The Cancer & Clinical Oncology Programme aims to provide students with a clear understanding of the scientific basis underlying the principles and clinical practice of oncology and the development, evaluation and implementation of new treatments. This will be underpinned by a thorough knowledge of cancer biology and pathology, drug development and research methodologies. This knowledge will provide students with a good grounding in the clinical practice of oncology which will enhance prospects for those pursuing a clinical academic career.

Content

Compulsory modules

Cancer Biology
Cancer Pharmacology
Pathology of Cancer & Imaging (new module)
Research Methods
Clinical Cancer Treatment (new module)
Drug Development
Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology
Cancer Prevention and Screening
Genomic Approaches to Cancer

Optional modules

Biological Therapies
Molecular Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy for Blood Cancers

Students will choose 15 credits of optional modules - this is likely to be either one 15 credit module or two 7.5 credit modules, depending on the programme structure. For more detailed module information, visit the module details page.

Structure

Full Time

Semester 1: September - December (60 credits taught modules)
Semester 2: January - March (60 credits taught modules)
Semester 3: May - August (60 credit Dissertation, MSc only)

Part Time

Year 1

Semester 1: September - December (30 credits taught modules)
Semester 2: January - March (30 credits taught modules)

Year 2

Semester 1: September - December (30 credits taught modules)
Semester 2: January - March (30 credits taught modules)
Semester 3: May - August (60 credit Dissertation, MSc only)

Exams

Semester 1: January Semester 2: March/April Semester 3: August resits

Each 15 credit module involves approximately 30 hours contact time and 120 hours of self-study.

Each 7.5 credit module involves approximately 15 hours contact time and 60 hours of self-study.

The Dissertation is carried out full time over 12 weeks with regular supervision from one of the Institute’s Research Centres. There may be some flexibility to arrange part-time dissertations for part-time students who are unable to commit to completing this full time. These are arranged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Programme Director.

Modes of study

Award and structure

MSc: 120 taught credits + 60 credit Dissertation
PG Diploma: 120 taught credits

A variety of study options are available, these include Full Time (1 year) and Part Time (2 years), on-site or by Distance Learning.

Distance Learning

Distance learning is delivered via the University’s online learning platform - QMplus. Onsite lectures are recorded and made available to Distance Learning students, together with copies of the slides and other supporting teaching materials.
Dissertations will be supervised by a Barts Cancer Institute researcher and supervision meetings will be conducted by telephone or by Skype.

Assessment

Posters and oral presentations will be delivered via Skype.
Examinations can be at Queen Mary University of London or at an approved local venue (usually a British Council or a local Academic Institution).

Entry Requirements

Academic Entry Requirements

A medical degree; or
a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject from a recognised institution with 2:1 or better. Applicants with a 2:2 and strong supporting evidence will also be considered; or
an appropriate professional qualification; or
Successful completion of at least 3 years of MBBS studies (including the equivalent of one year of patient-based teaching)*

*Intercalating students must pass exams taken prior to commencing the MSc at first attempt and confirm that the beginning of their following year of MBBS studies start after all assessment for the MSc has been completed.

For more information on intercalated degrees please see here.

For international equivalencies please see the QMUL International Office.

English Language Requirements

Applicants for whom English is not a first language will also require a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 (with 6.5 in writing) or equivalent unless your undergraduate degree was studied in English. For more information on English language requirements, and acceptable qualifications, please visit the Queen Mary English Language Requirements webpage.

How to Apply

All applications must be completed online.

As part of your application you will be required to provide the following documents:

Personal Statement
CV
2 references (at least one of these must be an academic reference)
Copies of degree transcripts
English language results and certificate (if applicable)

Intercalating Applicants

Intercalating students must also apply via the Intercalated Degrees Admissions team. Please visit the Queen Mary website for more detailed information about the application process.

Fees & Funding

Full-time study - September 2021 | 1 year

Part-time study - September 2021 | 2 years

Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.

Funding and scholarships

Numerous funding options are available to Postgraduate students. For more information, visit the Queen Mary Funding a Masters webpage.

Deposit

Due to receiving large volumes of successful applications, it is our department policy to request a deposit of £2000 from overseas students and £1000 from home/EU students in order to secure your place on the course. This will be payable on acceptance of an offer.

Career Prospects

Career pathways include:

Clinical Research Fellowships
Laboratory or clinical research
Cancer drug development
Clinical evaluation of early phase trials

Each year we retain a proportion of our graduates within the Institute as PhD students, research assistants or clinical trials co-ordinators.

Find out about the types of projects available

For most of our MSc students, the research project / dissertation is the most exciting part of the programme. Find out more about the research within each of our Centres and the kinds of projects on offer as part of the MSc Programme...

Covid-19 update for applicants

We would like to reassure all our prospective students that we are processing all applications for September 2021 and dealing with your enquiries as usual. We understand these are uncertain times and many of you are concerned about whether to apply or accept an offer.

We have guidance for applicant queries, information includes the following topics:

Applying to study at Queen Mary
Starting in September
IELTS or TOEFL tests
Supporting documents for applications
Visa applications

Visit the Queen Mary Applicants page for more information.

If you have any further queries please contact us at bci-cancercourses@qmul.ac.uk or join us for a virtual open day where you can ask your questions directly to the academic and admin team.

Virtual Open Events

Find out more about our MSc courses and have the opportunity to ask the Programme Directors questions. Please sign up below to be notified of upcoming open days.

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Cancer & Clinical Oncology