Teaching methods
- Case-based learning
- eLearning
- Lab sessions
- Lectures
- Practical classes
- Problem-based learning
- Self-study
- Seminars
- Small group learning
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Medical School Queens Medical Centre, University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK
Qualification | Entry Requirements | Start Date | UCAS code | Duration | Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSc Hons | ABB | September 2024 | B131 | 3 years full-time | £9,250 per year |
Qualification | Entry Requirements | Start Date | UCAS code | Duration | Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSc Hons | ABB | September 2024 | B131 | 3 years full-time | £9,250 per year |
32 with 6, 5, 5 at Higher Level including two science subjects, one of which must be biology or chemistry.
6.5 (no less than 6.0 in each 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.
Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country
Must include two science subjects, one of which must be biology or chemistry.
A pass is normally required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately.
We will not accept citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies, or global perspectives as your third A.
NA
Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.
We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.
Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.
We recognise the potential of talented students from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement at school or college. These offers are usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Cancer Sciences is one of the progression pathways for our Science with a Foundation Year course.
In order to progress on to the course you will be required to achieve the following scores:
At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.
International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.
NA
Must include two science subjects, one of which must be biology or chemistry.
A pass is normally required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately.
We will not accept citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies, or global perspectives as your third A.
NA
32 with 6, 5, 5 at Higher Level including two science subjects, one of which must be biology or chemistry.
Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.
We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.
Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.
We recognise the potential of talented students from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement at school or college. These offers are usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Cancer Sciences is one of the progression pathways for our Science with a Foundation Year course.
In order to progress on to the course you will be required to achieve the following scores:
At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.
NA
While there are no set placements on this course, there is an opportunity for you to apply for one of our studentships. These studentships allow you to join research labs during the summer vacation to gain real hands-on experience of research work in industry.
While there are no set placements on this course, there is an opportunity for you to apply for one of our studentships. These studentships allow you to join research labs during the summer vacation to gain real hands-on experience of research work in industry.
*For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .
As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses such as travel and accommodation.
You should be able to access most of the books you'll need for the course through our libraries, however you may wish to buy your own copies or get more specific titles which may cost up to £80 each.
International students
We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.
We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.
*For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .
As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses such as travel and accommodation.
You should be able to access most of the books you'll need for the course through our libraries, however you may wish to buy your own copies or get more specific titles which may cost up to £80 each.
Home students*
Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.
* A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.
Cancer drug development is a long and expensive process that provides many employment opportunities. It is imperative that there are trained specialists who can tackle the complexities of this ever-evolving set of diseases.
Are you ready to join them?
Gain a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of cancer sciences. From its basic scientific principles through to translation into therapeutics and drug development. Our Cancer Sciences BSc will give you training in the biomedical sciences in areas such as cell and molecular biology, immunology, and human physiology.
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. You will also be well placed for opportunities in the management, regulation, and exploitation of research and Graduate Entry Medicine or other related fields.
At Nottingham, you’ll be part of ground-breaking cancer research that is the basis for new treatments.
Cancer drug development is a long and expensive process that provides many employment opportunities. It is imperative that there are trained specialists who can tackle the complexities of this ever-evolving set of diseases.
Are you ready to join them?
Gain a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of cancer sciences. From its basic scientific principles through to translation into therapeutics and drug development. Our Cancer Sciences BSc will give you training in the biomedical sciences in areas such as cell and molecular biology, immunology, and human physiology.
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. You will also be well placed for opportunities in the management, regulation, and exploitation of research and Graduate Entry Medicine or other related fields.
At Nottingham, you’ll be part of ground-breaking cancer research that is the basis for new treatments.
Choosing the BSc or the MSci
Choose to study either our three-year Cancer Sciences BSc or our four-year Cancer Sciences MSci. The integrated MSci course gives you a guaranteed nine-month placement in industry or in a research laboratory. This placement can be in the UK or abroad.
BSc students can transfer to the MSci at the end of their second year if they are meeting the entry requirements and a placement is available (although this is not guaranteed).
Equally, students on the MSci can transfer to the BSc course.
Why choose this course?
Important Information
This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.
Mandatory
Year 1
Causes and consequences of cancer
Mandatory
Year 1
Genes, Molecules and Cells
Mandatory
Year 1
Hallmarks of Cancer
Mandatory
Year 1
Human Physiology
Optional
Year 1
Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
Optional
Year 1
Fundamentals of Neuroscience
Optional
Year 1
Life on Earth
Mandatory
Year 2
Angiogenesis and Tumour-Host Interactions
Mandatory
Year 2
Cancer Cell Genetics
Mandatory
Year 2
Colorectal Cancer and Ovarian Cancer
Mandatory
Year 2
Epidemiology of Cancer and Population Genetics
Mandatory
Year 2
Lung Cancer and Breast Cancer
Mandatory
Year 2
Patient-centred Library Project
Mandatory
Year 3
Patient Portfolio
Mandatory
Year 3
Practical Project
Optional
Year 3
Cancer Biology and Molecular Therapeutics
Optional
Year 3
Cancer Immunology and Novel Therapies
Optional
Year 3
Paediatric Cancer
Optional
Year 3
Tumour Microenvironment
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. This content was last updated on Wednesday 1 March 2023.
What is cancer? This module aims to build your foundational knowledge of the causes of cancer, as well as cancer diagnosis and treatment and the epidemiology of cancer. You’ll examine what happens when someone gets cancer, from detection, through diagnosis, treatment, recovery and survivorship.
This module combines lectures and laboratory classes and introduces you to the structure and function of significant molecules in cells, and the important metabolic processes which occur inside them. You will study, amongst other topics, protein and enzyme structure and function, the biosynthesis of cell components, and the role of cell membranes in barrier and transport processes. You'll examine how information in DNA is used to determine the structure of gene products. Topics include DNA structure, transcription and translation and mutation and recombinant DNA technology.
A study of the ten fundamental processes that make cancers form, grow, invade and spread.
In this module, you will be introduced to the physiology of major systems such as cardiovascular, nervous, and musculoskeletal, including some aspects of drug action. This module will allow you to understand your biochemical and genetics knowledge in the context of the intact organism. This module includes lectures and laboratory classes.
Starting with Darwin’s theory of evolution, you will learn how natural selection and other evolutionary forces have shaped the ways in which organisms interact with each other and their environment. In addition to lectures, practical classes will give you hands-on experience with a range of ecological and behavioural concepts in the laboratory and the field.
This module will give you a good grounding in the basic principles of the nervous system of humans and other animals. Topics will include neuroanatomy, cellular neuroscience, neuropharmacology, sensory systems, neuroendocrinology, memory, behavioural neuroscience and diseases of the nervous system. These will be delivered through weekly lectures and practical classes.
Life on Earth provides an introduction to the fundamental characteristics and properties of the myriad of organisms which inhabit our planet, from viruses, bacteria and Archaea, to plants and animals. In weekly lectures, and regular laboratory practical classes, you will consider how living organisms are classified, how they are related genetically and phylogenetically, and basic aspects of their structure and function.
This module looks at angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, and how the blood supply and immune system interact when there is a tumour present. You’ll examine the process of neo-angiogenesis in tumour biology and the approaches that have been used to target this process. You’ll study how cancers interact with their host, co-opt and corrupt normal cell processes, and evade detection by the immune system.
Understand what causes genetic changes in cancer cells and the evolution of the cancer cell genome during cancer progression. This module will examine the tools that are used to study the cancer cell genome, epigenome, and transcriptome and how these tools can guide precision medicine.
This module examines how DNA damage can be repaired and the importance of this in tumorigenesis. You’ll also examine cancer progression, invasion and metastasis with colorectal cancer as a focus of study. As well as drug resistance with ovarian cancer as a focus of study.
This module looks at the ways we study the incidence of cancer in specific populations and areas, and how we determine the causes and risk factors associated with cancer. You’ll explore the global cancer burden and the regional variations in cancer incidence and cancer risk factors. As well as the methods used to address cancer prevention, and the importance of public health policy in cancer prevention.
This module studies two of the most common cancers. You’ll examine tobacco-induced mutations in the lung and the role of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes in this disease.
You will gain an understanding of growth factor signalling in breast cancer, treatment and the evolution of drug resistance and examine the importance of hormones and the role of oestrogen and the use of anti-oestrogens. All the while comparing breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Find out what happens to someone when they get cancer, the journey they go through, and what doctors, nurses, scientists and other health care professionals do to treat the patient.
Take an in-depth look at the patient’s journey with cancer. From discovery to treatment, recovery and/or palliative care. Through an in-depth case study, you’ll build knowledge of the skills needed to be able to diagnose, and identify treatment options and you’ll see the importance of clinical trials and evidence-based medicine.
This module provides you with hands-on experience of research in cancer sciences and develops the practical skills required to conduct a research project. You’ll design, plan, and perform a research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor. As part of the project, you will:
Building on the skills you gained in Year two, this module continues to analyse cancer biology and molecular therapeutics. You’ll do this by examining emerging research in the field focusing on areas including cell cycle control and growth factor biology. Cancer Immunology and Novel Therapies
What makes a cancer evade the immune system, and how can this be overcome? You'll look at the latest drugs that harness the body’s own defences to fight cancer.
What makes a cancer evade the immune system, and how can this be overcome. A look at the latest drugs that harness the body’s own defences to fight cancer.
This module examines the spectrum of cancers that occur in childhood and assesses how these differ from adult cancers. The focus of the module is to analyse the effects of treatments and see how they can impact survivors for the rest of their lives.
This module explores the tumour microenvironment. You’ll examine the components of the tumour microenvironment that influence cancer cell behaviours (proliferation, invasiveness, drug resistance), the mechanisms underlying these influences, and opportunities for new drug treatments.
You'll have around 10 hours of contact time per week covering lectures, practicals, workshops, tutorials and seminars.
You're expected to spend around 20 to 30 hours per week on self-study.
Class sizes are two to three for personal tutorials, around 20 to 60 for seminars and workshops, and between 30 and 300 for lectures depending on the module.
Studying Cancer Sciences at Nottingham gives you the perfect grounding to pursue further research through studying a masters or a PhD.
The course also provides you with broader knowledge of biochemistry, immunology, genetics, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and more. These skills could lead you into jobs in biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries, and other biomedical areas.
96.6% of undergraduates from the School of Medicine secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £33,695.*
*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.
Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.
Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.
Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.
The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).
Our Medical School is based in Queen’s Medical Centre, one of the UK’s largest hospitals. There are dedicated clinical skills facilities including a dissection suite and teaching laboratories for medicine and healthcare students.
I wanted to come here because this was the first course of its kind. Since our first lecture, it’s been so focused and we’re learning so much about cancer. The foundation that Nottingham provide to go into cancer research is really good. They’re giving us all of the knowledge we need for the future. "
Aruba Farooq
Cancer Sciences student
Faculty of Science
3 years full-time
Qualification
BSc Hons
Entry requirements
ABB
UCAS code
B313
Faculty of Science
4 Years full-time
Qualification
MSci Hons
Entry requirements
AAB
UCAS code
B23B
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