Cancer Medicine

Overview

The MSc(Res) in Cancer Medicine will provide students with new knowledge of how precision medicine can improve and shape future healthcare. Students will gain hands-on experience of molecular techniques and the equipment/devices used in a modern molecular laboratory; the course will provide training in laboratory and research skills that are applicable across multiple scientific disciplines in a supportive learning environment. Central to this research-intensive programme is a 24-week Research Project (which runs throughout both semesters) where students undertake hands-on research training within active research teams. Through taught modules students will be able to evaluate how novel therapeutic approaches can be used to stratify patients into treatment groups for better clinical management (a concept known as stratified / precision medicine). They will observe the delivery of precision medicine through tours of the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre.



There are optional modules in the second semester allowing students to explore the fundamental principles of carcinogenesis and the translational approaches (including cutting edge technologies) which allow cancer scientists and clinicians to advance our understanding and treatment of cancers.



The Precision Cancer Medicine stream provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the hallmarks of cancer from the role of genetic/epigenetic alterations, cell cycle control and metastases/angiogenesis to the development of applications to help diagnose cancers earlier, improve treatments, rationally design clinical trials and reduce chemotherapy drug resistance.



The Radiation Oncology and Medical Imaging (ROMI) stream will develop skills in understanding the biological principles of radiotherapy and its clinical applications in the treatment of cancer. This will include the physical and chemical basis of radiation interactions and the biological consequences of radiation exposures. Clinical aspects of Radiation Oncology will be covered including principle of advanced radiotherapy delivery, cancer imaging techniques and biomarker discovery.



The Oncology Drug Discovery (ODD) stream will give an insight into both academic and biotech drug development. The course will provide an understanding of what makes an interesting anti-cancer drug target and how, as researchers, we validate this target for clinical use.



This programme will show how our improved understanding of the molecular processes driving cancer growth and spread can be ‘translated’ through research-intensive MSc projects to improve the treatment and survival of cancer patients.



Intercalated Medical and Dental Students

Completing an intercalated degree will boost your CV when applying for postgraduate training. Depending on the discipline, selection panels look for completion of an additional degree, or for publications or posters. An intercalated degree gives you the opportunity to improve your chances of future success.



Course Structure

Students may enrol on a full time (1 year) basis. Students will undertake 3 taught modules (40 CATS in total), 2 of which are in Semester 1 only (10 CATS each) and the 3rd core module is taken throughout the year (20 CATS).



In semester 2 there are another two taught modules, each worth 10 CATS.



Students also undertake an intensive 24 week research project (60 CATS)



The MSc(Res) is awarded to students who successfully complete 120 CATS of taught modules and a Research Project. (60 CATS)



A Diploma Exit qualification is available to those students who have successfully completed 120 CATS points.



A Certificate Exit qualification is available to those students who have successfully completed 60 CATS points.

Semester 1

SCM8096 Research Translational: from Concept to Commercialisation (Full Year) – 20 CATS

This module covers the principles of disease biology and new technological developments that increase our understanding of disease processes. It develops an appreciation of the importance of innovation, business awareness and leadership skills in the translation of discovery science to clinical implementation. Building on the biological basis of radiotherapy, this module will also develop knowledge and skills in understanding clinical radiotherapy and medical imaging. We will look at what makes a good anti-cancer drug target and how we start to validate that target biologically, moving from candidates hits, into tool compounds, pre-clinical drug candidates, assessing drug delivery strategies, formulations and patentability.



SCM8144 Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (Semester 1) – 10 CATS

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis and treatment of the common solid and haematological malignancies, including breast, ovarian, genitourinary and gastrointestinal cancers as well as the leukaemias. An overview of the common diagnostic pathways in clinical practice will be provided, and this will include gaining an understanding of imaging modalities and histopathological techniques in routine use.



SCM8065 Cancer Biology (Semester 1) – 10 CATS

This module provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of carcinogenesis highlighting how normal control processes are bypassed during tumour formation. The pathogenic mechanisms to be discussed will range from genomic alterations in key gene families, to epigenetic mechanisms of gene control, alterations in kinase activities or protein turnover, or activation of aberrant phenotypes such as invasion and angiogenesis.



Semester 2

SCM8142 Cancer Genetics & Genomics – 10 CATS

This module will provide students with a comprehensive foundation of concepts in genetics and genomics pertaining to cancer aetiology and molecular pathology with emphasis on both inherited predisposition to cancer mediated by germline genetic variation and consideration of the contribution of the tumour genome to disease pathogenicity.



SCM8066 Translational Cancer Medicine – 1O CATS

This module provides a comprehensive overview of current cancer treatments and their limitations. The principles of resistance to standard chemo- and radio-therapies will be addressed and how new targeted therapies are being developed to overcome this resistance. Students will also be introduced to the principles of stratified or precision medicine, using molecular biomarkers to select patients most likely to respond to particular therapies.



In addition, students will learn how high throughput technologies such as transcriptome profiling and next generation sequencing can be utilised to identify new biomarkers and anti-cancer drug targets. The module will also cover how novel pre-clinical discoveries are developed and applied in prospective clinical trials.



Full Year Modules:

SCM8067 Research Project – 60 CATS

You will undertake a 24 week project in the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, which will run throughout both semesters.



SCM8068 Dissertation – 60 CATS

This module comprises the write-up contribution to the overall research element of the programme, with the Research Project (SCM8067). The Dissertation will represent the student’s personal studies in the literature, a description of their experimental execution of their project, data presentation, analysis and interpretation, followed by critical discussion and conclusions.

Graduate

Normally a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a relevant biological subject. Evidence of equivalent professional qualifications (MBBS, BDS or BVSc) or experience will be considered on an individual basis.



Intercalating Medical and Dental Applicants:

ii) External:

An external medical or dental student wishing to intercalate will be considered if:

a) they have successfully completed all assessments at first attempt for the year in which they are applying.

b) they have achieved at least an overall Upper Second Class Honours degree standard as determined by their University

c) they have permission to intercalate from their Medical or Dental School, as appropriate.



iii) International:

a) Applicants who are currently studying an overseas Medical (e.g. MBBS or MBChB) or Dental degree at a recognised institution acceptable to the University, may apply.

b) Applicants must have passed all assessments at first attempt for the year in which they are applying, normally 3rd year for those completing a 5 year programme or 4th year for those completing a 6 year programme.

c) Applicants may be required to provide details of the medical or dental curriculum they are studying in order to confirm compatibility.

d) Have permission to intercalate from their Medical Dental School, as appropriate.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2025 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.



Please note a deposit will be required to guarantee a place on the course. Due to high demand, applications may not be considered if the course has reached its maximum class size and will be placed on a waiting list. Please see deposit terms and conditions for more details.

Assessment is by a combination of oral presentations and written assignments. The research project is written up as a dissertation.

1 year full-time.

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

This programme will equip you with the skills to work in a translational medicine setting in an academic or hospital environment and in the biotech/ pharmaceutical industries. You will gain an insight into the financial, management and entrepreneurial aspects of translational research, so you may end up working in industry or potentially initiating a spin-out company of your own. You will also be able, should you wish, to apply for entry onto a PhD studentship programme in a biomedical discipline.



Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally. In addition to the comprehensive training offered by this Master’s programme, the Graduate School at QUB offers a range of supplementary courses ranging from Project Management and Leadership qualifications to development of personal proficiencies such as Academic Writing and Presentation skills.



Employment after the Course

As this is a research intensive degree many of our students go on to pursue further PhD study in healthcare research within the Institute of Health Sciences here at Queen’s and further afield at other academic institutions. Others go on to work in a wide variety of roles in both the private and public sector here in Northern Ireland and internationally. The following are some of the jobs they have taken on:



Scientist, Randox

Research Assistant Curtin University, Perth, Australia

Assistant Peer Review Officer- BBSRC

Project Coordinator Almac Group

Research Project Coordinator, Almac Diagnostics

Graduate Software Engineer BT TSO