Cancer MRes
Our course allows you to explore clinical and pathological aspects of cancer.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2025
Overview
Our Cancer MRes is available to graduates with a BSc in the life sciences or other science disciplines. It is also suited to intercalating and qualified MBBS or BDS students. You can take this as a stand-alone qualification or as an entry route onto a PhD or MD.
You'll develop your own bespoke course with our broad range of taught modules. You'll then engage in a 24-week research project in Cancer Research.
Course content changes from time to time to reflect:
- developments in the discipline
- the requirements of external bodies and partners
- student feedback
You may also have opportunities for industry experience and exposure.
Watch our introduction to An International Perspective
The Cancer MRes is closely linked to a suite of MRes courses that you may also be interested in:
- Ageing and Health MRes
- Animal Behaviour MRes
- Biofabricaton and Bioprinting MRes
- Biotechnology and Business Enterprise MRes
- Cardiovascular Science in Health and Disease MRes
- Diabetes MRes
- Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine MRes
- Epidemiology MRes
- Evolution and Human Behaviour MRes
- Human Nutrition MRes
- Immunobiology MRes
- Medical Genetics MRes
- Medical and Molecular Biosciences MRes
- Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine MRes
- Molecular Cell Biology and Cell Signalling in Health and Disease MRes
- Molecular Microbiology MRes
- Neuroscience MRes
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells MRes
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics MRes
- Transplantation MRes
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
You'll study subject-specific content in cancer research. You'll add to these modules from a broad range of complementary options. The subject-specific module covers:
- clinical and pathological aspects of cancer
- molecular mechanisms that establish and promote cancer
- current treatments and how research translates into novel treatments
Your 24-week research project comprises the major element of the course. You'll receive supervision from an expert academic researcher in the field.
Watch our introduction to MRes Research Project
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Cancer Studies | 20 |
MRes Project | 110 |
Research Skills and Principles for the Biosciences | 10 |
Additional optional module information
Surgical Anatomy is only open to intercalating medical students.
Some combinations of modules may not be available due to timetabling constraints. In exceptional circumstances the running of some modules may be determined by student demand.
How you'll learn
You'll be taught using a range of methods, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- group work
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- PC examination
- Practical lab report
- Poster
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Written examination
- Written exercise
You'll have a range of assessments. These will vary depending on the optional modules you choose to study. Assessment methods may include:
- essay
- critical appraisal
- oral presentation
- written examination
- project design
- graphical abstract or a problem-solving exercise
MRes Research Project
You'll choose from projects that relate to your MRes title. Proposals of projects are from academic supervisors within the University.
The 24-week research project will begin in your second semester.
You'll complete guided but independent original research. You'll develop skills in:
- planning
- executing
- recording research
- data interpretation and analysis
You'll complete a written dissertation, lay abstract, oral presentation and poster. The project dissertation and poster will be marked internally and by an expert from another Institution
Previous titles for MRes projects in MRes Cancer have included:
- Use of methylation mapping to identify new therapeutic targets in cancer
- Creating 3D models of liver cancer
At the end of each academic year, we hold an MRes poster presentation evening. You'll showcase your research to your peers and the extended academic community.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Degree Programme Director | Dr Jeremy Brown
Deputy Degree Programme Director | Professor Zofia Chrzanowska-Lightowlers
Deputy Degree Programme Director | Dr Gavin Clowry
Your development
You'll develop a range of research and practical laboratory skills.
Your future
This MRes can be a pathway for a career in scientific research in academia and industry. It is also excellent preparation for a PhD.
Careers
Graduates from the Faculty of Medical Sciences MRes at Newcastle have undertaken a wide range of roles. This includes:
- project manager
- research associate
- associate consultant
- senior analysts
- research scientist
- Marie Curie early stage researcher
- clinical research associate
- medical information and patient safety executive
- medical writer
- medical doctor
- research laboratory technician
- sales representative
- immunology development manager
Watch our introduction to Futures in Research
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You'll work in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. This is part of our city-centre campus.
The Faculty is also home to:
- dentistry
- medicine
- psychology
- pharmacy
It is on the same site as Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital. We are one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.
Our facilities include:
- individual research laboratories where students carry out their projects
- a dedicated medical library with a wide range of specialist books and journals
- hi-tech computer clusters and study spaces
- dedicated facilities for a range of key bioscience applications. This includes flow cytometry, bioinformatics, imaging, genomics and proteomics
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
School of Biomedical, Nutritional, and Sport Science
Email: mres.Admissions@newcastle.ac.uk
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