Overview
The Mechanisms and Therapy in Infection and Inflammation MSc is a dynamic Master’s programme, in which you will combine hands-on practical experience in modern biomedical techniques with theoretical knowledge, delivered by a range of teaching approaches.
The programme is designed to provide students with an extensive understanding of infection and inflammation, where the teaching of core immunological concepts will complement a detailed focus on the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of globally relevant and emerging infectious diseases such as HIV, COVID-19 and tuberculosis.
In addition, it will cover inflammatory conditions that pose significant health challenges worldwide, such as cardio- and cerebrovascular disease.
In addition to the taught modules, students on this programme will undertake a research project on a title of their choice in an area of infection and inflammation. Projects are supervised by world-leading researchers based in Brunel University’s Centre for Inflammation and Translational Medicine (CIRTM). Not only will students generate, analyse and interpret their own research data, but they will also be imbedded within an active research team, gaining valuable experience of a research-intensive environment, learning from senior researchers, attending lab meetings and weekly research seminars by visiting expert speakers.
At Brunel, we recognise that strong practical skills in all fields of biomedical sciences are important to employers. For this reason, we have a large practical element to the course. You will gain experience of different modern laboratory techniques and consider the legislative and ethical aspects linked to the discipline. You will learn computational skills and be trained in critical analyses of the molecular problems leading to human disease and how to identify intervention opportunities. In addition, you’ll receive training in statistics and bioinformatics, which are fundamental to the biomedicine sector.
In our 'Scientific Communication' module, you’ll learn how to disseminate scientific information. Your writing skills will be developed to target a diverse range of audiences, from medical practitioners through 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.
Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Award offers £6,000 fee reduction for self-funded international students across our postgraduate taught courses starting in January 2025. The Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award Terms and Conditions - January 2025
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. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (External Scholarship) 2025/26
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). Scholarships and bursaries | Brunel University of London
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Course content
This biomedical sciences postgraduate course has been tailored to provide you with a specialist understanding of globally relevant infectious and inflammatory diseases, underpinned by fundamental knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology and immunology. Particular attention is placed on innovative therapeutic potential as well as statistics and computational biology.
Compulsory
- BB5706 - Cell and Receptors of the Immune System
This 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 Disease
This 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 Epigenetics
This 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 Ethics
This module aims to give students an understanding of how laboratory-based studies are designed, executed and recorded, and explores the ethical implications of a project and the health and safety aspects associated with it.
- BB5703 - Molecular and Cellular Biology
This module aims to provide students with the necessary introductory knowledge on molecular and cellular biology in order to successfully follow the master’s programme.
- BB5704 - Scientific Communication
This 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 Omics
On 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.
- BB5716 – Vaccines and treatment for Infection and Inflammation
This module aims to provide cutting-edge knowledge on immune responses against infectious pathogens and during inflammatory disease. Current trends in emerging infectious diseases, anti-microbial resistance and development and challenges associated with treating and preventing existing infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV-1 and COVID-19 will be covered. Students will study the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular inflammatory diseases and the discovery and development of therapeutic interventions.
- Tutoring
All Brunel tutors are UK University Lecturers, Examiners, academics and certified professionals who teach, mark and supervise students. Your tutor should always be the first person you speak to if you need academic advice or guidance. They’re there to work with you and understand the specific challenges you’re facing.
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
Graduates from this course will be ideally placed to pursue positions in academia, industry or the public sector. Infectious and inflammatory diseases are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and scientists trained in this area are in increasing demand in the post-pandemic era.
The specialist topics covered will position graduates as highly-valued individuals in biomedical research laboratories, for example as industrial scientists or research assistants in the fields of immunology, infectious diseases and inflammation. I
f your goal is to pursue a career in scientific research you will be ideally placed to continue with your studies towards a PhD. Alternatively, the particular focus on core biomedical topics will also open doors to similar positions in other disciplines, for example cancer or neurodegenerative diseases, as many of the techniques and skills learned will be applicable to these areas. Similarly, a module on scientific communication will provide graduates with the grounding for careers in journalism, scientific writing and publishing.
UK entry requirements
2025/6 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
2025/26 entry
UK
£13,280 full-time
£6,640 part-time
International
£24,795 full-time
£12,395 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 as indicated below:
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 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 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 Infection and Inflammation 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 mechanisms of infection and inflammation, treatment and prevention.
You will write a dissertation exploring in detail a specific subject area within the field of infection and inflammation. 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.