Precision Medicine

Entry requirements

We require an honours degree (minimum Upper Second) or overseas equivalent in:

• biomedical sciences
• medical sciences
• biological sciences
• chemical sciences
• biochemical sciences
• pharmacological sciences
• medicine
• dentistry
• pharmacy
• veterinary medicine
• computational biology

This must be from a recognised university.

We will also consider candidates with Upper Second degrees in a relevant alternative analytical, physical or computing science area. Evidence of previous advanced study, research or professional experience may be accepted as qualification for entry for applicants with a Lower Second or equivalent.

We do not require previous research experience or a developed research proposal from applicants.

This course is also available for intercalating medical students, both from The University of Manchester and other UK universities. Intercalating students must have satisfactorily completed Years 1 to 3 of the MBChB. For St Andrews students, this includes the 3-year course and the following year in Manchester (Year 3 of the Manchester course).

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our Master of Science (MSc) in Precision Medicine will provide training in the principles of precision and stratified medicine and the clinical impact of individual molecular and lifestyle variability.

Precision Medicine is a rapidly changing and exciting area of healthcare. Our understanding of the molecular basis of disease, drug mechanisms and precision medicine has improved dramatically in recent years. Precision or stratified medicine transforms healthcare from a one size fits all approach to a more tailored disease prevention and personalised treatment approach, that takes into account variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person. Currently, there is a distinct shortage of individuals able to translate this knowledge into effective clinical benefit. The aim is to train the next generation of scientists able to fast-track biological and scientific insights into advanced therapies and diagnostic tools.

The MSc provides training in the principles of precision and stratified medicine and the clinical impact of individual molecular and lifestyle variability. In this programme, you will learn about multidisciplinary molecular profiling technologies including genetics, genomics, proteomics and metabolomics and their application to the growing area of precision and stratified medicine. A key benefit of this MSc is the extended 35-week project that can be undertaken at the University, the Manchester Cancer Research Centre or a teaching hospital in Greater Manchester. Our teaching integrates different omic technologies to enable you to undertake precision medicine research.

You can choose from a range of projects that may cover areas such as the use of gene expression profiling, proteomics, metabolomics, stem cell research, tissue culture or pharmacogenetics in the biology of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, neurological disease, respiratory disease, stroke or diabetes.

Completing our course may open up a route into PhD research. You may also pursue a career in academia or the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, or as a clinical academic.