, a busy research facility with research laboratories and a teaching laboratory, computer cluster, library and meeting rooms. You can easily get to and from the University campus with the free NHS shuttlebus.

We encourage you to participate in the School of Medicine Institutes’ activities, such as the invited speaker seminar series. You also have access to all the wider University of Leeds facilities.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

A major objective of the course is to train you to formulate your own ideas and express them logically, and this will be tested in every module assessment.

A typical module will be assessed by two assignments. Assessments include written assignments, as well as delivering presentations and posters, and leading discussions.

The MSc course comprises 180 credits. You may choose to exit the programme at an earlier stage, with either a PG Certificate (60 credits) or a PG Diploma (120 credits).

Entry requirements

BSc 1st class or 2i, or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline which would normally be one of the biological sciences but a natural sciences graduate will be considered.

This course is also available as an intercalated programme to students who have completed three years of a UK medical degree and are normally ranked in the top 50% of their year of study. Read more at Intercalation.

Students taking this course as an intercalated degree are subject to different deadlines of application.

Find out more about applying to intercalate.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other components.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Applications for 2022 entry will open on Friday 1 October 2021. From that date this page will contain a link to take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information you’ll need

• Transcript of the qualifications you are relying on for entry. If these are not in English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

• Contact details of at least two referees. If you are a recent graduate, at least one should be an academic referee

• A CV including the list of research projects you have undertaken to date.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

School of Medicine Taught Postgraduate Policy 2021

Fees

• UK: £11,000 (total)
• International: £24,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

This exciting course provides superb training for:

• Science graduates looking for an opportunity to go on to do doctoral research, enter academic medicine or pursue a career in industry, clinical service or a related discipline.

• Clinicians interested in an clinical academic career in the fields of Cancer Biology and Research.

Many of our past students to have studied with us at St James’s University Hospital are now doing PhDs across the UK or internationally. Some are working in NGOs or in the industry. Talented graduates from the MSc will be strongly supported to join PhD programmes in the institutes here at the University.

Our MSc in Cancer Biology and Therapy is also excellent preparation for those intending to secure clinical fellowships.

At Leeds, we also offer dedicated career support through our Leeds for Life initiative. You’ll receive support from a personal tutor, who’ll offer specialist guidance to make sure your hard work during your studies translates into career success.