Clinical Oncology MSc/Postgraduate Diploma

Summary


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This is a programme for health care professionals from diverse backgrounds who wish to expand their knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of oncology, including medical and clinical oncology CT2 trainees, nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, vets, clinical trial co-ordinators and dieticians. 

Key facts

Type of Course: Taught

Duration: Full-time - 1 year including an 8 month hospital based research project and clinical observations. This is made up of 7 or 8 taught modules plus an 8 month hospital based research project and clinical observer status. Part-time - 2 years taught element plus a work place based dissertation. This is made up of 4 residential taught modules per year (7 or 8 in total). Taught modules consist of one or two 5 day blocks Monday to Friday approximately 9am - 5.30pm.

Start date: September. For the full-time programme the application deadline is 31 March (late applications will also be considered) and for the part-time programme is 31st August or when the course is full.

Entry requirements

It is essential that you should have at least six months experience working in an oncology environment, as this is a course focused around professional practice. This may include experience in medicine, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry, nursing, radiography, clinical trials, scientific research, veterinary medicine, biostatistics and other related disciplines. You will also need an undergraduate degree in a suitable subject. This could include, but is not restricted to, the following fields: bioscience, medicine, radiography, veterinary medicine or relevant and equivalent experience/professional qualifications. The University accepts Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). For further details see www.admissions.bham.ac.uk/apl.

This programme is intended to be accessible and appropriate to people from a wide variety of backgrounds, reflecting the modern multidisciplinary constitution of cancer care professionals.

Learn more about entry requirements

International students
 We accept a range of qualifications from different countries – learn more about international entry requirements 

Standard English language requirements apply

IELTS - 7.0. overall with no less than 6.5 in any band.

TOEFL - Internet based 100 overall with no less than 23 in any band.

Contact details

Ms Louise Batchelor
MSc Senior Administrator
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 7672
Email: clinicaloncology@contacts.bham.ac.uk

How to apply

Full-Time students only - in addition to the application form below, please complete this additional application form and send it back to the address indicated on the form. This information helps to allocate a supervisor for your research project.

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

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Fees and funding

2012/13 course fees

UK/EU students

 MSc - Full-Time with clinical observership - £23,000 / PG Dip (taught element only) £3300 plus living expenses or accommodation and travel costs.
MSc - Part-Time - £2475 / PG Dip £1650

Non UK/EU students

MSc - Full-Time with clinical observership - £23,000 (plus living expenses) / PGDip (taught element only) - £16,200 - plus living expenses or accommodation and travel costs.
MSc - Part-time - for overseas nationals currently living in the UK £8100 per year for 2 years (plus accommodation and travel costs).

Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and studentships   

CRUK Centre Scholarships - NEW FOR 2012/13
Open to MSc Clinical Oncology part-time students only. Six scholarships to cover the full cost of the course tuition fees are available. View the poster which outlines these opportunities. To apply you need to complete a scholarship application form. Eligibility criteria below -

Eligibility:

Scholarships (covering tuition fees only) will be awarded competitively for up to 6 candidates per year based on the following selection criteria:

  • Must meet the course entry requirements e.g. a 2:1 degree or equivalent plus a minimum of 6 months postgraduate oncology experience.
  • Must be currently employed within a human oncology environment, with preference given in the following order:
  1. Candidates working within the Birmingham Centre Partnership organisations (currently: University of Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Children’s Hospital)
  2. Candidates working within the West Midlands Region
  3. Candidates working within the UK.
  • Must be prepared to undertake the research dissertation as part of their Clinical training (Preference will be given to students whose research interests match CRUK’s 2020 goals)
  • Must be from one of the following professions: Clinician, Nurse, Pharmacist, Clinical Trials Co-ordinator, other allied health professional, Biomedical Scientist working within a clinical context. Other candidates may be considered if they can demonstrate that this course will allow them to undertake clinical research training.

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

For further information contact the School directly or email sfo@contacts.bham.ac.uk

 

Programme overview

This is a programme for health care professionals from diverse backgrounds who wish to expand their knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of oncology.

You can opt for a Postgraduate Diploma on completion of the core modules and 40 credits of optional modules, or an MSc on successful completion of the taught programme and an independently researched dissertation.

The aim of the programme is to give you a scientific understanding of the cellular and molecular biology of cancer, its epidemiology and pathology, and to place this in a clinical context. How this knowledge effects therapeutic approaches, and disease management will then be addressed.

The programme aims to allow you to understand the research process, drawing on examples within the department and its associated clinical trials unit. A key part of the MSc programme is the planning, execution and reporting of a piece of independent study leading to submission of a dissertation.

The course tries at all levels to encourage interactive rather than didactic learning and lecturing. Therefore, this Masters level programme will require you not only to assemble and learn facts, but also to consider some of the philosophical challenges which underlie the treatment of cancer.

This course:

  • is run at the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Sciences. 
  • draws on expertise from staff within the School and clinical staff from Birmingham Hospitals plus invited speakers from across the country. 
  • will provide overseas full time students with a unique opportunity to gain clinical observership status and log your hours observing in a UK based hospital 
  • meets the training requirements of the FRCR part I exams  
  • can contribute towards career development and open up further career progression opportunities. 
  • can be tailored to suit your own interests by selecting your own choice of modules in year 2 
  • has part-time or full-time versions available 
  • is taught in week long blocks of study for ease of travel and freedom from competing work commitments 
  • will increase your personal knowledge of the practices and principles of clinical oncology. 
  • will give you the ability to improve the standards of clinical oncology practiced at your institute or place of work. 
     

Related links

School of Cancer Sciences website 

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Modules

The content of the course is broadly divided into two components: the taught modules and the independent research project (dissertation).

Each taught module comprises 30-60 hours of taught classroom based learning, self directed learning and an assignment.

You are expected to spend approximately 60 hours of self-directed study doing preparatory and follow-up reading, and completing coursework for each module. Woven throughout the programme will be instruction in Research Methods. This is not an accredited module but you must demonstrate a satisfactory standard of understanding for you to be allowed to enter the dissertation phase of the programme.

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules - select 40 credits

Assessment

Taught Modules
Modules are assessed either by means of 3,000 word assignment or by preparing and conducting a short presentation on a defined topic related to the module content, or by unseen written examination. 

Dissertation 
This is defined as a substantial body of work containing some new findings or thoughts. It is envisaged that this will be 15,000 -25,000 words in length. For part time students, the subject of the dissertation will be suggested by you and approved by the course leaders. Full time students will be assigned to a suitable supervisor and agree the nature of the research at the start of their programme. The dissertation will be assessed by 2 examiners via a voce viva examination.

Quote
 'Can I just express my thanks to the MSc Course organisers. The Translational Research module was a further example of a very well organised week with exceptionally high calibre speakers. Throughout the whole of the MSc I have felt privileged to be able to hear the views of clinicians and others who are working at the leading edge of their specific fields. The course also benefits from its setting within the CRUK unit as you are able to draw upon an impressive range of multi-disciplinary expertise from within the research unit, West Midlands Hospitals and beyond giving an immediacy and relevance to individuals intending to deepen their involvement in clinical research.' 

Andrew Gillian, Lead Pharmacist for Oncology & Haematology, Whipps Cross University Hospital