MSc Cancer Biology at University of Essex

Programme overview

The MSc Cancer Biology is a one-year, research-led degree at the Colchester Campus that gives hands-on experience of current cancer research methods alongside knowledge of molecular and cellular biology. Students complete a research project within an academic research group, in industry or in a clinic, with teaching from academics and external cancer specialists and clinicians.

Department: School of Life Sciences | Duration: 1 year full-time | Intake: January 2027 (the overview also states an October start) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Colchester, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Modules include Gene Technology and Synthetic Biology (30 credits), Advanced Research Skills (30), Protein Technologies and Proteomics (15), Advanced Cancer Biology (15), Genomics (15) and Professional Skills and the Business of Biosciences (15), plus a 60-credit Research Project.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for careers in health and medicine (prevention, diagnosis, treatment), biotechnology, data analysis (bioinformatics, genomics) and cancer or health research, including roles in biopharma, healthcare and cancer research.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A 2:2 or international equivalent in any subject including at least 3 modules from: biochemistry, bioinformatics, cancer biology, computational biology, drug design, genomics, immunology, maths (including statistics, calculus, algebra), microbiology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, molecular structure and bonding, physiology, virology; 2 of the 3 modules may be considered. Applicants without the modules or with a lower degree are considered with 6 months to 1 year of relevant work experience. English: IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all components for applicants whose first language is not English (pre-sessional English pathway available).

Domestic applicants: GBP 11,025 for the whole programme. One-year course; fee period not labelled on the page Source

International applicants: GBP 23,875 for the whole programme. One-year course; fee period not labelled on the page Source

Intake: January 2027 (the overview also states an October start)

Duration: 1 year full-time

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