Course information
UK fee £10,950
International fee £23,650
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
Starting in September 2025
- £10,950
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
Starting in September 2025
- £23,650
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
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
International students who study at the University of Leicester may be eligible for a Graduate Visa which grants permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successful completion of their course.
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 Cancer Biology
- Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology
Plus your MSc 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
One of the most valued features of this course is the MSc Research Project, in which you will put your newly acquired practical skills and knowledge to the test. For up to six months, you will work as a member of a dedicated research team, designing and conducting your own research, culminating in the production of a dissertation. You will choose your laboratory research placement from projects covering a broad range of disciplines. The project is an ideal preparation if you wish to proceed to a PhD in the field of Cancer Research and offers a great opportunity to enhance your employability as a biomolecular scientist.
Recent research project titles offered include:
- Targeting BAK-dependent apoptosis for the treatment of cancer
- Obtaining insights into Ras – effector interaction kinetics
- Investigating the potential role of MPHOSPH6 in telomerase RNA processing
- Structural Characterisation of the Interaction Between BCL10 and MALT1
- Characterisation of the melanoma associated adaptor protein ShcD/RaLP
- Can inhibition of monocarboxylate transport in human glioma cell-lines reduce proliferation and cause apoptosis?
During your project you will learn how to design and conduct hypothesis-driven research using state-of-the-art techniques. You will also gain experience of how to critically interpret scientific literature and how to use effective written and oral communication to present your data.
Assessment of the MSc Research Project is in three parts: your research performance, a dissertation you write about your research, and a seminar you will present at the end of the project.
Project titles shown represent choices available to current students. The range of projects available will vary depending on research demands.
Published projects
- Weldon C, Dacanay J G, Gokhale V, Boddupally P V L, Behm-Ansmant I, Burley G A, Branlant C, Hurley L H, Dominguez C., and Eperon I C. (2017). Specific G-quadruplex ligands modulate the alternative splicing of Bcl-X. Nucleic Acids Research 46, 886-896
- Prosser SL, Samant M D, Morrison C E, Baxter J E. and Fry A M. (2012) Oscillation of APC/C activity during cell cycle arrest drives centrosome amplification. J. Cell Sci., 125, 5353-5368. doi:10.1242/jcs.106096
- Muskett F W, Thouta S, Thomson S J, Bowen A, Stansfeld, P J. and 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
- Lam D, Shah S, de Castro I P, Loh S, Martins L M. (2010). Drosophila happyhour modulates JNK-dependent apoptosis. Cell Death and Disease, Aug 10; 1: e66. doi:10.1038/cddis.2010.44
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 2025 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
- Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
- CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025
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.