MRes Oncology: The University of Manchester

Course description

Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Approximately 300,000 people develop the disease each year in the UK. Unravelling the basis of tumorigenesis and development of new therapies is a high priority area for investment, especially since the economic burden of cancer is increasing.

The field of oncology encompasses a wide variety of biological and physical sciences. The creation of this MRes in Oncology draws on the wide range of expertise and research carried out within the University and by its partners within the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, namely the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. This comprises a unique grouping of basic and clinical scientists, many of international renown (the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise ranked the University of Manchester as having the leading cancer studies research group in the UK).

Course aims

The MRes course aims to provide:

• Postgraduate-level training to equip students with the specialist knowledge and research skills to pursue a research career in the fields of medical and clinical oncology
• Graduates who will meet the regional, national and international demands for scientists with a broad range of research methods

The MRes course will allow students to:

• Enhance their research skills and gain confidence in their research abilities
• Improve their chances of finding a PhD or starting a career
• Explore which research area they wish to choose for a PhD
• Gain personal fulfillment and a sense of achievement

Career opportunities

The MRes is ideal for high calibre MBChB intercalating students who wish to undertake directly channelled research training in the clinical and medical oncology field.

After the course, most students will continue their medical degree and the MRes will help students decide whether they wish to pursue a career in oncology. The programme is also of value to students wishing to progress further and go on to carry out a PhD to pursue careers in academia, the pharmaceutical industry or biotechnology companies.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

Intercalating students (after year 4) from the University of Manchester's MBChB programme (including those from the University of St Andrews): Minimum criterion for admission is satisfactory achievement in years 1 to 4 of the undergraduate medical programme, with no failure at any examination in the past two academic years.

For University of St Andrews students, this includes their three-year degree programme and the following two years spent in Manchester (years 3 and 4 of the Manchester programme).

They also accept home and international medical graduates who have an undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) in a biomedical science and who can demonstrate relevant experience and commitment to oncology research.

Overseas students are only accepted with an honours degree or equivalent in a biomedical subject from an established university.

Externally funded students from other UK medical schools who may transfer to Manchester for one year to undertake the MRes programme: Such students will be individually assessed on their previous academic performance to ensure that they have the necessary aptitude for research i.e. from past examination performance and references from project supervisors, tutors and mentors.

English language:

Students whose first language is not English require a minimum of IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 575 paper-based or TOEFL 230 computer-based.