Skin Science and Stem Cell Biology MSc

Overview

Skin Science and Stem Cell Biology is the study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in tissue regeneration; study of which is ultimately aimed at the treatment of human disease by producing replacement cells, tissues and organs. Although still in relative infancy, this exciting new field of tissue engineering is rapidly growing in importance, as recognised by the 2012 Nobel Prize in Medicine which was awarded for research in this field.

The Skin Science and Stem Cell Biology programme at Bradford has been designed to allow students to focus on acquiring specialised scientific knowledge and practical skills in stem cell biology related to skin sciences, with a particular emphasis on the potential applications in the treatment of skin disorders as well as the relevance to regenerative medicine.

A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to combine advanced scientific knowledge in skin sciences with the experimental techniques used in research. Consequently, graduates qualified with a MSc in Skin Science and Stem Cell Biology are in high demand for employment in hospitals, universities, healthcare and diagnostics laboratories, as well as other industries where commercialisation of diagnostic and cosmetic products is of primary importance.

Entry requirements

Candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree in any aspect of the Biological Sciences or a related Life Sciences course. A medical degree would also be appropriate. Minimum classification - 2:2 or equivalent.

English language requirements

English requirement of GCSE grade C or IELTS 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the subtests.

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 2023 entry, and is subject to change.

First year

Learning and assessment

The programme content is taught using conventional teaching methods that include lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes, workshops and a research project. In addition, independent self-directed or problem-based learning may include interactive research case studies, peer and collaborative sessions, reflective practice and portfolio building. These may be supplemented with interactions with science professionals and tasks that are either work-based or linked to other placements.

Assessments use a combination of unseen written examinations and a wide range of coursework elements such as laboratory reports, essays, online and computer-based assessments, data interpretation and analysis. This is also supplemented with assessment of communication skills in oral and poster communications during peer-reviewed and collaborative sessions.

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.

Career prospects

Regenerative medicine aims to treat human disease by producing replacement cells, tissues or organs. It involves a group of novel technologies based on the use of stem cells. This exciting area is currently at an early stage, but it is developing rapidly due to the recent ability to manipulate specialised adult stem cells to revert to a more flexible, embryonic–like stage (induced pluripotent stem cells) which can produce all cell types (Nobel Prize, 2012).

Since regenerative medicine has the potential to become an area of major practical importance in clinical medicine, but is currently at a very early stage, postgraduates with advanced knowledge in this topic will be well- placed at the forefront of a new and rapidly expanding area.

Graduates from this unique Masters course, which is the only one providing expertise in both skin sciences and regenerative medicine, will have a particular advantage as their proficiency will cover these two important fields with major significance for both research and industrial employment.

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.

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.