MSc Clinical Immunology

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Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

As there is a high demand for our courses we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to applicants with grades above our minimum entry requirements and who can demonstrate relevant experience in immunology.

Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application before the application deadline to avoid a delay in processing. Incomplete applications will held over to the next stage and will not be reviewed until all documentation is received.

Applications for 2023 entry

• Stage 1: Application received by 2nd December 2022; Decision by 13th January 2023.
• Stage 2: Application received by 3rd March 2023; Decision by 7th April 2023.
• Stage 3: Application received by 2nd June 2023; Decision by 7th July 2023.

Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to put your application on a waitlist. If this is the case we will let you know by the deadline date of your stage. Applications placed on the waitlist will be reviewed during Stage 3.

Please note: All places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, the course may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.

Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place must demonstrate that they have met all the conditions of their offer by 31 July 2023.

Your application form must include the following documents.

• One academic reference will be sought. You will be required to provide contact details for one academic referee when completing your application form.
• Official degree certificates (with translations if not in English) if you have already graduated.
• Official university transcripts (with translations if not in English).
• Full CV.
• Personal statement (300-500 words) demonstrating your interest in clinical immunology and commitment to studying at The University of Manchester.
• 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 should be uploaded and submitted with the online application form.

Your application cannot be considered until all your supporting documents are supplied. Please include your University ID number in all correspondence and do not send any documents before you have submitted your application.

Our MSc in Clinical Immunology will give you an advanced understanding of the principles and mechanisms of the immune system and immune responses in the context of infection, malignancy and immunological disorders.

You will also gain insight into the specialist area of laboratory medicine from clinical leaders and researchers at the forefront of immunology.

This course comprises six course units taught in blocks spanning the field of clinical immunology. Teaching is delivered on both campus and hospital sites by more than 40 individual contributors.

Course content includes:

• fundamental and advanced immunology;
• immune deficiencies;
• immunotherapy;
• allergy;
• autoimmunity;
• cancer immunology and haematological malignancy.

You will learn about diagnostic assays and techniques employed in research and clinical laboratories to develop your technical understanding and clinical interpretation of results.

The course will also enable you to develop critical and experimental research skills relevant to the field through practical research masterclasses, a focused research proposal and a research project.

If you have an interest in this highly diverse and ever changing field and you wish to expand your knowledge at the interface of clinical and academic immunology, this master's course is ideal for you.

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.

This course aims to give you:

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

Inter-professional learning

You will learn alongside students from a range of backgrounds who are studying on related healthcare science courses. This diversity of educational and professional input from both speakers and students provides a fantastic opportunity for collaborative learning and networking.

Research skills

You will develop a broad range of research skills through a combination of supervised laboratory masterclasses, preparation of a research proposal and undertaking a 10-week full-time research project embedded within one of the research groups at The University of Manchester.

Patient and public involvement and engagement

You will develop a variety of communication skills by working with patient contributors throughout the course. This includes patient experience sessions, clinic observations and patient feedback. This element of the course was highly commended at the University's Making A Difference Awards.

Flexible part-time option

If you have other commitments, our part-time option allows you to study each unit in dedicated study blocks spread over two years, giving you the flexibility you need.

Academic teaching is delivered by specialist immunologists from the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation .

Clinical teaching is delivered by experts from across the UK, including the suparegional Allergy Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals Trust, Cambridge Immunology Network, Institute of Child Health UCL and the CRUK Manchester Institute.

We aim to provide a flexible range of teaching and blended learning methodologies including live interactive teaching sessions such as lectures, workshops with problem-based learning exercises and hands-on practical laboratory sessions. These will be supplemented with recorded videos and self-directed interactive activities available online via our virtual learning environment, in addition to your own independent guided study time. There are opportunities to interact with patient representatives throughout the course. This range of teaching and learning approaches is designed to develop both your immunological understanding and translational skills.

Our course directors have been recognised nationally for their innovative approaches to teaching with the BSI teaching excellence award in 2019 and 2021. 

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

Key academic staff (Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health):

• Dr Nicholas Barnes - Programme Co-Director (Senior Lecturer)
• Dr Joanne Pennock - Programme Co-Director (Senior Lecturer)
• Dr Sara Gago - Unit Lead for Laboratory Research Skills Masterclasses (Research Fellow)
• Dr Karima Kahlat - Co-Unit Lead for Immune Responses, Immune Deficiencies and Immunotherapy (Lecturer)
• Professor Silvia Bulfone-Paus - Programme Committee Member (Professor of Immunobiology)

Key clinical staff:

• Dr Ross Sadler - Clinical Lead (Consultant Clinical Scientist, Oxford University Hospitals)
• Dr Susana Marinho - Unit Co-Lead for Hypersensitivity & Allergy (Honorary Senior Lecturer/Consultant Allergist, Allergy Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust).
• Dr Peter Arkwright - Programme Committee Member (Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Paediatric Allergist & Immunologist, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust)

We will assess your progress using a range of formative and summative assessments. These will include multiple choice, short answer and essay questions, written or creative assignments, data analysis in laboratory reports and oral 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.

'The Clinical Immunology MSc has been a fantastic experience. The course is well structured around interesting immunology topics, and taught by scientists at the forefront of their field. As a medical student, I have really enjoyed the clinical focus of the course - relating the science back to disease and patient experience.

The course directors and coordinators are so invested in our learning experience, doing everything they can to ensure we all get the most out of the course. It has been a fun and friendly atmosphere and I have learnt a huge amount about writing, presenting, scientific research, and immunology!'' Hilary Warrens, Intercalating Medical Student, 2017/18.

'The MSc in Clinical Immunology has allowed me to pursue my interest in immunology and learn in detail about areas that I am interested in.  I have had numerous opportunities to learn from leading immunologists from around the UK and the teaching I have received has been varied and engaging.

My favourite part of the MSc has been conducting my own extended laboratory research project in the field of cancer immunotherapy. This 10-week project has allowed me to explore the ways in which the immune system may be manipulated to kill cancerous cells. This experience gave me skills in performing flow cytometry and in critically analysing and presenting my results. 

The varied opportunities I have had on the MSc have developed my analytical and communication skills which have made me an employable and well-rounded scientist, helping me to secure a graduate job within the pharmaceutical industry.'  Charlotte Fleming, MSc Clinical Immunology, 2017/18.

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

You will undertake your academic learning on the main University campus and at Wythenshawe Hospital in South Manchester.

Your research project may be carried out in a laboratory associated with The University of Manchester or at teaching hospitals in Greater Manchester, both of which benefit from the excellent research and core facilities here at University, including state of the art flow cytometry , imaging and sequencing facilities

Graduates of this course develop their scientific knowledge and transferable skills that are highly sought after by scientific and pharmaceutical companies within the private sector.

You will also be equipped to work in clinical laboratories or pursue a career in research by undertaking a PhD.

The specialist nature of the course also benefits students with a medical background, including intercalating medical students, who want to enhance their knowledge of clinical immunology for future career advancement.

Destinations of previous graduates include:

• PhD studentships at the University of Manchester and elsewhere;
• research and development roles in pharmaceutical companies;
• medical writing;
• clinical fellowships;
• laboratory diagnostics.