Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Graduates from this course will have a breadth and depth of cancer-focused training that will make them credible candidates to start or further a career within the health sector or research establishments.
Developed by leading researchers and clinicians
A course developed in collaboration with researchers, academics and clinicians and delivered by leading academic cancer researchers with key lecturers and study workshops from oncologists and cancer clinicians.
Broad ranging course
A broad ranging course that covers basic molecular cancer cell biology through to translational research and therapeutics.
Internationally recognised cancer research groups
Opportunity to undertake a research project in one of the internationally recognised cancer research groups at Cardiff.
First rate academic support
Close academic support from an experienced personal tutor.
Study at one of the UK’s major teaching and research university
Opportunity to study at one of the UK’s major teaching and research universities.
This one year, full-time MSc course is designed to provide you with advanced knowledge, understanding and skills in the rapidly advancing field of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics.
Our aim is to provide you with a breadth and depth of cancer-focused training that will make you a highly attractive candidate to start or continue a career within the healthcare sector and public/private sector research establishments.
Throughout the course, you’ll gain from advanced teaching in the cellular aspects of cancer biology together with the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression. Through this programme you’ll also receive in-depth training in cancer therapeutics, encompassing biomarkers and diagnosis, therapeutic targets, drug discovery and clinical trials and chemo/radio therapy.
This course offers broad research skills training and a dissertation project that helps you develop research hypotheses and critically evaluate translational approaches with respect to the development of contemporary cancer therapeutics.
So, whether you’re looking to better prepare yourself for doctoral research or to achieve a self-contained advanced qualification in its own right, this postgraduate programme will give you a balanced combination of theory and practice to suit your needs and set you in excellent stead for your future career.
“This truly integrated course delves deeper into the science behind cancer and has also given me the opportunity to see the disease and its treatment from the clinical side as well. Whether you’re a Pharmacist or Biomedic or Medic, you’ll find something in this course that you’ll enjoy and can relate to. And, like me, you’ll be in better stead for your future too.”
Where you'll study
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
We are a leader in clinical skills development with an international reputation for teaching and research.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject area such as biological sciences, chemistry, healthcare, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
If you do not have a degree in a relevant area, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. A reference must be provided by your employer to evidence that you currently work in an area relevant to the programme. This should be signed, dated and less than six months old at the time you submit your application.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
This is a full-time course over one academic year. You will study 180 credits: 120 of taught material, followed by a 60 credit project.
Academic stages
The full-time MSc lasts for a total of 50 weeks over one academic year and consists of two ‘stages’ – one taught stage and a research project.
Stage 1
This stage consists of two 30-credit modules and three 20-credit modules giving a total of 120 credits at Level 7 in stage 1.
Stage 2
The dissertation period of the programme represents stage 2 and lasts for three months during which you will conduct empirical research to produce a dissertation thesis worth 60 credits at level 7.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer | PHT801 | 30 credits |
| Translational Oncology and Therapeutics | PHT802 | 30 credits |
| Academic Research Skills | PHT803 | 20 credits |
| Research Methodology | PHT804 | 20 credits |
| Data Analysis and Bioinformatics | PHT806 | 20 credits |
| Research Project | PHT805 | 60 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
The programme will provide advanced teaching in the cellular aspects of cancer biology together with the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression. In-depth training will be provided in the area of cancer therapeutics, encompassing biomarkers and diagnosis, therapeutic targets, drug discovery and clinical trials and chemo/radio therapy, in addition to developing the student’s theoretical and practical research skills.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment for the course will comprise a combination of exams, written essays, posters, laboratory coursework and case studies.
What skills will I practise and develop?
After fully engaging in this course, you should have developed skills and abilities which you can apply to any professional setting and enhance your future employability.
In addition to greater conceptual understanding of current knowledge, issues and methods, you will have the opportunity to practise and develop abilities in critical analysis, the application of evidence-based medicine and in dealing with complex issues systematically and creatively. Your studies should also help you develop your problem-solving and decision-making abilities by enabling you to utilise evidence effectively and communicate important concepts to colleagues and others. Through the research focused elements you will have the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in literature review, critical evaluation, research design, research methodologies, data collection, data analysis and research principles.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £11,450 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £27,450 | £2,500 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
Once you graduate from this course, you’ll gain a breadth and depth of cancer-focused training that could make you a highly attractive candidate to start or continue a career within the healthcare sector and research establishments.
Potential employment opportunities include studying for a PhD, becoming a medical laboratory science officer or research technician, clinical trials co-ordinator, medical writer or scientific liaison officer.
Next steps
Open Day visits
Register for information about our upcoming dates.Make an enquiry
Contact us for more information about this course.International
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Related searches: Medicine, Biomedical sciences, Pharmacy
HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
