How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Cancer Biology

Start date: January 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Life Sciences (School of)

If you want to pursue a research career in academia or industry, our MSc Cancer Biology will provide you with the essential advanced skills and knowledge for a role in biopharma, healthcare or cancer research. We offer many opportunities for you to explore medically relevant research in the School of Life Sciences including hospital-based sessions through our collaboration with local cancer specialists and clinicians.

An important and exciting part of your programme is an extensive independent research project, based in one of our academic research groups using advanced laboratories facilities and bioinformatics tools. There are also opportunities for research projects to take place within an industrial or clinical setting.

Throughout the course, you develop your knowledge in the essential areas of molecular and cellular biology which complement your specialist modules in cancer biology. You gain expertise in areas including:

Specific cancer types (including breast, prostate, pancreatic and colon cancer)
Clinical aspects of cancer
Emerging trends in cancer research

You are also trained in modern research methods and approaches which will develop your skills in complex biological data analysis and specific techniques in cancer research.

You can start this course in either October or January.

Visit our biomedical science subject page for more information and content.

Why we're great.

Study specialist modules taught by academic staff, cancer specialists and clinicians within the academic and hospital environment.
Carry out your own 16-week research project, based in an academic, industrial or clinical setting.
Graduate in a subject which is in demand from the biotechnology and biomedical research industries.

Our expert staff

We have a very strong research team in the area of cancer biology, who are well placed to deliver the specialist teaching on this course.

The team includes Dr Andrea Mohr (the role of mesenchymal stem cells in the tumour microenvironment), Dr Ralf Zwacka (apoptotic and survival signalling in cancer), Dr Greg Brooke (steroid hormone receptor signalling in cancer), Dr Metodi Metodiev (clinical proteomics and bioinformatics), Dr Vladimir Teif (computational and systems biology), Professor Nelson Fernandez (tumour immunology), Dr Joaquin De Navascues (radiation biology), Dr Phillippe Laissue (cancer cell imaging) and Dr Tim Barrow (genetic and epigenetic changes in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia).

External experts also input to your teaching, including guest speakers from hospitals and research institutions, who deliver classes both on-campus and within the hospital environment.

As one of the largest schools at Essex, we offer a lively, friendly and supportive environment with research-led study and high-quality teaching, and you benefit from our academics' wide range of expertise and research.

The University of Essex has a Women's Network to support female staff and students, and our School was awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award in October 2020, which reflects the work carried out by staff in our School to continue to improve equality, including a mentorship scheme, support for postdoctoral research staff, and financial help towards childcare costs for academics who wish to attend conferences.

Specialist facilities

Recent investment has provided modern facilities for functional genomics, computational biology and imaging biological systems. On our course you have the opportunity to:

Study in an open and friendly department, with shared staff-student social spaces
Carry out your research project in shared lab space, alongside PhD students and researchers engaged in cutting-edge cancer research
Learn to use state-of-the-art research facilities, including an advanced microscopy suite, proteomics laboratory, cell culture, bioinformatics and genomics facilities, modern molecular biology laboratories, and protein structure analysis

Your future

Graduates who are skilled in the research methods embedded into your course are in demand from the biotechnology and biomedical research industries in this area of the UK and beyond.

Many of our Masters students progress to study for a PhD, and there are many opportunities within our school leading to a career in life science.

We work with our University's Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2.2 or international equivalent in any subject with at least 3 modules from the following list:

Biochemistry
Bioinformatics
Cancer Biology
Computational Biology
Drug Design
Genomics
Immunology
Maths (including variations of, eg Statistics, Calculus, Algebra)
Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Molecular Genetics
Molecular Structure and Bonding
Physiology
Virology

We will also consider applicants with 2 out of the 3 above modules

Applicants without the required modules or with a lower level degree will also be considered where they also have at least 6 months to 1 year relevant work experience.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

All of the modules listed below provide an example of what is on offer from the current academic year. Our Programme Specification provides further details of the course structure for the current academic year.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore, to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Gene Technology and Synthetic Biology

(30 CREDITS)

The development of techniques to manipulate and analyse nucleic acids has revolutionised the study of biology, and provided the key driver for massive expansion in biotechnology. You explore the major tools used in gene technology and gain a practical understanding of how they are used, as well as the molecular techniques that can be used to explore biological questions. Gain an understanding of the impact of gene technology and synthetic biology and explore the applications of genome scale methods for studying gene expression in biotechnology and molecular medicine.

View Gene Technology and Synthetic Biology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Advanced Research Skills

(30 CREDITS)

This module provides you with the research methods and analytical skills that are necessary to carry out a research project on a specific topic.

View Advanced Research Skills on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Protein Technologies and Proteomics

(15 CREDITS)

Explore the features and properties of proteins, and examine how they are related to function, as well as their wider role within important biological processes. Getting hands-on, you produce, isolate, purify and characterise proteins with biotechnological potential, as well gaining valuable experience in obtaining and analysing proteomic data.

View Protein Technologies and Proteomics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Research Project: MSc Cancer Biology

(0 CREDITS)

The Research Project is a core module, contributing 50% to your final marks and is the largest piece of work you will need to complete during the course. You will be allocated a supervisor with expertise in one of the areas of cancer research, who will design specific MSc projects and will provide guidance on the academic standard, methods, data analysis and means of scientific communications.

View Research Project: MSc Cancer Biology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Research Project: MSc Cancer Biology

(60 CREDITS)

View Research Project: MSc Cancer Biology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Advanced Cancer Biology

(15 CREDITS)

Integrating fundamental science with clinical aspects, this module will provide you with advanced and up-to-date knowledge in contemporary cancer research. Classes will be delivered by members of the School and external experts, including guest speakers from hospitals and research institutions. The module will focus on different cancer types such as prostate, colorectal and pancreatic cancer studied at Essex. The role of the immune system, genetic and epigenetic factors and signalling pathways in cancer development will be explored. The application of theoretical knowledge in cancer research into clinical practice (“from bench to bedside”) and personalised cancer medicine will be discussed.

View Advanced Cancer Biology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Genomics

(15 CREDITS)

The sequencing of the human genome is one of the biggest achievements of this century. Nowadays, genomics is leading to major advances in biotechnology and molecular medicine, such as enhanced diagnostic tools, better vaccines, improved treatments for disease, and better detection of pollutants. In this module, you gain an understanding of current genomics approaches, including genome sequencing and comparative genomics. You also learn how to study your own genomic data, using state-of-the-art computational resources.

View Genomics on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Professional Skills and the Business of Biosciences

(15 CREDITS)

Gain invaluable insight into the functioning of the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical industries, investigate some of the most timely and contentious topics in Biotechnology, and develop transferable professional and research skills to enhance your chances of securing employment in the field.

View Professional Skills and the Business of Biosciences on our Module Directory

Teaching

Advanced theoretical lectures and seminars
Small group laboratory sessions
Gain practical research skills on your individual research project
Postgraduate Taught students in the School of Life Sciences typically attend about 10 hours of workshops, lectures, seminars and practicals each week

Assessment

Our modules are assessed by a combination of exams, essays, verbal/visual presentations, laboratory reports, and your research project

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£10,000

International fee

£21,700

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

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If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

Find out more

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.