Master by Research (various specialisms) MRes

Overview

Master by Research (MRes) is a one-year research-focused postgraduate programme delivered at the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics and Faculty of Life Sciences. It provides training for working as a professional scientist, or in preparation for a PhD. The programme recently introduced an industrial placement element where you can spend part or all of your training in an industrial setting.

There are six specialisms available to you:

MRes Cancer Drug Discovery
MRes Cancer Pharmacology
MRes Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology
MRes Molecular and Cell Biology
MRes Chemical Biology
MRes Pharmaceutical Technology

The programme places a strong emphasis on developing laboratory-based research skills and expertise. A six-month research project offers you an opportunity to acquire skills, and to put them into practice by carrying out cutting-edge research with a real-world impact.

The programme is organised around research-engaged learning, where the classroom and lab are sites for the production and application of new knowledge. The curriculum is designed around the principle of ‘spiral learning’ where core skills, knowledge, and competencies are reinforced and developed as you study.

The approach to assessment for learning is aligned to both the spiral curriculum and the principle of research-engaged learning. It is also authentic in encompassing the disciplinary and professional skills you will need to pursue a career in the associated scientific and academic fields.

Entry requirements

To be admitted to the programme, applicants must have an undergraduate Honours qualification (minimum 2: 1) or equivalent in a scientific discipline, usually within chemistry, biology, pharmacy, biomedicine, or related fields. Candidates with a 2:2 or equivalent degree who can show relevant experience will also be considered.

For North American students a GPA of normally 2.5 and above (on a scale of 4.0), or an equivalent, is required.

A levels

Entry to this programme requires a pass at A-level Chemistry OR having taken an undergraduate module in a relevant chemical subject.

English language requirements

If your native language is not English, or the official language of your first degree is not English, you will need to pass a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The International English Language Testing System test (IELTS) administered by the British Council is the test which is preferred by the University.

You will need to achieve an overall score of at least 6.0, with at least 5.5 in each of the four sub-tests (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Testing facilities are available at most British Council overseas offices. When you take the test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.

Alternative English language tests include:

The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A), for which you will need to achieve an overall score of at least 55, with at least 51 in each of the four sub-tests
TOEFL, for which you will need to score at least 80 on the internet-based test, with sub-tests not less than Speaking 20, Listening 17, Reading 18, Writing 17

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

What you will study

All module information is for 2022 entry, and is subject to change.

First semester

The programme has a central core of modules in the first semester which are designed to train you in widely used laboratory techniques, research methodology, and in critical analysis and thinking.

The 20-credit Practical Skills in Research module is designed around common laboratory techniques and skills including:

ELISA
Flow cytometry
Western blot
Statistical analysis

You will have a series of workshops to learn these techniques with a lab session where you carry out the procedure.

During the first semester, you will gain knowledge of the breadth of cutting-edge research at ICT and either choose or suggest a research project plan.

In the 20-credit Critical Appraisal module you are assigned a topic under the supervision of one of our academics, and are asked to write a 5000-word critical review. You will receive a wide range of training and advice on:

Scientific writing
Compiling scientific data
Data analysis
Scientific presentation

The remaining 20-credit module will provide you with the core academic knowledge required in your chosen specialism.

Second and third semesters

In Semesters 2 and 3 (60 credits each), you will join research laboratories within the ICT to undertake your Research Project. During this time, you are trained in specialist laboratory techniques and conduct your chosen research.

A number of specialist workshops throughout the two semesters provide training in subjects and skills such as:

Proteomics
Bioinformatics
CV writing
Poster design and preparation
Scientific peer review

The large research element in the MRes enables students to undertake substantial and ambitious projects, some of which are expected to result in publication in high impact scientific journals.

First year

Core

Option

Students select one eligible specialism from:

Principles of Drug Discovery (MRes Cancer Drug Discovery)
Critical Appraisal (MRes Cancer Pharmacology)
Bioorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry (MRes Chemical Biology)
Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology (MRes Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology)
Molecular Basis of Cancer and Cancer Therapy (MRes Molecular and Cell Biology)
Science of Solid Dosage Forms and Advanced Pharmaceutical Technologies (MRes Pharmaceutical Technology)

Learning and assessment

The programme uses a wide range of assessment types, including:

Written exams
Extended essays
Poster and seminar presentations
Laboratory write-ups

The assessments work together to provide the real skills needed for research-active scientists. For example, in Semester 2, you will be tasked with writing a communication journal manuscript based on your initial results and to submit a scientific abstract for a poster.

In Semester 3, you will prepare and present your poster at the Faculty-wide Research Open Day, to which all the University’s internal and external stakeholders are invited. You will join other students in the cohort, to form an editorial board, set criteria and then peer-review the manuscripts prepared in Semester 2.

Employability, and the skills that enhance it, are a strong feature running through the curriculum design. For example, in Semester 2 you will attend a workshop about writing your CV. In Semester 3, you will participate in a mock job/PhD interview by an invited external employer/academic.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2024

Home: £9,462
International: £24,180

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Industrial Placement

As part of our commitment to improve employability of our graduates, we recently announced opportunities for gaining work experience as part of your degree at Labcorp Drug Development in Harrogate (Previously known as Covance)

If you are accepted to the scheme, you can spend part or all of your six month project during Semesters 2 and 3 at Labcorp. For further information, please contact Scheme Coordinator and Programme Leader

Career prospects

The largest destination of our graduates is enrolment in PhD studies (47%) including here at Bradford, as well as King’s College London, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Sheffield.

Career destination of our graduates includes the NHS, Covance, Envigo, St James Hospital Leeds, Cyprotex, Chiltern, Perrigo, Dewsbury & District Hospital, Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine, and Public Health England.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Study support

All students on the MRes programme are assigned a Personal Academic Tutor whom they regularly meet during their time here. Embedded within the programme are a number of activities to enhance your academic skills, and additional support is also provided through the Academic Skills Advice unit.

University central services are rich with support teams to assist students with every aspect of their journey through our degree programmes. From our Career and Employability Service, through our strong Students' Union, to our professional and efficient Student Finance team, there are always friendly faces ready to support you and provide you with the answers that you need.

Research

The Institute of Cancer Therapeutics is based in the science quarter at the heart of the University campus and is part of the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences. ‌

Our research encompasses the development of new cancer medicines from concept to clinic. The emphasis of our work is on drug target and biomarker interrogation in clinical samples and development of relevant in vitro and in vivo models for lead compound selection and progression. Research covers the three broad stages of cancer medicine and biomarker development: discovery, pre-clinical evaluation and clinical application.

Our taught and research-based postgraduate programmes benefit from an excellent research environment within an institute large enough to provide world-leading expertise across a broad range of relevant subject areas, together with a vibrant and supportive student community.

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.