MSc (by Dissertation) Cancer Biology at University of Essex

Programme overview

Research degree in cancer biology at Colchester Campus, based in the School of Life Sciences. You carry out a research project under supervision and write it up as a dissertation of up to 30,000 words. Projects span stem cell-based therapies, therapy resistance, racial disparities in cancer, proteomics, drug design and genomics.

Faculty: School of Life Sciences | Department: School of Life Sciences | Duration: 1 year - 2 years (full-time) | Intake: January 2027, April 2027, October 2027, January 2028, April 2028 | Study mode: full-time; part-time | Location: Colchester, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

There is no taught structure: you pursue an individual research project supervised by staff, with two formal supervisory board meetings each year at which literature reviews and research reports are discussed. The degree ends with a dissertation (maximum 30,000 words) completed in one to two years; it can be upgraded to an MPhil or PhD subject to progress.

Career pathways

Graduates continue in scientific research through postdoctoral positions in the UK and overseas, or move into biomedical laboratories and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in research and development.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A good honours degree or a Masters degree, or equivalent, in a related subject, and a well-developed research proposal. Applicants are normally interviewed and acceptance is subject to research expertise in the department. International applicants: IELTS 6.5 overall, or equivalent, with 5.5 in all other components. Part-time and full-time study available; start in October, January or April.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year Source

International applicants: GBP 20,625 a year Source

Intake: January 2027, April 2027, October 2027, January 2028, April 2028

Duration: 1 year - 2 years (full-time)

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