Integrated Immunology

The University of Oxford is a world leader in Immunology. This means that you will be taught by leading academics in immunology throughout the first two terms of the MSc, and that you will undertake your third term project in a top-ranked research department.

The MSc in Integrated Immunology course provides comprehensive and in-depth training in immunology for science and medical postgraduates. It is a 12-month, full-time course comprising two taught terms followed by a 14-week laboratory-based research project within a University of Oxford laboratory. The first taught term focuses on the fundamental science of immunology, while the second explores the clinical and therapeutic aspects of immunology. The MSc course is not modular, ie all teaching elements are compulsory for all students and there are no options for students to choose.

Each of the two taught terms is 11 weeks in duration with nine weeks for classroom-based teaching, one for revision and one for examination. An average teaching week comprises approximately seven lectures, each lecture being 60 to 90 minutes in duration. In addition there are class directed learning sessions, tutorials and problem based learning sessions. Continuing professional development classes, including presentation and IT skills, statistics, ethics and clinical trial methodologies, take place throughout both taught terms.

In the third term you will undertake an original, supervised research project to gain an understanding of research techniques in immunology or a related area. Research supervisors provide regular supervision and guidance during the course of the research project.

At the end of each taught term, you will take a computer-based examination to test core knowledge. Further elements of the overall assessment are a critical essay in the first term, a set of clinical case commentaries in the second term, and a research dissertation in the third term. Detailed assessment instructions and marking criteria will be provided at the beginning of each term.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences.

The MSc in Integrated Immunology has been run continuously since 2004. Over those years, about half of alumni from the MSc have gone on to graduate research degrees, with a number of those taking up DPhil positions in Oxford.

Over a third of alumni from the MSc have continued to medical school, including Oxford, or progressed to higher specialist medical training. A small number have also taken up positions in the pharmaceutical sector.

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

Applicants are strongly advised to visit the Medical Sciences Graduate School website to help them identify the most suitable course and supervisors.

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 department

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences DPhil
Surgical Sciences DPhil

All graduate courses offered by the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences

Integrated Immunology MSc

Patient Safety PGCert

Surgical Science and Practice MSc

Surgical Sciences DPhil

Surgical Sciences MSc by Research

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Entry requirements