Based on the indicative curriculum of Health Education England, NHS England and Genomics England LTD, the MSc in Genomic Medicine will equip research scientists and Health Care Professionals with; knowledge and skills to understand and interpret genomic data, an understanding of genetic and genomic techniques in a clinical setting, bioinformatic approaches required for analysis of genomic data, advanced knowledge and skills, preparing graduates to develop and deliver personalised health care.
MSc in Genomic Medicine students will be introduced to:
Subsequent study will build on these foundations. Specific modules on the MSc in Genomic Medicine focus on:
The Genomic Medicine course is primarily informed by the design developed to equip graduates, and a diverse range of healthcare professionals, with an appreciation and education in genomics and genomic technology. As an emerging field of expertise this knowledge and understanding of genomics will prepare Genomic Medicine graduates to translate their newfound knowledge of genomics into the clinical setting to inform patient care.
The MSc in Genomic Medicine has been developed in line with Health Education England, NHS England and Genomics England Ltd.
Genomic Medicine students will be introduced to the fundamentals of human genetics and genomics along with techniques required for DNA and RNA sequencing to study genomic variation observed in the clinical setting. A third module entitled Data Analysis for Health and Medical Sciences, will introduce the bioinformatic approaches required for the analysis of genomic data.
Students will learn and be taught through a variety of methods including: lectures, workshops, tutorials, practical sessions, work-based learning and guest lectures by professionals, practitioners and respected academics.
Employability is key to the Genomic Medicine programme. Our students will be able to enhance their employability skills through their education and training in genomic medicine, transforming both the specialist and general workforce within the NHS. Furthermore, for non-NHS funded students, the MSc in Genomic Medicine will prepare graduates for careers in the clinical setting for which a knowledge of genomics will improve service delivery to patients.
The masters’ element of this programme will require students to complete a Research Project or in depth literature review. Genomic Medicine students will be encouraged to undertake their research project within the NHS, either within the students hosting NHS department or where they may expect to work following graduation.
Please note: fees of accepted, eligible NHS-based applicants will be paid by the Workforce Education and Development Services (WEDS).
Workforce Education and Development Services (WEDS) funding: WEDS is offering to pay the tuition fees for eligible staff working for the NHS in Wales, to study for the MSc, PG Dip or PG Cert in Genomic Medicine (part-time only).
Genomic technologies and information will transform practice across the clinical professions over the next decade.
This MSc is a new programme developed by Health Education England and being offered by a network of centres across England. It includes study of the genomics and informatics of rare and common diseases, cancer and infectious diseases, which can be applied to clinical practice and medical research, and enhance knowledge and skills, in this rapidly evolving field.
What does our MSc provide?
This programme, delivered by the Faculty of Medicine, will provide a comprehensive perspective in genomics applied to clinical practice and medical research, with particular emphasis on the 100,000 Genomes Project. It will equip students to bring benefit to their patients through improved diagnosis and personalised treatment, and disseminate knowledge to peers, patients and the public.
Who should study?
This programme is particularly suitable for health professionals as well as students seeking to make the most of genomics as it applies to their current or future career.
Flexible learning:
Our modular structure and blended learning formats are delivered flexibly as a one year full-time or two year part-time option, or as individual or grouped modules, to facilitate access from as wide as possible a range of healthcare professionals.
Genomic technologies and information will transform practice across the clinical professions over the next decade. Our MSc Genomic Medicine degree is designed to enhance knowledge and skills in this rapidly evolving field. The masters course has been developed by Health Education England and includes study of the genomics and informatics of rare and common diseases, cancer and infectious diseases, which can be applied to clinical practice and medical research. This degree is suitable for health professionals working in the NHS, as well as students seeking to make the most of genomics as it applies to their current or future career.
This MSc Genomic Medicine has been commissioned by NHS England / Health Education England to provide education and training in genomics for health professionals from different professional backgrounds such as medicine, nursing, public health, science and technology, for whom knowledge of genomics will impact on the way they deliver their service to patients and the public.
Tailored content
This programme can be tailored to meet your career aspirations and enables you to choose your module options, plan your programme route, and choose from October or March to begin your studies.
You can study part-time or undertake smaller numbers of, or even individual, modules to fit your study around your other commitments.
Modules
Southampton’s MSc Genomic Medicine comprises eight core modules delivered through intensive face-to-face study and independent learning.
Our core modules include an introduction to the genetics and genomics of rare and common diseases, cancer and infectious disease, informatics analysis, and a laboratory research project or dissertation.
Optional modules within the programme include the Ethics, Counselling Skills and Teaching the Teachers to Teach.
Teaching and learning
Using a mix of learning formats, our modules include two groups of two days' intensive face-to-face teaching interspersed with independent study.
The first core module will include an additional day of student contact to incorporate an induction to the University’s facilities and introduction to basic research skills such as literature searching and critical appraisal of scientific literature).
A variety of learning and teaching methods will be adopted to promote a wide range of skills and meet differing learning styles, including seminars, group work, practical demonstrations and exercises surrounding interpretation of data and clinical scenarios.
Experts from a range of academic and health care professional backgrounds are chosen to ensure a breadth and depth of perspective, giving a good balance between theories and principles, and practical management advice.
Independent study is delivered through a virtual learning environment, delivering a library of study materials including uploaded lectures, virtual patients and independent learning tasks, reference materials, links to online tutorials, student fora, and guest lecturer web chats.
A significant component of your research will comprise either an original project or a literature-based dissertation.
What you will gain
Students who complete the programme will be equipped to harness the unprecedented transformation of the 100,000 Genomes Project, bring benefit to their patients through improved diagnosis and personalised treatment, and disseminate knowledge to peers, patients and the public.
Visit the programme specification document for this course
Our MSc in Genomic Medicine is accredited by Health Education England and designed to fulfil the aspirations of the 100,000 Genome Project to create a world-class NHS workforce that understands and applies genomics for patient care.
This course is ideal whether you are a member of NHS staff or a science graduate. NHS professionals will learn how genomics impact on their area of clinical practice, while science graduates will receive training to help them gain employment in the healthcare sector (eg as a biomedical scientist or in genomic counselling) or pursue a PhD in the field.
We emphasise the practice of genomics and bioinformatics in the NHS and academia as a partnership between multiple stakeholders, including clinical, academic and industrial involvement.
As such, you will learn from clinical experts from the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine , The University of Manchester, Liverpool University, Public Health England, AstraZeneca and Qiagen.
Our MSc consists of taught units and a literature review or a bioinformatics-based project. You will be encouraged to use your intellectual curiosity, creativity and critical thinking in the practical application of genomics and bioinformatics.
MRes students will write a literature review and a research proposal (project 1) before going on to complete a six-month practical research project.
We take a student-focused and patient-centred approach to teaching and learning.
The course content is delivered using a combination of online and face-to-face methods including lectures, problem and evidence-based learning, workshops and collaborative learning.
The face-to-face elements are designed to help you develop the deeper contextualised specialist knowledge and critical evaluative skills necessary for a questioning and innovative approach to your learning and clinical practice.
You will learn from healthcare professionals and industry partners who are working at the forefront of practice and clinical research and can draw on their scholarship and expertise to help you build your knowledge.
If you choose to study the MRes qualification, the 25-week lab-based research project will provide excellent practical training in a number of research methods and techniques.
The MSc is divided into 15-credit core and optional units. Full-time students will normally do a 60-credit research project, and part-time students a 30-credit literature review.
We collaborate with the following organisations to deliver this MSc:
"So far, I have completed four modules on Bioinformatics, Human Genetics, Pharmacogenomics and Genetic Counselling. I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed each of these and they have opened my eyes to the potential transformation of healthcare in the NHS through genomic medicine."
Bradley Horn, Genetic Technologist
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .
Several units from this MSc can be taken as standalone courses for continuing professional development (CPD). Please visit the Genomic Medicine (CPD units) page for further information.
Our course is designed to support and upskill healthcare professionals working in the NHS in areas where genomic medicine is becoming part of clinical practice.
Our science graduates have gone on to apply their new skills in service labs in their home countries, gained employment in the NHS, undertaken further study for genomic counselling, or have continued their research to pursue a PhD in the field.
This course is accredited by Health Education England.
King’s is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for the study of medieval history, with expertise in the study of Anglo-Saxon England, Britain in the central Middle Ages together with early and later medieval Europe.
This MA course gives you the skills and analysis you need for medieval historical study and delving into the significant topics of the period, from Magna Carta to the history of medieval women. It will also introduce you to the burgeoning field of digital humanities through collaboration with the Department of Digital Humanities where the digital and historical worlds meet.
King’s is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for the study of medieval history, with traditional expertise in the study of Anglo-Saxon England, Britain in the central Middle Ages together with early and later medieval Europe, recently strengthened by the arrival of new members of staff.
The MA programme is amongst the most successful of its kind worldwide, teaching students the skills and analysis required for medieval historical study and delving into significant topics of the period, from Magna Carta to the history of medieval women.
The History department has traditional expertise in Anglo-Saxon England, Britain in the central Middle Ages together with early and later medieval Europe. Major research projects in medieval history currently being undertaken by MA teaching staff include the AHRC-funded online databases Prosopography of Anglo-Saxon England (PASE) and Henry III Fine Rolls, an AHRC-funded project The Making of Charlemagne’s Europe and the Leverhulme Trust funded project Profile of a Doomed Elite: The Structure of English Landed Society in 1066.
Institute of Historical Research (IHR)
We will encourage you to make full use of the opportunities available through the Institute of Historical Research (IHR). Many members of the Department prepare and deliver its period-based seminars, including the flourishing Early Medieval History and European History 1150-1550 seminars. In addition, the IHR offers a wide range of other events: from student-run workshops to specialist training days. This intersection between Department, School and the IHR means we have a uniquely productive environment for graduate study in History.
To train scholars moving into academic work after completing an undergraduate degree, but also for those who want to deepen their knowledge of the period.
Students will take modules worth a minimum of 180 credits. Taught compulsory and optional modules assessed by coursework and/or examination plus a compulsory dissertation.
If you are a full-time student, we will give you four to eight hours of teaching through seminars, where you will contribute to the dicsussion and prepare presentations.
If you are a part-time studnet, we will give you two to six hours of teaching each week through seminars.
For your dissertation, we will give you six hours of supervision.
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
The majority of our modules are assessed through coursework. Your dissertation will be a 15,000-word essay.
Our graduates continue to further research or transfer their skills and knowledge to careers in teaching, archives, the media, finance, politics and heritage industries.
Environmental issues such as eutrophication, habitat degradation and climate change threaten the sustainability of our aquatic resources. Responding to these threats the Aquatic Science MSc equips students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the structure and functioning of aquatic environments, encompassing lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands, groundwaters, estuaries and shallow seas.
Students focus on integrated freshwater and coastal systems and gain extensive training in field sampling, study design and species identification. Distinctive features include: integration of aquatic ecology with hydro-geomorphology, aquatic landscape ecology, analysis of sediment cores for environmental change reconstruction, design of aquatic monitoring programmes and modelling of aquatic system dynamics. Students come away with a sound knowledge of current-day links between aquatic science, legislation and conservation.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma - four core modules and four optional modules all 15 credits (120 credits, full-time nine months, part-time two years) is offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate - four core modules only at 15 credits each (60 credits, full-time twelve weeks, part-time two years) is offered.
Core modules
* modules running are dependent on staff sabbaticals
Optional modules
Students choose four of the following:
* modules running are dependent on staff sabbaticals
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 12,000 words. Dissertation placement positions are offered linked to external conservation bodies and research-orientated consultancies.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical classes, laboratory sessions, case-studies and residential field classes. Assessment is through coursework and the dissertation, which includes an oral presentation of the research proposal.
Fieldwork
Field classes around the UK, these may include trips to Norfolk, Suffolk and the Scottish Highlands.
Optional module Aquatic Macrophytes - approximately £200
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Aquatic Science MSc
This programme provides an ideal foundation for PhD research, or for employment with environmental protection and conservation agencies, the water industry and environmental consultancies.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Employability
The MSc provides students with the science background and practical skills necessary for a career working in aquatic conservation and environmental protection agencies, environmental consultancies and stakeholder agencies. The MSc is also an ideal platform for further PhD study. We aim to expose students to potential employers from the outset and students receive expert tuition in field sampling and monitoring programme design, conservation biology, taxonomy of key species groups, knowledge of important conservation principles and legislation and working with stakeholders.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The Aquatic Science MSc is run by UCL Geography which enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its aquatic environmental research and teaching. The degree has a strong emphasis on field working with three major residential classes to the North Norfolk Coast, Scottish Highlands and Dorset.
The programme is taught by world-leading researchers specialising in Recent Environmental Change & Biodiversity and Environmental Modelling and Observation which has specialist input from the Thames Estuary Partnership
Speakers from environmental organisations including the UK Environment Agency, the Rivers Trusts, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, the UK Wildlife Trusts, National Trust and Natural England lecture on the programme and take part in fieldwork. By bringing together students, researchers and practitioners, a vibrant and informal academic environment is created encouraging mutual discovery and ongoing debate.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Geography
81% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
Our degrees in Genomic Medicine cover all aspects of genomic science and medicine, and will equip you with the knowledge and skills to be able to interpret and understand genomic data that increasingly impacts on service delivery to patients and the community.
The programme is aimed at students from a wide range of backgrounds, from basic scientists to all levels of healthcare professionals, and will provide a flexible, multi-disciplinary and multi-professional perspective in genomics, applied to clinical practice and medical research.
It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to be able to interpret and understand genomic data that increasingly impacts on service delivery to patients and the community.
The training provided covers all aspects of genomic science and medicine (not merely DNA sequencing or detection of genetic variation), undertaken in one of the most cutting-edge scientific environments.
The course includes collaborations with:
The Institute of Cancer Research and Brunel University London may also co-supervise research projects.
The programme is one of the preferred providers for Health Education England and upholds the values of the NHS Constitution.
This course is made up of three progressional levels (PG Cert, PG Dip and MSc), and you can apply to any level in the first instance. Read more about how this works under 'Choosing your course' in the admissions section.
One of the core modules available within the Master's degree (MSc) includes opportunities to access the emerging data from the 100,000 Genomes Project through the Genomics England Clinical Interpretation Partnership (GeCIP) training domains.
Hear from Genomic Medicine students and graduates on the National Heart and Lung Institute website.
A blended approach to learning is used, in both core and optional modules, combining face-to-face teaching and online distance learning. This is to provide flexibility for health professionals to combine their study with work.
Most modules will consist of one week of face-to-face teaching and up to three weeks of e-learning and independent study. The modules are offered on a cycle of 12 months, so that all modules become available once in each 12 month cycle.
The course is flexible and modular and is available as a full-time or part-time MSc delivered over one or two years respectively. There are also full-time and part-time Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) and Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) options.