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Cancer cells under a microscope

Precision Medicine Cancer Omics MSc

  • Intro
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Intro

This MSc gives pharmacy, biochemistry, biomedical and biology graduates the opportunity to help shape the future of healthcare, through the study of precision medicine and oncology.

Precision medicine personalises disease prevention and treatment, considering the differences in people’s genes, environments, and lifestyles to target the right treatments, to the right patients, at the right time.

Alongside this, you’ll determine advances in omics strategies, to identify and profile cancer tumours, including DNA profiling and sequencing, mRNA patterns, protein and phosphorylated protein expression, and lipid alternations in oncology. You’ll learn approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers to recognise patients that are likely to benefit from specific treatment.

This highly specialised course has a large clinical component and includes an optional placement at Brighton and Sussex University Hospital, or in Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) or campus-based omics labs.

Our established links with NHS trusts and BSMS will provide opportunities to gain experience from pharmacists, surgeons and medical oncologists who help deliver the course. You’ll work with our staff whose expertise and reputation in translational cancer research is supported by Cancer Research UK, the Rosetrees Trust and the Boltini Trust.

This programme is available for intercalated study if you are a medical student looking to specialise in this increasingly popular field of medicine.

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years

New for 2023

This new course is in the final stage of development and may change. Check back for the latest information. 

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Course content

Course structure 

The Precision Medicine Cancer Omics MSc is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. The teaching approach integrates systems, enquiry and case-based learning and is structured to include both taught modules, a placement and a project.

To be awarded the MSc, you must obtain 180 M-level credits: 120 credits from taught and subject-specific modules, and 60 credits through the completion of the project.

Syllabus

Core modules

  • Cancer: Bench to bedside
  • Omics for Diseases: Theory, practice and applications
  • Clinical Research Methods
  • Project

Options

  • Psycho-oncology
  • Translational Oncology
  • Placement 

female student using microscope

Modules in detail

Cancer: Bench to bedside

This module will cover a range of topics, from laboratory science to translational medicine. It offers a wealth of information from cancer diagnosis to treatments, to living with cancer.

You’ll learn the fundamental biological processes underlying cancer, develop an understanding of the therapeutic opportunities afforded by the known mechanisms underlying cancer biology and gain insights into patients’ trajectory from diagnosis to treatment to remission.

You’ll learn to evaluate the scientific evidence relating to the causes, mechanisms and consequences of cancer; critically discuss cutting-edge and novel cancer therapeutics, and assess and review tools used for cancer research, diagnosis and treatment selection.

You’ll cover topics including: biology of cancer; risk factors and diagnosis; radiotherapies; cancer therapeutics; immune therapies; psychosocial oncology; in vivo and in vitro cancer models; and bioinformatics for cancer biologists.

Omics for Diseases: Theory, practice and applications

You’ll study the theory, practice and applications of omics at the genomic, proteomic and metabolomic level, and gain in-depth knowledge about the use of omics and their applications in health and disease research.

You’ll study the technical aspects of omics strategies, gain insights into the types of omics currently on the market, and the use of omics technologies in basic research, medicine and pharmaceutical sciences, for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases. You’ll gain hands-on experience with genomics and proteomics datasets and assess the use of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in different applications.

Clinical Research Methods

You’ll develop your research skills and strategies through designing a research project proposal relevant to your specialist interest or professional practice. You’ll also learn about and apply relevant ethical and regulatory requirements.

Project

The project module mainly involves independent study, requiring you to collect and analyse your own data and report on your findings, but you will also have a project supervisor who will support and guide you throughout the academic year.

The types of projects vary and some may require ethical approval before they begin. Examples of projects that the course leader has supervised include:

  • The role of stress on cancer metastasis to the bone
  • Glucocorticoid antagonism on breast cancer metastasis to the brain
  • Cortisol and cancer initiation
  • ADRB2 polymorphisms and drug resistance in breast cancer.

Staff profile

Dr Melanie Flint, course leader

Dr Melanie Flint is a Reader in Cancer Research and is the leader of a stress and breast cancer program and section head for Therapeutics at the University of Brighton. She is currently co-leader of Brighton and Sussex Cancer Research Network and a member of the Cancer Translation Advisory Group Steering Committee.

Melanie trained in the Women’s Cancer Research Centre, at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and remains an Adjunct Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh. Her work is currently supported by Cancer Research UK, the Rosetrees Trust and the Boltini Trust. And her work on stress and cancer has been supported by National Institutes of Health, Team Verrico, Breast cancer Research Trust, Wendy Will Case Cancer Fund and the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Initiative.

Find out more about Dr Flint and her work.

Dr Melanie Flint

Specialist facilities 

Facilities available to students on this course include:

  • dedicated molecular biology lab with access to qPCR equipment and dark room facility
  • a specialist image analysis suite with electron microscopes, a confocal microscope, atomic force microscopes, and other general light and fluorescent imaging equipment
  • a genomics/proteomics facility for analysis of genes and proteins using microarray platforms
  • nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry.
Biosciences lab

Click to view a virtual tour of some of our facilities.

Careers

The course is designed to maximise both your personal and professional potential, and in particular provides a foundation for careers in research, industry, the public sector and academia.

Graduates will be equipped with practical research-based training, plus the necessary transferable skills to prepare you for career progression. 

Two students working in the lab with a microscope

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience
A 2:1 degree in a relevant subject. Students with a degree that does not fall within this category but who have significant relevant experience may also be considered.

Applicants should provide a full description of any research projects undertaken, relevant work experience and non-academic qualifications.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 11,800 GBP

International (full-time)15,800 GBP


Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you'll find new Students' Union, events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Two people walking past Mithras halls

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Students talking in a social area

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

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