MSc Clinical Biochemistry / Course details

Our MSc in Clinical Biochemistry will give you a thorough grounding in a discipline that deals with the clinical analysis of body fluids and other biological material to aid the diagnosis, therapy and monitoring of diseases.

Clinical biochemists are typically clinical scientists who work in hospital laboratories providing advice and interpretation of analytical results to other healthcare professionals such as clinicians, general practitioners and nurses.

They are also involved in the development of new analytical methods and improvement of clinical services, including quality assurance and audit. During the MSc you will also develop your analytical skills with relevant practical sessions.

Through this MSc, you will gain a core knowledge and understanding of the normal physiology and pathophysiology of the major organs and endocrine systems, as well as more specialist areas such as paediatric biochemistry and drug monitoring.

You will also develop a core knowledge and understanding of clinical disorders and how biochemical parameters and laboratory methods are used for the investigation, diagnosis and management of patients.

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

We aim to give you:

• an advanced understanding and applied knowledge of the theory and practice of clinical biochemistry;
• a critical understanding of how biochemical investigations are employed to develop a clinical diagnosis;
• the necessary professional and research skills to promote lifelong learning and career development.

Innovative teaching

The course is taught in a blended format allowing you to self-pace theoretical knowledge before learning and how to apply it in guided teaching. We utilise interactive teaching throughout your studies using simulation of clinical cases where you will apply your theoretical knowledge to solve real-life laboratory scenarios.

Lab skills

You will complete a practical course in our cutting-edge postgraduate laboratories allowing you to develop analytical skills both in handling samples and for data analysis. We cater for students from a range of backgrounds and are able to offer top up sessions to those with limited laboratory experience at undergraduate level.

Research experience

You will conduct a 10 week research project which can take a number of formats including laboratory based work, adapted systematic reviews of the published literature or analysis of laboratory data. You will learn how to formulate a research question, conduct an effective literature search and critically appraise publications.

Professional teaching and learning

Most of the course is taught by NHS professionals working in the field of clinical biochemistry. You will also learn alongside students from a variety of health science backgrounds within pathology, helping you to integrate within a health service laboratory team in the future.

We use a range of teaching and learning methodologies throughout the course, including lectures, tutorials, workshops and interactive clinical case tutorials using mobile technology and iPads. Some of these will be delivered online.

Find out more by visiting the postgraduate teaching and learning page.

We will assess your progress using a range of formative and summative assessments, such as MCQs, ECQs, written and verbal presentations.

The assessments will be constructed to assess your knowledge and understanding while at the same time refining and expanding your intellectual and transferable skills.

You will be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University.

You will undertake your theoretical learning on the main University campus.

Your research project may be carried out in a laboratory within the University or at teaching hospitals in Greater Manchester.