Fees and funding

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2027, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • Modular (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £1,400 per 15 credits
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £3,700 per 15 credits

Fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs.

Always contact the admissions team if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance. Postgraduate fees information .

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

Funding is available to NHS staff for CPD units.

It is possible to apply for multiple units and combine them for the award of PGCert Genomic Medicine or PGDip Genomic Medicine.

Health Education England (HEE) funding is initially only available for up to four units, but students may apply for further funding once these four units are underway. Further funding will depend on attainment level and availability of funds, which are confirmed by HEE in April of each year.

Please contact pgtaught.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk if you require further details on HEE funding or to enquire about unit dates.

HEE funding details and the application process can be found at Health Education England.

Course unit details:
Molecular Pathology of Cancer

Course unit fact file
Unit code BIOL67482
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Offered by School of Biological Sciences
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

This unit will provide a broad based knowledge of molecular pathology in the context of the pathogenesis of neoplastic diseases, and in the context of routine and emerging diagnostic practice. The lectures will be delivered by a range of clinical and non-clinical academic staff, many of whom are internationally recognised experts in their field.

Aims

To equip students with an advanced knowledge of molecular pathology and an understanding of the application of new technologies in the diagnosis and management of cancer.

Teaching and learning methods

The course contains 18 hours of lectures.

Knowledge and understanding

1. A basic understanding of the control of the cell cycle, cell proliferation and cell death. 

2. An understanding of the definition of malignancy and be able to criticise the definition. 

3. A knowledge of the genetic repair mechanisms.  

4. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis, and how changes within genes of various categories may result in an altered phenotype. 

5. An understanding of the differences between transformation and malignancy. 

6. An understanding of the molecular basis for the known risk factors for tumours, such as viral infections and environmental carcinogens.  

7. A knowledge of familial cancer and its molecular basis.  

8. An understanding of the molecular basis of tumour growth, angiogenesis, tissue invasion and metastasis.  

9. An understanding of tumour classification systems  

10. An understanding of the role of pathology in cancer diagnosis, molecular sub-classification, assessment of aggressiveness (prognosis), and characterisation of metastases  

11. An appreciation that the therapeutic approach to neoplasia is based on an understanding of the differences between normal and malignant cells, the mechanisms of tumour growth and progression, and the host reaction.  

12. An understanding of the importance of sample quality for tumour genomic analysis 

13. An understanding of genomic testing of cell free tumour DNA in blood, for diagnosis and monitoring of solid cancers  

14. An understanding of the role of companion diagnostics  

15. An understanding of the methods available for monitoring disease following treatment (medical, surgical or bone marrow transplant)

Intellectual skills

Students will know how molecular pathology is presently applied to routine clinical diagnostic practice, and gain insight into how neoplastic conditions are investigated at a molecular level, as well as understanding how new technologies are being introduced into diagnostic pathology.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Students will be able to understand how molecular pathology can be applied to clinical care in the context of diagnostic pathology.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 50%
Written assignment (inc essay) 50%
Multiple choice question exam 50% Written assignment (inc essay) 50%

Feedback methods

Formative and summative feedback will be given on the written assignment and the final MCQ exam

Recommended reading

Includes but is not limited to:

 The Biology of Cancer, by Robert Weinberg 2013, published by Garland Science

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 18
Independent study hours
Independent study 132

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Karen Rees-Unwin Unit coordinator
Miriam Smith Unit coordinator

Return to course details

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.