Our MSc in Precision Medicine introduces the research tools and technologies that underpin precision and stratified medicine.
Precision medicine aims to tailor prevention, diagnosis and treatment using differences in genes, environment and lifestyle. Rapid advances in disease biology and drug research are creating new opportunities to investigate how these differences may inform future therapies and diagnostics. The challenge is that there are not enough scientists who can turn these discoveries into real clinical benefit. The aim of the MSc in Precision Medicine is to train the next generation of scientists to translate biological insights into tomorrow's therapies and diagnostic tools.
This is a research-focused MSc. You will learn the omics technologies and research methods used to investigate precision and stratified medicine, and complete a supervised 35-week research programme. It does not include clinical skills training or a clinical placement, and does not qualify you for clinical practice. For intercalating medical students, it is a research MSc that complements your medical training.
What you will learn
Our teaching integrates different omic technologies to enable you to undertake precision medicine research. You will learn:
Your research will consist of a 35-week research project hosted in University labs, the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, or a Greater Manchester teaching hospital-based research group.
Example project methods include:
Past project disease areas have included:
Completing our course may open up a route into PhD research. You may also pursue a career in academia or the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, or, if you're already medically qualified, as a clinical academic
PhD with integrated master's
If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health. The Integrated PhD requires a separate application and full funding for both the master’s and PhD; check the programme page for current eligibility and funding requirements.
We require an honours degree (minimum Upper Second) or overseas equivalent in:
This must be from a recognised university.
We will also consider candidates with Upper Second degrees in a relevant alternative analytical, physical or computing science area. Evidence of previous advanced study, research or professional experience may be accepted as qualification for entry for applicants with a Lower Second or equivalent. Applicants with a lower second or equivalent must add details of previous advanced study, research or professional experience to the personal statement to be considered.
We do not require a developed research proposal from applicants.
This course is also available for intercalating medical students, both from The University of Manchester and other UK universities. Intercalating students must have satisfactorily completed Years 1 to 3 of the MBChB. For St Andrews students, this includes the 3-year course and the following year in Manchester (Year 3 of the Manchester course).