Cancer Sciences

Cancer sciences is a discipline focused on understanding the biological mechanisms that underlie cancer, one of the most complex and consequential groups of diseases affecting human health. It draws on molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology to examine how normal cells become cancerous, how tumours grow and spread, how the immune system responds to cancer, and how existing and new treatments work at the molecular level. The field sits at the frontier of biomedical research, and the pace of discovery in cancer biology has been remarkable over recent decades.

At Nottingham this four-year full-time programme incorporates a foundation year, which builds the scientific and academic foundations you need before entering the main degree. You will study the core sciences underpinning cancer biology, including cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and pharmacology, before moving into more specialist content covering tumour biology, oncology, cancer immunology, drug development and the research methods, from molecular techniques to clinical trial design, that are central to the field. The programme benefits from Nottingham's strong research environment in cancer and biomedical sciences, and a typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects the degree's scientific rigour and competitive admissions.

Graduates of cancer sciences programmes pursue careers in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development, clinical laboratory science, medical research, regulatory affairs, science communication and healthcare policy. Many continue to postgraduate study, undertaking master's programmes or doctoral research in cancer biology, oncology, pharmacology, molecular biology or clinical research. The combination of deep knowledge of cancer mechanisms and broad biomedical science training makes graduates well placed for roles in both academic and industrial research, as well as in the clinical sciences and the growing field of precision medicine.