Program Overview

MSt (Flexible) in Genomic Medicine

The MSt (flexible) in Genomic Medicine is a part-time, postgraduate course designed to further educate suitably qualified NHS healthcare professionals and science graduates with an interest in the clinical application of genomics. This course is only open to those who have successfully completed and passed the Postgraduate Diploma in Genomic Medicine, or Postgraduate Diploma (flexible) in Genomic Medicine at the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE).

Course Overview

The programme has been developed by the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) and Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), and Wellcome Connecting Science. The course aims to prepare interested professionals for the future adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of diagnosis and treatment pathways.

Aims of the Programme

The programme aims to:

• Provide professionally relevant teaching and learning informed by research in an integrated clinical and research environment.
• Develop and create a cohort of doctors and other professionals allied to medicine able to pursue and develop their roles in the rapidly-changing and challenging environment of genomic medicine.
• Prepare healthcare professionals for the adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway.
• Develop researchers competent in the use of genomic technologies for biomedical research.
• Develop a cohort of healthcare professionals with the ability and confidence to lead service improvement for safe and high-quality patient care.
• Develop a cohort of healthcare professionals allied to medicine with an understanding of research methodologies and clinical opportunities relevant to genomic medicine.
• Encourage a commitment to intellectual challenge and evidence-based clinical practice informed by the latest conceptual and theoretical knowledge of genomic medicine.
• Develop students' intellectual, practical, and transferable skills related to genomic medicine.
• Encourage critical thinking related to genomic medicine.
• Equip students for entry into healthcare professional training schemes, including graduate entry medicine courses.
• Prepare students for undertaking research degrees (PhD) in genomic medicine-related research fields.
• Provide students from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other industries with an understanding of the relevance of advances in genomics for current and future healthcare.

Progression

The Genomic Medicine programme at the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) provides the following part-time, award-bearing courses and study options:

• Postgraduate Certificate
• Postgraduate Diploma
• Postgraduate Diploma (flexible)
• Master's Degree (MSt)
• Masters Degree (flexible)
• Masters Degree (flexible, intensive)

Entry Requirements

• This course is only open to those who have successfully completed and passed the Postgraduate Diploma in Genomic Medicine, or Postgraduate Diploma (flexible) in Genomic Medicine at PACE.
• Typically, a good UK undergraduate degree, such as a 2.1, or international equivalent, is expected.
• If the degree is not from the UK, check international qualifications on the Universitys postgraduate site to find the equivalent in the country of origin.
• English language requirements: The courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not the first language, proof of sufficient fluency will be required before admission.

Teaching and Assessment

• For the MSt (flexible) in Genomic Medicine, students must complete:
  • A research project of 10,000 to 12,000 words (to combine with 8 modules taken previously)
  • Or a literature-based research project of 5,000 to 6,000 words plus 2 further modules (to make a total of 10 taught modules)
• Teaching: If students choose to study the 2 further modules, these will be delivered through in-person teaching sessions requiring attendance in Cambridge, combined with self-directed learning and assessment (in the form of coursework). Study is fully supported through a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
• Assessment: Students are assessed formatively throughout the taught modules of the programme using a variety of techniques and interrelated strategies, including evidence of regular reflection and demonstration of active participation in the programme. Students who choose to study the 2 further modules must complete summative assignments of 2,500 to 3,500 words. Students must also complete a research project of 10,000 to 12,000 words or a literature-based research project of 5,000 to 6,000 words.

Fees and Funding

• The total fees for this course are:
  • Home: ｣6,291
  • Overseas: ｣16,383
• To understand which fee status applies, visit the Universitys fee status page.
• Payment can be made in instalments.
• Additional costs include:
  • An application fee of ｣85, unless eligible for a fee waiver
  • Travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs for residential teaching sessions held in Cambridge
• Funding: The University is dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. NHS England funding is available for NHS staff wishing to apply to study Genomic Medicine at the University of Cambridge for individual modules or modules completed as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or part-time Master's in Genomic Medicine.

Course Details

• Course code: CSCMM8
• Course type: Master's degrees
• Duration: 10 months
• Location: Various locations
• Study mode: Hybrid (in-person and online)
• Credits: 60
• Application deadline: 28 May 2026

Tutors

• Dr. Kenneth Langlands, Assistant Teaching Professor in Genomic Medicine
• Dr. Emma English, Associate Teaching Professor, University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education
• Marc Tischkowitz, University Reader and Honorary Consultant in the Department of Medical Genetics

Modular Study

The University also offers modules from the Genomic Medicine Programme for credit or CPPD (non-credit) study. Modules include:

• Research and statistical skills for genomic medicine
• Omics technologies and their application in genomic medicine
• Bioinformatics, interpretation, and data quality assurance in genomic analysis
• Application of genomics in infectious disease
• Molecular pathology of cancer and application of genomics in cancer
• Pharmacogenomics and stratified healthcare
• Introduction to counselling and communication skills in genomic medicine
• Epigenetics and disorders of the epigenome
• Variant interpretation
• Genomics of common and rare inherited diseases
• Evaluating Genomic Medicine in the workplace-based
• Professional and research skills
• Genomics of obesity and metabolic disease

College Membership

As an MSt student, you will become a member of a Cambridge College. The University works with the following Colleges for the MSt (flexible) in Genomic Medicine:

• Fitzwilliam
• Homerton
• Wolfson You can specify your preference for any of these Colleges on your application, and the University will do its best to allocate you to your preferred choice, subject to capacity and ensuring an equal balance between the Colleges.