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Cancer Sciences

Course details
  • Master of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
University Park Campus

Course summary

Are you passionate about ground-breaking cancer research and the latest developments in cancer sciences? This internationally supported and research-extensive course is designed to give you clinical understanding of the causes of cancer, the molecular basis of new and established cancer treatments, as well as its translation into therapeutics and drug development. You’ll train across areas including cell and molecular biology, immunology, and human physiology.

This Msci programme guarantees a nine-month placement in industry or in a research laboratory during your fourth year. You'll be prepared for a career in cancer-related areas, including research in academia or industry, clinical trials management, science communication and graduate entry medicine, as well as a range of other graduate level careers.

At Nottingham, you’ll be part of ground-breaking cancer research that is the basis for new treatments.

You’ll be supported by internationally recognised researchers and clinicians, and you’ll be equipped with the core scientific skills necessary to progress to specialisms in cancer sciences research, in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, finance and contract research industries, as well as in academic cancer research.

Why choose this course?

  • Take part in ground-breaking research looking at the causes of cancer, cancer detection, existing and new cancer treatments and drug development.

  • Gain practical experience in a research lab during the summer by applying for a studentship opportunity.

  • Opportunities to work within research groups including the Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre and the Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre.

  • We’re a top 20 UK and top 100 world university (QS World University Rankings 2026).

  • 95% of School of Medicine undergraduates secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).

Choosing the BSc or the MSci
Choose to study either our four-year Cancer Sciences MSci or our three-year Cancer Sciences BSc. The BSc course offers you the same course content, just without the placement. MSci students can transfer to the BSc during their studies.

Modules

Assessment method

For detailed information about the course assessment methods please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Cancer-Sciences-MSci-Hons.html

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
B130
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAA

A levels to include at least two science subjects, one of which must be Biology / Human Biology or Chemistry. A pass is required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately.

Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

We do not accept General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies or Global Perspectives as your third A level.

T Level
D

This qualification is considered on an individual basis. Please contact the University for more information.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAABB

Plus AA in Advanced Highers including two sciences, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry.

Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 36 Merit: 9

This qualification is considered on an individual basis. Please contact the University for more information.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Grade C (4) in English Language and maths.

Scottish Advanced Higher
AA

including two sciences, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry. Scottish Highers are also required at AAABB.

Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
D

Can consider alongside 2 A Levels at AA. This qualification is considered on an individual basis. Please contact the University for more information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D*D

Can consider alongside an A Level at grade A. This qualification is considered on an individual basis. Please contact the University for more information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 34

OR 6, 6, 5 in three Higher Level certificates including HL6, HL6 in Biology or Chemistry and a second science in any order

Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
A

Accepted as a third A-level in addition to two A-levels at AA in two science subjects, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry.

Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D*DD

This qualification is considered on an individual basis. Please contact the University for more information.

Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.

Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
TOEFL (iBT)87A minimum of 20 in speaking and 19 in other elements is required.
IELTS (Academic)6.5(no less than 6.0 in any element) As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

International entry requirements

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU & InternationalTBC
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202627/undergraduate.aspx

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