Cancer Pharmacology

MSc

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The September 2023 intake of this course is now closed to international applicants. Home applicants can still apply. January 2024 remains open for international and home applicants.

Overview

This is an exciting time to be involved in cancer therapeutics. Based upon a greater understanding of the molecular aspects of cancer, new opportunities for therapeutic intervention have emerged that are effectively 'target orientated'. These new therapeutics are quite distinct from the classical chemotherapeutic agents and they offer the prospect of truly selective cancer therapies that are tailored towards the individual patient's tumour. Cancer pharmacology plays a key role in drug development. In both the laboratory and the clinic, cancer pharmacology has had to adapt to the changing face of drug development by establishing experimental models and target orientated approaches.

The programme is designed to provide you with a 'state-of-the-art' course in modern cancer pharmacology that meets the demand of employers and provides an expert view of the available cancer medicines and the development of new cancer therapies.

It promotes advanced scholarship within specialised areas at the same time as the development of key transferable skills (in IT, communication, and time management) and research techniques. The taught component of the course provides the in-depth knowledge and skills necessary to work in cancer research, and is delivered across 2 semesters through lectures, workshops, practicals and 1-to-1 tutorials with ICT staff. You will then join one of our research teams to complete the MSc research project.

It became my dream to study the design and synthesis of cancer drugs, and the course outline at Bradford was an excellent fit for what I was looking for. It's a world-leading programme and new cancer drugs are developed in my department.

Aliya Shams, MSc Cancer Pharmacology

Entry requirements

To be admitted to the programme, applicants must have an undergraduate Honours qualification (minimum 2: 2) or equivalent in a scientific discipline, usually within chemistry, biology, pharmacy, biomedicine, or related fields. Candidates who do not meet these entry criteria, but who can show relevant experience may also be considered.

For North American students a GPA of normally 2.0 and above (on a scale of 4.0), or an equivalent, is required.

English language requirements

If your native language is not English, or the official language of your first degree is not English, you will need to pass a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The International English Language Testing System test (IELTS) administered by the British Council is the test which is preferred by the University.

You will need to achieve an overall score of at least 6.0, with at least 5.5 in each of the four sub-tests (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Testing facilities are available at most British Council overseas offices. When you take the test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.

Alternative English language tests include:

The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A), for which you will need to achieve an overall score of at least 55, with at least 51 in each of the four sub-tests
TOEFL, for which you will need to score at least 80 on the internet-based test, with sub-tests not less than Speaking 20, Listening 17, Reading 18, Writing 17

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details.

Your learning journey

The programme has a central core of modules in the first semester which are designed to train you in widely used laboratory techniques, research methodology, and in critical analysis and thinking. The 20-credit Practical Skills in Research module is designed around common laboratory techniques and skills including ELISA, flow cytometry, Western Blot, statistical analysis etc. You will have a series of workshops to learn these techniques with a lab session where you carry out the procedure.

In the 20-credit Critical Appraisal module, you are assigned a topic under the supervision of one of our academics and are asked to write a 5000-word critical review. In this module, you will receive a wide range of training and advice on scientific writing, compiling scientific data, data analysis, scientific presentation etc.

The remaining 20-credit first semester module, Molecular Basis of Cancer and Cancer Therapy, provides you with the core academic knowledge required in this field. During the first semester, you will gain knowledge of the breadth of cutting edge research at ICT and either choose or suggest a research project plan.

In semester 2 you will study 20-credit Preclinical Models for Drug Evaluation module designed around protocols and techniques used in the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of drug potency and 20 credit Cancer Pharmacology module designed around recent advances in the development of cancer therapeutics.

In semester 3 you will join research laboratories within the ICT, to undertake your 60-credit Research Project module. During this time, you are trained in specialist laboratory techniques and conduct your chosen research.

All module information is for 2022 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

Learning and assessment

A wide variety of teaching methods appropriate to the learning outcomes of the individual modules are employed throughout the programme and are supported by the virtual learning environment provided by the University.

You will experience lectures from ICT research/teaching staff and visiting clinicians and industrial researchers, small group workshops, one-to-one tutorials and practical classes. You will also attend the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics Research Seminar programme.

Self-directed independent learning forms a significant component at MSc level; you will be supported to develop the attributes and skills needed for life-long learning and continued professional development. Directed private study will involve you in a variety of activities, which include directed reading of selected textbooks and specified source literature, use of the virtual learning environment (directed web-based materials), report writing, preparing presentations to deliver to peers, and other assignments.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

UK: £9,230 per year
International: £23,028 per year

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

The largest destination of our graduates is enrolment in PhD studies (47%) including here at Bradford, as well as King’s College London, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Sheffield.

Career destinations of our graduates include the NHS, Covance, Envigo, St James Hospital Leeds, Cyprotex, Chiltern, Perrigo, Dewsbury & District Hospital, Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, and Public Health England.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.