![Cancer therapy](http://contentlibrary.manchester.ac.uk/_coursemarketing/UMANC/2024/427/21394/U_Cancer.jpg)
Overview
- Degree awarded
- Master of Science
- Duration
- MSc:1yr FT, 2yr PT; PGDip: 9m FT; PGCert: 9m FT
- Entry requirements
-
We require an honours degree (minimum Upper Second class) or overseas equivalent in:
- physics
- related subject
- How to apply
Please apply via our online application form. See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications earlier if the course is full.
Course options
Full-time | Part-time | Full-time distance learning | Part-time distance learning | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Y | Y | N | N |
PGDip | Y | N | N | N |
PGCert | Y | N | N | N |
Course overview
- Develop the skills and knowledge needed for a career in cancer research and medical physics.
- Learn from academics and clinical scientists in a range of fields, including physics, engineering, biology and oncology.
- Access MR-Linac and proton therapy research facilities at The Christie to undertake unique research projects unavailable anywhere else in the UK and most of the world.
- Learn key skills in data science and AI applied to medical physics in cancer research.
Are you an international student considering a master’s before progressing onto a self-funded PhD? Learn more about applying for our Integrated PhD programme .
Open days
Join our academic team on 22 July, 10am-11.00am to find out about master’s in oncology at Manchester. The programme leads will explain the courses structure, entry requirements as well as the possible career routes after completing the course. Book your place here .
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:
-
MSc (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £13,000
International, including EU, students (per annum): £32,000 -
MSc (part-time)
UK students (per annum): £6,500
International, including EU, students (per annum): £16,000 -
PGDip (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £10,400
International, including EU, students (per annum): £25,600 -
PGCert (full-time)
UK students (per annum): £5,200
International, including EU, students (per annum): £12,800
Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.
The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.
All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for international students for the course duration at the year of entry).
For general fees information, please visit postgraduate fees.
Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.
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
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 543 4695
- pgtaught.medicine@manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty
-
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Entry requirements
Academic entry qualification overview
We require an honours degree (minimum Upper Second class) or overseas equivalent in:
- physics
- related subject
English language
International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system.
We ask for English language proof if you are from non-majority English speaking countries (a list of majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found at GOV.UK ).
Specifically, we require a minimum of:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.
- TOEFL: 90 internet-based (with 22 in all components).
See further information about requirements for your country.
We may also accept evidence of a confirmed place on a University Pre-sessional English language course, if your current IELTS scores are:
- Minimum 6.0 overall (with no skill less than 5.5) plus enrolment and attendance on the 6-week pre-sessional course (PS6).
- Minimum 5.5 overall (with no skill less than 5.5) plus enrolment and attendance on the 10-week pre-sessional course (PS10).
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
Please apply via our online application form. See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications earlier if the course is full.
Advice to applicants
Your application form must have the following supporting documents:
- up-to-date Curriculum Vitae and supporting cover letter;
- official degree certificates (with translations if not in English);
- official academic transcripts of previous study showing the subjects taken and grades obtained (with translations if not in English);
- one academic/professional reference will be sought. You will be required to provide contact details for one referee when completing your application form;
- proof of English Language certification (if appropriate).
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
CAS Information
Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.
For CAS purposes, you will be asked to upload a copy of your current valid passport showing the photograph page. This must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.
You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course, the Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.
Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.
Re-applications
If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful, you may apply again.
Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.
We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.
Course details
Course description
Our MSc in Medical Physics in Cancer Radiation Therapy is ideal if you wish to pursue a career in medical physics or cancer research involving ionising radiation. With around 40% of all cancer cures involving radiotherapy as part of treatment the need for multidisciplinary scientists in this field has never been greater.
The course will cover all aspects of the radiotherapy patient pathway including: the accurate delivery of radiation and the optimisation of bespoke treatment plans for every patient; the delivery of particle therapy; the use of imaging throughout the patient pathway; state-of-the-art adaptive radiotherapy techniques; translation of new interventions or research into clinical pathways and methods to evaluate clinical impact.
We will introduce you to cancer biology and radiobiology to provide context for the effect of radiation on cancer cells and normal tissues. Finally, we will develop your skills in cutting edge data science and machine learning and show their potential application within medical physics.
As well as providing detailed background theory the masters will have a strong application component. We will introduce you to python as the primary scripting language and use this skills throughout the course to demonstrate techniques learnt. Our collaboration with The Christie will allow you to undertake unique research projects in its radiotherapy facilities that cannot be carried out anywhere else in the UK or most of Europe.
This course will enable you to train as a multidisciplinary scientist in this area by covering a variety of subjects and content that is delivered by staff with a range of expertise, including physicists, biologists, engineers, clinical scientists and clinical oncologists.
Aims
This course aims to help you:
- develop a sound scientific knowledge of medical physics in the field of cancer radiation therapy, including delivery of radiation, imaging and translational research skills;
- gain an understanding of cancer biology and how radiation interacts with cancer cells and normal tissues;
- learn cutting edge data science and machine learning skills and their application within medical physics;
- build the confidence to apply scientific principles of radiotherapy to practical situations;
- develop multidisciplinary skills required for world-leading cancer research and treatment delivery;
- gain knowledge that can form a basis for your future research into existing and emerging treatment modalities.
Teaching and learning
You will be taught by academics from the University and clinical scientists/oncologists at The Christie, meaning both fundamental science and its clinical application will be covered in depth.
Units will be delivered throughout each semester with a mix of face-to-face content delivery and online delivery, as well as hands-on practical sessions.
There will be a number of assessed and non-assessed activities to develop your key skills and expand your knowledge base.
After completion of the taught units, there will be a supervised research project that will allow you to apply your knowledge to a practical clinical research problem. During these projects you will be embedded in an academic or clinically focused research group.
Coursework and assessment
The taught units will be assessed primarily through practical assignments, aiming to allow you to show application of your gained knowledge.
The research project will be assessed through the submission of a publication style dissertation.
Course unit details
The master's consists of the following modules:
- Science of Radiotherapy
- Advanced Radiotherapy
- Imaging for Cancer Radiation Therapy
- Research Methods for Medical Physics in Cancer Radiation Therapy
- Particle Beam therapy
- Clinical and Translational Medical Physics
- Radiobiology
- Application of AI/Data Science Methods in Medical Physics
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
The Science of Radiotherapy | MEDN62641 | 15 | Mandatory |
Particle Beam Therapy | MEDN62652 | 15 | Mandatory |
Clinical and Translational Medical Physics | MEDN62662 | 15 | Mandatory |
Research Methods Medical Physics in Cancer Radiation Therapy | MEDN62671 | 15 | Mandatory |
Radiobiology | MEDN62672 | 15 | Mandatory |
Imaging for Cancer Radiation Therapy | MEDN62681 | 15 | Mandatory |
Application of AI and Data in Medical Physics | MEDN62682 | 15 | Mandatory |
Research Project: Medical Physics in Cancer Radiation Therapy | MEDN62692 | 60 | Mandatory |
Advanced Radiotherapy | MEDN65751 | 15 | Mandatory |
Course collaborators
Facilities
Teaching and practical components will be led by university academics working on research projects to improve the precision and efficacy of radiation therapy from within the division of cancer science.
Furthermore, our collaboration with The Christie means we have access to teaching by clinical scientists and oncologists with knowledge of the practical application in the clinical environment in one of the largest cancer hospitals in the world. Facilities at The Christie include, an MRI image guided radiotherapy linear accelerator and a proton therapy centre incorporating a dedicated research room.
You will also be able to access a range of library and IT facilities throughout the University.
Disability support
CPD opportunities
Careers
Career opportunities
This course will help you gain the knowledge and skills to become a leading healthcare scientist in the public or private sector.
It may also be of interest if you are a healthcare worker in the field of radiotherapy who wishes to advance your career.
The master's qualification gained could act as a stepping stone to further academic qualifications or careers involving medical science research.