MSc Stem Cells in Development, Disease and Regeneration
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- January 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Stem cells are a powerful research tool, presenting fantastic opportunities to model disease and harness development of tissues, organ systems, and even body plans in vitro.
Stem cells may be derived from healthy or diseased individuals. From them we can generate tissues and organs for use in disease modelling, drug development and cell-replacement therapies.
This dynamic MSc in Stem Cells in Development, Disease and Regeneration provides you with a solid foundation in fundamental theory, along with hands-on practical training. The course covers a wide range of topics, placing stem cells within the broader context of life sciences, including development, disease, and regeneration.
As part of your studies, you'll also acquire a diverse set of transferable skills designed to boost your employability across industry, government, and non-government organisations.
Upon completion of the course, you'll be exceptionally well-qualified to apply for PhD programmes, both nationally and internationally, in this cutting-edge field.
Study and Modules
Structure
This is a 1-year MSc course, during which you’ll gain fundamental theory, hands-on practical training, and a diverse range of transferable skills in time and project management, communication and written and oral presentations.
This MSc course features a range of topics, and places stem cells in the context of other areas of life sciences including development, disease and regeneration. A major component is a year-long research project with a leader of your choice, providing detailed insight into a current question in stem cell biology.
Stem cells in development: How stem cells normally differentiate from embryo to adult informs strategies for engineering stem cell models of healthy and diseased organs and tissues in the lab.
Stem cells in disease: Whether derived from patients or generated via genome-editing of healthy cells, stem cells may be used to build and study diseased organs and tissues in the lab. This provides a route for investigation of disease mechanisms and screening of drug candidates.
Stem cells in regeneration: Organs and tissues generated from healthy stem cells, including those repaired via genome editing, are a promising source of healthy cells for use in cell-replacement therapies. Moreover, modulation of endogenous stem cells can guide healthy or suppress pathological regeneration.
You’ll choose a hands-on research project from a wide variety of organ systems. Potential topics include: cardiovascular system; pulmonary system; central nervous system; peripheral nervous system and sense organs; haemato-endothelial system; musculoskeletal system; gastro-intestinal system.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
All our teaching in the School of Biological Sciences is research-led. During your 1-year MSc course you’ll benefit from the teaching expertise of our enthusiastic and friendly academic staff with world-leading research reputations in stem cell and developmental biology. You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, and hands-on practical work, where you’ll perfect your skills.
Independent study
The independent research project forms a major part of your course. You’ll conduct the project in your choice area in one of the host labs on the Norwich Research Park. Your project will culminate in the written dissertation and presentation of your results. This project enables you to focus on a specific area of stem cell biology that fascinates you, and to develop your skills and knowledge through independent learning, with the support from your host lab. You’ll have an excellent scope to develop your independent learning, critical thinking and problem-solving skills in this MSc course, both in the problem-based learning sessions and in your independent research project.
You’ll also get the chance to attend regular seminars and workshops conducted by world-leading scientists to keep up with the latest research in stem cell and developmental biology.
Assessment
We’ll assess your learning in a combination of ways depending on the module and learning objectives. These include some formal exams, coursework assignments, and presentations.
Each module contains several items of summative assessment preceded by formative work. You’ll complete formative assessments early in all modules and receive feedback to enable you to act on this when submitting the related summative work.
In addition, you’ll complete a research project on a topic of your choice, which you'll submit to us as a formal written dissertation.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Life or Physical Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Life or Physical Sciences
- English Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking, and 5.5 in Reading and Listening)
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
-
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
-
UK Students: £12,850 (full time)
-
International Students: £25,150 (full time)
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Upon completion, you’ll be exceptionally well qualified as a PhD candidate for national and international PhDs within this area. You’ll also have a diverse range of transferable skills and understanding that will enhance your employability in industry, government, and non-government organisations.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Academia
- Biotechnology industry
- Research scientist
- Health sector
- Government policy makers
- Non-government organisations
Discover more on our Careers webpages.