University of Sheffield
Designed in collaboration with the NHS: Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics Service, this course is for students who are fascinated by medical genetics.
Through theoretical and hands-on practical skills training you’ll explore human genetics and develop an understanding of how human genetic diseases are diagnosed clinically at the chromosome and DNA levels. You’ll also have opportunities to explore the wider implications of genetics in fields such as genomics, human fertility, stem cells and cancer biology.
As part of your course, we’ll train you in a wide range of exciting, modern laboratory techniques, including CRISPR genome editing, molecular cloning, organism handling, DNA sequence analysis, PCR, SDS-PAGE and western blotting.
The biggest part of your course is the medical genetics laboratory project. Here you’ll spend up to six months undertaking extensive training in advanced laboratory techniques such as human cell culture, microscopy, cytogenetics and qPCR and applying this knowledge to the study and diagnosis of human genetic diseases.
NHS placements
There are opportunities to participate in NHS placements via our collaboration with the Julia Garnham Centre based in the School of Biosciences. The centre provides students with essential experience and training in genetic analysis, upskilling the next generation of genomic scientists and technologists.
After initial training, placement students will work under the supervision of NHS Geneticists from the Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust to prepare cases for NHS Healthcare Scientists to analyse.
Entry requirements
- You need to have successfully completed at least three years of your current Medicine course before the start date of the intercalated masters degree
- You need to have a three year average GPA of 4.0 out of 5.0 (where your course is graded differently we will consider equivalent grades)
- If your GPA (or equivalent) is lower, we may still consider your application subject to successfully completing an interview
- If you are an international student, you must also meet the course english language requirements as specified in the prospectus.
As an external student, please ensure you are eligible to be released for an intercalated masters degree by your university. Timelines and processes will vary by university.
Closing date
Most of our courses will accept applications up to May each year for intercalating students. This will vary depending on your circumstances and the capacity on our courses, therefore the sooner you apply, the sooner you could secure a place. You should also factor in any internal deadlines or processes with your university to confirm that you can be released to take an intercalated masters degree.