Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Distance Learning
- Fees
- Home: £8,600
Overseas: £20,000
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
This Postgraduate Diploma will give you a theoretical and practical knowledge of modern molecular technologies as applied to human disease, with a focus on cancer. You’ll also learn how to apply and interpret advanced molecular technologies and use them in pathology.
At the heart of the course is a focus on developing your skills in the laboratory, as well as a variety of other scientific and transferable skills. By studying on the Cancer and Molecular Pathology and Genomics pathway, you’ll be equipping yourself with the tools to follow a career in academic research, either in the clinical, pharmaceutical or diagnostic setting.
We’ll keep you at the forefront of research: you’ll be taught by internationally renowned lecturers who produce ground-breaking research in cancer biology, genetics, screening, prevention and therapy, so you’ll stay up to date with the most recent medical advances, for preventing and treating cancer more effectively.
This programme is delivered by the Barts Cancer Institute, a Cancer Research UK centre of excellence and part of the Cancer Research UK City of London Centre.
Watch our video to find out more about studying at the Barts Cancer Institute.
.png)
Additional costs
As an online student, you have the option to either sit your exams onsite at Queen Mary or to arrange an approved alternative venue. If you would like to sit your exams at a local venue, you will be responsible for making the initial arrangements and for any associated costs that may be charged.
Structure
- Eight compulsory modules
- One elective module
Compulsory/Core modules
This module covers cell and molecular biology relevant to cancer, including: - The processes of carcinogenesis and DNA damage - The key cellular and molecular processes affected in tumour development - Key proteins and pathways regulating cell proliferation and cell death - A broader concept of malignancy and its nvironment - Processes involved in invasion and metastasis.
This module will provide an understanding of population-based studies and methodology used in cancer epidemiology, focusing on the value of these approaches in cancer prevention and in the design and evaluation of screening programmes. Topics covered include: - The major environmental causes of cancer and their contribution to cancer worldwide - The potential for reducing cancer incidence - The role of screening in cancer control - The prospects for the chemoprevention of cancer in the next ten years.
To provide an understanding of basic disease processes - To become familiar with the terminology and concepts of pathological processes - To develop an approach to identify tissue types and interpret the histological features of pathological processes.
To provide an understanding of the principles band practice of molecular diagnosis in the detection and management of disease - To provide an understanding of quality assurance issues in the diagnostic setting - To give examples of the use of current molecular techniques in the management of disease - To provide practical experience of molecular techniques.
This module aims to provide students with detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer development and to give an appreciation of the current $ùhot topics in cancer research and their relevance to cancer diagnosis and management. The major topics to be covered are: - The molecular mechanisms involved in cancer development - The role of the microenvironment in cancer - Emerging changes in classification of cancers - Predisposition to cancer - Cancer stem cells.
The module covers the techniques and knowledge needed to critically appraise published research, and carry out a piece of original research. Topics include: - How to review and interpret published research - How to structure and write a research paper or lab write up - Learn and use a range of statistical methodology - The ethical and legislative framework in which research is undertaken - Training in data preparation and presentation
The module gives the students hands-on experience of key lab techniques and the principles of how to interpret the findings. Techniques include: Skills in measuring accurately using pipetttes, weighing scales Mathematical laboratory skills Immunochemistry Tissue Culture RNA1 extraction and analysis RT-PCR DNA purification, analysis and cloning Flow cytometry
This module will provide detailed teaching on the principles and interpretation of large scale genomic and proteomic approaches to cancer, including: - The application of genomic technology - The working principles of expression array and genotype array technology - The principles of bio-statistical analysis of genomic data - The advantages and limitations of the various genomic approaches described - The use of proteomic approaches in studying cancers.
Elective modules
Assessment
Assessment will be based on written assignments and posters and oral presentations online. Examinations will be in the form of online assessments which may consist of timed essay questions, short answer questions or case studies
Teaching
As a distance-learning student, you’ll be taught via our online platform, QMplus. You’ll have access to recorded lectures, video demonstrations, copies of the slides and other supporting materials.
We encourage you to interact with staff and students in our online forums, join group activities and be part of our student community.
The lab-based elements of this programme are taught through video tutorials.
Undertaking a postgraduate programme is a commitment and you’ll be expected to spend time studying independently in addition to your contact hours.
If you study part-time, the modules you’ll need to complete the programme will be spread over two years.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- Access to Queen Mary’s dedicated online portal, QMplus
- Access to video and audio recordings of all lectures and other online resources (journals, books and databases)
- Video tutorials for lab-based work
- Access to our campus facilities if you decide to visit at any point during your course
- Watch our video to discover online study at Queen Mary
About the Institute
Barts Cancer Institute
Barts Cancer Institute (BCI) is one of the top five cancer research centres in the UK and is one of 14 Cancer Research UK Centres of Excellence.
Our research goal is to prevent cancer and develop better diagnostic techniques and treatments. We are generously supported by research councils, industry and a number of charities, with the grants awarded totalling in excess of £15m per annum.
BCI is part of Queen Mary’s medical school, the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. The School is comprised of two world-renowned teaching hospitals, St Bartholomew's and The Royal London, which make an outstanding contribution to modern medicine. Queen Mary is ranked joint seventh in the UK for the quality of our research (REF 2021).
We are a member of the Russell Group of leading research universities in the UK and proudly hold an Athena Gold Award in recognition of our commitment to gender equality.
Career paths
You’ll leave this programme with the clinical skills and experience necessary to pursue further academic research at MSc level. This programme also provides a strong foundation if you want to work in biotech research, hospital settings or in industry.
Each year we retain a proportion of our graduates within the Institute as research assistants or clinical trials co-ordinators.
- 91% of BCI postgraduate taught students in employment or further study (2020/21)
- 95% of BCI postgraduate taught students in highly skilled work or graduate study (2020/21)
Fees and funding
Part-time study
September 2025 | 21 months
- Home: £4,300
- Overseas: £10,000
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in a relevant subject such as Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Medicine from a recognised academic institution.
Applicants with a 2:2 degree will be considered on an individual basis.
Other routes
The programme is open to clinicians, graduate scientists, nurses, and other medical professionals working in a clinical, industrial or academic research environment.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the Barts Cancer Institute falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.