5Mar
PostgraduateCourse summary
Study this pioneering degree to carry out research that improves fertility and helps identify, treat or manage birth defects. Reproduction is a fascinating process, but it doesn’t always go to plan. Many couples struggle to conceive. Some experience miscarriage. And, according to NHS statistics, one in 47 babies are born with a congenital anomaly – anything from cleft palate or limb defect to heart conditions or spina bifida. This course is for you if you want to carry out research that improves fertility and helps identify, treat or manage birth defects. Joining us, you’ll study the interplay between genes and physiology and the complications that can arise. Kickstart your research career Research and innovation are in our DNA. Edward Jenner, whose groundbreaking work contributed to the eradication of smallpox, completed his medical training at St George’s in 1770. More recently, our research has helped accelerate the treatment of tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and Covid-19. You’ll meet experts improving diagnosis and counselling for unexplained infertility and creating new therapies and diagnosis for neonatal disorders. We’ll also reveal how we’re using rare disease models to understand human development and reproduction. Why St George's?
- Pioneering pathway – our specialist pathway is one of a few of its kind in the UK that focuses on the science behind reproduction, embryo formation and fetal development.
- 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.
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 studied first trimester placenta cells to identify future indicators of pre-eclampsia, while another analysed the mutation of gonadal genes which to provide new insight into what causes a failure to initiate or complete puberty naturally. Other projects offered opportunities to work with animal models (mouse, zebrafish) to enhance our understanding of congenital disorders and identification of mutated genes through sequencing of patient DNA samples. 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
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
Provider information
St George's (City St George's, University of London)
Cranmer Terrace
Wandsworth
SW17 0RE