Genomic Medicine MSc / PGDip / PGCert

As genomics becomes embedded within mainstream NHS care, it's important for healthcare professionals and research scientists like you to understand its relevance. Learn how genomics is increasingly being used to inform the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with cancer, inherited genetic disorders and infectious diseases.

Course Structure

What makes this course different?

Our Genomic Medicine programme is taught by leading clinicians and scientists from the University of Birmingham, Birmingham Women’s and Children's Hospitals, University Hospital Birmingham and the West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory. Many of our teaching staff have made major contributions to the pioneering 100,000 Genomes Project and have the expertise to ensure that the course content remains clinically relevant and up-to-date.

• Our programme has been designed to respond to Health Education England’s initiative to implement genomic medicine training for NHS staff.
• Benefit from the expertise of world-leading University and NHS staff who have made significant contributions to the groundbreaking 100,000 Genomes Project.
• Engage with patient group representatives to understand the impact of genomic medicine from the patient's viewpoint.

The University of Birmingham is accredited by NHS England to offer genomic medicine training through the Genomics Education Programme.

This programme is specifically designed to follow a curriculum set by Health Education England, equipping NHS healthcare professionals with the latest advancements in genomics. Additionally, it's an incredible opportunity for non-NHS students to dive into the fascinating world of medical research and its groundbreaking genomic applications.

This course consists of eight taught modules and a research project. The research project can be either a three-month research project worth 60 credits or a 30-credit literature-based dissertation combined with two additional taught modules.

• Taught modules – these include five core modules and are delivered via lectures, tutorials and workshops.
• Research project – this will be a two month wet lab or bioinformatics project focussing on genomics research or applications of genomics in the clinical domain.
• Assessment methods – these include written essay and short answer question assignments, and presentations.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Full-time

Please contact your department for information about which academic year each module can be taken in.

The Programme is structured such that each student is required to complete 3 Mandatory Core 15 credit modules plus a Research project, which may be 60 or 30 credits. Students must also select three from four Elective Core modules. In addition, they can choose from a number of Optional Modules to tailor the course to their own interests/specialty. When a 30-credit research module is selected there will be a requirement to choose additional optional modules in order to achieve 180 credits for the award of a Master’s. Under exceptional circumstances a student can request to take a core or compulsory module at a different HEE-approved Preferred Provider of the MSc in Genomic Medicine. In such cases, if approved, the fee will be reduced by £1000 per module and the student will take the responsibility to pay the other university the relevant fee.

The following must be taken: 

Students must choose one of the following projects: 

Elective Core Modules: students registered for MSc must take at least 3 of these; they may choose all 4 

Optional Modules

Students taking the 60 credit Research Project should choose ONE or TWO of the following optional modules (to give 180 credits in total).Students taking the 30 credit Research Project MUST take Professional and Research Skills (01 30763), plus TWO or THREE of the following optional modules (to give 180 credits in total). 4: OPTION Where other HEE-approved Preferred Providers of the MSc in Genomic Medicine offer optional (15-credit) modules for their MSc in Genomic Medicine on subjects that do not correspond to modules offered at the University of Birmingham, credit gained on such modules will be accepted towards the MSc, PGDip or PGCert, in place of taking the equivalent credit value of optional modules offered at the University of Birmingham. In such cases the fee will be reduced by £1000 per module and the student will take the responsibility to pay the other university the relevant fee. Additionally, if a student requests (e.g. because of unforeseen change of circumstances) transferring his/her credits gained at the University of Birmingham MSc Genomic Medicine programme towards other HEE-approved Preferred Provider of the MSc in Genomic Medicine it will be made possible.

We encourage applications from NHS staff at all levels of training and will take into account relevant work based experience.

We’ll consider applicants with alternative academic qualifications on the basis of professional qualifications and relevant work experience within the NHS.

For international students there is an English language requirement to have an IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.

If you're made an offer of a place to study and you don't already meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course. If you successfully complete this, you'll be able to fulfil the language requirement without needing to take a further qualification.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.