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Biomedical Science - Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer at St George's (City St George's, University of London) - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Open days

5Mar
Postgraduate Open Evening
Postgraduate

Course summary

Explore the characteristics of cancer from inflammation to genome instability while carrying out research that could save lives. One in two people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime (NHS). But there is hope. Research is not only improving future treatment, but the World Health Organization say 30-50% of cases are preventable. Studying this course, you’ll explore the Hallmarks and Enabling Characteristics of Cancer. This includes looking at areas such as invasion and metastases, deregulating cell energetics, avoiding immune destruction and genome instability. We’ll also discuss how research can identify genetic, environmental, and behavioural risk factors. Kickstart your research career Research and innovation are in our DNA. Our academics have paved the way for advancements in cancer research, including creating thalidomide analogues for cancer treatment, developing cancer antibodies through plant engineering, and researching new therapies to stop advanced skin cancer. You’ll learn from experts exploring DNA replication and repair, as well as experts who are unravelling oncogenic processes and developing anti-cancer strategies. Why St George's?

  • NIHR Clinical Research Facility – we carry out early-phase translation and complex clinical studies. Our clinical trials benefit from our expertise in measuring laboratory endpoints on site and with rapid turnaround.
  • Expert research community – you’ll have access to specialist equipment and expertise in clinical, epidemiological and laboratory research. Your project might involve working with clinical samples or staff on our hospital sites.
  • Intense research training – completing an MRes means you’ll spend nine months working on a research project and receive one-to-one training. Past students have even been listed as authors of published papers.
Course content Whichever biomedical science pathway you pick, you’ll complete three core modules: Research Methods, Statistics and Research Project Planning and Management. All of the core modules provide advanced training in biomedical research and help you interpret data. You’ll develop specialist skills in tissue culture, handling of clinical specimens, flow cytometry, gene cloning and protein techniques, microbiological techniques and more. You’ll also study clinical and pathological aspects of cancer and the molecular mechanisms behind the disease. At the same time, we’ll discuss current treatments and how research translates into novel treatments. Your research project Unlike MSc courses, you’ll complete an extensive research project which involves spending up to nine months working as part of a research team. This may provide an opportunity to work with clinical samples or staff on our hospital sites. During the first term, you’ll meet potential supervisors and pick a project. Past projects explored the cellular pathways involved in cell proliferation and cell death, and the cancer cell response to treatments and metabolites.

Modules

There are two core modules: Research Methods (15 credits) Research Project Planning and Management (15 credits) These are common to all pathways, and most of teaching will take place in the autumn term. The core modules provide advanced training in the practice of biomedical research across a broad range of laboratory and computer-based biomedical science. Students will also undertake the specialist module (30 credits) which is specific to each of the five pathways. The specialist module prepares you to conduct high-calibre in-depth research in your chosen research field. The journal clubs (critical appraisal of papers) led by students themselves with guidance from tutors will run from October until March. Unlike many other courses, our Research Project (105 credits) offers a chance to spend up to nine months working as part of an active research team. This may provide an opportunity to work with clinical samples or staff on our hospital sites. For example, one past research project investigated the role of the human TTC4 protein – a gene previously linked to breast cancer and the progression of malignant melanoma – in cell death, rapid reproduction and cancer. Another project examined DNA polymerases, enzymes essential for DNA replication, mutations of which have been identified as causative for colorectal cancer. The Research Project module will start in October and runs until July/August. Students will present a poster in July and submit a final dissertation in August. Students also choose one optional module worth 15 credits from a range of options. In addition to the core and specialist modules, the optional modules will equip students with a comprehensive set of essential research skills for interpreting and applying clinical and biomedical data. They will also provide a broad understanding of research governance and ethics. The optional modules may be subject to availability.

Assessment method

We’ve designed assessments that prepare you for your research project. You’ll learn to critically review published work, create appropriate experimental designs and analyse data. At the same time, you’ll develop your scientific writing and presentation skills. All our modules are assessed through written assignments or an oral presentation – except our statistics module which is assessed via examination. Once you’ve finished your research project, you'll also present a poster on your research.

How to apply

International applicants

You can find extensive information about the support St George's provides for International students on our website: https://www.sgul.ac.uk/study/offer-holders/international-student-support. This includes guidance on the visa application process, preparing for your studies, enrolment, support during your studies, and English language requirements.

Entry requirements

You should have or be expected to achieve, a minimum of a second class degree (2:2). For healthcare graduates, a pass is required. All degrees must be awarded before 1 August on the year of entry. We welcome applications from individuals from a range of backgrounds, including humanities, science and healthcare. We may invite you to interview if are unable to make a decision directly from your application. If you are invited for an interview you will be asked to write a short paper (no more than half a page) on a subject associated with biomedical research. Alternative professional qualifications, or previous related experience, may be considered and we encourage you to apply. Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree but are current medical students who have successfully completed 360 credits (or equivalent) including at least 120 credits at Level 6 (or equivalent) of their medical degree are also eligible to apply.

English language requirements

Please find extensive information about our English language requirements on our website.

English Language Requirements

https://www.sgul.ac.uk/study/life-at-st-georges/international-student-support/english-language-requirements

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this 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

Tuition fees can be found on the fees and funding tab on the course page.

Sponsorship information

Information on our PG Scholarships can be found on our website: https://www.sgul.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/postgraduate-scholarships

Biomedical Science - Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer at St George's (City St George's, University of London) - UCAS