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MSc Cancer Immunotherapy

Why choose Herts?

Teaching Excellence: You will be taught by Internationally renowned researchers who support with research projects in Cancer Immunotherapy.

Employment Prospects: Graduates work as research scientists, scientific officers, and senior managers for organisations including Roche, Merck, and Astra Zeneca.

Sector-led Course Content: Explore our research interests of the Bioscience Research Group covering topics such as Adoptive T cell therapy, tumour-associated macrophages, NK cells, and monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy.

  • Entry requirements and key information

    The normal entry requirements for the programme are:

    • An Honours Degree in Biomedical and related sciences with a background in molecular biology, genetics and immunology with a final classification grade of a minimum 60% with evidence of having completed a research project and practical experience in a range of laboratory techniques relevant to the course, such as cell culture, DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis
    • A professional qualification accepted as equivalent to the above; or
    • A qualification in veterinary science, medicine or dentistry; or
    • A first or second class Honours Degree in disciplines other than those described above but where the applicant, in the opinion of the Programme Leader, would benefit from, and succeed on, the programme
    • Students will be selected through interview.

    In addition, all international students are required to demonstrate an English Language capability of IELTS 7 (with no less than 6.5 in any band) or equivalent qualification.

    Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Life and Medical Sciences

    Course length
  • Full Time, 1 Years
  • Part Time, 2 Years

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
  • Employability

    What job can I get?

    In cancer immunology a long-term goal has been the activation of immune effector mechanisms for therapy. You will acquire skills needed for careers in the exponentially growing cancer immunotherapy industries (Roche, Merck, Astra Zeneca and Small Medium Sized Enterprises). Graduates of the MSc Cancer Immunotherapy may go on to work in a broad range of fields including: medical or pharmaceutical research and development, clinical trials, public health and epidemiology, academia research, medical writing/science journalism, education, or patent law. Alternatively, you may also use the MSc Cancer Immunotherapy degree to underpin an application to study for a research degree such as MRes, MSc by Research, or a PhD in a related field.

Professional Accreditations

Subject to validation, this course will be accredited by the Royal Society for Biology Accreditation.

About the course

The aim of the MSc in Cancer Immunotherapy is through an understanding of the numerous ways in which cancers and the immune system interact, to learn how cancer immunotherapies are developed. The utilisation of the immune system in cancer therapy has been a long standing goal in the field. The course will provide a thorough understanding of immune effector mechanisms and of cancer biology and the personal skills the students will develop, through problem-based learning and self-directed learning.

Alternatively, consider taking our other MSc Cancer Immunotherapy routes:

Why choose this course?

  • 1st for Biosciences in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023)
  • You’ll be taught by our expert staff and innovative speakers from the biopharmaceutical industry
  • Our modern Science Building provides excellent facilities for laboratory experiments, including DNA and genomic analysis eg QPCR, protein and proteomic science (eg MALDI-ToF), cell culture and Enzyme-based assays, isolated tissue studies and immunohistochemistry
  • When you graduate, you’ll be equipped to work in a broad range of fields including medical or pharmaceutical research and development, clinical trials, public health and epidemiology, academia research, medical writing and science journalism, education, or patent law
  • We adopt a blended learning approach to teaching, focussing on problem-based scenarios so you can develop strong critical analysis skills. You’ll benefit from exposure to practical techniques and guaranteed laboratory-based research projects

What will I study?

You’ll benefit from the research interests of the Bioscience Research Group. These include studies of the tumour microenvironment and communication with infiltrating immune cells, the methods tumours employ to diminish the effectivity of immune effector mechanisms and how tumours communicate using extracellular vesicles with pre-metastatic sites. We’ll cover topics such as adoptive T cell therapy, tumour-associated macrophages, NK cells, monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy, vaccines, microbial cancer therapies and immune checkpoint blockade.

Teaching will be delivered through lectures, tutorials and practical classes. You’ll immerse yourself in a research project which utilises problem-based and self-directed learning. You’ll explore case studies to gain a strong critical understanding. Through your research projects, carried out in our innovative Science Building and supervised by world-leading researchers, you’ll be trained in data collection, analysis and its interpretation. You’ll also benefit from expert external speakers from the biopharmaceutical industry.

  • Level 7
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    Translational Medical Science 30 Credits Compulsory
    Contemporary Topics in Cancer Immunotherapy 30 Credits Compulsory
    Molecular Medicine 30 Credits Compulsory
    Research Project with Research Methods 60 Credits Compulsory
    Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology 30 Credits Compulsory

    • Key staff

    Dr Madhu Goyal
    Admissions Tutor
    Find out more about Dr Madhu Goyal

    Dr Nial McMullan

    Dr Terry McLaughlin

    Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MSc Cancer Immunotherapy (Revised 2024) Download
    Programme specifications
    MSc Cancer Immunotherapy (Revised 2024) Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 Yes

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

    You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.