Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year
MSc Immunology
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Immunology | Programme code | PTS1BIOBIO13 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Academic year | 2025/6 | |
| Campus(es) | St Luke's (Exeter) Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
Immunology is a central component of medical science. Vaccination, the most important of all medical breakthroughs, is founded on manipulation of our immune system. Inappropriate immune responses contribute to nearly all pathology. Immunology is also foundational to many biomedical diagnostics platforms and is increasingly providing and informing ground-breaking new therapies against previously hard to treat diseases including cancer, autoimmunity and allergy.
The MSc Immunology will provide you with an advanced subject understanding and research skill set from taught modules and laboratory and professional skills. You will develop practical and theoretical immunology expertise through a blend of direct instruction leading up to a significant research project where you will integrate into an active research team.
You will take taught modules related to immunology, a practical training module, a generic professional skills module. You then will then apply skills acquired from this training to your research project.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
1. Provide you with the knowledge and understanding of immunology at the frontiers of the subject.
2. Provide you with the digital, computational, statistical, translational, entrepreneurship and commercial skills to prepare you for employment in the Life Sciences sector and for autonomous lifelong learning.
3. Enable you to experience a supportive learning environment that fosters your academic and personal development.
4. Enable you to think critically, evaluate evidence, analyse, challenge, solve problems, work collaboratively, and communicate effectively.
The educational aims of the programme are to:
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
Stage 1
Stage 1: 180 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM509 | Professional Skills | 15 | No |
| BIOM515 | Cellular Basis of Immunity | 15 | No |
| BIOM109 | Practical Immunology | 30 | Yes |
| BIOM110 | Immunology of Infection | 15 | No |
| HPDM193 | Advanced Immunopathology | 15 | No |
| BIOM111 | Research Project | 90 | Yes |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Acquire knowledge that will allow you to explain systematically current problems and/or new insights in Immunology. | Taught lectures Laboratory work/training Data analysis Guided reading of literature, literature research and revision Design and Implementation of research project | The programme uses a diversity of assessment methods such as: Essay/report Oral presentation Short answer and multiple choice tests (MCQ) Literature Review Project report Grant proposal Poster presentation Practical work and reports Quantitative (numerical) problems |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Collate and synthesise information from multiple sources | Taught lectures Laboratory work/training Data analysis Guided reading of literature, literature research and revision Design and Implementation of research project | Essay/report Oral presentation Short answer and multiple-choice tests (MCQ) Literature Review Project report Grant proposal Poster presentation Practical work and reports Quantitative (numerical) problems |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Solve problems by the application of appropriate scientific principles and methods | Taught lectures Laboratory work/training Data analysis Guided reading of literature, literature research and revision Design and Implementation of research project | Essay/report Oral presentation Short answer and multiple choice tests (MCQ) Literature Review Project report Grant proposal Poster presentation Practical work and reports Quantitative (numerical) problems |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
The Department of Biosciences offers you regular meetings with your personal tutor and your project supervisor. Your personal tutor will provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme, supporting your academic and personal development and providing you with pastoral support as required (e.g. relating to accommodation, financial difficulties, wellbeing and sickness). Your project supervisor will provide you with tailored support throughout the duration of your research project. In addition, you can expect reasonable access to all other teaching staff through appointments, whilst the Programme Director in Biosciences will act as your first point of contact for programme-related queries.
Learning resources: The Immunology website includes the student handbook, and in addition each module will be supported electronically through the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) where lecture notes, reading lists and assessment details will be provided. You will also be able to follow your record of achievement through the student record tab on the MyExeter student portal.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
Not applicable to this programme.
18. Final Award
MSc Immunology
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 27/02/2025 |
Date of last revision |
|---|
