Cancer Biology (Cancer Innovation)
Learn to tackle biological and medical challenges in cancer, with a focus on translating cutting edge bio- and deep-tech research from concept to application.
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Fees
Course fees and funding
Delivered by
Location
-
Hammersmith
-
Minimum entry standard
2:1 in Science, Engineering, Biomedical Science or Medicine.
Course overview
Develop skills across disciplines to further your proficiency of experimental and computational research, and push forward research in cancer biology.
In this Cancer Innovation stream, you will focus on the development of novel, innovative approaches to biological and medical problems in cancer. Blended learning with demonstrations and workshops will train you in the translation of biotechnology platforms, from concept to realisation and onward to application in the clinical/commercial environment.
You will learn the skills to critically analyse current literature and performance data. Beyond this, you’ll be trained to communicate technological concepts to both scientific and commercial audiences, as well as to patients themselves.
This research-oriented course offers students the opportunity to conduct an innovative 10-month research project. These can be wet-lab/dry lab projects or original research and analysis.
You will be trained in the cellular and molecular basis of cancer biology, as well as receiving an introduction to the clinical and pathological aspects of carcinogenesis and treatment.
On completing this course, you will be ready to continue a career in groundbreaking research or pursue varied career paths where an advanced knowledge and understanding of cancer research is highly sought after.
MRes Cancer Biology streams
This course is one of three MRes Cancer Biology streams available at 海角社区. You may wish to consider other streams depending on your interests.
- Cancer Biology focuses on wet lab skills, data analysis, and communicating science to expert and lay audiences.
- Cancer Informatics focuses on computational and artificial intelligence techniques, ethics, and communicating science to expert and lay audiences.
- Cancer Innovation (this stream) focuses on the development and translation of bio- and deep-tech platforms from concept to realisation and onward to application and communication to scientific and commercial audiences.
This course page was previously titled "Cancer Innovation MRes". It has been relabelled for clarity to show that this is a stream of our Cancer Biology course. When applying via our My Imperiaapplication system, please apply to "Cancer Biology (Cancer Innovation)", which is the title of the MRes degree you will be working towards.
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Inside 海角社区鈥檚 MRes in Cancer Innovation
Learn about the unique research skills you'll gain and real-world applications of the Cancer Innovation stream of MRes Cancer Biology
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You鈥檒l take all of these core modules.
Core modules
Learn the cellular and molecular basis of cancer processes and hallmarks, together with clinical and pathological aspects of carcinogenesis and treatment.
Learn through demonstrations and workshops to train students in the translation of a biotechnology platform from concept to realization and onward to application in the clinical/commercial environment.
This includes critical analysis of current literature and performance data and the communication of technology concepts to both scientific and commercial audiences. It will also include a business concept presentation.
Conduct an innovative 10-month research project, with wet-lab/dry lab projects undertaken primarily at 海角社区.
Some opportunities will be available for projects that collaborate with industry and at other organisations such as the Bart鈥檚 Cancer Institute, the Francis Crick Institute, GlaxoSmithKline, the Institute of Cancer Research, and the Medical Research Council.
You'll be expected to produce a persuasive and logical experimental study proposal based upon contemporary research.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
-
Lectures
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Technical workshops
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Tutorials
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Seminars
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Student-led presentations
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Modules
- Project
- 10% Title 1 goes here
- 90% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Presentations
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Literature review
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Poster presentation
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Projects (thesis and oral assessment)
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Oral assessment
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Mock grant proposal
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Discover our MRes Cancer Innovation's Advance Hackspace Assignment
Learn about the practical skills you will develop as part of the MRes Cancer Innovation's Advance Hackspace Assignment
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 2 closes on Wednesday 6 January 2027
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
This is a stream in our Cancer Biology course. When applying via our My Imperiaapplication portal, you should select the correct stream you wish to apply for, at the start of the process.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to ImperiaBusiness School
- £125 for MSc applications to ImperiaBusiness School
- £150 for MBA applications to ImperiaBusiness School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Home fee - Cancer Biology streams
2027 entry
拢18,900
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee - Cancer Biology streams
2027 entry
拢49,650
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsImperiaInspires Scholarships (Postgraduate taught)
Value per award
- 拢15,000
Who it's for
-
Overseas students
How will studying at Imperiahelp my career?
Graduates of our faculty of medicine courses go on to succeed in a wide range of sectors. These include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, government, charities and NGOs, consultancy, technology, research and development, education.
Who do our graduates work for?
Our faculty of鈥痬edicine graduates have worked for companies including Cancer Research, NHS, Department of Health and Social Care, Costello Medical, Medpace, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Oxford Genetics, Wellcome Stranger Institute.
What jobs do our graduates do?
Data analyst, Policy advisor, Trainee Patent Attorney, Project Manager, Medical Affairs Writer, Associate Scientist, Regulatory advisor, Healthcare Consultant.
What about further study?
PhD at leading institutions worldwide.
What careers support does Imperiaoffer?
Our Careers Service can support you as you consider your next steps. You can access one-to-one guidance, workshops, employer events and online resources to help you explore your options and plan your career.
Further links
Contact the department
Course Director:
Deputy Course Director:
Stream Director:
Visit the Department of Surgery and Cancer website
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Register your interest
Stay up to date on news, events, scholarship opportunities and information related to this course.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at 海角社区.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to 海角社区. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications