MScGenomic Medicine

Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/medicine/genomicmsc/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/

MSc Genomic Medicine

MSc Genomic Medicine

Why study MSc Genomic Medicine at Exeter?

• Taught by world-leading academics in genomics research, including multifactorial traits, rare disorders, pharmacogenomics and epigenetics.
• Developed by Health Education England and is aligned with their vision to prepare the NHS for the legacy of the 100,000 Genomes Project
• Learn how genomics is applied to clinical medicine
• Develop skills and knowledge in bioinformatics, genomic sequencing, rare disorders, infectious disease, cancer, epigenomics and more
• You will study a rich curriculum examining theory, research, policy and practice in the field of genomic medicine
• Learn to analyse real life genetic data as part of our Bioinformatics modules and the data-based research dissertation
• If you’re interested in improving your data analysis and learning genetics and genomics why not study our MSc in Genomic Medicine (Data Science)
• Benefit from our flexible study options – study full or part time, with a variety of optional modules to complement your career needs
• NHS employees in England can apply for funding from NHS England (NHSE; formerly Health Education England) to undertake up to a maximum of four modules (PGCert) in the first instance.

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Select date of entry

Sept 2026

Select programme MSc 1 year (Full time) MSc 2 years (Part time) MSc 3 years (Part time) PgDip 2 years PgCert 1 year

Apply for Jan 2026 entry

Apply for Sept 2026 entry

Apply for individual modules 2026/27

Fast Track (current Exeter students)

Accreditation of prior learning (APL)

Open Days

Register your interest

Contact

Programme Director:Dr Jess Tyrrell

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

Play

Dr Jess Tyrrell describes the MSc Genomic Medicine at the University of Exeter Medical School.

Top 10 in the UK for our world-leading and internationally excellent Clinical Medicine research

Based on 4* + 3* research in REF 2021

Our Public Health research is 11th in the UK for research power

Submitted to UoA2 Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care. REF 2021

Major capital investment in new buildings and state-of-the-art facilities

Limited number of NHSE funded places for NHS professionals

Course content

Genomic medicine is no longer a vision for the future. In the UK, the NHS aims to make genomic sequencing part of routine care. The University of Exeter has invested heavily in genomics, with extensive expertise in cutting-edge technologies and world-leading genomic research.

We are one of several universities to offer this prestigious programme and our flexible curriculum enables you to study cutting-edge genomics and how it is applied to clinical medicine. This MSc programme has been developed by Health Education England (now NHSE) and will educate and train students to work in this rapidly evolving field. The MSc provides students with opportunities to work with real-life genomics data and gain analytical skills. For those wishing to enhance their data skills we also offer the MSc Genomic Medicine (Data Science) which combines the University of Exeter’s world leading expertise in Genomics and Health Data Science.

The Genomic Medicine MSc has a number of compulsory modules including ‘Fundamentals in Human Genetics and Genomics’, which begins by covering basic concepts in genetics and molecular biology. You’ll also choose from a range of optional modules including 'Genomics of Common and Rare Diseases', 'Infectious Disease', 'Molecular Pathology of Cancer' and 'Counselling Skills for Genomics'.

Awards

This MSc course can be studied on a full time basis over one year or over two or three years (part time), which may suit applicants who are already working full time. The programme is divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. To gain a Masters qualification, you will need to complete 180 credits at level seven. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with one credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work, a 15-credit module being equivalent to 150 hours of work and a full Masters degree being equivalent to approximately 1,800 hours of work.

Genomic Medicine award structure

It is also possible to exit with a PGCert after completing 60 credits of taught modules or a PGDip after completing 120 credits of taught modules. The list of modules below shows which are compulsory.

Contact Days‌

View the draft timetable of contact days for 2025-26

‌Please note: this timetable is a draft and subject to change

The last contact day and assessment deadline for the programme will be earlier than the actual end date of your registration with the University, to allow a period of time at the end of your active studies for further support and mitigation, if needed.

Please note: if student numbers are too low for a module to run as planned, we may change the delivery approach. This could include moving from in-person teaching to online learning, with optional on-campus sessions where appropriate.

The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

MSc Genomic Medicine - Modules

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

The full MSc course comprises 180 credits made up from seven core modules: six taught modules of 15 credits each and one research module of either 60 or 30 credits. A range of optional modules is available for you to design your own learning experience to complement your career needs, and to complete the full 180 credits required.

It is also possible to exit with a PGCert after completing 60 credits of taught modules or a PGDip after completing 120 credits of taught modules.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

PgDip Genomic Medicine

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

The PG Diploma comprises 120 credits made up of any modules of your choice.

PgCert Genomic Medicine

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

The PG Certificate comprises 60 credits made up of any modules of your choice.

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Entry requirements

Standard entry

Normally a minimum 2:2 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Relevant clinical or professional experience may be taken into consideration as evidence of equivalency.  A personal statement, detailing your reasons for seeking to undertake this subject, will be required. \ \ The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.

International students

Please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.\ \ International students are normally subject to visa regulations which prevent part-time study. It is recommended that international students apply for the level of the final award you intend to complete i.e. PGCert, PGDip or Masters, due to the associated cost and requirements for a Tier 4 student Visa.

Accreditation of prior learning for Masters courses in Healthcare and Medicine

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is a process whereby students, who have already gained relevant skills and knowledge prior to the start of their course, may be granted a partial credit exemption from their programme instead of unnecessarily repeating work.

Find out more about APL

Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Entry requirements for international students

Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.

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Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Entry requirements for international students

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.

The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.

Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

I was attracted to the flexibility of this course; I work as a Healthcare Assistant & for the COVID-19 immunisations program. I love that Exeter’s course allows me to work alongside study. I really like the course, everything varied & we choose quite a few modules. You get the breadth of genomics but also go into depth with each module to really develop your area of interest.

Hannah

Studying MSc Genomic Medicine

Fees

2026/27 entry

Fees are subject to an annual increment each academic year.

UK fees

• MSc: £12,200 full-time; £6,100pa part-time (2 years); £4,100pa part-time (3 years)
• PGDip: £4,450pa (2 years)
• PGCert: £4,450 (1 year)

Standalone module fees: UK: £1,300 per 15-credit module

Credit bearing modules: If you opt to take a non-accredited module and wish to then fully accredit this with the University of Exeter, you will need to pass the assessed elements of the course within 6 months of completion and there is an additional £200 accreditation fee.

International fees

• MSc: £28,900 full-time; £14,450pa part-time (2 years); £9,650pa part-time (3 years)
• PGDip: £10,400 pa (2 years)
• PGCert: £10,400 (1 year)

Standalone module fees: International £2,850 per 15-credit module

Scholarships

The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.

*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..

Find out more about tuition fees and funding »

Funding and scholarships

There are various funding opportunities available including Global excellence scholarships. For more information visit our Masters funding page.

UK government postgraduate loan scheme

UK students studying one or two year variants of this programme may be eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan. More information can be found on the government website.

Funding for NHS professionals

We are delighted to be one of six Higher Education Institutions contracted to deliver the MSc Genomic Medicine for NHS England (NHSE). As a result, NHS professionals working in England may apply for NHSE funding to support their study, following acceptance onto the MSc Genomic Medicine at the University of Exeter.

In the first instance, applicants may be funded for up to four modules,equivalent to a Postgraduate Certificate. Subject to successfully passing these modules you will be able to apply for further funding to complete either a Postgraduate Diploma or full MSc if you choose to do so. Please note that funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, as each institution is assigned a fixed number of funded modules per annum. We liaise with NHSE and endeavour to let students know the funding outcomes over the summer, prior to the MSc starting at the end of September. Please note to be eligible for this funding you must:

• Have a permanent contract working in NHS England.
• Have approval from your line manager to study for this course. NHSE will expect a written confirmation from your manager that confirms how the training aligns with local or regional workforce plans and how the knowledge gained will be applied in practice.

Once you have applied to study Genomic Medicine with us, and received an offer, we will contact you with further details of how to express your interest in this funding.

More details of the NHSE Genomic Medicine funding can be found here.

Scholarships

Details of scholarships, including our Global Excellence scholarships for international fee paying students, can be found on our dedicated funding page.

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Knowing I had won this scholarship made me feel that the University was with me throughout my education.

Dugyu

MSc Genomic Medicine and PhD (Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences)

Teaching and research

We deliver transformative education that tackles health challenges of national and global importance.

Research

Our expertise ranges from translating findings from genomic studies to improve patient care, to using genomics to understand the evolution of infectious disease and the social and ethical aspects of genomic innovation in the life sciences, health and medicine.

Genomics research at Exeter is world-leading and supports our educational strategy and our objective to develop and apply innovative research and training methods, with opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate and work-placed learning in diverse fields ranging from bioinformatics to the ethical legal and social impact of genomics.

Teaching

Using a mix of learning formats, our modules each run over a six- to eight-week period and include at least six half days of intensive face-to-face teaching, interspersed with distance learning and independent study.

Learning

All learning will be patient focused, using clinical scenarios and a variety of learning and teaching methods to promote a wide range of skills and meet differing learning styles, including seminars, group work, practical demonstrations and exercises surrounding interpretation of data.

Teaching will be delivered by experts from a range of academic and health care professional backgrounds chosen to ensure a breadth and depth of perspective and giving a good balance between theories and principles, and practical management advice.

Distance Learning

Distance learning is delivered through a virtual learning environment, delivering a library of study materials including recordings of all live lectures, virtual patients and independent learning tasks, reference materials and links to online tutorials.\ \ There is an opportunity to undertake a research module either using genomic data from either the 100,000 Genomes project or our in-house data, or a literature-based dissertation.

Facilities

This programme is based at the St Luke’s campus in Exeter, just a 15 minute walk from the city centre and just over a mile away from the Streatham Campus. The campus is close to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and RILD building, which is home to the NHS funded Exeter Health Library. Students have studied at St Luke’s campus for over 150 years and the campus enjoys a vibrant atmosphere set around the lawns of the quadrangle. Facilities at St Luke’s campus include:

• Clinical Skills Resource Centre (Heavitree Hospital site)
• Medical Imaging suite
• Medical Sciences Laboratory

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Dr Jess Tyrrell

Programme Director

Dr Caroline Wright

Professor in Genomic Medicine

Dr Victoria Moye

Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science

Emma Dempster

Senior Lecturer

Dr Jess Tyrrell

Programme Director

Jess is an Associate Professor and Programme Director for MSc Genomic Medicine. Her main research interest involves using genetics to explore causal relationships to improve our understanding of the complex relationship between metabolic health and mental health.

Contact Dr Jess Tyrrell to discuss the academic content of the programme.\ \ For all other questions about the programme, including admission enquiries, start dates and fees, please complete the online enquiry form.

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Dr Jess Tyrrell

Programme Director

Jess is an Associate Professor and Programme Director for MSc Genomic Medicine. Her main research interest involves using genetics to explore causal relationships to improve our understanding of the complex relationship between metabolic health and mental health.

Contact Dr Jess Tyrrell to discuss the academic content of the programme.\ \ For all other questions about the programme, including admission enquiries, start dates and fees, please complete the online enquiry form.

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Dr Caroline Wright

Professor in Genomic Medicine

Caroline teaches on the core module Fundamentals in Human Genetics and Genomics within the MSc Genomic Medicine. Her main research interests are in the clinical application of genome-wide sequencing technologies for the diagnosis of rare diseases.

She is also a visiting scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge, and is on the management committee for the UK Deciphering Developmental Disorders Study (www.ddduk.org).

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Dr Victoria Moye

Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science

Vikki is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences. She is the deputy programme lead for the MSc Genomic Medicine and the Senior Academic Tutor for postgraduate taught programmes. She is also module lead for Molecular Pathology of Cancer and Application in Cancer Diagnosis, Screening and Treatment, and Pharmacogenomics and Stratified Healthcare.

She is currently a regional Public Engagement Officer for the Royal College of Pathologists helping facilitate public engagement in pathology in the South West.\ \ Vikki is the senior academic tutor for the postgraduate taught programmes in CMH, and is committed to excellent student support.

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Emma Dempster

Senior Lecturer

Emma is a Senior Lecturer and module lead for two modules on the programme; Omics Techniques and their Application to Genomic Medicine, and Epigenetics in Human Health and Diseases. Her current research focus is on identifying gene regulatory changes in brain disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s Disease and developing new epigenetic techniques and protocols.

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Pre-learning

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Free online course: 'Genomic Medicine: Transforming Patient Care in Diabetes':This free online course will introduce the topic of genomics, using the University of Exeter’s research expertise in diabetes, to illustrate the clinical application of current genomics knowledge. Find out more

Before the start of your course please use this material as an introduction to some of the basic concepts in genomics. If there are gaps in your knowledge please use the learning resources provided below.

By the end of this pre-learning you should be able to:

1. Describe how the genome is structured and organised; using terms such as DNA, nucleotide, gene and chromosome.
2. Explain how the information encoded in DNA is decoded resulting in the production of proteins; using terms such as codon, mRNA, transcription, translation and tRNA.
3. Explain how a genetic variant can result in an observable trait; using terms such as gene expression, genotype, mutation, phenotype and protein function.
4. Use pedigree charts to deduce common modes of Mendelian inheritance; using terms such as allele, autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, carrier, homozygote and X-linked.
5. Appreciate that environmental factors affect gene expression. Terms to be understood here include epigenetics, histone and methylation.
6. Understand that common diseases result from a complex interplay involving multiple genes and environmental factors. Terms to be understood here include polygenic and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).

Links and resources

All of these topics will be covered in more depth in the various modules, but you should have broad knowledge of the terms involved. To assist you in reaching these targets the following links and resources should be useful. Numbers in brackets refers to the intended learning outcome (numbered 1-6 above) that the resource will help you to understand.

The Genomics Education Programme, set up by the NHS to educate its staff, provides brief courses in their Genomics 101 collection (duration ~30 min each) that will give you an overview of genomics from a clinical perspective. 

To access these courses you will need to register for a free ‘elearning for healthcare’ account. On one of the course pages, select the ‘Sign up for free (NHS and UK universities)' option and register with a personal email account (this will give you access to limited content including the courses listed below).

• Genomics 101: From Genes to Genome. An introduction to DNA, genes, and the structure and function of the genome (1).
• Genomics 101: From Gene to Protein. An introduction to proteins, how they are synthesised, and the influence of genetic variants (2, 3).
• Genomics 101: Inheriting Genomic Information. An explanation of how genetic material is replicated and inherited, and how variants can arise (3).
• Genomics 101: Taking and Drawing a Genetic Family History. An explanation of genetic family histories and how they are recorded (4).
• Not a short course, but you may find that the webpage, How do I draw a family history, and the video, An introduction to genetics pedigrees, help you to interpret pedigree charts, including the use of Roman numerals and numbers to identify individuals within and between generations (4).
• Genomics 101: Dominant, Recessive and Beyond. This course explains how genetic conditions are inherited, and features in a family history that are characteristic of common modes of inheritance (4).

yourgenome.org is produced by the Public Engagement team at the Wellcome Genome Campus near Cambridge. This website covers everything from basic biology to the complex ethical issues that arise from genome sequencing.

The Genetic Science Learning Center at The University of Utah is an internationally-recognised education program that translates science and health for non-experts. Particular recommendations include:

• The epigenome at a glance, an animation defining the epigenome (5).

The DNA Learning Center is part of the world-renowned Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory which has been set up to educate students and non-experts as we enter an era where genetic information is available and plentiful.  Particular recommendations include:

• DNA Molecule: How Much DNA Codes for Protein?, an animation illustrating how much of the human genome codes for protein (1).
• Disease and Mutation: Sickle Cell, an animation explaining how a single change in the DNA code can cause human disease (3).

FutureLearn offers many Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) generated in partnership with UK universities. Free to sign up to (for time-limited access for 4-5 weeks) and of particular relevance to this course are the following MOOCS:

• The Genomics Era: The Future of Genetics in Medicine (St George's, University of London). Particular recommendations include the animations describing patterns of autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked inheritance in Week 2 (4).
• Genomic Medicine:Transforming Patient Care in Diabetes(University of Exeter). A particular recommendation is Prof Tim Frayling's discussion What genomics can teach us about polygenic diabetes (6).
• Inside Cancer: How Genes Influence Cancer Development (University of Bath). A particular recommendation is the article defining epigenetics and its importance to cancer in Week 1.

The course text book, New Clinical Genetics (available online at the library). Using a case-based approach this textbook makes understanding genetics an attractive and stimulating experience.

• Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 11 & 13 will help you in reaching the intended objectives (1-6) for this part of the course.  There is also a good glossary at the back of the book.  Of course there is a lot of detail in these chapters that will be covered during the course, so don't feel you have to read and understand everything!

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Careers

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Who is this course for?

Students who study this programme are likely to be clinical practitioners, diagnostic service providers, scientists, researchers and those aspiring to specialise within an academic career pathway. The course is designed for healthcare professionals working within the NHS, to improve their capabilities and support career progression.\ \ Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the current state of genomics knowledge and how it will bring benefit to patients through improved diagnosis and personalised treatment, and how to disseminate knowledge to peers, patients and the public.

Work-based learning

One of the optional modules allows you to apply the learning from your masters study to your own work place or a work-related project. Through critical analysis you will evaluate current evidence or practice of your own work environment, identify barriers or facilitators to change and provide recommendations to improve care or practice within your area.

Career paths

Students who are not healthcare professionals would acquire knowledge, understanding and skills that should help them gain employment or PhD positions, especially in the expanding fields of genomics, bioinformatics, or other medically-related research and development in either academia, pharmaceutical or biotech industries.

Careers support

All University of Exeter students have access to the Career Zone, which gives access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs.

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