Experimental and Translational Therapeutics

Oxford has made a major contribution to modern molecular medicine and Oxford’s senior scientists have provided significant insights to our understanding of cancer, diabetes, and cardiac, haematological and infectious diseases. There is an opportunity to harness these advances and translate them into therapeutic benefits for patients.

The MSc in Experimental and Translational Therapeutics draws on the world class research and teaching in experimental therapeutics at the University of Oxford and aims to provide you with the necessary training and practical experience to enable you to understand the principles that underpin clinical research, and to translate that understanding into good clinical and research practice.

The programme will appeal to health professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including:

• qualified doctors
• specialist registrars in clinical pharmacology or in training for other medical sub-specialities
• clinical research fellows
• pharmacists
• nurses
• graduates working in the pharmaceutical industry or in academic clinical trials

The MSc is a part-time course consisting of six modules and a research project and dissertation. The programme is normally completed in two to three years, but up to a maximum of four years may be taken. You will be a full member of the University of Oxford and matriculated as a member of a college.

To complete the MSc, you need to attend the six modules and complete an assessed written assignment for each module, and complete a dissertation on a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor and the Course Director. The six modules are:

• The Structure of Clinical Trials and Experimental Therapeutics
• Drug Development, Pharmacokinetics and Imaging
• Pharmacodynamics, Biomarkers and Personalised Therapy
• Adverse Drug Reactions, Drug Interactions, and Pharmacovigilance
• How to do Research on Therapeutic Interventions: Protocol Preparation
• Biological Therapeutics

The class-based taught modules consist of five days of intensive face-to-face lectures and tutorials, and are followed by a period for assignment work. Attendance at modules is a requirement for study. A virtual learning environment (VLE) provides between-module support, and assignments are submitted online.

The modules include group work, discussions, guest lectures, and interaction and feedback with tutors and lecturers, as well as practical work that develops your knowledge and understanding of the subject.

The dissertation is founded on a research project that builds on material studied in the taught modules. The dissertation should not exceed 15,000 words. The project is normally supervised by an academic supervisor from the University of Oxford, and an employer-based mentor.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Oncology and/or the Department for Continuing Education and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. A supervisor may be found outside the Department of Oncology and the Department for Continuing Education.

Graduates of the programme have held positions such as pharmacist, medical information executive, consultant, project manager, director, CEO, associate professor, clinical research coordinator, senior scientist, psychiatrist, registrar and doctoral research student.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the lead department

Evidence-Based Health Care Msc
Evidence Based Health Care DPhil
Health Research PGDip
Surgical Science and Practice MSc

All graduate courses in this area offered by the Department for Continuing Education

Cognitive Behavioural Studies PGCert

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy MSc

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGDip

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGCert

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy DPhil

Continuing Education DPhil

Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGCert

Evidence Based Health Care (Medical Statistics) MSc

Evidence Based Health Care (Systematic Reviews) MSc

Evidence-Based Health Care DPhil

Evidence-Based Health Care MSc

Experimental and Translational Therapeutics MSc

Health Research PGDip

Health Research PGCert

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy MSt

Paediatric Infectious Diseases MSc

Paediatric Infectious Diseases PGDip

Patient Safety PGCert

Psychodynamic Counselling PGCert

Psychodynamic Practice MSt

Psychodynamic Practice PGDip

Qualitative Health Research Methods PGCert

Surgical Science and Practice MSc

Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care PGCert

Translational Health Sciences MSc

All graduate courses offered by the Department of Oncology

Experimental and Translational Therapeutics MSc

Oncology DPhil

Oncology MSc by Research

Precision Cancer Medicine MSc

Radiation Biology MSc

Radiation Oncology combined MSc and DPhil

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Entry requirements