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Respiratory Clinical Science MSc

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

Set yourself up to work at the highest levels of respiratory medicine. This MSc focuses on studying the scientific and clinical basis of respiratory diseases. You will have the chance to work with UCL's leading scientists and clinicians on some of the most innovative research and be well prepared for a PhD or career in the pharma or biotechnology industries.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£17,300
£8,650
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Duration
1 calendar year
2 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

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject (respiratory care, respiratory therapy, advanced respiratory practice, life sciences, medicine, chemistry, biomedicine including applied medical sciences from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

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

With more than one billion people across the world suffering from a respiratory illness, respiratory medicine is an increasingly important field of medicine. This MSc focuses on the study of the scientific and clinical basis of respiratory diseases, with all courses and modules directed towards understanding disease and the effects on patients.

You will learn about all the key concepts relevant to respiratory medicine, including respiratory biology and disease, genetics, immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, lung repair and regeneration, animal models, pathophysiology, pharmacology, physiology, and occupational and environmental lung disease. 

The course offers a unique translational focus working with the world's best, with access to some of the most innovative research projects in this area. You will also gain the practical, analytic and transferable skills that are essential for conducting your own respiratory medicine research. 

UCL offers a world-class research and teaching environment in respiratory medicine. This programme has been designed for those seeking to lead the way in the growing field of respiratory medicine as clinicians or scientists.

Who this course is for

This MSc is best suited to life science or medical science graduates. Students with an interest in respiratory clinical science, who have a background in chemical sciences, physics, mathematics or pharmacy, may also be eligible to apply.

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 chance to study in a world-class research and teaching environment with access to UCL's outstanding clinical and scientific expertise and best practice research, processes, and treatments.
  • Opportunities to view actual procedures at University College London Hospital (UCLH), be part of diagnostic sessions and sit in on multi-disciplinary team meetings, where cross functional experts develop treatment programmes.
  • Opportunities to get involved in cutting-edge research.
  • The chance to also study, and potentially conduct research, with one or more of our prestigious partners in London, including UCLH Thoracic Medicine Department, the Royal Free Respiratory Department, the UCL Cancer Institute, the CRICK and the CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Our learning methods will prepare students for careers in academic or industrial biomedical sciences, as well as equipping them with transferable skills in presentation, writing, organisation and teamwork. With access to UCL’s clinical and scientific expertise and world leading partners, the course provides a strong foundation for the next generation of future leaders in this critical field.

It was inspiring to pursue my postgraduate studies at a world class university that put students first and to be taught by pioneers of modern respiratory medical sciences.

UCL Portico building with welcome sign between columns.

Aya Fayyomi

Respiratory Clinical Science, MSc

Employability

This MSc prepares students for further academic study and to work at the highest levels of respiratory medicine. You will develop your transferable skills through individual and group activities, such as problem solving, data interpretation, bench projects, literature review, essay writing, journal clubs, oral and poster presentations, and leadership training.

The skills you develop will put you in a strong position for pursuing careers in the public healthcare sector and NHS, in industry and biopharma, government and research councils, biomedical charities and stakeholders, and scientific media and publishing houses.

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

The programme is delivered through a mix of seminars, lectures, e-learning, laboratory work, practicals, and small group tutorials. Students will also attend clinical tutorials at University College London Hospital and Royal Free Hospital, including pulmonary function tests, non-invasive and invasive ventilation, bronchoscopies, respiratory diagnostic sessions, and multi-disciplinary team meetings.

Assessment is through examination, oral presentations, coursework, practical reports and dissertation. Examinations are taken in-person, coursework is submitted online, and practical reports are completed during lab time.

  • Term one consists of approximately 16 hours of teaching and 12 hours of independent learning a week.

  • Term two consists of approximately 30 hours of teaching and six hours of independent learning a week.

  • Term three consists of the research project which will be at least three and a half months.

A Postgraduate Diploma, eight compulsory modules (120 credits), full-time nine months or flexible study up to two years, is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate, four compulsory modules (60 credits), full-time 15 weeks or flexible study over a period of up to two years, is offered.

Modules

In the full-time programme, you will take eight core taught modules, complete a research project in the first academic year, and learn the essential concepts, theory and practices of respiratory clinical science.

As well as attending a world class series of lectures, you will develop your transferable skills through individual and group activities, such as problem solving, data interpretation, bench projects, literature review, essay writing, journal clubs, oral and poster presentations, and leadership training.

The concepts and skills acquired in terms one and two will prepare you to go forward to do your research project in term three. The research project will provide you practical research experience either at UCL or an industry setting. The research project will be wet laboratory based and lasts at least three and a half  months.

Part-time students take four core taught modules in the first academic year, and four core taught modules and the research project in the second year.

Year one, Term one:

  • Tissue Repair and Regeneration
  • Principles of Immunology

Year one, Term two:

  • Principles of Respiratory Biology
  • Drug Discovery in Respiratory Medicine

Year two, Term one:

  • Principles of Inflammation
  • Statistical Methods in Research

Year two, Term two:

  • Practical Laboratory Research Skills
  • Respiratory Diseases and Conditions

Year two, Term three:

  • Research Project

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 Respiratory Clinical Science. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Respiratory Clinical Science. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Respiratory Clinical Science.

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.

Where you'll study

Division of Medicine Cruciform building

We have one of the largest concentrations of biomedical scientists in Europe. Among over 100 principal investigators are Fellows of the Royal Society, members of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and Senior Investigators of the National Institute for Health Research. Teaching is split between the Royal Free campus in Hampstead and Bloomsbury campus. For undergraduates, most of the first year will be based at the Royal Free campus, with some practical activities taking place in Bloomsbury. As you progress, more modules are based at Bloomsbury, which means you are likely to build strong familiarity with both of these sites.

Learn more about the Division of Medicine, our departments and institutes

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Respiratory Clinical Science MSc (Q&A Session)

This MSc focuses on the study of the scientific and clinical basis of respiratory diseases with all courses and modules directed towards understanding disease and the effects on patients. It will provide you with the tools to develop further careers in the area and create opportunities to interact with researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical experts in respiratory medicine. Please join us to ask your questions about this exciting programme. Speaker - Dr Vitor Teixeira

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Respiratory Clinical Science MSc (Q&A Session)

This MSc focuses on the study of the scientific and clinical basis of respiratory diseases with all courses and modules directed towards understanding disease and the effects on patients. It will provide you with the tools to develop further careers in the area and create opportunities to interact with researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical experts in respiratory medicine. Please join us to ask your questions about this exciting programme. Speaker - Dr Vitor Teixeira

Watch on demand event

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) £34,400 £17,200

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

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Clearance check. The DBS application cost will be covered by UCL, but offer holders will also need to have their ID checked and verified at a Post Office, for which they will incur a charge of £15. International students will bear any costs incurred in acquiring certification equivalent to DBS (police check) in their home country.

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

Bursaries are available for several Division of Medicine programmes. Find out if this course is eligible.

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

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Deadline: 14 December 2023
Value: Full fees, flights, stipend, and other allowances (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Division of Medicine PGT Bursary

Deadline: 31 July 2024
Value: £5,000 towards fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

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 Respiratory Clinical Science at graduate level
  • why you want to study Respiratory Clinical Science at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this 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.

It is important that you can demonstrate a clear understanding of and commitment to respiratory medicine as a career. You should have good interpersonal and communication skills. It is also important that you value dignity, compassion, team-working, diversity, inclusion and above all person-centred care, listening and responding to the specific needs of individuals and communities.

As you will be working with the public you will be subject to screening by UCL Occupational Health and through the Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to determine your suitability for the course.

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

Division of Medicine
Division of Medicine

divmed.postgrad@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.