Overview
Mechanisms and Therapy in Cancer MSc is a pioneering Master’s programme which combines hands-on practical experience with innovative teaching by world-renowned academics. This programme will provide you with advanced knowledge of cancer biology and cancer treatment.
Students will gain a mechanistic understanding of the biology, detection and treatment of cancer, as well as a basic understanding of fundamental biological concepts that underpin this specialist area. You will also learn how to discuss and interpret scientific papers, develop critical thinking and acquire computational skills to analyse large datasets.
You will undertake a research project on a title of your choice within the field. Projects will be supervised by world-leading researchers based in Brunel University’s Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance (cenGEM). You’ll generate, analyse and interpret your own research data, and will actively participate as part of a research team, gaining valuable experience in a research-intensive environment, learning from senior scientists, attending lab meetings and weekly research seminars run by visiting speakers, who are the experts in their field.
In our 'Scientific Communication' module, you’ll learn how to disseminate medical information. Your writing skills will be developed to target a diverse range of audiences, from medical practitioners to the general public. You'll learn to write your research findings in both academic and journalistic styles - skills that will be invaluable in a range of biomedical careers.
Dean’s International Scholarship: This course is eligible for a £2,000 fee waiver, per academic year, subject to availability. This Scholarship is for full-time international students only. Find out more.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship: You may be eligible for a full tuition fee waiver, as well as a range of other financial incentives, on this course. Find out more.
British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM: In partnership with the British Council, we are offering five fully-funded scholarships for female students from the Americas region (eligible countries only). The deadline to apply for this scholarship is 7th April 2023 at 11.59pm. Find out more.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
This biomedical sciences postgraduate course has been tailored to provide you with a specialist understanding of the mechanisms and biology of cancer, underpinned by fundamental knowledge in molecular and cell biology, as well as immunology. Particular attention is placed on innovative therapeutic potential, as well as statistics and computational biology.
Compulsory
- BB57xx – Cancer Biology Mechanisms and Treatment
The study block will focus on the molecular mechanisms leading to neoplastic transformation and the metastatic process. The concept of cancer initiation and progression through the role of specific oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes will be highlighted as well as genomic and epigenetic modifications leading to deregulated gene expression. Cancer risks factors, detection methods and therapies will be examined. Additionally, students will study how specific molecular and metabolic alterations in cancer cells offer a unique opportunity for personalised therapy.
- BB5706 - Cell and Receptors of the Immune SystemThis module aims to provide an up-to-date knowledge of the immune system, the advanced technologies for immunology research and the applications of immunological findings in the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases and infection. Thus, it allows students to build a knowledge platform based on their own interests in specific immunologic subject that will directly benefit their career development.
- BB5709 - Cell Signalling in Health and DiseaseThis module aims to provide an understanding of the principles and current advances in the signalling cascades that control cell proliferation and survival that are misregulated in a variety of human diseases.
- BB5708 - Gene Regulation and EpigeneticThis module aims to give an up-to-date view of the regulation of gene expression, including how epigenetics, the histone code and the nuclear environment influence the control of gene expression beyond DNA-coded regulatory sequences
- BB5705 - Lab Safety, Research Techniques and EthicsThis module aims to give students an understanding of how a laboratory-based studies are designed, executed and recorder, and explores the ethics implications of a project and the health and safety aspects associated with it.
- BB2704 - Molecular and Cellular BiologyThis module aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of molecular biology of enzymatic processes within prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- BB5704 - Scientific CommunicationThis module aims to provide an overview of the professional scientific communication landscape. Starting with understanding of the way research is funded, published and subsequently disseminated in the public space. The course provides an opportunity to learn different scientific writing styles, including academic publishing, writing for news media, public relations and educational purposes.
- BB5707 - Statistic, Bioinformatics and OmicsOn successful completion of this module, students will be able to choose the appropriate statistical approach for their work, implement its use in a suitable computational environment, and link their work to established information resources.
- BB5604 - Dissertation Research Project
This module provides students with an opportunity to undertake an independent, in-depth research study of a topic relevant to the course.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
You will acquire critical skills that are highly valuable in a range of biomedical careers and sought after by employers.
Graduates from this course will be ideally placed to pursue careers in academia, industry or the public sector. Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and, as life expectancy increases, scientists trained in this area are in increasing demand.
If your goal is to pursue a career in scientific research, you can continue with your studies towards a PhD. Alternatively, the specialist topics covered will prepare you to work in biomedical research laboratories, for example as industrial scientists or research assistants, in the fields of cancer biology, molecular biology and medicine.
Furthermore, the focus on core biomedical topics will also open doors to similar careers in other disciplines, for example: immunology, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, as many of the techniques and skills learned will be applicable to these areas.
Students will acquire comprehensive knowledge in bioinformatics and data science, which can lead to careers in data science, data analysis and consulting.
The emphasis on scientific communication will provide graduates with a strong foundation for careers in journalism, scientific writing and publishing.
UK entry requirements
2023/4 entry
A 2.2 (or above) UK Honours degree in the field of Biosciences.
Other qualifications including equivalent internationally recognised qualification or relevant experience from health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses, MLSOs) will be assessed on an individual basis and a request for completion of an online biological test in molecular and cell biology may be required.
Applicants with a third class honours degree or other lower qualifications will be considered if supported by science A-levels (or equivalent) and relevant work experience. Such applicants may be required to attend an interview.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£12,650 full-time
£6,325 part-time
International
£23,615 full-time
£11,805 part-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
All the teaching will take place in person on campus.
This is a campus-based degree programme, not an online programme – and attendance on campus will be essential for some aspects.
Laboratory activities
The lab activities will be essential and will provide you with the technical skills necessary for the dissertation and your future employability. These outcomes cannot be met in any other way other than in-person attendance. You'll conduct experiments yourself to learn the related technical skills. Laboratory sessions will not be repeated or recorded.
Lectures, seminars and workshops
The taught study blocks will be held in person. Some of the delivery methods will be in the form of seminars, small group discussions, and workshops. In-person attendance will promote aspects of community belonging.
Lectures will also be recorded, but please note that while recordings and online resources will help if you're unable to attend a particular teaching session, learning from the online materials exclusively will not be an adequate substitute for face-to-face learning.
Assessment
Coursework will be submitted via online via WISEflow. Presentations (Powerpoint and poster) will be made on campus, in person. Exams will be a combination of on-campus in-person exams and online ‘open book’ assessments.
Feedback and consultation hours, personal tutoring hours, and project supervision discussions
These will be offered both in person on campus and via online platforms. This will allow you to easily receive feedback and guidance without having to travel to campus on a day that you might otherwise not be attending.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
During your course, you'll be fully integrated within the Department of Biomedical Sciences and directly supervised by one of our academic staff. This means that you'll benefit from the use of our well-established biomedical facilities and be part of one of Brunel’s research teams. Working alongside Brunel’s academics, PhD students, and other Master’s students, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to publications in your field of interest. We're a research-intensive department and the majority of our academics are also part of the successful and rapidly expanding research in Brunel’s Institute of Environment, Health and Societies.
Our academics have assisted governments with environmental and health policies, offered lung disease sufferers drug-free, medically-proven treatments, and helped consumers with food allergies make better choices. The practical research conducted at Brunel has helped millions of people worldwide to lead healthier, happier lives.
By studying your Mechanisms and Therapy in Cancer postgraduate degree with us, you'll be taught the most up-to-date scientific discoveries in a fast-moving field by our academics. Our team will teach you leading-edge research through practical experience. Our keynote seminars will be delivered by leaders in a specific field, meaning that you'll benefit first-hand from the experiences of this research-led academic team.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
You'll be asked to produce authentic, self-directed learning presentations and reports that test your analytical and critical skills and replicate ‘real-life’ projects often requested by employers. You will also need to complete a synoptic exam that integrates several subjects to address realistic scenarios with regard to disease (cancer) mechanisms and treatment.
You will write a dissertation exploring in detail a specific subject area within the cancer field. As part of this, you will design your own experiments, use state-of-the-art research methods and carry out critical data analysis in order to write a relevant and original piece of work. All students will receive comprehensive feedback on their work, with special attention being given to areas of improvement and guidance on how to use the feedback in subsequent assessments.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.