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 Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences, and EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute.

This is a part-time course designed to fit with the demands of full-time employment. The course is delivered through a combination of face-to-face sessions requiring attendance in Cambridge, self-directed learning and supported through a virtual learning environment [VLE].

Aims of the programme

• To provide professionally relevant teaching and learning informed by research in an integrated clinical and research environment;
• To develop and create a cohort of doctors and other professionals allied to medicine able to pursue and develop their roles in a rapidly-changing and challenging environment of genomic medicine;
• To prepare healthcare professionals for the adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway;
• To develop a cohort of doctors and other professionals allied to medicine with the confidence to lead service improvement for safe and high quality patient care, and with the required knowledge, skills and capability to have a positive personal impact on the work of others;
• To develop a cohort of doctors and other professionals allied to medicine with an understanding of research methodologies and clinical opportunities relevant to genomic medicine;
• To encourage a commitment to intellectual challenge and evidence-based clinical practice informed by the latest conceptual and theoretical knowledge of genomic medicine;
• To develop students' intellectual, practical and transferable skills related to genomic medicine;
• To encourage critical thinking related to genomic medicine;
• To conduct systematic research relevant to their professional practice.

Teaching and learning

The modules offered as part of the MSt in Genomic Medicine are listed below:

Students are required to take:

• Eight modules, (4 modules to be taken in year 1) 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 eight modules, plus two additional modules (4 modules to be taken in year 1), plus a 30 credit literature-based research project and associated dissertation of 5,000-6,000 words on an agreed topic in genomic medicine.

Genomic Medicine Modules

Please note that dates for these modules are provisional and may be subject to change in accordance with government/University guidelines.

* Mandatory modules for all students

• An introduction to human genetics and genomics (GM1A): 11 -15 October 2021*
• Omics techniques and their application to genomic medicine (GM2): 8 - 12 November 2021
• Molecular pathology of cancer and application in cancer diagnosis, screening, and treatment (GM4):  24 - 28 January 2022
• Genomics of common and rare inherited diseases (GM3): 9 - 13 May 2022
• Bioinformatics, interpretation and data quality assurance in genome analysis (GM7): 6 - 10 December 2022
• Application of genomics in infectious disease (GM5): 10 - 14 January 2022
• Pharmacogenetics and stratified healthcare (GM6): 14 - 18 February 2022
• Advanced bioinformatics - from genomes to systems (GMO4): 14 - 18 or 21 - 25 March 2022 (TBC)
• Counselling skills for genomics (GMO2): 4 - 8 April 2022
• Epigentics and epigenomics (GMO5): 25 - 29 April 2022
• Expanding the content of the MSt in genomic medicine with a workplace-based module (GMO6): May-June 2022
• Research and statistical skills in genomic medicine (GMO7) various

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 additional 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 modules (dependent on places being available) on a stand-alone basis for Credit or CPPD (non-credit). 
  To note: all options will not necessarily be offered in any one year.

Assessment

• 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 four taught modules comprising the Postgraduate Certificate, students must complete summative assignments of 2,500-3,500 words or equivalent.
• For the additional modules comprising the  Postgraduate Diploma, students must complete assignments of 2,500-3,500 words for each of the taught modules (except where other methods of module assessment are indicated in individual module descriptions).
• For the MSt Masters, 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 2020 will be £7,500 per annum (£15,000 for the full 2 years) for Home students and for overseas students the fee is £18,804 per annum (£37,608 for the full 2 years). An application fee of £70 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.  Limited funding is also available for those wishing to extend their study from a Postgraduate Certificate or 4 modules to a Postgraduate Diploma or MSt. All funding is subject to availability.

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.

MSts (for courses starting after 1 August 2019). For information on a loan from Student Finance England for course fees and a contribution towards living costs, please see https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

Applications will be accepted until 31 May 2021.

How to apply

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

Enquiries

If you have any questions about the application process, contact our Admissions team: mst.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk

For all other enquiries, please contact: genomics@ice.cam.ac.uk