City, St George’s University of London (Tooting Campus).
Learn how genomics can help understand and diagnose diseases, personalise treatment and improve health outcomes.
Every individual is unique – our genomes and the way they respond to disease and infection is different. By understanding what’s going on in our bodies, we can work towards a future where healthcare is personalised, and patients’ needs are targeted more effectively. Genomics is evolving rapidly and making an impact across oncology, pharmacology, cardiovascular disease and neuroscience.
This course is jointly taught with King’s College London and follows a curriculum designed by NHS England. This means you’ll have access to extensive expertise in areas like bioinformatics and cardiovascular genomics. Both institutions are also part of the South East Genomic Laboratory Hub. This is one of the largest providers of genomic testing in the UK and a national centre for specialist testing for haematology, respiratory, skin conditions, and more.
We’ve designed this course to introduce the key areas of genomics. You’ll also gain an understanding of disease genetics and how genomic medicine can explain disease mechanisms and biology.
You’ll examine the range of ‘omic’ technologies, their interpretation and application in key areas such as cancer, rare inherited diseases and infectious diseases, as well as research.
Nowadays bioinformatics and data interpretation are playing a crucial role in genomics. In our programme, we’ll make sure that you learn the skills to critically interpret existing research, as well as collect, analyse and interpret your own data using different techniques.
We share our site with one of the UK’s largest teaching hospitals giving you the chance to learn in a busy healthcare environment. Most of our teaching staff have previously worked in genomics across a range of specialist areas, so you will learn from academics, researchers and clinicians with real on-the-job experience.
We use a patient-centred approach in our education. We invite representatives from patient groups or someone who has been through a genetic process to share their experience and what it meant to them.
Careers
Genomics is an area of rapid change, with a particular skills shortage in bioinformatics. We’ve designed this course for recent graduates and healthcare professionals who want to specialise in this field and master genomic technologies for their role. You might be a researcher or work as a diagnostic and healthcare professional.
Our graduates have gone on to work in clinical diagnostics, clinical trials, the NHS Scientist Training Programme, bioinformatics, and laboratory research. Others have continued to study further postgraduate programmes or a PhD.
Entry requirements
Students must have the equivalent of a bachelor degree to intercalate a Master’s. This will usually require you to have a BSc degree or have completed the first three years of your medical programme.
Closing date
Applications typically open in November and close in July. Early applications are recommended.