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 Option 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

Core modules:

* Mandatory modules for all students

** Mandatory modules for all HEE funded students

• An introduction to human genetics and genomics (GM1A): 7- 11 October 2019*
• Omics techniques and their application to genomic medicine (GM2): 4 - 8 November 2019**
• Molecular pathology of cancer and application in cancer diagnosis, screening, and treatment (GM4):  27 - 31 January 2020
• Genomics of common and rare inherited diseases (GM3): 11 - 15 May 2020
• Bioinformatics, interpretation and data quality assurance in genome analysis (GM7): 7 - 11 December 2020**
• Application of genomics in infectious disease (GM5): 11 - 15 January 2021
• Pharmacogenetics and stratified healthcare (GM6): 15 - 19 February 2021

Option modules:

• Advanced bioinformatics - from genomes to systems (GMOP4): 15 - 19 March 2021
• Counselling skills for genomics (GMOP2): 29 March  - 2 April 2021
• Epigentics and epigenomics (GMOP5): 26 - 30 April 2021
• Expanding the content of the MSt in Genomic Medicine with a workplace-based module (GMOP5): May-June 2021

Kindly note that the dates of the modules may be subject to change.

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
• 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). Register interest here.
  To note: all options will not necessarily be offered in any one year.

Entry requirements

1. Applicants are normally expected to a hold a 2i degree or higher from a UK university or an equivalent from an overseas university.
2. All applicants are required to demonstrate competency in English at a high level before commencing the programme (IELTS Academic test scores of: overall band score of 7.0, with not less than 7.0 in speaking, listening and writing, and 6.5 in reading). Evidence of competency in English is in accordance with the guidelines of the University of Cambridge.
3. International students must ensure they have the correct Visa documentation, and those in full-time employment, whether in the UK or abroad, to work and study at the same time.

Fees and funding

The fee for 2019 will be £6,000 per annum (£12,000 for the full 2 years) for Home/EU students and for overseas students the fee is £16,000 per annum (£32,000 for the full 2 years). An application fee of £65 is payable for all applicants.

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

Funding may be available from Health Education England for NHS employees wishing to apply for this course.  Prospective students wishing to apply for HEE funding should refer to the HEE website . 

Please be aware that as of 29th April HEE have introduced a new funding application procedure (there is a useful flowchart on their website).  Applicants are now required to apply to the University for a place before applying to HEE for the funding of modules of the MSt.  Currently HEE funding is only available on modules starting before the end of March 2020.  Should you have queries please email: pg-stem@ice.cam.ac.uk and we will respond with assistance.

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

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 2500-3500 words or equivalent.
• For the additional modules comprising the  Postgraduate Diploma, students must complete assignments of 2500-3500 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 to 12,000 words or a literature-based research project of 5,000 to 6,000 words