Clinical Trials & Precision Medicine MSc
Stratified Medicine holds huge potential in the timely development of new treatments for human disease. It is among the most important concepts to emerge in 21st century clinical science and will be a crucial component of the global drive to increase the efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness of new treatments. This taught postgraduate Masters programme draws on the current and future needs of the Life Sciences sector, to create a highly skilled workforce. It harnesses Scotland’s strengths in Stratified Medicine, Clinical Trials, Bioinformatics and Pharmacogenomics to provide focused training which integrates basic and clinical sciences, and equips students with grounding in the essential skills required to design, execute and evaluate modern clinical interventions.
- Academic contact: mvls-ctsm@glasgow.ac.uk
- Admissions enquiries: enquire online
- September start
- MSc: 12 months full-time
Why this programme
- The programme will cover the principles which underpin the emerging science at the interface between genetics and pharmacology and the clinical evaluation of the resultant new medicines, taught by internationally recognised experts.
- The aim of this programme is to train researchers who can break down the barriers that currently prevent discoveries at the bench from being translated into treatments at the bedside
- The University of Glasgow has a global reputation in the field of clinical trials and stratified medicine. You will be taught by a multidisciplinary team of world leading scientists and clinicians within the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences.
- Students will gain an understanding of statistical methods used to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of new treatments.
- Students on the programme will undergo theoretical and practical training in state-of-the-art research processes available to researchers in Glasgow, enabling an appreciation of how to apply novel stratified approaches, together with clinical pharmacological, regulatory and ethical principles to the optimisation of future clinical research and therapeutic practice.
- We have excellent opportunities to engage with industrial and clinical scientists, with guest lecturers from the pharmaceutical industry, medical diagnostic laboratories and bioscience business which will help you understand the science, methodology and terminology used by scientists and clinicians from different disciplines. You will learn to communicate effectively in a multidisciplinary environment, critically evaluate a wide range of scientific data and research strategies and learn how to make a significant contribution to research and treatment in the 21st century.
- Students will learn how all of the above techniques are applied by academic and industrial researchers in the development of new medicines.
- Scholarships available
Programme structure
Students will undertake core courses which will account for 90 credits and a further 30 credits from options, which will enable students to personalise their degree to better align it with their future career aspirations. Students will also be offered a choice of project.
Core courses
- Topics in Therapeutics: General Topics and Cardiovascular Disease
- Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Medicine: Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine
- Evidence Based Research in Medicine
- Clinical Trials: Principles and Methods
- Research Methods and Statistics
Optional courses
- Pharmacogenomics & Molecular Medicine: Applied Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Medicine
- Topics in Therapeutics: Commonly Used Drugs
- Drug Disposition
- Pharmaceutical Medicine
- Medical Statistics 2
- Introduction to Clinical & Research Laboratory Management
Project and assessment
The project will account for the remaining 60 credits. The programme will include an opportunity for all students to present the outcomes of their projects to an audience of other students and academics. Assessment will consist of submission of a dissertation and a viva examination.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
Graduates of this programme will be competitive applicants for the positions in the commercial life sciences sector, or for PhD study in an academic or combined commercial/academic environment.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2019-20
MSc
Home and EU
- Full-time fee: £8000
International
- Full-time fee: £21020
Fee information is subject to change and is for guidance only
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £360
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £320
- Registration/exam only fee: £150
Funding opportunities
University of Glasgow Chancellors Award
The University of Glasgow has a total of 20 Chancellors Awards available. The Award is available to students entering any of the University’s Colleges and are awarded as a tuition fee discount.
More InformationUniversity International Leadership Scholarship
The University of Glasgow has 20 International Leadership Scholarships available to international (non-EU) students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in September. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fees discount.
University of Glasgow African Excellence Fee Waiver
For September 2019 academic session we are offering 10 scholarship worth the full tuition fee of a one year Masters programme to to academically excellent students from Africa.
If you study here you will benefit from our extensive knowledge, state-of-the-art facilities and pioneering teaching methods. Studying at Glasgow will prepare you for a wide variety of careers that are in demand internationally and also for future research and study.
More InformationPGT Excellence Scholarship
The University of Glasgow has a total of 28 PGT Excellence Awards available to UK and EU Students. Scholarships are available to students entering any of the University’s colleges and are awarded as a tuition fee discount.
More InformationAfrican Excellence Scholarship (Uniserv)
The University of Glasgow is offering 1 exclusive scholarship to students from either Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda who have been supported in their application by our representative in these countries – Uniserv Ltd. The scholarship is available to students entering any of the University’s Colleges to undertake a one year Masters programme.
More InformationGlasgow Kerala Scholarship
Following the severe floods which impacted the Indian state of Kerala, the University of Glasgow is offering 4 exclusive scholarships to students from this area and who are facing challenges in progressing onto postgraduate education. The scholarship is available to students entering any of the University’s Colleges to undertake a one year Masters programme in 2019-2020.
More InformationAlumni Discount
The University offers a 10% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes.
More InformationPostgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)
If you’re starting a master’s degree, you could get a Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £10,609 to help with course fees and living costs. You have to repay your Postgraduate Master’s Loan at the same time as any other student loans you have. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.
If you’re studying by distance learning, you can also apply.
Examples of postgraduate master’s qualifications include:
- MSc (Master of Science)
- MA (Master of Arts)
- MPhil (Master of Philosophy)
- MRes (Master of Research)
- LLM (Master of Law)
- MLitt (Master of Letters)
- MFA (Master of Fine Art)
- MEd (Master of Education)
- MBA (Master of Business Administration)
If you plan to study for Master of Architecture (MArch) or an Integrated Master’s qualification, you should apply for undergraduate support
More InformationPostgraduate Student Loan (Scotland)
From session 2018-2019 eligible full-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £5,500. Eligible part-time students can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £5,500 for the course, split across each year of their course, where the course does not take any longer than twice the length of the full-time equivalent course.
From session 2018-2019, new students will be eligible to apply for support to undertake postgraduate diploma and full masters’ level courses via distance learning.
Please see the Postgraduate funding guide.
For more information visit the SAAS website
More InformationPostgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
If you’re starting a masters degree*, you could get a Postgraduate Masters Loan of up to £10,280 to help with course fees and living costs.
* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes
For more information visit Student Finance Wales
Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
If you’re starting a doctoral degree on or after 1 August 2018, you could get a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan of up to £25,000 to help with course fees and living costs.
For more information visit Student Finance Wales
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
Candidates must normally possess at least a Second-class Honours degree in a relevant subject e.g. in Life Sciences or Pharmacy/Pharmacology/Medicine from a recognised university.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- overall score 6.5
- no sub-test less than 6.0
- or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification:
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
- ibTOEFL: 90; no sub-test less than:
- Reading: 20
- Listening: 19
- Speaking: 19
- Writing: 23
- CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
- CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII at Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's English for Academic Study Unit offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries. Find out more about visa requirements, and the support we offer:
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English Language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Standard application deadlines
- International applications (non-EU): 21 July 2019
- UK and EU applications: 25 August 2019
Classes start September 2019 and you may be expected to attend induction sessions the week before.
Apply now
