Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells – Novel Therapies
Receive a state-of-the-art education in next-generation therapies and build your expertise in translational research
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
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Hammersmith
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Royal Brompton
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South Kensington
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Course overview
Gain proficiency in translational research and explore a range of next-generation therapies on this Master’s course.
You'll acquire transferable skills in translational research, exploring the steps required to progress novel therapies from bench-to-bedside and towards drug licensing.
You'll also build your knowledge of ethical and regulatory legislation, commercialisation strategies, and intellectual property and patent protection.
This course is unique in providing academic and laboratory research training in three key areas of advanced therapeutic development:
- Gene and Nucleic Acid Based Therapies
- Regenerative Medicine
- New Horizons in Pharmacology
The blended study format offers flexibility in terms of learning, with the programme delivered through a mixture of face-to-face teaching, online learning, and self-study.
The MSc course allows you to pursue your speciality in greater depth, through a further advanced module and a six-month research project.
You’ll also gain a basic understanding of bioinformatics and their application in biology and take part in interdisciplinary team events to generate ideas for public engagement activities, or research projects.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll study the following core modules.
Core modules
Develop key skills related to information retrieval, interpretation of scientific claims and communication or feedback.
Build familiarity with the fundamental concepts underpinning the rapidly growing field of gene therapy.
Study key concepts in the area of regenerative medicine and understand how regenerative approaches are applied in human studies and clinical trials.
Cover key concepts of pharmacology from traditional medicinal plants to modern day medicines.
You’ll study one optional module from the list below.
Optional modules
Advance your understanding of gene and nucleic acid-based therapies and consider the challenges related to manufacturing, commercialisation and reimbursement of this class of novel therapeutics.
Examine how conventional and new drug therapies are used in the treatment of human disease, including respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
Explore state-of-the-art scientific approaches and technologies being used in the field of regenerative medicine, with a particular focus on the cardiac, respiratory and nervous systems.
You'll complete an extensive six-month research project related to the course content.
You can choose between dry-lab and wet-lab projects, depending on your interests and career aspirations.
You'll join a world-leading research group and will be supervised by academic supervisors.
Your work will be assessed by a 10,000-word written project report and an oral presentation.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Lectures, tutorials and independent learning
- Research project
- 50% Title 1 goes here
- 50% Title 2 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Critical reviews
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Discussions and debates
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Journal clubs
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Lectures
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Practical sessions
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Presentations
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Problem-solving workshops
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Research project
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Tutorials
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Flipped classroom
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Group work
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Student-led activities
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Data analysis
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Examinations
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Journal clubs
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Poster presentations
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Oral presentations
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Practical write-ups
Key people
Professor Uta Griesenbach
Course DirectorUta is a Professor of Molecular Medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute. Her research relates to the development of novel gene and cell therapy-based treatments for cystic fibrosis and other inflammatory lung diseases and haemophilia.
Professor Tristan Rodriquez
Deputy Course DirectorTristan joined the National Heart and Lung Institute in 2011. His laboratory group studies the importance of cell competition in disease as well as the mechanisms to measure cell fitness.
Dr Fouzia Khan
Senior Teaching FellowFouzia is a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial. Fouzia teaches and organises this course developing innovative teaching methods. She is particularly interested in Pharmacology Education.
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026.
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
This course is divided into two progressional levels of study:
- PG Certificate (PG Cert)
- MSc
Each level of study has its own entry point; you can apply to either level in the first instance, but we recommend you apply for the award with which you wish to exit.
Read more about Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Master's degrees.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Home fee
2027
Not set total fee
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £16,300
If you have already completed one of the qualifications and are moving on to the next level of study, e.g. you've already completed the PG Cert and want to study the PG Dip, you will only need to pay the top-up fee for the course you’re applying for.
You may apply to enter this programme at either level of study.
If you enter the MSc, without having studied the PG Cert, then you will pay the full fee listed for the MSc.
If you enter at the PG Cert level and return in future academic years to complete a higher award, you will pay the top-up fee advertised in the year of your return, instead of the full fee for your chosen course.
If you continue uninterrupted from one award to the next, you will pay the relevant top-up fee, plus any annual inflationary increases applied to the entry fee. This applies to applicants who originally entered for an MSc. This does not apply to those who have completed a PG Cert and are re-entering for a higher award.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee
2027
Not set total fee
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £47,300
If you have already completed one of the qualifications and are moving on to the next level of study, e.g. you've already completed the PG Cert and want to study the PG Dip, you will only need to pay the top-up fee for the course you’re applying for.
You may apply to enter this programme at either level of study.
If you enter the MSc, without having studied the PG Cert, then you will pay the full fee listed for the MSc.
If you enter at the PG Cert level and return in future academic years to complete a higher award, you will pay the top-up fee advertised in the year of your return, instead of the full fee for your chosen course.
If you continue uninterrupted from one award to the next, you will pay the relevant top-up fee, plus any annual inflationary increases applied to the entry fee. This applies to applicants who originally entered for an MSc. This does not apply to those who have completed a PG Cert and are re-entering for a higher award.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at Imperial help my career?
Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in genes, drugs and stem cells or similar fields.
Be equipped with the skills and knowledge to significantly contribute to various rapidly expanding fields involving clinical science.
Access state-of-the-art education in next-generation therapies for scientists and clinicians.
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Our graduates often pursue further study in doctoral research.
Others find careers within small biotech companies and large pharma involved in drug development.
Other career paths could include roles in healthcare and within the financial sector.
Testimonials
Further links
Contact the department
Email: noveltherapies@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor Uta Griesenbach
Deputy Course Director: Dr Fouzia Khan
Senior Teaching Fellow: Dr Fouzia Khan
Visit the National Heart and Lung Institute website.
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Register your interest
Stay up to date on news, events, scholarship opportunities and information related to this course.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Meet our students
We asked some of our Master's students about their individual journeys.
- Meet our Genes, Drugs and Stem Cells students
- Learn about our current MSc projects
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications