Cancer Biology and Therapy MSc

Cancer is one of the largest health challenges facing the world today. Our new and innovative MSc in Cancer Biology and Therapy gives you the opportunity to embark on a career in research, to diagnose, prevent and treat cancer. With us, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills make an impact through your own investigation and improve patient outcomes.

Our course is ideal training for clinicians and academics interested in a career in Cancer Biology and Research, and 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.

Make an Impact

• Join a network of leading experts and prepare for a career as a leading researcher.

• Study and develop in an internationally renowned research centre that makes significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of cancer.

• Build a real understanding of the application of molecular approaches to the diagnoses, prevention and treatment of cancers.

• Undertake a research project, targeting a specific area of cancer biology, working alongside our team of leading experts.

Explore the molecular mechanisms of cancer and how such understanding applies in diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

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.

Our teaching is research-led and delivered by both cancer research academics, oncologists and clinicians at St James’s 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

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.

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

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). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Applications are considered on the basis of the applicant’s qualifications and experience. Applications may close before the deadline date if numbers accepted reach capacity.

Apply

This link takes 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

• One reference is required at the point of application from a discipline related to the course you are applying to. If you are a recent graduate, the reference should be an academic referee. The reference should be provided on a headed document with either a stamp from the institution or an electronic signature.

• A CV or supporting personal statement, 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 2023

Fees

• UK: £12,750 (total)
• International: £28,000 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

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

• Individuals intending to secure clinical fellowships.

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.

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.