MPhil in Therapeutic Sciences
MPhil in Therapeutic Sciences Course 2026.
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The MPhil in Therapeutic Sciences provides students with an opportunity to undertake a period of study and research in therapeutic sciences. The MPhil is offered by the Faculty of Biology as a one-year, full-time period of study and research, in-person in Cambridge. The course includes a 6-month research project placement in academia or industry.
The field of therapeutic sciences is evolving rapidly in this exciting time of scientific, medical and technological innovation. Cambridge is a world-leading centre of excellence in therapeutic sciences, with numerous academic departments, institutes, biotechs, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies in the Cambridge area. The course will draw upon this breadth and depth of academic and industrial strength in therapeutic sciences to provide a unique environment for students on the course to gain experience of therapeutic sciences from academia and industry in an integrated setting.
The course aims to convey a detailed understanding of cutting-edge therapeutic sciences and to provide exposure to world-leading research in academia and industry. The seminars, workshops and discussions with world-leading experts will provide exposure to state-of-the-art knowledge, technologies and trends. Research placements will provide direct experience of translational research environments and techniques in academia and industry. Overall, the course will provide students with the tools and skills necessary to understand, develop and implement modern techniques in therapeutic sciences and to become future leaders in science and healthcare.
Course summary
The main aims of the course are to provide students with the opportunities to:
- Gain knowledge and experience of therapeutic sciences in academia and industry;
- Develop all the tools and skills necessary to understand, develop and implement cutting-edge techniques in therapeutic sciences;
- Acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests;
- Carry out focussed research in the discipline, under close supervision;
- Be introduced to the skills of experimental design and project management that are needed in research;
- Become familiar with the practicalities of laboratory research, including record keeping, data handling and professional laboratory practice;
- Learn analytical techniques needed to understand and contextualise their research;
- Become familiar with scientific writing and presentation skills.
The course will cover conventional and novel therapeutic modalities, including understanding biological pathways and therapeutic mechanisms, diagnostic and prognostic tools, identifying novel targets, and characterising the pharmacologic profiles of new compounds including adverse effects and toxicity. Special emphasis will be placed on novel therapeutics approaches such as recombinant protein technologies, gene therapy, cell-based therapies, regenerative medicine, electroceuticals, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Students will develop an understanding of the social, financial, ethical, legal and policy implications of the introduction of these new therapies.
Bridging the gap between academic training and translational therapeutics will enhance opportunities for students to become the next generation of scientific leaders in the therapeutics and healthcare sectors of the future, as well as other professions. Based on the course design and content, we anticipate that students may pursue a variety of future scientific and medically related careers. These may include PhD studies, medical schools, biotechs, pharmaceutical companies, clinical trials coordinators, scientific research labs in academia or industry; or to careers in education, government, publishing, medical writing, patent law, regulatory affairs and medical sales, consultancy and many other vocations.
This highly multi-disciplinary course is co-developed and co-delivered by both University of Cambridge academics and world-leading industry experts. The course is delivered through a range of methods including lectures, seminars, workshops and independent learning. This is complemented with extensive lab-based training during a research project (4 days per week full-time for approximately 6 months) with students integrated into one of the many participating research groups in academia or industry.
For further information about the course please visit the postgraduate study page for the MPhil in Therapeutic Sciences or you can contact us via the MPhil in Therapeutic Sciences email.
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