Viewing course details for 2024 year of entry

How to apply

Code: REY01S
Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
Start: September 2024
Fees: £6,300 (UK) £15,700 (INT)
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Course Leader: Dr Helen Roberts, Dr Beata Burczynska
Study mode: On campus
Location: Hendon campus
School / Department: Department of Natural Sciences

Currently Reading: Course overview

Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. There are around 363,000 new cancer cases in the UK every year, which is more than 990 every day (Cancer Research UK, 2019). Understanding the mechanisms of tumour formation and developing new therapies are therefore high priority areas, not only due to the human cost of this disease, but also due to the high economic burden on the NHS. This MSc by Research programme will allow you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to prepare for a career in cancer research, and is one of only a few MSc by Research Oncology courses available in the UK.

Why study Oncology MSc by Research at Middlesex University?

During the course, you'll gain an understanding of the scientific basis of cancer and its treatments, and will learn the laboratory skills needed to evaluate the potential efficacy of new therapeutics. You'll be encouraged to attend workshops, tutorials and seminars covering the range of specific skills and resources you'll need during your research journey.

Our academics are internationally recognised researchers in the field of cancer research and have expertise in a variety of different research areas (such as immuno-oncology, epigenetics, genomics, chemoresistance, metastasis and cancer stem cells) and cancers (osteosarcoma, ovarian cancer, leukaemia, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer). You'll have access to an exceptionally wide range of research projects in cancer biology and can pursue a specific research project in collaboration with experts in the field.

Course highlights

Be equipped with the knowledge and research skills to pursue a research career in the field of oncology
Gain hands-on research experience whilst working with experts in the field
Have the opportunity to publish your work and attend conferences.

What will you study on Oncology MSc by Research?

This programme is a unique, research-based course, which does not follow the traditional model of lectures and exams. You'll have the opportunity to pursue specific study areas in oncology such as:

Epigenetic regulation of cancer
Immuno-oncology
miRNAs and cancer
Cancer stem cells
Genome-wide regulation of cancer
Mechanisms of metastasis
Chemoresistance

In addition to an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, you'll also learn the practical skills and analytical skills required for a research career in oncology. You'll join the postgraduate student research community through an ongoing series of workshops and seminars, building to your final thesis.

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Teaching

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

This programme is a unique, research-based course, which does not follow the traditional model of lectures and exams. Instead, you'll undertake a year-long research project in the laboratory, supervised by one of our internationally recognised academic researchers.

You'll be based at our Hendon campus, north London.

Assessment will be based on a final dissertation of approximately 20,000 words, and an oral defence of your work (Viva Voce). Two independent examiners will be appointed to read and evaluate the dissertation and will also attend and examine your oral defence.

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Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

We normally require an upper second class honours degree (2:1) or above in molecular biology, biomedical science, biology, or a related subject.

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your application.

Qualifications

We accept the equivalent of a 2:1 degree or above in molecular biology, biomedical science, biology, or a related subject from a recognised overseas qualification.

To find out more about the qualifications we accept, visit your country support page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your application.

Visas

You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK.

International students who require a Student route (formerly tier 4) visa to progress on a course at Middlesex University must apply for study on a full-time basis. However, this course is offered part-time so you are eligible to apply on a part-time basis.

Part-time study

International applicants can apply for a Student Route (formerly tier 4) visas for part-time postgraduate study (courses leading to a qualification at RQF level 7 or SCQF level 11 and above).

Student route visa students studying part-time are subject to certain restrictions:

no work (paid or unpaid)
no work placements as part of the programme
no dependants
no extending under Student Route visa in the UK. This includes Student Route visa applications to work as a Students' Union Sabbatical Officer or for the Foundation Programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists
not eligible for the Student route visa Doctorate Extension Scheme

*Please note that, if the course of your choice involves work experience, unpaid work, placements or internships, we will be unable to sponsor you to study a part- time course under the Student route (formerly tier 4) visa.

English language

You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all components). Visit our English language requirements page for a full list of accepted tests and qualifications.

If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.

We recommend that you contact one of our academics (listed under ‘Staff Profiles’) to discuss your research interests before applying.

To apply for this course, please log into the online application system and select the MSc by Research (ST) application option.

You'll also need to:

Write a research proposal. Please view our FAQ focused on writing your proposal
Gather the following compulsory supporting documents, in electronic format:
- all your academic documentation (including transcripts and certificates)
- your passport
- your sponsorship letter (if you are not paying your own fees)
- your IELTS, TOEFL or other equivalent English Language certificates (if your first language is not English)

Further information

Candidates already based in the UK who wish to enrol on this MSc by Research may also apply by the last day of July using our online application system.

You can start your MSc by Research at three specific times of the year. These are September 15th, January 15th and May 15th. In order to start at a particular time you must apply by the previous entry point. For example, if you want to start October 15th, please apply by May 15th.

If your application is suitable, you will be invited for interview (in person or by Skype) within two and a half months of your date of application.

Interviews

Each application will be considered on its individual merits and suitably qualified candidates will be invited for interview. Successful applicants may enrol to begin their studies at the start of any of the three terms during the academic year.

Careers

How can the Oncology MSc by Research support your career?

This programme is well suited to those who wish to pursue a research career in academia. However, the skills acquired can be applied to a broad range of different careers, including working in industry or in public service.

Fees and funding

The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year.

UK students¹

Full-time students: £6,300 per year
Part-time students: £3,150 per year

International students²

Full-time students: £15,700 per year
Part-time students: £7,850 per year

Additional costs

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

All printing and copying required for your study
Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors

We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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