Postgraduate Diploma 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;

Teaching and Learning

The PG Diploma is a two year course and students must complete eight modules. There is additional between-module reflection, study and assignment work. The introductory module in October is compulsory for all students.

Students choose eight modules (four modules to be taken in year one of the course): 

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

* Mandatory modules for all students

•An introduction to human genetics and genomics (GM1A): 10 - 14 October 2022*

•Omics techniques and their application to genomic medicine (GM2): 31 October - 4 November 2022

•Bioinformatics, interpretation and data quality assurance in genome analysis (GM7): 5 - 9 December 2022

•Application of genomics in infectious disease (GM5): 9 - 13 January 2023

•Molecular pathology of cancer and application in cancer diagnosis, screening, and treatment (GM4):  6 - 10 February 2023

•Pharmacogenetics and stratified healthcare (GM6): 27 February - 3 March 2023

•Counselling skills for genomics (GMO2): 20 - 24 March 2023

•Advanced bioinformatics - from genomes to systems (GMO4): TBC

•Epigenetics and epigenomics (GMO5): 24 - 28 April 2023

•Genomics of common and rare inherited diseases (GM3): 15 - 19 May 2023

•Expanding the content of the MSt in genomic medicine with a workplace-based module (GMO6): May-June 2023

•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 part-time Masters Degree
• 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 module options will not necessarily be offered in any one year.

• 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 students complete summative assignments of 2500-3500 words.

The fee for 2022 will be £5,001 per annum (£10,002 for the full 2 years) for Home students and for overseas students £12,537 per annum (£25,074 for the full 2 years). An application fee of £75 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.

Applications will be accepted until 31 May 2022.  

Eligible candidates will be invited to interview during July and informed of final decisions August/early September.

Your application must include:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Copies of relevant qualification certificates and transcripts
• Language proficiency (if required)
• Contact details of two referees who will be contacted on your behalf
• Evidence of funding (if applicable)
• Employer support letter

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 email to: pgadmissions@ice.cam.ac.uk

FAQs

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

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 email to: pgadmissions@ice.cam.ac.uk

For all other 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 Administrative and Academic and we will respond as soon as possible.

When can I apply for the next PG Diploma 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 2022 start, applications open September 2021.   Please see our Courses pages for when courses are open for application here. 
 

When is the deadline for applications?

Applications for 2022/23 entry for the PG Certificate in Genomic Medicine can be submitted online until 31 May 2022.
When will my application be considered? 
All applications will be reviewed at the close of the applications window after the submission deadline, irrespective of when they are received.

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 regarding admissions can only be made on the full and final applications and the offer of places 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, synchronous online sessions requiring attendance in ‘real time’, asynchronous and self-directed learning, all supported through a Virtual Learning Environment [VLE].  This is not an online course.  
Please note that this will be reviewed in line with the latest public health guidance available at any given time. If required, to ensure the health and safety of students, we may look to utilise alternative teaching formats and will contact students if we expect changes to the course delivery.

Is this course available full-time?

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. 
 

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 PG Diploma 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.