Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
This course is under review
We're working to update and improve the content of our courses to ensure the best education and career outcomes. The information below reflects the current curriculum and is subject to change. You can still apply now. We'll update this page and contact all offer holders when the review is complete to confirm any changes.
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
The Programme provides in-depth training in this branch of biomedical science, including stem cell biology, biomaterials and tissue/organ engineering.
First of its kind in the UK
Our course was the first of its kind in the UK, building on Cardiff University’s research excellence and critical mass of tissue engineering researchers.
Our interdisciplinary network
Teaching is delivered by academics across the University.
Visit clinical settings
Opportunities to visit clinical settings and local industrial partners to speak with clinicians with keen interests in tissue engineering and repair.
Research project
The MSc combines both taught modules and a 5-month research project which can be chosen by you. Previous student projects have been in research areas such as stem cell biology, bone, skin, oral tissues and drug delivery.
1+3 year programme
Students with scholarships/funding support have the option to apply for the MSc as a 1+3 year programme of study, continuing into a PhD programme within the School upon obtaining a Master’s degree qualification
With an ageing population and chronic diseases on the rise, there is a need for more effective medical treatments and therefore a need for trained tissue engineering researchers to deliver these technologies.
Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is an ever-emerging interdisciplinary field of biomedical research; which combines life sciences, biology and engineering, to progress the repair, replacement and enhancement of diseased and damaged tissues.
It’s a field that has the potential to deliver treatments for diseases, injuries and disorders where currently people have no options.
The Programme provides in-depth training in this branch of biomedical science, including stem cell biology, biomaterials and tissue/organ engineering. The MSc offers a balanced combination of theory and practice; and can serve either as preparation for a PhD or as a self-contained master’s qualification.
The programme is both lecture and laboratory based; benefiting from taught modules that cover areas such as Cellular & Molecular Biology and Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine and culminating in a hands-on 5-month research project. It also includes several opportunities to visit relevant clinical settings and local industrial partners.
Students are taught by academics from across the School of Biosciences, Dentistry, Medicine, Optometry and Pharmacy. You will therefore study within a multidisciplinary community with internationally excellent academic, research and clinical expertise not available at many other institutions.
Based at The University Hospital of Wales (the 3rd largest university hospital in the UK), you will develop technical laboratory skills and will be presented with a number of opportunities to extend your communication and presentation skills, both written and orally.
You will acquire a number of specific skills, such as the ability to collect, analyse and interpret a range of complex quantitative and qualitative data. You will also develop a number of valuable laboratory research-based skills, through the completion of a 5-month research project of your choice*, which will be presented as a poster.
Graduates from this Programme will have a broad spectrum of knowledge and a variety of skills, making them highly attractive both to potential employers and research establishments in this fast-developing sector.
*subject to supervisor status.
After finishing my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry in Spain, I was looking for a more specific and challenging field. I got interested in the development of tissues by 3D bioprinting and so I chose to focus on this. The facilities were incredibly good, and I found all the staff really helpful and always open to questions and new ideas. In my project, I focused on the development of a new fibrin-based bioink that will hopefully help in the creation of a human skin model. The design of the composition of this bioink was challenging as there was not any previous work done with it in the model of bioprinter used in the lab; this is what made the project even more interesting and exciting for me. I would totally recommend this course to any person with a high interest in research and willing to focus their future career in a developing field as it will offer many opportunities.
We're committed to delivering programmes that are innovative and relevant, providing the best learning outcomes and career prospects for our students. In light of this, we're currently reviewing some elements of this programme. As such, the details shown are subject to change and indicative only. You can still apply now. We'll update this page and contact all offer holders when the review is complete to confirm any changes.
Where you'll study
School of Dentistry
We are the only dental school in Wales, providing unique and important leadership in dental research, teaching and patient care.
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 Bioengineering, Biology, Dentistry, Life Sciences, Medical Engineering, or Medicine, 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 5.5 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.
- Two signed and dated academic or professional/employer references which demonstrate your suitability for the programme.
- A personal statement which outlines your reasons for applying to the programme and how your academic experience, skills or long-term goals make you the ideal candidate for the programme.
- An up-to-date CV which includes your full academic and work history.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 30 June 2024. If you submit an application after this date, we will only consider it if places are still available.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet the entry requirements, we will invite you to an interview. Following interview, offers will be made to the highest scoring candidates.
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
MSc Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine commences in September each year with Stage 1, a 6-month, taught component.
Stage 1 is taught almost entirely at a small group teaching level, supported by laboratory sessions, interactive workshops and tutorials, in addition to visits to relevant hospital clinics and local companies involved in producing tissue engineering and repair therapies. Modules are assessed by various written assignments, presentations and formal examinations.
On completing Stage 1, students undertake a 5-month, laboratory-based research project between April-September (Stage 2). Projects are chosen by students from topics supplied by academic supervisors across the University. Previous student projects have been in research areas such as embryonic or mesenchymal stem cell biology; cartilage, bone, skin or oral tissue repair; fibrosis; and biomaterials and drug delivery. Stage 2 culminates in the submission of an MSc Dissertation, based on MSc Project findings
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
The MSc in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine is a one year, full-time Programme. The MSc Programme commences in September each year with Stage 1, a 6-month, taught component involving four compulsory Modules.
On completing Stage 1, students undertake a 5-month, laboratory-based research project, between April-September (Stage 2). Stage 2 culminates in the submission of an MSc Dissertation, based on MSc Project findings.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | DET003 | 60 credits |
| Cellular and Molecular Biology | BIT001 | 30 credits |
| Tissue Engineering from Concept to Clinical Practice | DET002 | 30 credits |
| Research Methods | DET031 | 30 credits |
| Stem Cells, Regenerative Medicine and Scientific Methods | DET068 | 30 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?
Teaching is delivered via lectures, laboratory sessions, interactive workshops and tutorials, in addition to visits to relevant hospital clinics, such as orthopaedics, nephrology and dermatology, and local companies involved in producing tissue engineering and repair therapies.
This Programme is based within the School of Dentistry and taught by academic staff from across Cardiff University and by external speakers.
All taught modules within the Programme are compulsory and students are expected to attend all lectures, laboratory sessions and other timetabled sessions. Students will receive supervision to help them complete the dissertation, but are also expected to engage in considerable independent study. Dissertation topics are normally chosen by the students from a list of options proposed by academic staff in areas relevant to the MSc in Tissue Engineering.
How will I be assessed?
The four taught Modules within the Programme are assessed through in-course assessments, including:
- Extended essays
- Oral presentations
- Poster presentations
- Statistical assignments
- Critical appraisals
Dissertation (no more than 20,000 words).
How will I be supported?
Blackboard, on which students will find course materials and links to related materials. Students will be supervised when undertaking their dissertation. Supervision will include scheduled regular meetings to discuss progress, provide advice and guidance; and provide written feedback on draft dissertation contents.
Feedback
Students will receive written feedback on all assessments, in addition to oral feedback on assessed oral/poster presentations
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Systematic understanding of the multi-disciplinary nature of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and the need for integration of knowledge from different fields.
- An understanding of the cellular/tissue alterations which occur during various disease states and ageing in humans.
- A comprehensive knowledge of the core principles of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
- An understanding of the physical and biochemical techniques available for the assessment and development of tissue engineered and regenerative medicine products for clinical use.
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:
- Critically evaluate knowledge at the forefront of a range of disciplines, such as stem cell biology, biomaterials and tissue/organ engineering.
- Utilise knowledge and scientific evidence-based methods in the assessment and solution of challenges in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:
- Collect, evaluate, synthesise and interpret qualitative and quantitative data in a variety of ways; and identify means to gather new data where required.
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Analytical skills
- Communication and presentation skills
The MSc tissue engineering course is a fantastic course teaching the ethical, social, clinical and bimolecular aspects of modern tissue engineering and translational research with a final six month dissertation project in a world class laboratory. The course attracts students from all over the world and provides many opportunities to engage in a supportive and friendly environment. For me, this course was vital for my progression to becoming an independent researcher. I found that the lectures were really engaging, allowing me to develop my knowledge of tissue engineering. I was then able to apply this to my laboratory project. For me the project was the best part of this course, as it allowed me to develop key laboratory skills and undertake novel research on wound healing in a world class facility.
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 | £2,500 |
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
There are no additional costs that need to be considered.
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
No specific equipment is required to study on this programme.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
After successfully completing this MSc, you should have a broad spectrum of knowledge and a variety of skills, making you highly attractive both to potential employers and research establishments.
Since its introduction in 2006, 95% of our MSc graduates have progressed onto career paths highly relevant to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. These include PhDs within Cardiff and at other UK, EU and USA Universities, Graduate-Entry Medicine, Specialist Registrar Training, Teaching, and positions in Industry and Clinical Laboratory settings.
Placements
You will have the opportunity to attend clinical attachments, in areas such as orthopaedics, nephrology and dermatology. Furthermore, you will also have the opportunity to visit local companies involved in producing tissue engineering and repair therapies for clinical use. These include Cell Therapy Ltd., Reneuron plc, Biomonde Ltd., and MBI Wales Ltd.
Next steps
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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.
