Cancer Biology (Cancer Informatics)
Prepare for the next frontier in cancer research with an MRes that integrates biology, clinical oncology, and the transformative power of AI and data science.
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time
Delivered by
Location
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Hammersmith
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Course overview
Receive the broad, interdisciplinary training needed to launch a research career in the fight against cancer with this Master's course.
You’ll receive a crash course in coding, transforming you from a life scientist to a confident informatician - or deepen your computational skills in a biological context.
You'll explore cutting-edge developments in the field, including the use of AI and machine intelligence, and engage with some of the most advanced analytical tools in modern cancer research.
During your studies, you'll analyse the cellular and molecular basis of cancer biology and be introduced to the clinical and pathological aspects of carcinogenesis.
A series of workshops will help you develop key transferable skills for a research career, such as the oral presentation of scientific data and grant writing.
You'll also gain insights into the excellent project opportunities at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and partner institutions including the Crick Institute and Institute of Cancer Research.
Immerse yourself in a multidisciplinary research environment on a 10-month focused research project in world leading labs.
MRes Cancer Biology streams
This course is one of three MRes Cancer Biology streams available at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. You may wish to consider other streams depending on your interests.
- Cancer Biology focuses on wet lab skills, data analysis, and communicating science to expert and lay audiences.
- Cancer Informatics (this stream) focuses on computational and artificial intelligence techniques, ethics, and communicating science to expert and lay audiences.
- Cancer Innovation focuses on the development and translation of bio- and deep-tech platforms from concept to realisation and onward to application and communication to scientific and commercial audiences.
This course page was previously titled "Cancer Informatics MRes". It has been relabelled for clarity to show that this is a stream of our Cancer Biology course. When applying via our My 51³Ô¹ÏÍø application system, please apply to "Cancer Biology (Cancer Informatics)", which is the title of the MRes degree you will be working towards.
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Meet stream leads Dr Kirill Veselkov and Dr Marc Lorentzen
Learn about the unique skills and opportunities of the Cancer Informatics stream of MRes Cancer Biology.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take all of these core modules.
Core modules
Learn the cellular and molecular basis of cancer processes and hallmarks, together with clinical and pathological aspects of carcinogenesis and treatment.
Advance your skills in fundamental computational and bioinformatic techniques and explore cutting-edge methodologies in a range of informatics areas.
Conduct an innovative 10-month research project, with wet-lab/dry lab projects undertaken primarily at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Some opportunities will be available for projects that collaborate with industry and at other organisations such as the Bart’s Cancer Institute, the Francis Crick Institute, GlaxoSmithKline, the Institute of Cancer Research, and the Medical Research Council.
Choose either from a list of project proposals from associated academics and industrial partners, or arrange a bespoke research project by agreement with aforementioned researchers.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Technical workshops
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Tutorials
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Seminars
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Student-led presentations
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Modules
- Project
- 10% Title 1 goes here
- 90% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
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Cancer Informatics assignment
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Mock grant proposal
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Poster presentation
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Projects (thesis and oral assessment)
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MRes Cancer Biology and streams - Meet course lead Dr Anabel Varela Carver
Find out about the different streams of MRes in Cancer Biology and world-class research facilities at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026.
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
This is a stream in our Cancer Biology course. When applying via our My 51³Ô¹ÏÍø application portal, you should select the correct stream you wish to apply for, at the start of the process.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Business School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Fees and funding
Home fee - Cancer Biology streams
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £18,000.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
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.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee - Cancer Biology streams
2027 entry
Not set
As a guide, the fee for 2026-27 was £47,300.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
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.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø help my career?
Graduates of our faculty of medicine courses go on to succeed in a wide range of sectors. These include healthcare, pharamceuticals, government, charities and NGOs, consultancy, technology, research and development, education.
Who do our graduates work for?
Our faculty of medicine graduates have worked for companies including Cancer Research, NHS, Department of Health and Social Care, Costello Medical, Medpace, Sanofi, AstraZenica, Oxford Genetics, Wellcome Stranger Institute.
What jobs do our graduates do?
Data analyst, Policy advisor, Trainee Patent Attorney, Project Manager, Medical Affairs Writer, Associate Scientist, Regulatory advisor, Healthcare Consultant.
What about further study?
PhD at leading institutions worldwide.
What careers support does 51³Ô¹ÏÍø offer?
Our Careers Service can support you as you consider your next steps. You can access one-to-one guidance, workshops, employer events and online resources to help you explore your options and plan your career.
Further links
Contact the department
Course Director:
Stream Director:
Visit the Department of Surgery and Cancer website
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Register your interest
Stay up to date on news, events, scholarship opportunities and information related to this course.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications