Cancer Biomedicine MSci
London, Bloomsbury and London, Hampstead (Royal Free Hospital)
Study an exciting four-year integrated Master's (MSci) degree that sets you up to play your part in tackling cancer. Build the knowledge, skills and research experience that will be widely relevant for careers in medicine, biomedical research, health science, allied health professions and the pharmaceutical industry. You'll be taught by expert researchers at UCL working at the forefront of cancer research.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
Programme starts
September 2025Application deadline
29 Jan 2025UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAA
- Subjects
- Biology and Chemistry required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- ABB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- Biology and Chemistry required at grade B.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
- Points
- 38
- Subjects
- A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including 6 in Biology and Chemistry, with no higher level score below 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 34 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects including Biology and Chemistry, with no higher level score below 5.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 33 credits at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction to include Distinction in Biology and Chemistry.
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Biology and Chemistry required.
A,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher), including Biology and Chemistry at Advanced Higher.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA. Biology and Chemistry required.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 3
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
Up to 50% of people in the UK will develop cancer in their lifetime. By 2030, four million people will be living with a cancer diagnosis. Our ability to diagnose, understand and treat this disease - both now and in the future - will rely on highly-talented graduates who specialise in cancer.
Study our Cancer Biomedicine MSci degree to learn about molecular biology and cancer genetics, cancer biology and therapeutics, clinical cancer management and the wider impact of a cancer diagnosis on society. You will explore how we can personalise cancer treatment for our patients and how new cancer treatment strategies are designed and tested in clinical trials.
The course offers some flexibility. A selection of optional modules allows you to create a custom route within biomedical sciences based on your interests and future career options. A structured research project in the third year will help you develop a broad range of scientific and laboratory skills.
The integrated Master's year is available to students who achieve a classification-weighted mean average of upper-second class in the first three years. In the fourth year, you will first build your research skills through a series of taught modules in the first term before embarking on an extended project in the second term, leading to a dissertation. Students who are unable to take up this option will instead complete the three-year Cancer Biomedicine BSc.
You will emerge as a highly skilled scientist, ideally positioned to excel in laboratory or clinical research careers or other roles that require a high understanding of science and clinical medicine. Your research experience will be ideal for progression to a PhD or further study opportunities.
What this course will give you
This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:
- A focus on cancer as a disease, its treatment, and the associated research and socio-economic impacts.
- A research-connected curriculum with teaching delivered by leading cancer scientists and clinicians.
- The opportunity to undertake a structured research project and skill-based modules to develop transferable skills.
- A distinctive skill set, through studying a mix of basic science, clinical disease management and translational medicine.
- A wide choice of optional modules, which will vary year to year. Current examples include 'Nutrition and Cancer Risk', ‘Paediatric and Young Adult Cancer' and ‘Radiation Biology’.
- A research-focused fourth year will help you develop your independent research skills by working with world-class cancer researchers.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 480 credits, you will be awarded a MSci (Hons) in Cancer Biomedicine.
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 is 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.
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Year one
In year one, you'll be studying alongside other courses in our Faculty of Medical Sciences, covering the foundations of human health and disease. You'll study modules in biochemistry, physiology, and anatomy, which is integrated with an understanding of each organ system. You'll also start developing your essential scientific skills.
You'll be introduced to cancer with our 'Cancer Medicine in Society' module, which explores the social and psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis.
You will be mostly based at our teaching hub at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, North London, and taught by world-leading scientists and clinicians.
Year two
Year two comprises six compulsory modules covering molecular biology, cancer biology and therapeutics, clinical cancer management, clinical trials and cancer and pathogens. Two further modules are optional with a wide range of subjects to choose from, including a module focused on cancer radiation biology.
You will have the opportunity in the second year to decide whether to complete the four-year MSci. To access the final (fourth) year, you will need a classification weighted mean of upper-second class in years one, two and three at the end of your third year. If you have not met this requirement, you will complete the three-year BSc programme.
Year three
Year three comprises five compulsory and two optional modules, with the compulsory modules examining how new cancer treatment strategies are designed and tested, and how we can use our knowledge of cancer to personalise treatment.
You will also undertake a research project. The wide range of optional modules means you can tailor-make your preferred route within biomedical sciences, based on your interests and intended career.
Year four
The MSci year begins with two 15-credit modules to build research skills and one 30-credit module on advanced therapies in cancer care, delivered in the first term. You then take a 60-credit extended project module in the second term and complete your dissertation in the third term.
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Your learning
Teaching is delivered through formal lectures, small tutorials, group and independent work. Year two includes laboratory practicals. In year three, you will undertake a structured research project. In year four, you will undertake an extended research project, leading to a dissertation.
Lectures are both face-to-face and online, which gives you the chance to review topics at your own pace. There are also more intensive, creative sessions of tutorial-based problem-solving and learning which take place in small groups.
During the first three years, a typical week will have around 15 contact hours, which includes lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory sessions. This will vary slightly between weeks and between different modules.
Outside of taught hours, you will also need to spend time studying independently. This will include preparatory reading, self-directed learning, working on assignments and group work. In total, your weekly schedule should be 37 learning hours.
In year three, you will engage in structured project work for up to 2.5 days in addition to the 15 weekly contact hours on the taught modules.
In the MSci year, a typical week in the first term will be similar to the first three years. During the extended research project in term two, you will attend the research facilities full-time for three months to engage in research.
Assessment
Assessments include:
- Exams (some of which are multiple-choice or short-answer questions)
- Coursework
- Essays
- Poster presentations
- Critiquing scientific research
- Practical skills assessment (OSPE)
- Online participation
- A written project dissertation as part of the structured research project in year three, along with an oral presentation of the work
- Oral examination (viva) as part of the extended research project in year four, in addition to the written project and oral presentation.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.
The foundation of your career
Many of our cancer biomedicine graduates go onto master's and PhD level studies and graduate entry medicine. According to the Graduate Outcomes surveys carried out by HESA for the 2018-2022 cohorts, around two-thirds of Cancer Biomedicine BSc graduates chose to progress to further study.
Cancer Biomedicine graduates also go on to work at the highest levels, with the potential to make a significant contribution within all fields of biomedical sciences, research, and associated professions.
Of those who progress into work after graduation, destinations have included the UCL Cancer Institute, UCLH, Barts Cancer Institute and Four-Square Healthcare, which specialises in medical supplies. Typical roles might include care work in the healthcare sector, biochemists, and inspection or testing in academic research environments.
Employability
On this degree, you will develop vital critical thinking, complex problem-solving and communication skills. Together with the advanced research and project skills you will develop through the fourth year, you will have all the tools to become a highly skilled scientist.
These competencies and acquired knowledge will equip you to excel in laboratory or clinical research careers, or to flourish in other professions where a keen understanding of science and clinical medicine is crucial.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £9,535 |
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £36,500 |
Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
We suggest that students have a laptop computer or device to access online materials. However, you will have access to computers on campus.
On this degree, you will be based at UCL's Bloomsbury campus and the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead. These locations are about three miles apart, so you may face some travel costs, depending on your circumstances. For travel costs within London, please see the TfL website.
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
We are looking for evidence of a firm interest in science as well as a motivation towards further knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We expect our students to have a real curiosity and desire to contribute to society. We also expect them to be keen for the challenge of this innovative and research-connected programme.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
We will use predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your personal statement and references to decide whether to offer you a place. There will be no interviews.
Got questions? Get in touch
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