Program Overview

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Cancer Sciences BSc

Overview

Cancer drug development is a long and expensive process that provides many employment opportunities. It is imperative that there are trained specialists who can tackle the complexities of this ever-evolving set of diseases.

Gain a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of cancer sciences. From its basic scientific principles through to translation into therapeutics and drug development. Our Cancer Sciences BSc will give you training in the biomedical sciences in areas such as cell and molecular biology, immunology, and human physiology.

You’ll be supported by internationally recognised researchers and clinicians, and you’ll be equipped with the core scientific skills necessary to progress to specialisms in cancer sciences research, in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, finance and contract research industries, as well as in academic cancer research. You will also be well placed for opportunities in the management, regulation, and exploitation of research and Graduate Entry Medicine or other related fields.

At Nottingham, you’ll be part of ground-breaking cancer research that is the basis for new treatments.

Choosing the BSc or the MSci

Choose to study either our three-year Cancer Sciences BSc or our four-year Cancer Sciences MSci. The integrated MSci course gives you a guaranteed nine-month placement in industry or in a research laboratory. This placement can be in the UK or abroad.

BSc students can transfer to the MSci at the end of their second year if they are meeting the entry requirements and a placement is available (although this is not guaranteed).

Equally, students on the MSci can transfer to the BSc course.

Why choose this course?

• Gain real experience in a research lab during your summer vacation, you have the chance to apply for one of a limited number of studentships
• One of a kind Take part in one of the only undergraduate cancer research degrees in the UK
• Cutting-edge facility Make use of our cutting-edge facilities specifically for the dissection of cancer
• Research groups Opportunities to work with Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, our Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, and other research groups.

Entry Requirements

• Qualification: BSc Hons
• Entry Requirements: ABB
• Start Date: September 2025
• UCAS code: B131
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Fees: £9,535

Alternative Qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:

• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma at DDD.
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma at DD plus 1 A Level at B.
• RQF Level 3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma at D plus 2 A Levels at BB. All BTEC's considered on case by case basis.
• Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 24 Level 3 graded credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit. Considered on a case by case basis.

This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification.

Foundation Progression Options

Cancer Sciences is one of the progression pathways for our Science with a Foundation Year course.

In order to progress on to the course you will be required to achieve the following scores:

• 60% in either Foundation Biological Science or Foundation Chemistry
• 55% in English Language modules (if they are taken)
• 60% Overall average

Mature Students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Visa Restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Work Experience

NA

Placements

While there are no set placements on this course, there is an opportunity for you to apply for one of our studentships. These studentships allow you to join research labs during the summer vacation to gain real hands-on experience of research work in industry.

Fees

• £30,750 per year
• £9,535

*For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

Additional Costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses such as travel and accommodation.

You should be able to access most of the books you'll need for the course through our libraries, however you may wish to buy your own copies or get more specific titles which may cost up to £80 each.

Scholarships and Bursaries

International students

We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Tuition Fees 2025/26 (UK undergraduate students)

The UK Government has confirmed that the maximum tuition fee for full time UK undergraduate and Initial Teacher Training students studying in England will increase to £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year. The university will charge the maximum approved fee, which is an increase of £285 per year. For more information, please read our FAQs.

*For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

Additional Costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses such as travel and accommodation.

You should be able to access most of the books you'll need for the course through our libraries, however you may wish to buy your own copies or get more specific titles which may cost up to £80 each.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Home students

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

• A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

Language Study as Part of This Degree

You may be able to choose to study a language as part of this degree.

Learning another language can open career opportunities around the globe and enriches your CV. It could also help you in your studies by being able to access learning materials in other languages.

If you are planning to travel or work abroad it will help you to broaden your cultural understanding.

Our Language Centre offers many languages, and you may start as a beginner or at a more advanced level.

Find out more about learning a language as part of your degree.

Course Overview

Cancer drug development is a long and expensive process that provides many employment opportunities. It is imperative that there are trained specialists who can tackle the complexities of this ever-evolving set of diseases.

Are you ready to join them?

Gain a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of cancer sciences. From its basic scientific principles through to translation into therapeutics and drug development. Our Cancer Sciences BSc will give you training in the biomedical sciences in areas such as cell and molecular biology, immunology, and human physiology.

You’ll be supported by internationally recognised researchers and clinicians, and you’ll be equipped with the core scientific skills necessary to progress to specialisms in cancer sciences research, in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, finance and contract research industries, as well as in academic cancer research. You will also be well placed for opportunities in the management, regulation, and exploitation of research and Graduate Entry Medicine or other related fields.

At Nottingham, you’ll be part of ground-breaking cancer research that is the basis for new treatments.

Indicative Modules

Year One

• Causes and consequences of cancer
• Genes, Molecules and Cells
• Hallmarks of Cancer
• Human Physiology
• Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
• Fundamentals of Neuroscience
• Life on Earth

Year Two

• Angiogenesis and Tumour-Host Interactions
• Cancer Cell Genetics
• Colorectal Cancer and Ovarian Cancer
• Epidemiology of Cancer and Population Genetics
• Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer
• Patient-centred Library Project

Year Three

• Patient Portfolio
• Practical Project
• Cancer Biology and Molecular Therapeutics
• Cancer Immunology and Novel Therapies
• Paediatric Cancer
• Tumour Microenvironment
• Advanced Cancer Models and Approaches in Preclinical Research

Teaching Methods

• Case-based learning
• eLearning
• Lab sessions
• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Problem-based learning
• Self-study
• Seminars
• Small group learning
• Tutorials
• Workshops

Assessment Methods

• Case studies
• Coursework
• Dissertation
• Examinations
• Lab reports
• Literature review
• Portfolio (written/digital)
• Poster presentation
• Practical write-ups
• Presentation

Contact Time and Study Hours

You'll have around 10 hours of contact time per week covering lectures, practicals, workshops, tutorials and seminars.

You're expected to spend around 20 to 30 hours per week on self-study.

Class sizes are two to three for personal tutorials, around 20 to 60 for seminars and workshops, and between 30 and 300 for lectures depending on the module.

Careers Overview

Studying Cancer Sciences at Nottingham gives you the perfect grounding to pursue further research through studying a masters or a PhD.

The course also provides you with broader knowledge of biochemistry, immunology, genetics, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and more. These skills could lead you into jobs in biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries, and other biomedical areas.

Job Prospects

96.5% of undergraduates from the School of Medicine secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £35,089.

HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Careers Advice

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in , High Fliers Research).