MSc Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine

Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our  upcoming open days .

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 if the course is full

Your application form must have the following documents.

• Two academic references on letter headed paper or sent from work emails. Professional references can be provided in instances where you have been out of university for more than 3 years. We do not contact referees directly.
• Official degree certificates (with translations if not in English) if you have already graduated.
• Official university transcripts (with translations if not in English).
• A personal statement. This should be a page in length and cover why you want to undertake the course, any relevant past experience and what you can bring to the course, how this course fits into your future career plans, and any other relevant information.
• Full CV including voluntary experience.
• A scanned copy of your passport if you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.

• If English is not your first language, we require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application. We may be willing to consider your application without this document, but if we choose to make you an offer, the conditions will include IELTS (or equivalent qualification).

Supporting documents can be uploaded with the online application form, or if this is not possible, sent directly to pgtaught.biosciences@manchester.ac.uk . We are unable to consider your application if you have not provided all of the necessary documents listed above.

You must include your University ID number on any correspondence and do not send any documents before you have submitted your application.

Our MSc Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine course gives students from biological, engineering and/or medical-related backgrounds the specialist knowledge and research skills to pursue a career in this field.

You will focus on strategies to repair, replace and regenerate various tissues and organs to solve major clinical problems, gaining insights into topical issues including stem cells, polymer technology, biomaterial fabrication/characterisation and gene delivery. You will learn how to identify major clinical needs and formulate novel therapeutic solutions.

This course has both taught and research components and is suitable for those with little or no previous research experience. You will learn practical skills through both taught modules and a 25-week laboratory-based research project.

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as a discipline shows enormous potential for future health and, economically, there is a national demand for specific interdisciplinary training in this area.

We have a vast research network in this field comprising international experts from multiple disciplines and, as such, this course is a collaborative degree from the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

This course is structured around taught elements and laboratory-based research projects, with an emphasis on the research-based element.

You will gain hands-on laboratory experience through both the laboratory skills unit and research placements in tissue engineering/regenerative medicine-focused laboratories at the University lasting 25 weeks.

The course comprises five compulsory components:

• research methods course unit - 15 credits;
• tutorial course unit - 15 credits;
• masterclass course unit - 15 credits;
• laboratory skills course unit - 15 credits;
• research placements:
  • part 1 - literature review and project proposal - 30 credits;
  • part 2 - a 25-week project including practical work, oral presentation and final dissertation, and an assessment of research performance - 90 credits.

You will experience the interdisciplinary nature of the field during the course and gradually increase the depth and complexity of your research through the masterclass unit.

Each project is written up and assessed separately when submitted during the year.

You will be allocated an advisor and a personal logbook is introduced at the start of the programme to monitor progress through the course and assess learning and career objectives.

Research placements

The research placements are the largest component of the course and aim to give you the specialist knowledge and practical skills to pursue a research career in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, as well as develop your practical research expertise in a chosen area and enhance your ability to analyse and interpret data and summarise your findings in the form of written reports and an oral presentation.

The first placement runs alongside the taught units in Semester 1 and involves writing a comprehensive literature review and formulating a research project proposal.

The second placement (25 weeks) runs concurrently with the tutorial course unit for the first part, but is full-time thereafter. It involves hands-on practical experience in a laboratory and integration within a research team. The project is assessed by oral presentation at an end of year symposium, research performance and by submission of a dissertation.

You will choose from a list of research projects (see sample research projects ) and supervisors. Close interaction with the project supervisor at the start of the project and regular monitoring allows you to take responsibility for your own research development. The development of an interactive supervisory/student arrangement is often a useful grounding for future PhD collaboration.

You will be assessed continually during the year through:

• oral presentations;
• group participation;
• multiple choice questionnaires;
• written reports;
• a final dissertation.

I was initially seeking a PhD within stem cell research, but decided I would benefit from an initial year of master's training to broaden my knowledge. The course appealed because of the focus on biological techniques and technologies critical to tissue regeneration and repair. I felt this would provide me with the ideal platform to embark upon a PhD in regenerative medicine upon graduation.

The most rewarding elements of the course have been the in-depth research placements, which have provided me with the opportunity to master aspects of stem cell differentiation and the clinical application of biomaterials. In fact, my first placement was so successful that I went on to study my PhD within the same laboratory.

I found the interaction between leading academics, industrialists and fellow students most rewarding. With a number of renowned speakers contributing to the course, I built up an impressive network of contacts.

I'd recommend the course to individuals wanting to know more about stem cell biology, the therapeutic potential of biomaterials and how to commercialise research findings.

The course improved my critical writing and presentational skills, as well as equipping me with the ability to critically analyse my research more thoroughly.

Chloe Yeung, graduate.

After the course, many students continue their studies and register for a PhD.

However, the course is also of value to students wishing to progress in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or regenerative medicine sectors, or go into specialist clinical training.

It is also ideal for MBChB intercalating students who wish to undertake directly channelled research training in the tissue engineering/regenerative medicine field.