Cancer Innovation MRes

Cancer Biology students in the microscopy dark room
  • Postgraduate taught
  • MRes

Cancer Innovation

Learn to tackle biological and medical challenges in cancer, with a focus on translating cutting edge bio- and deep-tech research from concept to application.

Learn at the forefront of cancer innovation with a focus on real-world applications

Build your understanding of cancer biology and learn to translate and communicate new technologies

Immerse yourself in a multidisciplinary research environment on a focused research project in world leading labs

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MRes

  • Duration

    1 year

  • Start date

    September 2025

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £17,100 Home

    • £45,000 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • Hammersmith

Minimum entry standard

  • 2:1 in science, engineering, biomedical science or medicine

View full entry requirements

Course overview

Develop skills across disciplines to further your proficiency of experimental and computational research, and push forward research in cancer biology.

In this Cancer Innovation stream, you will focus on the development of novel, innovative approaches to biological and medical problems in cancer. Blended learning with demonstrations and workshops will train you in the translation of biotechnology platforms, from concept to realisation and onward to application in the clinical/commercial environment.

You will learn the skills to critically analyse current literature and performance data. Beyond this, you’ll be trained to communicate technological concepts to both scientific and commercial audiences, as well as to patients themselves.

This research-oriented course offers students the opportunity to conduct an innovative 10-month research project. These can be wet-lab/dry lab projects or original research and analysis.

You will be trained in the cellular and molecular basis of cancer biology, as well as receiving an introduction to the clinical and pathological aspects of carcinogenesis and treatment. 

On completing this course, you will be ready to continue a career in groundbreaking research or pursue varied career paths where an advanced knowledge and understanding of cancer research is highly sought after.

MRes Cancer Biology streams

This course is one of three MRes Cancer Biology streams available at Imperial. You may wish to consider other streams depending on your interests.

  • Cancer Biology focuses on wet lab skills, data analysis, and communicating science to expert and lay audiences.
  • Cancer Informatics focuses on computational and bioinformatics techniques, ethics, and communicating science to expert and lay audiences.
  • Cancer Innovation (this stream) focuses on the development and translation of bio- and deep-tech platforms from concept to realisation and onward to application and communication to scientific and commercial audiences.

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 take all of these core modules.

Core modules

Conduct an innovative 10-month research project, with wet-lab/dry lab projects undertaken primarily at Imperial College London.

Some opportunities will be available for projects that collaborate with industry and at other organisations such as the Bart’s Cancer Institute, the Francis Crick Institute, GlaxoSmithKline, the Institute of Cancer Research, and the Medical Research Council.

You'll be expected to produce a persuasive and logical experimental study proposal based upon contemporary research.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Technical workshops
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • Person giving seminar
    Seminars
  • Student-led presentations

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Modules
  • Project

  • 10% Modules
  • 90% Project

Assessment methods

  • Person making a presentation
    Presentations
  • Literature review
  • Poster project
    Poster presentation
  • Projects (thesis and oral assessment)
  • Oral assessment
  • Research project proposal document
    Mock grant proposal

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

How to apply

Apply online

You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.

Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Sunday 24 November 2024

Tuition fees

Home fee

2025 entry

£17,100

Overseas fee

2025 entry

£45,000

Scholarships

The Dean’s Master’s Scholarships

Value per award

  • £10,000

Who it's for

  • All students applying to study a Faculty of Medicine Master’s programme
Find out more

The Dr Jean Alero Thomas Scholarships

Value per award

  • Partial or full tuition fee at the Home rate

Who it's for

  • All students applying to study a Faculty of Medicine lab-based Master’s programme
Find out more

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

Person with magnifying glass over head

Break new ground in careers applying innovation and business to the field of cancer biology.

DNA strand with magnifying glass

The course will provide you with applied and transferable skills needed for multidisciplinary roles requiring advanced knowledge and understanding of cancer research.

Man standing under a sign pointing different directions

This can include areas such as research, business and start-ups, journalism, financial institutions, and patent and intellectual property roles.

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.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications