Biomedical Science - Medical Immunology MSc
Launch your career in Immunology and work for the NHS, pharmaceutical companies or research organisations when you qualify with our Biomedical Science MSc
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Viewing course details for 2024 year of entry
- Code
- PGC550
- Attendance
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start
- September 2024
- Fees
- £10,500 (UK) £16,800 (INT)
- Course Leader
- Sue Outram
- Study mode
- On campus, Online
- Location
- Hendon campus
- School / Department
- Department of Natural Sciences
Why choose Biomedical Science (Medical Immunology) MSc at Middlesex?
This MSc programme will allow you to develop your knowledge and understanding of advance Immunological concepts.
On our master's degree you will learn about how the immune system protects the host from infection by microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria but how it can also, when deregulated, give rise to immune system disorders such as autoimmune disease.
You will learn how immunological reagents may be used as immunotherapeutics to treat cancers and inflammatory disease and how immunoassays are used in the diagnosis of disease.
We also cover the framework and vocabulary in essential and advanced aspects of Immunology.
What you will gain
You will learn analytical and technical skills that will prepare you for a career within the NHS, the private health sector, pharmaceutical industry, education, or to work in training or research.
You will work on your own research project, under supervision, which may lead to inclusion in a scientific publication, resulting in an improved research profile.
Specialist external lecturers will share their knowledge with you from their areas of expertise. This broadens your knowledge resources and network opportunities. For example, during your immunopathology module, you will be taught about how a recipient is matched to a donor kidney that has suddenly become available by the blood and transplant team at St. Georges Hospital Medical School.
You will be taught about the diagnosis of primary immunodeficiencies in children by a clinical scientist based in Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and finally, you will be taught how to diagnose allergy and hypersensitivity by an expert in the area based at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS trust.
Accreditations
This programme is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
Accreditation of this course is a recognition that it will provide qualified biomedical scientists, who are specialist practitioners or intend to specialise, with advanced knowledge and skills required for clinical practice.
Non-members are eligible for membership of the IBMS MSc after completing the course. However, the course in itself does not lead to registration with the HCPC as a biomedical scientist.
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
We will prepare you for a career in the diagnostic laboratories or the biotechnology sector, or for independent research careers in academia. You will complete a research project supervised by one of the university's research team members who specialize in Immunology.
The module aims to examine advanced bioanalytical techniques that are used in biomedical research, for the analysis of products, for improving disease understanding, and for the analysis of disease biomarkers. It also provides a detailed understanding of the principles, theory and practice of bioanalytical techniques, including safety, instrumentation, sample preparation techniques together with analysis and interpretation of analytical data.
The module aims to provide insight into a range of ethical and legal issues that relate to professional practice, to research with human and animal subjects, and to human reproduction. It also aims to give you a broad overview of the relevant current UK ethical and legal regulations for research using human tissues. The module will further explore the ethical issues present in the rapidly developing area of genetic technology, including genetic testing and selection, genetic engineering, and the concept of genetic disease.
The module aims to provide you with the tools required to design effective and efficient experiments, and to test scientific hypotheses. The module will also equip you with the tools necessary for statistical analysis in a hypothesis testing context.
This module aims to provide you with a sound knowledge of how immunoassays may be used in the diagnosis of disease. You will also learn how current immunological methods such as vaccination and development of monoclonal therapeutic antibodies have evolved, and how they may be adapted for use in the clinical setting.
This module aims to provide students with a sound knowledge of the concepts and language of Immunology. This will enable students to understand how animals and, in particular humans, respond to, and eliminate, infection caused by a wide range of different microorganisms.
This module aims to develop the concepts and language of immunology that are, or may be, applied clinically. The focus of this module will be on understanding the mechanisms that underpin the onset and development of hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, and transplant survival or rejection. You will also gain an understanding of Tumour Immunology.
The module aims to provide you with current theories and approaches to leadership and management so you can bring about effect positive change in the team or organisation that you lead or manage.
This module aims to develop your skills in the planning and execution of an individualised research project involving the use of critical analysis and review in the area of Immunology. In addition, the module aims to develop your communication skills to enable you to communicate your findings in written and oral form.
This module aims to develop your skills in the planning and execution of an analytical, laboratory-based study and critical evaluation of real research results drawing on your acquired knowledge from other modules. In addition, the module aims to develop your communication skills to enable you to communicate your findings in written and oral form.
To find out more about this course, please download the Biomedical Science (Medical Immunology) MSc specification (PDF).
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Teaching
The course is delivered by our experienced academics and industry partners in person and via digital platforms. Our learning activities include laboratory practicals, presentations, webinars, one-to-one tutorials and group projects.
You will be based at our north London campus and work in our state-of-the-art laboratories in the Hatchfield building.
Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.
We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.
Typical weekly breakdown
A typical week looks like this:
|
Learning |
Hours per week |
|
On-campus |
6 |
|
Online |
6 |
|
Independent study |
3 |
Learning terms
On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.
Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Skype or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.
Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.
Part-time study
You can also study this course part-time.
We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.
Your knowledge and understanding will be assessed formally and informally with seminar presentations, written assignments, laboratory reports, practical and theory exams. Your practical skills will be assessed by laboratory reports and research project work.
Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Cell and tissue culture lab
This lab focused on the culture of mammalian cell lines. Its outstanding facilities include:
- Biological safety cabinets for the sterile handling of cells
- Four phase-contrast microscopes
- Several atmosphere-controlled incubators for growing cells.
Use the lab to discover new biomarkers which can be used to detect disease, as well as in vitro models to determine the efficacy of many potential treatments for disease. This facility is essential to cancer, reproductive, stem cell and nano-pharmaceutics research at Middlesex.
Flow cytometry facilities
We have two flow cytometers located within the laboratories in the Hatchcroft building. Students will be taught how to use flow cytometry to:
- Immunophenotype immune cells
- Determine apoptosis induced by cancer-treating drugs.
- Determine the impact of various hormones and growth factors on the proliferation and differentiation of cells of the immune response.
Mass spectrometry and analytical facilities
Our exceptional array of high-end equipment can support your research in:
- Investigative and diagnostic oncology
- Urban pollution control
- Biophysics and bioengineering
- Molecular biology
- Reproductive biology.
Microbiology and molecular biology labs
There's everything you need to develop advanced microbial techniques, infectious sample processing and the culture of microorganisms.
You can develop molecular biology techniques such as:
- Cloning and analysing DNA and RNA sequences
- Quantify RNA levels
- Separate DNA molecules.
You’ll be able to use industry-standard equipment including:
- A Leica SP2 confocal microscope for the high-resolution analysis of protein sub-cellular distribution
- Our tissue culture facility for the large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies and proteins.
- A Nikon live cell microscope system for time-lapse imaging.
The Sheppard Library
Our library is open 24 hours a day during the term and includes:
- Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
- 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
- Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
Entry requirements
Qualifications
For this course, ideally, we are looking for these qualifications:
- A 2:2 honours degree or above and two or more years of relevant experience
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
Qualifications
We welcome students from all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Here are the qualifications relevant for this course:
- A 2:2 honours degree or equivalent
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
English language
You'll need good English language skills to study with us. Find out more about our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you will need a student route visa.
Part-time study
Changes to the Immigration Rules introduced in January 2018 now allow international applicants to apply for 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 course
- no dependents
- 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.
Apply as early as possible to make sure you get a place. You can submit your application before you receive your final qualification.
Find out how to apply for postgraduate taught courses and watch our step-by-step video.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Such as forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Interviews
You won’t be required to attend an interview.
Admissions questions?
Ask us a question now via the live chat icon on the screen.
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2024/25 academic year.
UK students1
Full-time students: £10,500
Part-time students: £70 per credit
Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit
International students2
Full-time students: £16,800
Part-time students: £1112 per credit
Part-time students: £56 per dissertation credit
Additional course costs:
We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.
- Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
The following course-related costs are not included in the fees, and you will need to budget for these:
- Additional printing over and above the £50 annual allowance
- The cost of books that you might wish to purchase.
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
Postgraduate scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees.
For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Help from your employer
Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.
Work while you study
If you are not currently working, we can 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.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate 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
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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.