MSc Human Molecular Genetics
Train in the theory and application of human genetics to prepare for a research career in molecular genetics, human health and disease.
Overview
This course will provide you with a broad theoretical and applied grounding in human genetics, with the emphasis on the molecular aspects of human genetics, particularly in relation to human disease.
It is ideal for science graduates seeking research careers in areas such as human molecular genetics, the genetics of human health and disease, or molecular and cytogenetic approaches to diagnosis.
Teaching covers a wide range of topics, including the fundamentals of human genetics andclinical genetics and genomics, together with more advanced topics such as diabetes, cancer genetics, gene therapy, animal models and epigenetics. The course is flexible and updated regularly to reflect important advances in human genetics.
Study programme
You will have up to four weeks of intensive laboratory practical sessions, as well as computer practicals in bioinformatics and genomics.
This is supplemented with regular research seminars, student seminars and journal presentations, study group activities and a six-month full-time research project, where you will pursue a novel research question within an active research group environment.
Areas covered include:
- analysis of human monogenic disease
- analytical methods and bioinformatics
- animal models and transgenesis
- cancer genetics
- diabetes
- epigenetics
- gene therapy
- molecular diagnostics and clinical genetics
- multifactorial inheritance
- the fundamentals of human and molecular genetics
Careers
Up to 50% of our students go on to do a PhD, 25% become research assistants/associates, while others go on to jobs in industry or further studies (bioinformatics/computing, medicine).
Typically, one or two students every year enter the NHS in clinical genetics training posts.
Structure
This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
Page last reviewed on 25 October 2021.
Core modules
You will take all of the following modules.
Molecular Genetics
This module introduces you to key aspects of molecular genetics and will reinforce and build on knowledge obtained at BA/BSc level on the following topics: cell biology, gene regulation, mechanisms of disease and human genetics.
Genetics of Rare and Common Disease
This module ensures that you understand how Mendel’s law of inheritance applies to both rare and common disease and that you are able to contrast the implications of different modes of inheritance. You will gain a grounding in monogenic and multifactorial inheritance, twin studies and heritability, clinical genetics and genetic counselling, genomics of common disease, genetics of cancer, epigenetics and the genetics of diabetes.
Analytical Methods in Human Genetics
The module teaches you how to pose a testable hypothesis, implement a hypothesis test, understand simple statistical tests (including correlation and regression), implement and interpret linear regression models, be aware of different methods to address multiple testing, utilise basic Unix tools for handling and manipulating large genomic sets, conduct bioinformatics analyses using online tools and Unix command line and design, and present and defend a robust genomic study design.
Genomics in the Laboratory
This module ensures that you learn how to operate safely in a laboratory setting, use laboratory equipment, set up and perform molecular genetics experiments, interpret results and DNA sequence data, present molecular techniques to the class, identify potential problems encountered during the experiment, and maintain a comprehensive laboratory book that will allow independent investigators to replicate your methods and results.
Human Molecular Genetics Research Project
This module is based around a six-month novel research project in one of our participating laboratories, where you will have two supervisors (an academic and a research team member). The project will encourage you to implement, critically assimilate and extend all you have learned during the taught six months of the programme. You will then write your thesis and defend your work in an oral examination, which will assess your critical understanding.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Lectures
- Study group learning
- Practical laboratory classes
- Blackboard Learn
- BL-embedded Qualitrics surveys
- Class conference field trip
- 6-month student research project
- Panopto (lecture capture)
- Research project placement
- Tutorials
- Videos
- Workshops
Assessment methods
- E-learning exercises
- Essays
- Journal clubs
- Lab performance
- Oral examination
- Peer formative assessment methods are used
- Presentations (poster, oral and in the lab)
- Research Dissertation
- Study groups
- Tutorial discussions
- Written examination
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Admissions
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in biochemical sciences, genetics or another science-based degree.
Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements listed but who have substantial relevant industry experience may exceptionally be admitted following completion of a ‘Special Qualifying Exam’ (SQE)
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the higher College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
How to apply
Making an application
Apply online
All applicants must apply online.
Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.
Application fee
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for taught Master's applications (excluding MBAs)
- £135 for MBA applications
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
ATAS certificate
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Further questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions. Answers cover COVID-19, English language requirements, visas and more.
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£13,000
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£37,800
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies.
See what opportunities you may be eligible for:
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
Got a question?
Deborah Jones
T: +44 (0)20 7594 6515
E: deborah.jones@imperial.ac.uk
Read more about the Department and our research in the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction.
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