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Experimental and Translational Immunology MSc

London, Bloomsbury and London, Hampstead (Royal Free Hospital)

This MSc teaches the fundamental concepts of immunology through research-led teaching from internationally renowned experts. We bring together clinical and research expertise in translational immunology to focus on experimental medicine and therapeutic approaches. Based at the world-leading Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, you will receive excellent preparation for a research career and develop valuable transferable skills.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£19,300
£9,650
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024

Applications closed

Find similar courses still open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class (or international equivalent) Bachelor's degree in a Biomedical science, Life science, Biological science or recognised Medical degree or similar. A strong personal statement with evidence of relevant research interest or experience.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


This MSc Experimental and Translational Immunology provides insight into state-of-the-art immunology research, current issues in immunity, immune dysfunction, and immune-based therapeutic approaches.

The course covers basic science through to translational clinical research and culminates in a full-time research project. You will develop advanced knowledge of all aspects of immunology, including immune regulation, immune deficiencies, immunology of transplantation, gene therapy, cancer immunology and immune therapeutics. There is an emphasis on critical analysis and data interpretation.

Some taught content is shared with UCL undergraduate programmes. If you are a UCL student or graduate and have already taken any of the modules included in the MSc, please contact the Programme Administrator before applying to discuss whether alternative modules are available.

You can study this course on a full-time, part-time, or flexible basis.

Who this course is for

The programme is well suited to UK and overseas graduates with backgrounds in biological/biomedical sciences, a keen interest in immunology, and a desire to expand their theoretical knowledge and laboratory experience. It will be of particular benefit to students contemplating careers in scientific research in academic, clinical or industry setting.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.

  • The UCL Division of Infection and Immunity and the Institute of Immunity and Transplantation (IIT) provide a vibrant, stimulating and world-class research community.
  • Students are embedded in a superb training environment which provides a challenging and stimulating academic experience.
  • Our programme reflects the research and clinical excellence within the division as well as cross-disciplinary research from all over UCL.
  • First-class teaching and research supervision is provided by UCL academics, many of whom are amongst the world’s most respected and innovative academics.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates are exceptionally well prepared for a career in research. The combination of research-informed teaching and practical research training provides ideal preparation for a PhD and is equally applicable for clinicians seeking specialist training or wishing to pursue the clinical academic career track.

More broadly, a rigorous grounding in scientific method, critical analysis, data interpretation and independent thinking provides a palette of marketable and transferable skills applicable to many professional career paths.

Employability

The programme produces graduates who are equipped to embark on research careers.

Your experience in the research and teaching environment of UCL Division of Infection & Immunity provides a unique understanding of how cutting-edge experimental and translational immunology research is carried out.

Opportunities for networking with UCL senior investigators with international reputations and their worldwide collaborators can provide the inside track for career development.

Graduates are well placed to move onto PhD programmes, research positions in diverse biomedical fields, including pharmaceutical industry and biopharma, clinical research positions, further training, and positions in associated professions.

Networking

There are regular networking opportunities, including events where you can hear from expert speakers. We encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating at conferences.

Teaching and learning

You will learn using the following methods:

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials/paper discussion sessions
  • Data interpretation sessions
  • Self-directed learning
  • Independent research project.

Your subject-specific knowledge (ability to recognise and distinguish immune mechanisms in health and disease and debate current issues in immunological research) is assessed by unseen written exams, written coursework assignments, posters, data interpretation assignments and oral presentations.

Your intellectual, academic and research skills (critical evaluation of scientific literature; the generation, presentation, analysis, interpretation, and discussion of scientific data; the use of various scientific databases) is assessed by marked coursework assignments including posters, news and views assignments and data interpretation assignments and oral presentations.

The research project module is assessed by a 5,000-word written report and oral presentation. Students are assessed on their ability to perform and interpret experiments and place the results in context with current literature.

Based on full-time study, during terms one and two, you will have 12-15 hours contact time per week and spend 25-30 hours in self-directed study.

From the end of April to the end of August, you will work full-time (40 hours per week) on your research project.

Modules

The full-time 12-month programme consists of six taught modules and the research project.

You study two core modules in the first term (October-December) followed by one core and two optional modules in the second term (January-April), allowing you to follow your specific interests.

This is underpinned by a core module, ‘Research skills and data interpretation’, which you study across both terms. This teaches you critical analysis and scientific methodology.

From the end of April until the end of August, you complete a full-time independent research project in one of the divisional research groups. This can be wet/laboratory based or computer/informatics based. It culminates in a 5,000-word written report and an oral exam (viva) which usually takes place mid-September.

As full-time, split over two years. The modules you take each year are agreed with the Programme Director, though you must take ‘Fundamental and Applied Immunology’ in the first year. Individual modules must be completed in a single academic year. The research project is normally completed on a full-time basis.

As full-time, split across up to five years. The modules you take each year are agreed with the Programme Director, though you must take ‘Fundamental and Applied Immunology’ in the first year. Individual modules must be completed in a single academic year. The research project is normally completed on a full-time basis.

Compulsory modules







Optional modules







Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Experimental and Translational Immunology.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £19,300 £9,650
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Hepatitis B vaccine. Students do not require the hepatitis B vaccine to join the programme. However, a small number of research projects (involving handling of certain types of primary human material) will not be available to those without the vaccine. Applicants may wish to consider arranging a course of the vaccine ahead of arriving at UCL, as a full course of vaccine and follow-up blood test can take up to eight months. The current cost of the vaccine is approximately £50 per dose (£150 total), according to NHS.UK.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Experimental and Translational Immunology at graduate level
  • why you want to study at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Infection and Immunity
Division of Infection and Immunity

ii.infection-immunityadmin@ucl.ac.uk

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