Female postgraduate student using immunohistochemistry and western blot in the Tissue Culture Laboratory, D floor, Nottingham Medical School, Queens Medical Centre

Cancer Sciences MSci

Medical School and University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

This four-year degree studies the same course content as our three-year Cancer Sciences BSc, but it gives you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while undertaking a guaranteed nine-month placement in industry or in a research laboratory during your fourth year.

Cancer drug development is a long and expensive process. The hunt for new treatments for cancer is still in full force. With many avenues and roles needed to meet this challenge, it’s imperative that there are trained specialists who can tackle it.

Are you ready to join them?

Gain a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of cancer sciences. From its basic scientific principles through to translation into therapeutics and drug development.

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Causes and consequences of cancer

Mandatory

Year 1

Genes, Molecules and Cells

Mandatory

Year 1

Hallmarks of Cancer

Mandatory

Year 1

Human Physiology

Optional

Year 1

Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour

Optional

Year 1

Fundamentals of Neuroscience

Optional

Year 1

Life on Earth

Mandatory

Year 2

Angiogenesis and Tumour-Host Interactions

Mandatory

Year 2

Cancer Cell Genetics

Mandatory

Year 2

Colorectal Cancer and Ovarian Cancer

Mandatory

Year 2

Epidemiology of Cancer and Population Genetics

Mandatory

Year 2

Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer

Mandatory

Year 2

Patient-centred Library Project

Mandatory

Year 3

Patient Portfolio

Mandatory

Year 3

Practical Project

Optional

Year 3

Cancer Biology and Molecular Therapeutics

Optional

Year 3

Cancer Immunology and Novel Therapies

Optional

Year 3

Paediatric Cancer

Optional

Year 3

Tumour Microenvironment

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Cancer Models and Approaches in Preclinical Research

Mandatory

Year 4

Current Advances in Oncology

Mandatory

Year 4

Industrial / Research Placement Dissertation

Mandatory

Year 4

Placement Proposal

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Wednesday 25 October 2023. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Teaching methods

  • Case-based learning
  • eLearning
  • Lab sessions
  • Lectures
  • Placement
  • Practical classes
  • Problem-based learning
  • Self-study
  • Seminars
  • Small group learning
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment methods

  • Case studies
  • Coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Examinations
  • Lab reports
  • Literature review
  • Portfolio (written/digital)
  • Poster presentation
  • Practical write-ups
  • Presentation

You'll have around 10 hours of contact time per week covering lectures, practicals, workshops, tutorials and seminars.

You're expected to spend around 20 to 30 hours per week on self-study.

Class sizes are two to three for personal tutorials, around 20 to 60 for seminars and workshops, and between 30 and 300 for lectures depending on the module.

Studying cancer sciences at Nottingham gives you the perfect grounding to pursue further research through studying a masters or a PhD.

The course also provides you with broader knowledge of biochemistry, immunology, genetics, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and more. These skills could lead you to jobs in biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries, and other biomedical areas.

Average starting salary and career progression

96.5% of undergraduates from the School of Medicine secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £35,089.


HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

I was looking for a very specific course and knew I wanted to go into either genetics or cancer, and this course is everything in one that I was looking at doing so it seemed like a no brainer. On the course, it’s professionals in the field giving you the information on the topics we’re learning and you always come out of lectures and seminars with something. Plus, the uni campus is definitely up there with my favourite campuses too.

Rowan Hill

Cancer Sciences student

Course data

Open Day June 2022