Medical Genetics and Genomics
MSc or PGDip or PGCert
Key facts
Start dates
September 2023 / September 2024
Location
Course length
Full time: 12 months
Part time: up to 36 months for all awards
Overview
Our MSc / PGDip / PGCert Medical Genetics and Genomics course is for graduates aiming for careers in the medical biotechnology, pharma and genomics sectors. As well as for those progressing to research degrees.
With the increase in number of individual genomes being sequenced, this is one of the fastest growing areas of biomedical science.
You will join a new generation of scientists able to combine genetics and bioinformatics to:
- understand how genomic changes cause diseases such as cancer
- enable the development of novel treatments through drugs, gene therapy and prevention strategies.
Your projects can be linked with specific workplace needs and interests. You can complete these either at Oxford Brookes or within other genomic laboratories with our supervision. You will develop your transferable skills, particularly in communication, organisation and research planning. These skills will assist you when carrying out your research project.

How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
You should normally hold a UK honours degree at 2.2. or above in the Life Sciences field, OR equivalent overseas degree from a recognised institution in Life Sciences.
Other qualifications may be considered under exceptional circumstances when accompanied by highly relevant professional experience.
You will need to be proficient in the use of internet-based resources and other interactive technologies. You should have reliable and stable access to the Internet.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 (with 6.5 in Reading and Writing, and 6.0 in Listening and Speaking) is required.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Application process
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year your fees will increase each year.
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Learning and assessment
This is a 12 month, full-time course (with part-time places available).
The following options are available:
- MSc either on a full or part time basis - 180 credits. Individual CPD modules are included
- Postgraduate Diploma - 120 credits
- Postgraduate Certificate - 60 credits.
The modules are listed below.

Study modules
The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Throughout the course you will learn skills that are essential for quality outcomes for genomic medicine in practice. This will culminate in the research project, which will enable you to:
- undertake research
- evaluate new findings to implement in patient diagnosis, treatment and care
- carry out problem-based learning
- carry out work-based learning
- develop inter-professional learning for working in specialist and interdisciplinary teams.
A key outcome of the course is the development of skills in bioinformatics and use of genomic data. So the course includes a large proportion of hands on experience.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
You will be assessed through a variety of methods during the course. These are based on your learning needs, individual aims and the academic standards expected for the course. And includes access to state-of-art learning technologies via our Moodle platform.
You will have support from your tutors. They have reputations for excellence and have established links with colleagues, organisations and institutions at national and international levels.
Research
Our lecturers conduct first-class research. In the Research Excellence Framework 2014, 80% of our impact was rated 3* or 4*.

After you graduate
Career prospects
Careers
- research degree/ PhD
- pharmaceutical industry
- biomedical industry
- NHS scientist
- medical research
- academia.
Our Staff
Dr Dianne Newbury
I am a Senior Lecturer on the MSc Medical Genetics and Genomics programme and I am principal investigator of a research lab in the Department of Health and Life Sciences.
Read more about DianneProgramme Changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.