The MRes in Cancer Sciences is a one year, full-time programme comprising three taught modules and an extended laboratory-based research project. This programme is specifically designed to offer postgraduate training to students interested in a career in cancer research, particularly those wishing to pursue a PhD.

Examining the entire range of cancer research from our fundamental understanding of cancer pathogenesis through to the development of highly targeted novel therapies, the programme is designed to provide life and biomedical science graduates with an in-depth understanding of cancer research through focussed taught modules and an extended laboratory-based research project. We explore how modern cutting-edge techniques and big data analysis have led to our understanding of how cancer is driven at the genetic and epigenetic level, and how the tumour microenvironment impacts cancer development and treatment. We also examine how new successful therapeutic approaches have been used in patients and how they have impacted outcomes. The extended research project makes use of many of these research techniques, providing intensive training in modern laboratory-based cancer research.

The programme consists of three taught modules including ‘cellular and molecular basis of cancer’, ‘genomics and genome-based therapeutics’ and ‘immunology and immunotherapy’. The modules are led by leading experts actively involved in cancer research, clinical trials and patient treatment. The modules cover how genomic analysis is applied to translational research for diagnosis and treatment of cancers and how recent advances in our understanding of cancer immunology have been successfully applied to immunotherapy. The projects are generally laboratory-based and provide skills in designing, performing and communicating cancer research. A large range of research projects are usually available and can be on anything from cancer causes and diagnosis to treatment.

Students will gain practical skills and scientific communication skills that will benefit anyone wanting a career in academic, clinical or pharmaceutical research. Being able to discuss your research concisely, logically and effectively are skills that are taught throughout the programme.

Students will also gain skills in experimental design, control, data interpretation and analysis. An extended research project will afford you the opportunity to actually think about how to design an experiment and include all the appropriate controls to ensure the results are scientifically sound.