Cancer Research (with specialism) MSc
Postgraduate online event:
Thursday 8 May 2025, 9am – 5pm
Chat to staff, students and academics to discover what it's like to study at our world changing campus as a postgraduate student at UofG
Specialise in your chosen area of cancer research and tackle cutting-edge challenges alongside world-leading scientists in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.
- Academic contact: mvls-cancersci@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- Glasgow: Garscube campus and Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- MSc: 12 months full-time
Why this programme
- Tailored expertise: choose a specialism that aligns with your interests and career goals, allowing you to focus on the area of cancer research you're most passionate about.
- Cutting-edge focus: dive deep into the latest advancements and challenges in your specialism, guided by world-leading scientists and cancer specialists.
- World-leading multidisciplinary team: collaborate with world-leading scientists and clinicians from top research centres, universities, and hospitals across Glasgow, including the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, preparing you to tackle real-world challenges in cancer research.
- Future-ready career flexibility: gain specialised expertise that equips you to excel in academia, industry, or clinical research, giving you a competitive edge in the healthcare landscape.
- Drive change in cancer research: play a key role in advancing scientific knowledge and shaping innovative approaches to cancer treatment.
Programme structure
Bioinformatics specialism
- Cancer Evolution
- Cancer Research Distinguished Seminar Series
- Clinical Data, Omic Signatures and Workflows, using R, for Biologists
- Core Skills in Cancer Research
- Hallmarks of Cancer
- MSc Bioscience Research Project (Cancer Research & Precision Oncology)
- Omic Data Analysis and Visualisation, using R, for Biologists
- Project Design and Data Analysis in Cancer Research
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
MSc Cancer Research (with specialism) equips you with the advanced skills and expertise needed to excel in your chosen area of cancer research or beyond. Whatever your focus, this programme prepares you for a successful career in academia, industry, or healthcare.
The knowledge and transferable skills developed in this programme will be suitable for those who wish to undertake:
- a PhD or further medical studies
- careers in the health services sector
- diverse roles within life sciences, biotechnology, or pharmaceutical industries.
Related job positions include:
- Bioinformatics Analyst
- Computational Biologist
- Cancer Data Scientist
- Medical Data Analyst
- Biostatistician
- Research Scientist
- Pharmaceutical/Biotech Researcher
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2025-26
MSc
UK
- Full-time fee: £11820
International & EU
- Full-time fee: £31800
Deposits
International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 within four weeks of an offer being made.
Deposits: terms & conditions
This programme requires some students to pay a deposit to secure their place.
If you are an international student, we will only issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once the deposit has been paid.
Your offer letter will state:
- how to pay the deposit payment
- the deadline for paying the deposit
The following guidelines will apply in determining whether a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 25% handling fee will be deducted.
Deposits will be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Where the University is unable to offer you a place.
- Where the applicant has personal circumstances such as illness, bereavement or other family situations that has prevented them coming to the UK. Medical or other proof may be requested.
- Applicant can prove that they have applied for a visa to attend the University of Glasgow, but the VISA has been refused. The applicant must have shown 'real intent' to study at the University of Glasgow but has been unable to obtain their visa.
- Applicant does not meet his / her conditions of offer: this may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s applicant self-service to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide a language test which was taken after the date that the deposit was paid).
Deposits will not be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Applicant has decided to defer – in this situation the University will retain the deposit and credit it against the applicant’s account for securing their place for the following year of entry.
Refund requests must be made within 30 days of the programme start date stated on your offer letter.
Requests made after this date will be subject to discretion.
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Entry requirements
A 2:1 Honours degree in biochemistry, biotechnology, cell biology, genetics, immunology, molecular biology, medicine or other relevant biological/biomedical science. Professional experience and 2:2 applicants with a strong subject specific expertise will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
An IELTS score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent qualification) is required for students who do not have English as their first language.
When applying, please include a CV and personal statement that explains how your previous studies provide a suitable background for this programme.
English language requirements
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham.
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 140 different countries.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Application deadlines
September 2025
International & EU applicants
Due to demand for degree places on this programme, the University has an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.
Round 1 application dates: 1 October 2024 to 4 November 2024
All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 15 January 2025.
Round 2 application dates:5 November 2024 to 16 December 2024
All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 10 March 2025.
Round 3 application dates: 17 December 2024 to 3 February 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 14 April 2025.
Round 4 application dates: 4 February 2025 to 24 March 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 5 May 2025.
Round 5 application dates: 25 March 2025 to 12 May 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 16 June 2025.
Round 6 application dates: 13 May 2025 to 7 July 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 28 July 2025.
All international applications submitted by 16 December 2024 will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 17 December 2024, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.
As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.
UK applicants
- 22 August 2025
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