Masters applications for 2023 entry are now closed.
Applications for September 2024 will open on Monday 25 September. Applications are now open for programmes with a January 2024 start. View our programmes »
| UCAS code |
1234 |
| Duration |
1 year full time
2 years part time
3 years part time |
| Entry year |
2024 |
| Campus |
Online
|
| Discipline |
Healthcare and Medicine
|
| Contact |
|
Overview
- Taught by world-leading academics in genomics research, including multifactorial traits, rare disorders, pharmacogenomics and epigenetics.
- Developed by Health Education England and is aligned with their vision to prepare the NHS for the legacy of the 100,000 Genomes Project
- You will have the flexibility to combine modules from the traditional MSc with this fully online version
- You will study a rich curriculum examining theory, research, policy and practice in the field of genomic medicine
- NHS employees in England can apply for funding from NHS England (NHSE; formerly Health Education England) to undertake up to a maximum of four modules (PGCert) in the first instance.
Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading and internationally excellent Clinical Medicine research
Our Public Health research is 11th in the UK for Research Power
Learn from world-leading experts in genomics
Limited number of NHSE funded places for NHS professionals
Entry requirements
Normally a min 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Relevant clinical or professional experience may be taken into consideration as evidence of equivalency. A personal statement, detailing your reasons for seeking to undertake this subject, will be required.
The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.
Please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.
International students are normally subject to visa regulations which prevent part-time study. It is recommended that international students apply for the level of the final award you intend to complete i.e. PGCert, PGDip or Masters, due to the associated cost and requirements for a Tier 4 student Visa.
Accreditation of prior learning for Masters courses in Healthcare and Medicine
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is a process whereby students, who have already gained relevant skills and knowledge prior to the start of their course, may be granted a partial credit exemption from their programme instead of unnecessarily repeating work. Find out more about APL
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
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Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
Enhance learning. Redefine patient care
- Study Genomics fully online with world leading researchers
- Practice in the clinical professions will be transformed by genomic technologies and information within the next decade.
Our innovative fully online programme can be studied either as a full Masters degree, a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip), a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) or individual modules in Genomic Medicine. This online programme has been developed from our successful and well-established MSc Genomic Medicine, as part of the ambitious 100,000 Genomes Project. There is also the flexibility to combine modules from the traditional MSc with this fully online version.
These options for online study are designed to equip you with the skills to succeed in a wide variety of contexts. The modules offer a rich curriculum examining theory, research, policy and practice in the field of genomic medicine, and provide a unique student experience, where you will gain an insight into applying genomic medicine for patient benefit.
View diagram of award structure
Module Delivery dates
View 2022-2023 module delivery dates
View 2023-2024 module delivery dates
Please note: these dates are draft and subject to change.
The last contact day and assessment deadline for the programme will be earlier than the actual end date of your registration with the University, to allow a period of time at the end of your active studies for further support and mitigation, if needed.
Modules
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
The PG Diploma comprises 120 credits made up of any modules of your choice.
The PG Certificate comprises 60 credits made up of any modules of your choice.
Individual modules can also be studied.
Fees
2024/25 entry
Fees are subject to an annual increment each academic year.
UK fees
- MSc: £12,700 full-time; £6,350 pa part-time (2 years); £4,250 pa part-time (3 years)
- PGDip: £3,900pa (2 years)
- PGCert: £4,250 (1 year)
Standalone module fees: UK: £1,200 per 15-credit module
Credit bearing modules: If you opt to take a non-accredited module and wish to then fully accredit this with the University of Exeter, you will need to pass the assessed elements of the course within 6 months of completion and there is an additional £200 accreditation fee.
International fees
- MSc: £29,700 full-time; £14,850 pa part-time (2 years); £9,900 pa part-time (3 years)
- PGDip: £9,900 pa (2 years)
- PGCert: £9,900 (1 year)
Standalone module fees: International £2,700 per 15-credit module
Scholarships
We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students. This includes over £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Selected programmes only. Please see the Terms and Conditions for each scheme for further details.
Funding and Scholarships
UK government postgraduate loan scheme
Postgraduate loans of up to £12,167 are now available for Masters degrees. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.
Funding
There are various funding opportunities available including Global excellence scholarships.
For more information visit our Masters funding page.
Scholarships
Office for Students Data Science Scholarship 2024
Eligible students from under-represented groups in the data science and AI sectors can apply for one of 16 £10,000 grants funded by the Office for Students (OfS) Data Science Scholarship. The scholarships are part of the OfS nationwide drive to expand access to this dynamic sector for women, students of colour, those with disabilities and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Find out more about this scholarship and apply here.
Details of scholarships, including our Global Excellence scholarships for international fee-paying students, can be found on our dedicated funding page.
Funding for NHS professionals
NHS professionals in England can apply for funding from NHS England (NHSE) to undertake modules, up to a maximum of four (postgraduate certificate) in the first instance.
NHSE funding, however, does not guarantee a place on this academic course at the University of Exeter. If you are interested you should apply to the University for either a PGCert or individual standalone modules in the first instance. The university will then notify NHSE of the application, and HEE will then contact you to obtain your job title, organisation and line manager details.
NHSE assess each funding application against two main criteria:
- The individual must be an NHS healthcare professional working in England.
- The individual’s line manager must support the application and provide details of how the qualification aligns to local/regional workforce plans, and how the knowledge gained will be utilised locally/regionally/nationally.
Funding may be available for additional modules following successful completion of a PGCert. More information
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Teaching and research
Our purpose is to deliver transformative education that will help tackle health challenges of national and global importance.
How you will learn
Using a mix of learning formats, our modules each run over an eight week period during which you can work at your own pace. You’ll be learning through an exciting mixture of video, animations, quizzes, tasks and webinars. You will be supported by the module lead, a personal tutor, peer discussion forums and you will have full support from allocated module-specific online tutors.
The online discussion and tutoring discussions are generally divided into three learning blocks and you will complete summative assessment for each module during the 8 weeks of the module.
Teaching
Teaching will be delivered by experts from a range of academic and health care professional backgrounds are chosen to ensure a breadth and depth of perspective, giving a good balance between theories and principles, and practical management advice.
Your online learning is delivered through a virtual learning environment, delivering a library of study materials including virtual patients and independent learning tasks, reference materials and links to online tutorials.
What you will gain
Students who complete the programme will gain an in-depth understanding of the current state of genomics knowledge and how it will bring benefit to patients through improved diagnosis and personalised treatment, and how to disseminate knowledge to peers, patients and the public.
Dr Jess Tyrrell
Programme Director
Dr Victoria Moye
Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
Dr Michael Weedon
Associate Professor
Dr Tom Laver
Lecturer in Diabetes
Dr Jess Tyrrell
Programme Director
Jess is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for MSc Genomic Medicine. Her main research interest involves using genetics to explore causal relationships to improve our understanding of the complex relationship between metabolic health and mental health.
Contact Dr Jess Tyrrell to discuss the academic content of the programme.
For all other questions about the programme, including admission enquiries, start dates and fees, please complete the online enquiry form.
Profile page
Dr Victoria Moye
Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
Vikki is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences. She is the deputy programme lead for the MSc Genomic Medicine and teaches on the Cancer and Pharmacogenomics modules. She is currently a regional Public Engagement Officer for the Royal College of Pathologists helping facilitate public engagement in pathology in the South West.
Vikki is the senior academic tutor for the postgraduate taught programmes in CMH, and is committed to excellent student support.
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Dr Michael Weedon
Associate Professor
Mike is an Associate Professor working on the genetics of diabetes and related traits. He leads the Bioinformatics and Advanced Bioinformatics. His work involves the study of common complex diseases such as Type 2 diabetes using the genome-wide association study method to identify new common genetic variant associations, as well as whole genome sequencing approaches to identify rare mutations causing familial diabetes. He also teaches on the undergraduate BSc Medical Sciences degree.
Profile page
Dr Tom Laver
Lecturer in Diabetes
Tom is a Lecturer in Diabetes and a bioinformatician specialising in analysis of DNA sequencing data. He teaches on the module ‘Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Diseases’. Tom is a member of the monogenic diabetes research group, and his research focuses on using next-generation sequencing data to study the genetic causes of monogenic diabetes and hyperinsulinism.
Profile page
Pre-learning
Before the start of your course please use this material as an introduction to some of the basic concepts in genomics. If there are gaps in your knowledge please use the learning resources provided below.
By the end of this pre-learning you should be able to:
- Describe how the genome is structured and organised; using terms such as DNA, nucleotide, gene and chromosome.
- Explain how the information encoded in DNA is decoded resulting in the production of proteins; using terms such as codon, mRNA, transcription, translation and tRNA.
- Explain how a genetic variant can result in an observable trait; using terms such as gene expression, genotype, mutation, phenotype and protein function.
- Use pedigree charts to deduce common modes of Mendelian inheritance; using terms such as allele, autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, carrier, homozygote and X-linked.
- Appreciate that environmental factors affect gene expression. Terms to be understood here include epigenetics, histone and methylation.
- Understand that common diseases result from a complex interplay involving multiple genes and environmental factors. Terms to be understood here include polygenic and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).
Links and resources
All of these topics will be covered in more depth in the various modules, but you should have broad knowledge of the terms involved. To assist you in reaching these targets the following links and resources should be useful. Numbers in brackets refers to the intended learning outcome (numbered 1-6 above) that the resource will help you to understand.
The Genomics Education Programme, set up by the NHS to educate its staff, provides brief courses in their Genomics 101 collection (duration ~30 min each) that will give you an overview of genomics from a clinical perspective.
To access these courses you will need to register for a free ‘elearning for healthcare’ account. On one of the course pages, select the ‘Sign up for free (NHS and UK universities)' option and register with a personal email account (this will give you access to limited content including the courses listed below).
- Genomics 101: From Genes to Genome. An introduction to DNA, genes, and the structure and function of the genome (1).
- Genomics 101: From Gene to Protein. An introduction to proteins, how they are synthesised, and the influence of genetic variants (2, 3).
- Genomics 101: Inheriting Genomic Information. An explanation of how genetic material is replicated and inherited, and how variants can arise (3).
- Genomics 101: Taking and Drawing a Genetic Family History. An explanation of genetic family histories and how they are recorded (4).
- Not a short course, but you may find that the webpage, How do I draw a family history, and the video, An introduction to genetics pedigrees, help you to interpret pedigree charts, including the use of Roman numerals and numbers to identify individuals within and between generations (4).
- Genomics 101: Dominant, Recessive and Beyond. This course explains how genetic conditions are inherited, and features in a family history that are characteristic of common modes of inheritance (4).
- The glossary compiled by HEE may provide a useful resource to refer to throughout your learning.
yourgenome.org is produced by the Public Engagement team at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge. This website covers everything from basic biology to the complex ethical issues that arise from genome sequencing. Particular recommendations include:
The Genetic Science Learning Center at The University of Utah is an internationally-recognised education program that translates science and health for non-experts. Particular recommendations include:
The DNA Learning Center is part of the world-renowned Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory which has been set up to educate students and non-experts as we enter an era where genetic information is available and plentiful. Particular recommendations include:
FutureLearn offers many Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) generated in partnership with UK universities. Free to sign up to (for time-limited access for 4-5 weeks) and of particular relevance to this course are the following MOOCS:
The course text book, New Clinical Genetics (available online at the library). Using a case-based approach this textbook makes understanding genetics an attractive and stimulating experience.
- Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 11 & 13 will help you in reaching the intended objectives (1-6) for this part of the course. There is also a good glossary at the back of the book. Of course there is a lot of detail in these chapters that will be covered during the course, so don't feel you have to read and understand everything!
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Careers
Who is this course for?
Students who study this programme are likely to be clinical practitioners, diagnostic service providers, scientists, researchers and those aspiring to specialise within an academic career pathway.
Employer-valued skills this course develops
The course is especially designed for healthcare professionals working within the National Health Service, to improve their capabilities and support career progression. It could be similarly beneficial for those working or aspiring to work in other healthcare systems.
Students who complete the programme will gain an in-depth understanding of the current state of genomics knowledge and how it will bring benefit to patients through improved diagnosis and personalised treatment, and how to disseminate knowledge to peers, patients and the public.
Work-based learning
One of the optional modules in this programme allows you to apply the learning from your masters study to your own work place or a work-related project. Through critical analysis you will evaluate current evidence or practice of your own work environment, identify barriers or facilitators to change and provide recommendations to improve care or practice within your area.
Career paths (graduate destinations)
Students who are not healthcare professionals would acquire knowledge, understanding and skills that should help them gain employment or PhD positions especially in the expanding fields of genomics, bioinformatics, or other medically-related research and development in either academia, pharmaceutical or biotech industries.
Careers support
All University of Exeter students have access to Career Zone, which gives access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs
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