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Reproductive Genetics and Fetal Medicine MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This unique programme provides you with a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the field of reproductive genetics and fetal medicine, specifically basic genetics and technology, human genetics, genetic mechanisms, medical genetics, human embryonic development, stem cell biology, fertility and infertility, preimplantation genetic diagnosis and developing technologies and fetal and perinatal medicine. There is a strong focus on the development of key skills and careers advice in the programme.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£17,300
£8,650
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
£18,750
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 close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

To be eligible for registration, normally a candidate must have obtained a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant science-based discipline, or a medical qualification (MBBS) from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

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

You will develop a knowledge and broad understanding of the field of reproductive genetics and fetal medicine. You will attend 8 compulsory modules which combine lectures, seminars, tutorials, and student presentations. This will be followed by a project, culminating in a dissertation. You can choose from a large variety of topics, such as laboratory-based projects, clinical projects, and practical audits, analysis of existing datasets, online surveys and/ or interviews, or projects focusing on reviewing the scholarship or evidence on a given subject.

You will also gain important transferable skills including information technology skills, the ability to analyse scientific papers, essay writing, seminar presentations, research techniques, peer review, and laboratory skills.

Who this course is for

We welcome applications from medical and science-based students who wish to gain a theoretical grounding in reproductive genetics and fetal medicine and to gain skills required by today's science and clinical staff, working in academic and clinical environments.

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

What this course will give you

The UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health delivers excellence in research, clinical practice, education and training in order to make a real and sustainable difference to women's and babies' health worldwide.

The institute's UCL/UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust collaboration provides an academic environment in which students can pursue graduate studies taught by world-class researchers and clinicians.

Our diversity of expertise in maternal and fetal medicine, neonatology, reproductive health and women's cancer ensures a vibrant environment in which students develop subject-specific and generic transferable skills, supporting a broad range of future employment opportunities.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Throughout the MSc programme you will acquire key skills such as:

  • Critically evaluating and reviewing data from a variety of sources (papers, case studies, media coverage etc.).
  • Collecting, interpreting, and presenting data using both written and oral methods.
  • Intellectual curiosity and an ability to critically challenge current methods of research or ideological standpoints.
  • Cross-disciplinary thinking from a multiplicity of perspectives (linking together the wide variety of optional modules).

You will also have the opportunity to take part in debates and ethical discussions and to learn basic laboratory techniques. 

We offer a comprehensive careers programme involving our alumni covering general careers in science and specific advice on careers in embryology, clinical genetics, medicine, and research degrees.

Employability

This degree prepares you for progression to higher research degrees or more advanced work in your particular field. This will enable the science-orientated students to go on to pursue research degrees, further training for careers in prenatal diagnosis or embryology, or other careers in the field or in general science. Medically-orientated students will be able to develop their careers in the field of fetal medicine.

Networking

Students will have the chance to attend our annual EGA Institute for Women's Health research day where we hear about the various projects across the Institute, including from our clinical staff at UCLH, as well as from invited keynote speakers from around the world. These events include lots of networking opportunities throughout the day and usually end with a group social event. During their research projects, students may also attend research group meetings to strengthen their knowledge in that topic area and make connections with others working in the same field. 

Teaching and learning

Each module is organised differently in a way that best suits the module content. There will be a variety of lectures, seminars, and tutorials as well as guided student presentations, debates, and sessions led by patients, advocates, or experts in the field.

The types of assessment you will do will depend on which modules you choose. We use a variety of methods including essays, patient case reports, critical reviews, examinations, oral presentations, and the dissertation. 

All taught modules delivered by the UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health run for 3 weeks and have somewhere between 2-4 days/week of face-to-face teaching (contact hours). These are mostly organised into full days and teaching is usually (but not always) between 9:30-5:00.

Each 15-credit module equates to around 150 learning hours. This is spread out over the whole period of the module which typically runs over 3 weeks. This includes taught sessions, independent study, group work, and preparing for your assessment.

A Postgraduate Diploma comprising eight core modules (120 credits, full-time nine months or flexible study two to five years) is offered.

Modules

The programme structure and subject areas of this MSc are clearly defined and designed to provide you with a rounded and coherent understanding of prenatal genetics and fetal medicine. For full-time students:

In term 1, you will study basic genetics & technology, fertility, and infertility: science and society, and genetic mechanisms.

In term 2, you build on your learning in term 1 to progress to the study of medical genetics, organogenesis and fetal development, and prenatal diagnosis and screening.

In term 3, your taught studies culminate in a focus on fetal and perinatal medicine and preimplantation genetic diagnosis and new technologies.  

You will define your project topic in term 1, and ensure that your project design and necessary approvals are in place, and submit an interim project introduction in term 2. You will work on your project full-time from early June and submit this in early September.  

Part-time students must take the same number of credits in both years of study; 6 taught modules in the first year, and 2 taught modules plus the dissertation in the second year. Individual modules are delivered in the same way as they are for full-time students.

Modular flexible students can take their taught modules over 2-5 years; their dissertation is taken in their final year of study. Individual modules are delivered in the same way as they are for full-time students. Modular flexible students are not eligible for student finance governmental funding. You can check your eligibility online.

Compulsory 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 Reproductive Genetics and Fetal Medicine. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Reproductive Genetics and Fetal Medicine.

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 team.

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Online - Open day

Book a virtual 1-2-1 about Reproductive Genetics and Fetal Medicine MSc

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Book a 15-minute appointment with a member of the programme team. They will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the programme, careers or studying at UCL.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £17,300 £8,650
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500 £18,750

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

There are no additional costs for this programme.

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

EGA Institute for Women's Health BAME Master's Scholarship

Deadline: 31 July 2024
Value: £10,000 toward tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Reproductive Genetics and Fetal Medicine at graduate level
  • why you want to study Reproductive Genetics and Fetal Medicine at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • where you would like to go professionally after this programme

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.

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

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.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health
UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health

ifwhadminteam@ucl.ac.uk

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