Advances in genomic technologies are transforming personalised medicine for inherited diseases, cancer and infectious diseases. Newcastle Genomic Medicine Programme provides a multi-disciplinary perspective on genomics and its applications in clinical practice and scientific research.

Our Programme is suitable for graduates in medical and life sciences, as well as a range of healthcare professionals, who wish to learn about advances in genomics and bioinformatics and the challenges of introducing these technologies into a healthcare system. The course is also suitable for EU or international students who wish to learn more about the application of genomics, particularly as relevant to medical applications. The Programme’s modular design offers full-time and part-time studies with post-graduate MSc, Diploma and Certificate options.

UoB is accredited by Health Education England to provide training in Genomic Medicine for NHS staff as part of the Genomics Education Programme. Limited HEE funding is currently available for eligible NHS staff to study individual modules as CPD (see Fees and Funding in the Course Details section).  

   

Building on the existing provision of NHS clinical genetic services and the NHS contribution to the 100,000 Genomes Project, NHS England has created a national Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) to harness the power of genomic technology to improve patient healthcare. This will consist of seven Genomic Laboratory Hubs providing access to cutting edge genomic testing (including whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics infrastructure), a national Genomic Test Directory and an integrated Clinical Genomics Medicine Service. Our Programme aims to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to contribute to this ambitious vision at a variety of different points, as an extension of their current role, or following acquisition of a new skill set.

The course begins with a brief revision of DNA, genes and genetics and updates these concepts to the scale of contemporary, whole-genome information. It will introduce you to the technologies for generating genome-wide data, and the bioinformatic tools that are required for its analysis. You will learn how to interrogate genomic data to identify and investigate the pathogenicity of genetic variants, and relate these to real-life case-studies, providing meaningful information that can be useful for families affected by inherited conditions, or for patients with acquired diseases including cancer and infections.

Core modules such as ‘Genomics in Cancer Pathology’ and ‘Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare’ emphasize the increasing importance of genomics in stratified medicine – ‘the right treatment, for the right person, at the right time’. Additional optional modules include an ‘Introduction to Counselling Skills used in Genomic Medicine’ as well as ‘Economic Models and Human Genomics’.

Finally, you can choose either a 60-credit research project (which could be a computer-based bioinformatics project, a lab-based or clinically-based project, either in Newcastle or at your home institution), or a 30-credit dissertation (combined with additional taught modules), to hone your research skills while exploring a genomics-related project of your choice.

Why Study this Course?

You will be taught by people who are leading experts in their field, both from the University of Newcastle and the surrounding NHS Hospitals, including the adjacent Women’s and Children’s Hospitals (NWC) and University Hospital Newcastle (UHN). This network of hospitals has been a major contributor to the 100,000 Genomes Project as part of the West Midlands Genomic Medicine Centre and NWC/UHN will lead the creation of a new Wessex and West Midlands Genomic Laboratory Hub to support enhanced Genomic Medicine Services within the region.

Many clinical staff teaching on the course are directly involved in the implementation of genomic medicine services, either as clinical leads or with key roles in the Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Service or the West Midlands Regional Genetics Service. You will have opportunities to visit these NHS facilities during the course and also to interact with patient group representatives to learn about genomic medicine from the patient’s viewpoint.

The University of Newcastle enjoys an attractive campus with excellent teaching and learning facilities, which is easy to reach either by rail (we are the only British University with its own railway station on campus, with frequent 8-minute connections to New Street Station in the city centre) or by road.

Institutional Accreditation 

University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

Genomic Medicine – MSc/Diploma/Certificate

Course Level:

Postgraduate, Taught

Credits 

180

Course

CODE P1113

How long it takes:

Full time, part time

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$22,500

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

Students registered for the MSc in Genomic Medicine (180 credits) will take 4 mandatory core modules including either a 60-credit research project or a 30-credit dissertation, a minimum of 3 elective core modules, and 1-3 additional core or optional modules.

Mandatory core modules (15 credits each):

  • Module 1: Fundamentals in Human Genetics and Genomics
  • Module 2: Omics Techniques and Technologies and their Application to Genomic Medicine
  • Module 3: Bioinformatics, Interpretation and Data Quality Assurance in Genome Analysis
  • Module 4: Research Project or Literature-Based Dissertation (60/30 credits)

 

Elective core modules (15 credits each):

  • Module 5: Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Diseases
  • Module 6: Genomics in Cancer Pathology
  • Module 7: Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare
  • Module 8: Applications of Genomics in Infectious Disease

 

Optional modules (15 credits each):

  • Module 10: Introduction to the Counselling Skills used in Genomic Medicine 
  • Module 11: Economic Models and Human Genomics
  • Module 12: Professional and Research Skills
  • Module 13: Workplace-based learning in genomic medicine 
  • Module 14: Advanced Bioinformatics

Note: Students choosing the 30-credit Library-Based Dissertation must also take Module 12,  Professsional and Research Skills, as one of their 3 optional modules.

Students registered for the PGDip (120 credits) will study 8 taught modules, including at least five of the core modules (1-3, 5 – 8).

Students registered for the PGCert (60 credits) will study 4 taught modules, including at least two of the core modules (1-3, 5 – 8).

All modules are also available as CPD on a stand-alone basis, either assessed or non-assessed.

Considering postgraduate study, but unsure whether you meet the entry requirements for a Masters-level degree? Postgraduate admissions guidelines vary by course and university, but can be quite flexible.

Your existing qualifications will be important, but you don’t necessarily need a great Bachelors degree to apply for a Masters. Your personal circumstances and experience may also be considered during the admissions process.

This guide explains the typical entry requirements for a Masters, which include:

      • An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject – Depending on the programme and institution, you may need a 2.1 in your Bachelors, but this isn’t always the case
      • Language proficiency – If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to display a certain ability level, usually through a language test
      • Professional experience – Some postgraduate programmes may require you to have some professional experience (this is usually the case for PGCEs and Masters in Social Work)
      • Entrance exams – These are only required in certain subject areas and qualifications, including some MBAs

Tuition fees for UK/EU students 2020/21

MSc:  Full-time £9,900. Part-time £4,950
Postgraduate Diploma:  Full-time £6,660. Part-time £3,300

   

Tuition fees for International students 2020/21

MSc: Full time £23,310
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time £15,540

Assessment

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.

All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.

The course is especially designed for healthcare professionals working within the National Health Service, to improve their capabilities and support career progression. It could be similarly beneficial for those working or aspiring to work in other healthcare systems.

The NHS Genomics Education Programme has produced a number of videos that provide an introduction to Genomics in Healthcare, as well as featuring the impact of genomics in Nursing and in General Practice and specialist roles such as clinical bioinformatics.

Students who are not healthcare professionals will acquire knowledge, understanding and skills to help them gain employment or PhD positions especially in the expanding fields of genomics, bioinformatics, or other medically-related research and development in either academia or the pharmaceutical industry.

We have gathered some profiles to give you an idea of the breadth of students we have on our programme.

 

Careers Support for Postgraduate Students

Careers Network – We can help you get ahead in the job market and develop your career. We recognise that as a postgraduate student you are likely to have specific requirements when it comes to planning for your next career step. Employers expect postgraduates to have a range of skills that exceed their subject knowledge. Careers Network offers a range of events and support services that are designed for all students, including postgraduates looking to find their niche in the job market. The Careers Network also have subject specific careers consultants and advisers for each College so you can be assured the information you receive will be relevant to your subject area.