Course summary
The programme has been developed by the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education and Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences, and EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute. This is a part-time course designed to fit with the demands of full-time employment. Aims of the programme
- provide professionally relevant teaching and learning informed by research in an integrated clinical and research environment;
- develop and create a cohort of doctors and other professionals allied to medicine able to pursue and develop their roles in the rapidly-changing and challenging environment of genomic medicine;
- prepare healthcare professionals for the adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway;
- develop researchers competent in the use of genomic technologies for biomedical research
- develop a cohort of health care professionals with the ability and confidence to lead service improvement for safe and high quality patient care
- develop a cohort of health care professionals allied to medicine with an understanding of research methodologies and clinical opportunities relevant to genomic medicine;
- encourage a commitment to intellectual challenge and evidence-based clinical practice informed by the latest conceptual and theoretical knowledge of genomic medicine;
- develop students' intellectual, practical and transferable skills related to genomic medicine;
- encourage critical thinking related to genomic medicine;
- equip students for entry into health care professional training schemes including graduate entry medicine courses;
- prepare students for undertaking research degrees (PhD) in genomic medicine-related research fields;
- provide students from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other industries with an understanding of the relevance of advances in genomics for current and future health care.
Modules
Students must complete 4 modules. There is additional between-module reflection, study and assignment work. The introductory module in October is compulsory for all students. As this certificate is a one-year programme, all four modules should be taken within one academic year. The only exception is where a student is progressing from modular to award-bearing study. Each postgraduate course is delivered through a combination of in-person sessions (requiring attendance in Cambridge), self-directed learning and assessment (in the form of coursework). Study is fully supported through a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Most of the modules are run as a week-long course, from Monday to Friday, during which in-person attendance will be required each day for the 30+ hours of teaching time (from 9 am to 5 pm daily). The following is a list of possible modules taught on the course. The PACE website provides more details about these: Fundamentals of human genetics and genomics, Research and statistical skills in genomic medicine, Omics techniques and the application to genomic medicine, Bioinformatics, interpretation and data quality assurance in genomic analysis, Application of genomics in infectious disease, Molecular pathology of cancer and application of genomics in cancer, Pharmacogenetics and stratified healthcare, Introduction to counselling and communication skills in genomic medicine, Epigenetics and disorders of the epigenome, Variant interpretation, Genomics of common and rare inherited diseases, Workplace-based module, Professional and research skills, Genomics of obesity and metabolic disease, Genomics of neurodegenerative disorders, Genomics of cardiovascular disorders Not all module options will necessarily be offered in any one year. To meet eligibility requirements, some funding providers such as NHS England may require the study of specific modules.
Assessment method
Students are assessed formatively throughout the taught modules of the programme using a variety of techniques and interrelated strategies including evidence of regular reflection, demonstration of active participation in the programme will also be required. There may also a requirement for the students to take part in peer review of other students. For each of the four taught modules comprising the Postgraduate Certificate, students must complete summative assignments of 2500-3500 words.
How to apply
International applicants
Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you'll need to prove you have sufficient fluency before admission. If we offer you a place, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement. As a minimum, you will be required to demonstrate an overall score of 7.5 in IELTS Academic with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component (or equivalent). We welcome applications from international students. If you're coming from overseas, you would attend the in-person teaching sessions for this course with visitor immigration permission. It's important to be aware that entering the UK as a visitor for study purposes comes with certain expectations and restrictions, and you should fully understand the requirements.
Entry requirements
Academic requirement Applicants are normally expected to a hold a 2i degree or higher from a UK university or an equivalent from an overseas university.
English language requirements
Language requirement All applicants are required to demonstrate competency in English at a high level before commencing the programme; students whose first language is not English must be able to satisfy the requirements below. IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.0 (a minimum of 7.0 in Listening, Writing and Speaking; 6.5 in Reading) TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 100 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component) CAE: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a Language Centre assessment CPE: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 in each individual element) International students must ensure they have the correct Visa documentation, and those in full-time employment, whether in the UK or abroad, to work and study at the same time.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £6291 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £6291 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £6291 | Whole course |
| Wales | £6291 | Whole course |
| International | £16383 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
There is a £85 application fee.
Provider information
University of Cambridge
The Old Schools
Trinity Lane
Cambridge
CB2 1TN