Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology MSc, 1 year full-time
This is for you if... you want to study the molecular and cell biology of cancer to an advanced level and develop a career in biological research.
Course information
UK fee £9,900
International fee £21,850
Contact
Dr Raj Patel or Dr Sally Prigent
+44 (0)116 229 7068 or 7070
clspgt@le.ac.uk
Course description
Course description
Discoveries in cell and molecular biology underpin most of what is known about the development of cancer. Analysis of alterations in diverse cell functions including cell communication, cell division, cell metabolism, cell movement, genetic modifications and changes in gene expression are central to our understanding of the disease and ultimately its treatment. This full-time postgraduate degree will provide you with cutting-edge knowledge and practical training in those aspects of molecular and cell biology which are required to understand the current approaches to cancer research.
The course comprises four months of intensive taught lab work, tutorials and lectures followed by a six month, independent laboratory research project. As well as developing your understanding of the cellular and molecular processes and techniques used in cancer research, you will learn how to critically analyse research data and research papers and how to communicate complex scientific concepts and processes.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
2:2 degree (or equivalent) in Biological Sciences or related subject. We will also consider appropriate experience in industry.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
This is the total course fee.
Starting in September 2023
- £9,900
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you’re eligible.
If you are a University of Leicester alumni, you may be eligible for the Centenary Alumni Discount which offers a 20% fee reduction.
International Students
This is the total course fee.
Starting in September 2023
- £21,850
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
If you are a University of Leicester alumni, you may be eligible for the Centenary Alumni Discount which offers a 20% fee reduction.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
The research training you receive and the research project you conduct will provide you with skills that PhD supervisors and employers value highly when recruiting their postgraduate research students from around the world.
Our Career Development Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Course structure
Modules
Modules
- Introduction to Molecular Techniques
- Research Methods in Cell Biology
- Research Methods in Cancer Biology
- Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology
Plus your Masters Research Project
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Project
Project
Your second semester (January to August) comprises a laboratory project placement in a research lab either at the University of Leicester, an industrial research laboratory or a cancer research institute. You will select a project from a wide range of cancer-related topics and work full-time in the lab for six months as part of a research team. The remaining time will be spent on writing your dissertation and preparing your presentation.
Project work by some MSc Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology students has been published:
- Al-Salmani K, Abbas HHK, Schulpen S, Karbaschi M, Abdalla I, Bowman KJ, So KK, Evans MD, Jones GDD, Godschalk RW, Cooke MS. (2011) Simplified method for the collection, storage, and comet assay analysis of DNA damage in whole blood. Free Radical Biol. Med. 51, 719-725; doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2011.05.020
- Lam D, Shah S, de Castro IP, Loh S, Martins LM. (2010). Drosophila happyhour modulates JNK-dependent apoptosis. Cell Death and Disease, Aug 19; 1: e66; doi: 10.1038/cddis.2010.44
- Muskett FW, Thouta S, Thomson SJ, Bowen A, Stansfeld PJ, Mitcheson JS. (2011). Mechanistic insight into human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) K+ channel deactivation gating from the solution structure of the EAG domain. J Biol Chem., 286, 6184-91; doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.199364
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
A practically-orientated, full-time Masters comprising four months of intensive, taught lab work together with lectures, workshops, tutorials and seminars.
A unique opportunity to learn about the contemporary approaches to cancer research from some of the UK's leading researchers.
As well as your core lectures, there are optional lectures in related fields which will increase your understanding of the interdisciplinary aspects of your speciality.
To bring you right up-to-date with your chosen topic, there are Departmental Seminars and College Research Theme Days featuring visiting and internal speakers.
Teaching and learning
Teaching consists of lectures, tutorials, demonstrations and intensive laboratory classes comprising six distinct practicals each lasting either four or eight days. Successful completion of the taught phase is required to proceed to the project stage. Assessment is a mixture of written lab reports, a 3,000-word essay and three formal exams. Assessment of the independent laboratory research project is based on your lab performance, the written dissertation and the project presentation.
Key dates
September 2023 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2023 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your application by 21 July 2023)
- Deposit payment deadline: 7 August 2023
- CAS request deadline: 1 September 2023
- 50% payment deadline: 1 September 2023
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology | Qualification MSc | Duration 1 year full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
I chose an MSc Cancer Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Leicester due to the incorporation of both taught and research elements into the course. Not only did the course provide me with an excellent grounding in scientific research but, also helped me secure my PhD position.