Human Molecular Genetics
Train in the theory and application of human genetics to prepare for a research career.
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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Minimum entry standard
2:1 in Biomedical or Biochemical Sciences, Genetics, Biology or another science-based subject.
Course overview
Train in the theory and application of human genetics to prepare for a research career on this Master's course.
You will develop expertise in molecular genetics, the genetics of rare and common disease, and a broad theoretical and applied understanding of human genetics.
The course also explores recent advances in the field, and will develop your practical laboratory and computational science skills in bioinformatics and genomics.
You will also develop your knowledge and research skills on a six-month novel research project designed to assess your critical understanding of topics covered on the course.
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
Become familiar with key aspects of molecular genetics and reinforce your knowledge of cell biology, gene regulation, mechanisms of disease, and human genetics.
Understand how Mendel’s law of inheritance applies to both rare and common disease and contrast the implications of different modes of inheritance.
Discover how to pose a testable hypothesis, implement a hypothesis test, and understand simple statistical tests.
Learn how to operate safely in a laboratory setting, use laboratory equipment, set up and perform molecular genetics experiments, and interpret results.
Build your research skills on a six-month novel project in one of our participating laboratories, with input from two supervisors.
You'll implement, critically assimilate and extend all that you have learned during the programme, with work assessed by a thesis and oral examination.
Research projects are chosen from a pool of proposals provided by research investigators from Imperial College and institutions in the London region. Projects are wet-lab, computational, or a combination of the two.
Testimonials
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Study groups
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Practical laboratory classes
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Virtual learning environment
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VLE-embedded Qualtrics surveys
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Attend genetic meetings
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Research project
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Lecture recordings
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Placement
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Tutorials
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Workshops
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Taught modules
- Research project
- 50% Title 1 goes here
- 50% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
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Online exercises
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Essays
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Journal clubs
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Lab performance
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Oral examination
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Peer formative assessment methods
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Presentations
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Research dissertation
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Study groups
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Tutorial discussions
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Written examination
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.
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 - Human Molecular Genetics
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £16,300.
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 - Human Molecular Genetics
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £47,300.
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 further studies in human molecular genetics or a career in medical genetics.
These include scientific written and presentational communication skills.
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Our graduates often pursue further study in master's programs or doctoral research.
Up to 50% of students go on to do a PhD.
A further 25% become research assistants or associates, and 25% enter industry or pursue further education in bioinformatics and computing.
The NHS typically hires one or two clinical genetics students every year for training positions.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 6515
- Email: deborah.jones@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Toby Andrew
Visit the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction website.
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Our students
Meet Human Molecular Genetics students and see what they have to say about their studies.
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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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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