MSt in Genomic Medicine

The programme has been developed by the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) and Wellcome Connecting Science.

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;
• to conduct systematic research relevant to their professional practice;
• 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.

Teaching and learning

The MSt in Genomic Medicine runs over two consecutive academic years and students are required complete a mix of taught modules and a research project as outlined below.

Either

• Eight modules, (minimum of 4 modules to be taken in year one) plus a 60-credit research project and associated dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words on an agreed topic in Genomic Medicine.

or

• Ten modules, comprising the minimum eight modules (at least 4 modules to be taken in year one), plus two additional modules and a 30 credit literature-based research project and associated dissertation of 5,000-6,000 words on an agreed topic in Genomic Medicine.

Students choose from the following:

Genomic Medicine Modules

Please note that the 25/26 dates for modules are to be confirmed and will be updated on this webpage as soon as possible.

* Mandatory module for all students

•An introduction to human genetics and genomics (GM1A): tbc October 2025*

•Omics techniques and their application to genomic medicine (GM2): tbc November 2025

•Bioinformatics, interpretation and data quality assurance in genome analysis (GM7): tbc December 2025

•Application of genomics in infectious disease (GM5): tbc January 2026

•Molecular pathology of cancer and application in cancer diagnosis, screening, and treatment (GM4):  tbc February 2026

•Pharmacogenetics and stratified healthcare (GM6): tbc March 2026

•Counselling skills for genomics (GMO2): tbc March 2026

•Epigenetics and epigenomics (GMO5): tbc April 2026

•Advanced bioinformatics - from genomes to systems (GMO4): tbc April - May 2026

•Genomics of common and rare inherited diseases (GM3): tbc May 2026

•Expanding the content of the MSt in genomic medicine with a workplace-based module (GMO6): tbc February 2026

•Research and statistical skills in genomic medicine (GMO7):  Please note that this module is only suitable for part-time students who are within easy commute of Cambridge as it is delivered one day per week over a series of weeks.

To meet eligibility requirements, some funding providers such as HEE may require the study of specific modules.

Further study options:

The Genomic Medicine programme, provides the following alternative course and study options:

• To study as a Postgraduate Diploma
• To study as a Postgraduate Certificate
• To study individual modules: It is possible to enrol for individual modules (dependent on places being available) on a stand-alone basis for Credit or CPPD (non-credit).

To note: Not all module options will necessarily be offered in any one year.

For further information please see our FAQs

• 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 taught modules comprising the MSt students must complete summative assignments of 2,500-3,500 words or equivalent.
• For the MSt, students must also complete a research project of 10,000-12,000 words or a literature-based research project of 5,000-6,000 words

Fees and funding

The fee for 2025 entry will be £7,959 per annum (£15,918 for the full 2 academic years) for Home students and for overseas students the fee is £20,730 per annum (£45,711 for the full 2 academic years).

An application fee of £50 is payable for all applicants.

The fee status of EU nationals for 2021 entry onwards will be International by default until the UK government announce further details and amendments of the current regulation. EU students should regularly check for updates at: www.cam.ac.uk/eu

Students are required to fund travel, accommodation and subsistence during the programme of study.

HEE funding is available for NHS staff wishing to apply to study Genomic Medicine at The University of Cambridge for study of individual modules or modules as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or part-time Masters in Genomic Medicine. 

All funding is subject to availability and the final decision rests with HEE, not the University.

Prospective students wishing to apply for HEE funding should apply for their course place in the first instance.

HEE funding is accessed through the University following receipt of a conditional offer of a place to study (and not by applying directly to HEE).  For full details of details of the application procedure, including a useful flow chart, please refer to the HEE website here.

Other sources of funding

Sources of government funding and financial support - including Professional and Career Development Loans.

For information on a loan from Student Finance England for MSt course fees and a contribution towards living costs, please see https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

Applications will be considered in two batches; the first batch will consider applications received up until 31 January 2025 and the second (and final deadline) will consider any applications received from 1 February 2025 up until 30 April 2025. 

We reserve the right to carry over applications from one batch to the next where deemed appropriate. 

Eligible candidates will be invited to interview shortly after the batch application deadline and informed of final decisions within 4-6 weeks. 

Read the MSt Application Guide to find out more about the application process and what you need to do and consider as a potential applicant. See below for details of the supporting documents you will need to provide when applying for this course.

Your application must include:

• A professional Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Copies of relevant academic qualification certificates and transcripts
• Relevant professional qualifications or memberships with documentary evidence
• Language proficiency (if required)
• Contact details of two referees who will be contacted on your behalf
• Evidence of funding (if applicable)
• Employer support letter

Additional guidance on completing your application (including restrictions associated with the use of AI) can be found here

Admissions and questions about applications:

For any queries or information about the admissions procedure, making an application or your application itself - please contact the admissions team by clicking on the ‘Ask a Question’ link at the top right-hand side of this webpage.

FAQs

Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked question or FAQs, relating specifically to the MSt in Genomic Medicine. Please do read through these and you should find the answers to most questions.

For all questions about the course or if you cannot find what you are looking in the FAQs below, then please click on, the ‘Ask a Question’ button at the top right of this page to send a message to the Course Team and we will respond as soon as possible.

When can I apply for the next Masters [MSt] course?

Applications for the MSt, PG Certificate and PG Diploma starting in the Michaelmas term (October) of any given year, open in the September/October of the previous year. So, for example, for an October 2025 start, applications open September 2024.   

When is the deadline for applications?

Applications for 2025/26 entry for the MSt in Genomic Medicine can be submitted online until 30 April 2025. Applications are considered in two batches; the first batch will consider applications received up until 31 January 2025 and the second (and final deadline) will consider any applications received from 1 February 2025 up until 30 April  2025.

When will my application be considered? 

If you apply within the batch one window, your application will be considered shortly after the closing date of 31 January 2025. If you apply during batch two, you will be considered shortly after 30 April 2025. We reserve the right to carry applications received during batch one over to batch two.   

When can I expect to hear back on a decision?

Decisions on applications will be made approximately 6 weeks after the relevant closing date.

Final decisions will depend on the strength of applicants in any one year.

How will the course be delivered?

We plan to deliver our Postgraduate and MSt qualifications using blended Learning methods through a combination of face to teaching sessions requiring in-person attendance in Cambridge, and self-directed learning, all supported through a Virtual Learning Environment [VLE].  

This is not an online course.  

Is this course available full-time?

No.  This course has been designed for part-time delivery in order to permit students to work around their employment commitments.  It is not possible for it to be studied on a full-time basis. 

There is a full time MPhil version of the course and for details please go to the Cambridge University website and search the Postgraduate courses there.

Who is the course aimed at?

Applications are invited from suitably qualified NHS healthcare professionals and science graduates with an interest in bio-medical science and the clinical application of genomics to prepare for the future adoption of genomic technologies in healthcare.

Am I suitable for the Masters [MSt] in Genomic Medicine?

The entry requirements for this course are outlined under the Entry Requirements tab of the course page.

English is not my first language - can I still apply?

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 necessary requirements, even if they have worked or studied in English previously.  Please refer to the ICE website here for further information, following any extra links there for further, added advice.