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Cancer Drug Discovery

MSc

Duration
Start date
Location

Suitable for applications.

Overview

Exciting new opportunities for chemical intervention in disease have emerged based on a greater understanding of the molecular aspects of disease progression. Drug discovery combines the expertise of medicinal chemists required in translating the understanding of the molecular aspects of disease progression to the identification of suitable chemical entities, and the process of optimisation that ultimately leads to the discovery of new medicines.

This exciting course run by the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics is designed to provide you with a 'state-of-the-art' education in modern drug discovery, which meets the demand of employers in the pharmaceutical industry.

Opportunities to learn the latest innovations in drug discovery are provided, including computer-aided drug design and techniques in parallel synthesis, as well as electronic data management.

Entry requirements

To be admitted to the programme, applicants must have an undergraduate Honours qualification (minimum 2: 2) or equivalent in a scientific discipline, usually within chemistry, biology, pharmacy, biomedicine, or related fields. Candidates who do not meet these entry criteria but who can show relevant experience may also be considered.

For North American students a GPA of normally 2.0 and above (on a scale of 4.0), or an equivalent, is required.

A levels

Entry to this programme requires a pass at A-level Chemistry OR having taken an undergraduate module in a relevant chemical subject.

English language requirements

If your native language is not English, or the official language of your first degree is not English, you will need to pass a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The International English Language Testing System test (IELTS) administered by the British Council is the test which is preferred by the University.

You will need to achieve an overall score of at least 6.0, with at least 5.5 in each of the four sub-tests (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Testing facilities are available at most British Council overseas offices. When you take the test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.

Teaching, learning and assessment

A wide variety of teaching methods appropriate to the learning outcomes of the individual modules are employed throughout the programme, and are supported by the virtual learning environment provided by the University.

You will experience lectures from ICT research/teaching staff and visiting clinicians and industrial researchers, small group workshops, one-to-one tutorials and practical classes. You will also attend the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics Research Seminar programme.

Self-directed independent learning forms a significant component at MSc level; you will be supported to develop the attributes and skills needed for life-long learning and continued professional development. Directed private study will involve a variety of activities, which include directed reading of selected textbooks and specified source literature, use of the virtual learning environment (directed web-based materials), report writing, preparing presentations to deliver to peers, and other assignments.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2025

  • Home: £9,698
  • International: £25,389

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs.
You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

The largest destination of our graduates is enrolment in PhD studies (47%) including here at Bradford, as well as King’s College London, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Sheffield.

Career destinations of our graduates includes the NHS, Covance, Envigo, St James Hospital Leeds, Cyprotex, Chiltern, Perrigo, Dewsbury & District Hospital, Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, and Public Health England.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Study support

Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally.

We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment.

Our support services include:

  • personal tutors
  • Disability Service
  • Counselling Service
  • MyBradford student support centres
  • Students’ Union
  • Chaplaincy and faith advisers
  • on-campus nursery
  • Halls wardens

We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus.

Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills, and our Career and Employability Services can help you develop your employability skills and help you find local part-time work during your studies.

Our support doesn’t end once you graduate – we maintain contact with tens of thousands of graduates, organising reunions, networking opportunities and developing overseas branches. You’ll be a lifelong member of the University of Bradford community – Team Bradford.

Research

The course provides an expert view of the use of recent knowledge and up-to-the minute specialised approaches to discover novel drugs to help fight disease and increase the quality of life for patients.

It benefits from the multidisciplinary team of researchers in the field of drug design, synthesis, screening, pharmacology and toxicology both at the University and through our extensive links with experts at other universities and industry.

Students on the course will also benefit from working in excellent research laboratories in a research focused environment.

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.