Cancer Sciences, MSci (Hons)

Course summary

This four-year degree studies the same course content as our three-year Cancer Sciences BSc, but it gives you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while undertaking a guaranteed nine-month placement in industry or in a research laboratory during your fourth year. Cancer drug development is a long and expensive process. The hunt for new treatments for cancer is still in full force. With many avenues and roles needed to meet this challenge, it’s imperative that there are trained specialists who can tackle it.Are you ready to join them?Gain a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of cancer sciences. From its basic scientific principles through to translation into therapeutics and drug development. Our Cancer Sciences MSci will give you training in the biomedical sciences such as cell and molecular biology, immunology, and human physiology.You’ll be supported by internationally recognised researchers and clinicians, and you’ll be equipped with the core scientific skills necessary to embark on, and progress to careers in cancer sciences research, in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, finance and contract research industries, as well as in the academic cancer research industry.

In your first year, you'll learn the characteristics of cancer, its causes, how it progresses, and how it affects a person's health. You will also learn the human physiology and fundamental cell and molecular biology that you need to understand cancer and its causes and treatments. Your second year looks more closely at how different cancers form, grow, and spread, specifically focusing on lung, breast, and ovarian cancer. Themes in this year include epidemiology and public health, as well as cancer cell genetics. The Patient-Centred Library Project module gives you the chance to study a different type of cancer, and provides an overview of the patient journey through healthcare interactions. The third year focuses on advanced study of the biology of cancer cells, immunology and the development of new cancer therapies. You'll also complete a research project to make new discoveries as part of a research group and produce an advanced literary project. In your final year, you'll experience a placement in an industrial or academic setting, with the opportunity to study abroad. You’ll enhance your already established research skills which will prepare you well for further study and show employers you have the work experience they’re looking for. For the most up-to-date module information and full details, please visit the course page on our website.