Cancer Biology and Therapeutics MSc
Start a rewarding career in cancer research and cancer treatment with our comprehensive MSc in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
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Viewing course details for 2025-26 year of entry
- Code
- PGB132
- Attendance
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £10,700 (UK) £17,100 (INT)
- Duration
- 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
- Course Leader
- Song Wen
- Study mode
- On campus
- Location
- Hendon campus
- School / Department
- Faculty of Science and Technology
Our MSc programme will develop your knowledge and understanding of cancer diagnosis and therapeutics.
Why study MSc Cancer Biology and Therapeutics at Middlesex University?
This course will provide you with the necessary framework and general concepts in the cancer research field, as well as up-to-date and advanced knowledge of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, you'll be taught by experts who work on the frontline of drug development and drug delivery. You'll acquire useful novel laboratory skills using nanotechnology and the Multiplex drug delivery system, which will equip you with the essential skills for pursuing a range of career options. Once you graduate, you may also choose to proceed to further scientific training or you would be well-equipped to carry out research.
You will be working in laboratories equipped with up-to-date instrumentation including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI- Tof MS), liquid chromatography (LC)- MS, gas chromatography (GC)- MS, conventional and quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, Confocal microscopy, Licor Imaging system and fully equipped histopathology laboratory and tissue culture facilities.
What you will gain
Some of the benefits of joining us on this course include:
- A chance to acquire laboratory research skills in drug delivery using nanotechnology which stands at the frontline of the cancer clinical research arena
- Teaching from experts in the field of cancer research, including academics and those working in the clinical area
- Opportunities to develop expertise in a variety of laboratory techniques in our modern and well-equipped laboratories, which form part of the Centre for Investigative & Diagnostic Oncology.
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
This course is made up of five core modules: advanced bio-analytical techniques, ethics, leadership, research methods and research project modules. Additionally, there are four 15-credit specialised cancer modules, covering cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The specialised modules are arranged as follows: you will take two modules in term one, which will provide you with the basic concepts of cancer, biomarkers, and general principles of cancer diagnosis and management and haemato-oncology.
Then you will progress to term two, where you'll get further exposure to the advanced knowledge and techniques in cancer diagnostic theories and laboratory practices along with drug delivery systems using nanotechnology.
In term three, you'll conduct a research project which will be based on the theme of cancer. You'll have the support of a supervisor, who will be drawn from the university’s research active staff and will have the appropriate expertise in cancer research.
Our Cancer Biology and Therapeutics MSc will develop your knowledge and understanding of cancer diagnosis and therapeutics. The course focuses on up-to-date diagnostic techniques and emerging tumour markers and their potential applications in specific diagnostics for various types of cancers. You will also be exploring drug delivery systems and learning to make drug carriers for targeting cancers using nanotechnology. We will train you to perform a range of molecular, cellular and proteomics laboratory techniques used for detecting tumour markers and monitoring therapeutic effects.
The module will provide you with an insight into a range of ethical and legal issues that relate to professional practice, to research with human and animal subjects and to human reproduction, particularly various forms of reproductive technology. It will also give you a broad overview of the relevant current UK ethical and legal regulations for research using human tissues. The module will further explore the ethical issues present in the rapidly developing area of genetic technology, including genetic testing and selection, genetic engineering, and the concept of genetic disease.
Through this module you will examine advanced bioanalytical techniques that are used in biomedical research, for the analysis of products, for improving disease understanding and for the analysis of disease biomarkers. It also will provide you with a detailed understanding of the principles, theory and practice of bioanalytical techniques, including safety, instrumentation, sample preparation techniques together with analysis and interpretation of analytical data.
The module will provide you with current theories and approaches to leadership and management in order that they can bring about effect positive changes in the team or organisation that they lead or manage.
This module will provide you with the tools required to design effective and efficient experiments and to test scientific hypotheses. The module will also equip students with the tools necessary for statistical analysis in a hypothesis testing context.
The module aims to provide you with an understanding for tumour pathogenesis, screening programme for cancers, and an advanced knowledge of cancer diagnostics. You will explore different types of tumour markers, both existing and emerging, and their applications with regard to diagnosing different types and stages of cancers. A variety of diagnostic techniques will be introduced, examined and evaluated including mass-spectrometry and Multiplex Immunoassay. Data interpretation following the diagnosis are explained.
The module aims to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of management strategies for cancers. Gene therapy, immunotherapy and adjuvant complementary therapy will be introduced and discussed together with conventional therapeutics for cancers. You will be introduced to nanotechnology as a method for facilitating drug delivery and explore various drug carriers that can be used as drug delivery systems. You will also explore various molecular cellular pathology techniques used for evaluating the treatment outcomes.
You will be introduced to specialist diagnostic techniques used in Haemato-Oncology, providing deep appreciation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of leukemias, lymphomas and myelomas. It will empower you with techniques to analyse the roles of the haematology laboratory in diagnosis and treatment of patients with these conditions.
You will be provided with the knowledge and understanding of the principles of carcinogenesis, malignancy and metastasis. You will understand how to apply molecular techniques to the diagnosis and management of a range of common cancers and to apply cellular pathology techniques in cancer and gain experience of interpreting results from patient investigations.
This module will empower you to develop your skills in planning and execution of an analytical, laboratory-based study and critical evaluation of real research results drawing on their acquired knowledge from other modules. In addition, it will enable you to develop your communication skills to enable them to communicate their findings in written and oral form.
To find out more about this programme, please download the MSc Cancer Biology and Therapeutics course specification (PDF).
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
We'll introduce you to essential information and knowledge through lectures, which will then by reinforced through seminars, group discussions and problem-solving exercises.
You'll take part in tailored individual or group presentations which address subject-specific areas. Then in term three, you'll take part in an individual project which will be supervised by an experienced researcher actively working in the cancer research field.
You’ll submit written work and give presentations, learn to carry out literature searches and analyse research literature, and undertake your own independent study in your spare time. This will include using a range of online resources which will be designed, to support the teaching provided by the lecturers.
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. You'll also be supported by your personal tutor, usually your course leader.
Typical weekly breakdown
A typical week looks like this:
|
Learning |
Hours per week |
|
On-campus |
10 |
|
Online |
4 |
|
Independent study |
42 |
Learning terms
On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.
Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Kaltura or Zoom, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.
Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.
Part-time study
You can also study this course part-time.
You will be based at our north London campus in Hendon.
You'll be assessed through practical exams, your research project and dissertation, and through presentations and written assignments. These will include essays, laboratory reports, data analysis exercises, and papers made up of a literature review, hypothesis and research question.
We have a strong support network online and on campus to help you develop your academic skills. We offer one-to-one and group sessions to develop your learning skills together with academic support from our library, IT teams and learning experts.
Feedback
We will evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you will work in groups and assess each other's progress. Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn moreFacilities
You will be working in laboratories equipped with up-to-date instrumentation including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI- Tof MS), liquid chromatography (LC)- MS, gas chromatography (GC)- MS, conventional and quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, Confocal microscopy, Licor Imaging system and fully equipped histopathology laboratory and tissue culture facilities.
The Sheppard Library
Our library is open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday during the term and includes:
- Over 1,000 study areas with rooms for group study and over 600 computer spaces
- 350,000 books and e-books and more than 24,000 online journals
- Free laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing.
Student support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Neurodiversity team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Financial support
You can apply for scholarships and bursaries. We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.
Careers
How can the Cancer Biology and Therapeutics MSc support your career?
Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.
We are a top 10 UK University for employability (UniCompare Rankings 2025), and a top 10 UK university for industry connections and funding in Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024.
Career paths
Some of the roles our graduates have gone on to include research scientists in industries or research institutes and previous students have worked for the NHS or diagnostic centres.
MDXWorks
MDXworks, our employability service, will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.
Global alumni network
You’ll be studying with students from 122 countries who’ll become part of your personal global network. You'll learn how to work with a global mindset and make invaluable connections on your course for your chosen industry.
We welcome your application regardless of your background or experience.
For this course, ideally, we are looking for these qualifications:
- A 2:2 honours degree in Biomedical Sciences UG degree or equivalent.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Award-winning career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the accepted qualifications on your country's support page. If you are unsure of the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest international office.
English language
You will need to meet our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa. Please check to see if this applies to you.
Apply as early as possible to make sure you get a place. You can submit your application before you receive your final qualification.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course. Such as forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Interviews
You won’t be required to attend an interview.
Find out more about how to apply for postgraduate taught courses and watch our step-by-step video.
Fees and funding
The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year:
UK students1
Full-time students: £10,700
Part-time students: £71
Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit
International students2
Full-time students: £17,100
Part-time students: £114 per credit
Part-time students: £57 per dissertation credit
Additional costs
We cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to do well in your studies.
- Free – laptop loans, Wi-Fi and printing
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.
Postgraduate scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees.
For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Help from your employer
Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.
Work while you study
If you are not currently working, we can help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
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We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.