Postgraduate taught

This programme is co-led by Matthew Nankivell and Dr Deepti Nayak.

This programme is co-led by Dr Hakim Dehbi  and Dr Andrew Embleton-Thirsk. 

Why Statistics in Clinical Trials? | Online Statistics for Clinical Trials MSc
Putting the Theory into Practice | Online Clinical Trials MSc
Improving the Quality of Life for Patients | Online Clinical Trials MSc 
Why Study the Online Clinical Trials MSc?
 

Graduates have gone to work as: 

• Clinical Trial Co-Ordinators
• Data Managers / Data Scientists in Clinical Trials
• Clinical Trials Monitors
• Clinical Trial Physicians (our graduates who also have medical qualifications)
• Clinical Trial Pharmacists (our graduates who are pharmacists)

Some graduates go on to specialise within certain areas of clinical trials such as: 

• Pharmacovigilance
• Quality Assurance
• Patient and Public Involvement

Past employers of our MSc Clinical Trials Graduates include: 

• Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust 
• Imperial College London
• Richmond Pharmacology 
• IQVIA 
• Johnson and Johnson Ltd. 
• NHS Trusts 
• UCL

Graduates have also gone on to work for contract research organisations, clinical trials funders, and many different organisations involved in clinical trials.

Potential career opportunities include:

• Clinical trial statistician in academic trials units, the pharmaceutical industry, contract research organisations, hospitals, and government organisations.
• Students may also use this qualification as a springboard for further study at doctoral level. Clinicians will possess the right knowledge and statistical skills to work in clinical research, in particular clinical trials.

Yes, these programmes are delivered entirely online. We use an online platform called Moodle to deliver the course online. Each taught module is broken down into weeks of learning. Each week you will be given access to self paced learning packs that you can access in your own time (asynchronous learning) before you join the weekly live online classes. Live online classes are delivered using Zoom.

This programme is delivered fully online. There is no option to attend in person. Any students who live in UK have the option to visit the UCL campus and library using their UCL Student card.

No, you do not need a visa to be a student on this course. The course is fully online and therefore there is no requirement for a visa.

If you wish to obtain a UCL Student card, you would need to collect this in-person from the main UCL Campus in UK. You can find out how to book an appointment to collect your card in-person here. 

UCL has a system where students with specific needs can submit evidence and receive adjustments for assessments – this is called a Summary of Reasonable Adjustments (SoRA). 

For detailed information and application procedures, please refer to the programme prospectus pages: Clinical Trials MSc (Online) or  Statistics for Clinical Trials MSc (Online) 

This is variable depending on the number of applications that UCL are processing (some periods are busy). The paperwork you provide on application is checked by the admissions team. This takes time and we recommend that you apply as early as possible. It is important that you provide all the information requested. Missing information will delay the processing of your application.

There are some options available. Please explore the UCL scholarships page here for more information: Funding for students on postgraduate taught courses | UCL Scholarships and funding - UCL – University College London

Some employers may offer financial support towards your programme fees. We advise you to check with HR department at your workplace about the support that may be available to you.

You will be taught by clinicians, clinical trialists, statisticians and industry speakers (Roche, GSK, NHS etc) with expertise in various aspects of clinical trials.

We will provide you with self-paced learning packs one week in advance. You will be expected to complete the learning packs and come prepared for live online sessions. 

Learning packs consist of pre-recorded lectures, relevant papers, videos, quizzes and other interactive elements. Each week you will be given access to learning packs that you can access in your own time (asynchronous learning) before you join the weekly live online classes. We expect you to complete the learning packs in your own time and pace before the live session. This means you will be prepared for active participation in the live sessions.

Yes. We will have live online sessions via Zoom during the taught modules in Terms 1 and 2. The live online sessions last 2-4 hours and consist of lectures, individual and small group activities using real life clinical trials examples, quizzes and other interactive options. 

The workload can vary depending on your learning pace, but you can expect to spend time on these aspects each week (the times mentioned here are a guide, but will vary individually):

• Time spent on self-paced online learning packs: 2-4 hours
• Online activities: 1 hour
• Live online teaching sessions: 2-4 hours per week

You will also have to schedule time to work on assessments. Formative assessments are set early on in each module. Summative assessments are usually set at the end of each module (or during and after the module if there are two assessments). We will provide you with your assessment schedule for the year, during induction week.

Many students complete our courses while working. The programmes' online format offers flexibility for working professionals. The curriculum is mostly designed around self-paced learning. It is however important to plan your attendance at the live online sessions and assessments.

Assessment deadlines are typically spread throughout the term, with assignments designed to be completed alongside the course modules. You would need to set time apart for completing assessments. 

Each taught module has two module leads. They will guide you through each module. Our live teaching sessions allow for online interaction with academics and fellow students. In addition, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will guide you with pastoral support- all online.

If you would like to complete an MSc with us, you would need to complete a research project. The research project takes place in Term 3 (April- August), after you finish all of the 7 taught modules. However, it is possible to work on certain aspects (if applicable: ethical approvals, data collection etc) of the research project in advance – this is dependent on the individual project.

UCL offers various online student support services, such as academic advisors, technical support, online career services, online library sessions, online academic writing sessions etc

 Yes, students will have the option to interact with other students in these ways:

• Student WhatsApp groups- This is for current students on the MSc. A vibrant group where students help and support each other. Our student representatives add new students into this group each year.
• UCL Society for Online Students- This new society is for online students at UCL. Membership is free for this society
• UCL ICTM Students and Alumni LinkedIn group- This is a private group on LinkedIn for current students and alumni from our MSc

Yes. We deliver teaching on all aspects of clinical trials, and regularly review course content to make sure we teach about contemporary topics. Across the programme, we will explore the role that AI has the potential to play and the considerations for using AI at various stages in the lifecycle of a clinical trial.

The programme has guest lectures from industry experts and has an exclusive current students and alumni LinkedIn group. These avenues help students network with professionals in the field. 

• Matthew Nankivell, Programme Director
• Dr Deepti Nayak, Deputy Programme Director and Lecturer

E: ICTM.pgtct@ucl.ac.uk

• Dr Hakim-Moulay Dehbi, Programme Co-Director
• Dr Andy Embleton-Thirsk, Programme Co-Director 

E: ictm.pgtstatisticsct@ucl.ac.uk