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MRes Cancer Sciences

The Cancer Sciences degree from University of Birmingham is a one year, full-time programme comprising three taught modules and an extended laboratory-based research project. This programme is specifically designed to offer postgraduate training to students interested in a career in cancer research, particularly those wishing to pursue a PhD.

Quick Facts

  
Full-Time Duration: TBA
Starting in: September
Tuition Fee: £64,040 per year
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom

Why study this Cancer Sciences degree from University of Birmingham?

  • Extended cancer research project and thesis generation – You will undertake a research project in an active cancer research group where you will become an active member of the group throughout the project duration. Here you will be trained in several key research methodologies that can be applied to any further research you go on to do in the future.
  • Intimate understanding of translational research – The modules have a bench to bedside ethos, so provide an understanding of fundamental research and how this has been interpreted and expanded to the development of treatments and furthermore, how novel treatments may fail.
  • Cutting-edge genetic and epigenetic approaches – These types of approaches are widely used in cancer diagnostics as well as our fundamental understanding of the disease development, drug sensitivity and drug development.
  • Physiologically-relevant cancer research models – Many studies are performed using ex-vivo human cancer cells rather than cell lines to ensure the results are truly representative of the cancer. Cutting-edge models such as organoids are used widely and are revealing novel insights into cancer development, genetics and drug sensitivities.
  • Understanding cancer microenvironment – The microenvironment can impact how the cancer grows as well as how the immune cells interact with the malignant cells and is particularly important in the era of immunotherapy.

Courses included:

  • Genomics and Genome-based Therapies
  • Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy

“The transition from undergrad to postgrad can be a big step up in terms of workload and what is expected of you, but there is so much support available to you as a postgrad student, from academic writing support (if you’ve been out of education for a few years or just want a bit of extra help) to mental health and wellbeing services. The careers support is fantastic – the uni puts on employer fairs throughout the year and you have access to one on one support from the Careers Network team, who can help you develop your skills ready for your next step!”

Emma Sutton // PhD Psychology

Careers

On completion of the MRes Cancer Sciences programme, students will have developed key research and presentation skills that are sought by many recruiters into further postgraduate study at PhD level. These skills will also be applicable to other career pathways in the biomedical and health sciences sectors.

Requirements

  • A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in the life sciences or biomedical sciences. We normally expect this to be at the 2(i) level or higher, but will also consider promising students who have not quite achieved this level.

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