This one-year, full-time MSc by Research programme aims to introduce students to modern up-to-date molecular and cellular biological research in the field of reproductive sciences, reproductive health and reproductive medicine in a stimulating, challenging and vibrant research atmosphere, at the interface between basic science and clinical patient care.
The programme is intended for high-calibre students with biological science, medical or veterinary backgrounds.
It is advised that you contact the Programme Director Dr Simon Riley, prior to making your application to ensure this programme meets your academic aims.
The main components of the programme are two 20-week research projects, performed on a very wide range of research fields within the reproductive sciences.
Topics that can be offered include using a wide range of models and in human, studying a number of important problems associated with human reproductive health and disease in testis, ovary, the uterus during the menstrual cycle and throughout pregnancy and labour, in the fetus and neonate, and in fetal programming resulting in increased risk of chronic disease in adulthood.
The MRC Centre for Reproductive Health has arranged its research under four themes:
These theme titles illustrate some of the remarkable properties that make reproductive systems such relevant and powerful models for translational studies across a wide spectrum of human diseases and pathologies in other systems.
The MRC Centre for Reproductive Health (CRH) has close links with other internationally recognised research centres in the Queen’s Medical Research Institute QMRI and elsewhere in Edinburgh, with the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the Veterinary School, the University of Edinburgh science campus and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
Many student projects are organised with and between these centres, reflecting the interdisciplinary research environment, where students and trainees are regarded as the ‘lifeblood’ for the future.
The programme provides a core grounding in basic science and interlinked medical aspects of reproductive sciences. It is delivered by undertaking a two-week basic core laboratory skills training course, followed by gaining practical experience by performing two 20 week laboratory-based research projects.
These research projects provide you with hands-on laboratory experience and training in a wide range of up-to-date techniques in molecular and cellular biology. Students also gain a wide range of generic professional and scientific skills such as developing effective communication skills, and scientific writing through project reports and a grant application.
Alongside the project work there is a series of lecture modules and seminars delivered by internationally-recognised experts in the field, together with both staff and student-led small group tutorials.
This programme is the ideal route for those wishing to embark on a PhD, or in a technical laboratory role, in the field of Reproductive Health, spanning the biosciences, clinical and veterinary fields.
The broad range of skills gained is also readily transferable into careers at the clinical-laboratory interface and in the broader biosciences industry opportunities.
This programme does not amount to specific training to become a clinical embryologist.
This one-year, full time programme provides an excellent grounding for PhD or other academic study in the Biomedical Sciences. You will learn valuable research skills, biomedical laboratory techniques and a wide range of other transferable skills that will give you an advantage for the rest of your career. You can also choose two themes that best suit your interests and career goals.
The programme includes seminars, taught modules and two research projects in our world-recognised research laboratories. We will also cover a range of valuable transferable skills including critical analysis of research papers, learning how to write a project grant application and literature review, and data presentation and statistical analysis.
The programme includes core skills, seminars, taught modules and laboratory projects in our well-resourced laboratories which are at the cutting-edge of Biomedical research.
Students will carry out two 20-week long research projects selected from the themes available. An assessed research proposal is also required for the second project.
Project 1 (September to February)
Project 2 (April to August)
Students may also be able to undertake projects in Integrative Neuroscience or in other areas of Biomedical Sciences, with the permission of the Programme Director. These students would be required to attend the taught element of one of the above Themes as appropriate.
Students are also required to attend the taught element of another theme as appropriate.
In March, students submit a research proposal based on the work to be performed for Project 2. This takes the form of a grant application, as would be prepared for a research organisation, and is assessed.
This programme is an excellent stepping-stone to a PhD, or a career in Biomedical research or industry.
In addition, every year there are vacancies for PhD studentships in the School of Biomedical Sciences and staff are always on the lookout for the outstanding postgraduate students who are on this Programme to encourage them to apply.
Read testimonials from some of our successful students:
This one year, residential, taught M.Sc. provides graduate students, scientists and clinicians with highly advanced theoretical and practical understanding of human reproductive biology, embryology, infertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART) along with intensive ‘hands-on’ practical training in essential laboratory skills and the sophisticated gamete micromanipulation techniques associated with ART. The MSc course is based alongside Oxford Fertility in purpose-built premises, the Institute of Reproductive Sciences, with dedicated state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.
Our broad intention is to inspire, motivate and train a network of future leaders in clinical embryology throughout the world. Additionally, our students benefit from intensive training in a range of laboratory skills highly suitable for a research career in reproductive science.
The course runs over a period of one year, from October to September, incorporating the three University terms: Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity. Fundamental reproductive science and laboratory methods/practical skills are taught in the first term (Michaelmas) over five discrete modules. Applied and clinical aspects are delivered in the second term (Hilary) over a further set of five modules. Each module is delivered over a period of one to three weeks and together, the ten modules comprise the ‘core content’ of the course. The third term (Trinity) is extended to allow sufficient time for a high quality research project.
The deadline for applications for the MSc in Clinical Embryology starting in October 2018 is 12 noon (midday) GMT on Monday 8th January 2018. Please see our Graduate Admissions page for further details: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-clinical-embryology
One of two specialised master’s pathways within our global health and development programme, this award is relevant for those who want to mark their focused interest and expertise in aspects of sexual heath and reproductive health. The course will equip you to work at a senior level to promote the sexual and reproductive health and social wellbeing of people, especially those living in low and middle income countries, through the development of effective, contextualised sexual and reproductive health policies, services and interventions.
The award has been designed in response to the increasing need for personnel of governments, global health institutions and non-governmental organisations to be trained to support development in this key area. This award focuses on the social and political issues influencing sexual and reproductive health, with a special focus on low and middle income countries. It focuses on integration of theory and practice and enables you to draw on your experience, develop critical thinking skills and widen your perspective on current and historical sexual and reproductive health issues.
Teaching is comprised of a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, simulation exercises and projects. Assessment is continuous and incorporates assignments, action plans, projects and examinations. For their dissertation projects, students can chose to collect desk-based studies, or conduct primary data collection in collaboration with national or international organisations working in health and development.
Each module which you study on campus will require you to attend classes and carry out independent work. Your exact attendance requirements at QMU will depend on which module you are studying and whether you are studying full or part time. Modules typically run over five weeks and involve two sessions of three hours in class each week. In addition, for each module students spend around 10-12 hours of each week on preparatory class work independently and with colleagues, including readings and exercises available on dedicated web-based learning platforms.
Students study core modules totalling 105 credits. This includes foundational study of global heath and development, through such subjects as Global Health and Social Policy; Researching Global Health and Development; Global Public Health; and Health Systems; and then extends through more focused study of subjects such as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender, Health and Development. You will also choose one 15 credit elective class from classes available within the Institute or from other QMU programmes recognised as of relevance.
For the MSc award the culmination of your study will be completion of a dissertation involving desk study or fieldwork on an approved topic related to sexual and reproductive health and development (60 credits).
As a graduate you will be well equipped for employment as a global health practitioner with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health issues.
Graduates have secured technical, advocacy and leadership positions with national and global programmes, addressing such issues as safe motherhood, adolescent friendly health services, health of sexual minorities, HIV treatment and prevention, and FGM.
Scholarships Santander Scholarships: 2 x £5,000 scholarships are available for international students undertaking a course within the IGHD.
See http://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/fees-andfunding/ scholarships-for-new-students/ for more information.
Postgraduate Loans are now Open for Home/EU students - https://www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan/how-to-apply
Scholarships & Discounts available
This programme equips graduates to provide leadership and technical support in public health in middle and low income countries. It covers a wide range of topics in public and global health, including key disciplinary skills in epidemiology and social science and applied topics such as disease control and programme management. The programme has a specialist focus on the strengthening of health systems in support of sexual and reproductive health (including maternal & neonatal health), facilitating the implementation and scale-up of good practice and raising awareness amongst politicians, professionals and the public of the need for more effective use of knowledge and tools to impact on SRH indicators. Following the taught component, participants complete a dissertation including a period of applied research either overseas or in Liverpool.
LSTM education courses are taught within a dynamic environment by staff working at the cutting-edge of research in tropical medicine and global health. They are designed to enable the professional development of the student, to be relevant to students from both the UK and overseas and to promote approaches to study that will enable students to continue their learning into the future.
This course aims to:
Provide a critical understanding of a range of health policies and strategies in a variety of social, epidemiological, cultural, economic and political settings in middle- and low- income countries.
Enable students to analyse critically, evaluate and conduct responsive, public health-related research and apply evidence to everyday practice.
Produce graduates who are experienced, committed, informed, proactive and effective professionals, capable of taking substantial and leading professional roles in order to promote improved health and well-being in middle and low income countries.
Facilitate high quality learning that is informed by critical analysis of current research.
Develop independent and reflective approaches to study that will enable graduates to continue to learn in the future.
There are many employment opportunities within the Sexual & Reproductive Health field with small and large NGOs, UN organisations, as well as reproductive health community programmes and family planning, working towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There are also many research opportunities within this field. Useful for programme managers, nurses, midwives, and doctors who are working in the field of sexual and reproductive health. This course is also suitable for public health practitioners and for people who need to work with needs assessments and monitoring & evaluation frameworks.
To provide students with knowledge, skills and understanding needed to enable them to contribute to strengthening health systems in support of sexual and reproductive health
