# Reproductive and Developmental MedicineMSc

**Source**: https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/2026/reproductive-and-developmental-medicine-msc
**Parent**: https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/2026

2026-27 entry

# Reproductive and Developmental Medicine MSc

School of Medicine and Population Health,
Faculty of Health\

Explore the science behind reproductive and developmental processes and their clinical applications. Develop specialist knowledge as a scientist or clinician, or prepare for further training in IVF or embryology.

- Start date
  \
  September 2026
- Duration
  \
  1 year
- Attendance
  \
  Full-time

- [Course fee](#feesfunding)

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### Explore this course:

[Apply now for 2026 entry](#apply) or [book a place on our online open day](https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit/open-day "Postgraduate online open days") on 29 April 2026 to see where a Sheffield masters could take you.

## Course description

This course covers the biological, clinical and social issues surrounding fertility, pregnancy, prenatal development and childbirth. It covers the fundamentals of reproductive science and their clinical applications.

You will study topics ranging from genetics, gonadal development, the production of gametes and embryo development, through to pregnancy and labour. Disorders that can affect fertility, foetal development and pregnancy are covered, along with their treatments. You will also explore social issues, and the ethical and legal debates surrounding reproductive medicine.

Each module is taught by experts, including clinicians, embryologists, reproductive counsellors, genetic testing specialists and scientists.

### Research project

You will apply the knowledge you have gained in the first half of your degree to a six-month research project in the second half. This will give you experience of life as a scientific researcher, and you choose from a wide range of areas to identify a research topic that matches your interests. Projects can be based in the lab or have a clinical focus that involves working with clinical data sets or directly with patients.

### Intercalation

We accept medical students who wish to intercalate their studies. Find out more on the [School of Medicine and Population Health](https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/intercalation "Intercalated degrees at the School of Medicine and Population Health") website.

### Do you have a question? Talk to us

Book a 15-minute online meeting with our course tutor to find out more information and ask further questions.

[Book an appointment with Dr Mark Fenwick](https://calendly.com/mafenwick/15min)

## Modules

A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. As you progress through your course, we'll confirm additional details for the core and optional modules available to you.

The first half of the programme consists of six taught modules that run through March.

The second half of the programme from March to September encompasses the research project module. Completion of all seven modules is core to requirements for the MSc.

Taught modules

Research project module

### 

Research Skills in Reproductive Medicine
:   This unit provides general and subject-specific training in research and careers skills. The unit will be run over the first six months of the MSc programme (taught component). A range of core topics will be introduced to support the development of effective research and communication skills. Sessions describing what constitutes plagiarism, academic reflection, lay communication of science, critical analysis of research methods and safety and ethics within the research environment will be presented alongside a comprehensive programme of fundamental laboratory skills for reproductive science.\
    \

    **15 credits**

Gonads to gametes: fundamentals of reproduction
:   This module has been designed to provide an introduction to the course by covering fundamentals of reproductive biology. It will explain how sex determination is initially defined from the genetics of a single cell and how this evolves into two distinct individuals with phenotypes that culminate in the propagation of male and female gametes. A contextual framework of foundation principles will be enhanced by state-of-the-art scientific and special-interest research seminars, which will serve to underpin many of the clinical aspects introduced in subsequent modules of the course.

    **15 credits**

Fertilisation, implantation and embryology
:   This module provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of pivotal physiological events around conception using a blend of lectures and practical sessions. It will cover a chronology of processes relevant to mammalian physiology from pre-fertilisation through embryonic development, implantation and early embryo gastrulation and organogenesis. This module will also explore some of the mechanisms by which the parental environment influences development and fertility, and how they might impact on long-term offspring health. Knowledge of these processes will be used to inform students about the clinical implications in humans and other mammalian species. Finally, students will start to explore some of the societal impacts of these technologies.

    **15 credits**

Fetal Development, Pregnancy and Parturition
:   This module is designed to provide students with knowledge of the biochemistry, physiology and pathology of human pregnancy, fetal development, and parturition. Lectures will cover a recap of implantation, and provide details of the maternal biochemical and physiological changes associated with pregnancy, birth and the puerperium, and will give an overview of key processes during fetal development. Disorders of pregnancy, fetal development, labour and delivery will be taught, and emphasis will be placed on the commoner clinical problems and their solutions. Various clinical sequalae associated with pregnancy will be introduced and broad range of clinical and underpinning scientific scenarios will be covered.

    **15 credits**

Reproductive medicine and assisted conception
:   The unit will provide a broad overview of clinical and laboratory aspects of human reproduction within the context of the clinical management of male and female infertility. In addition, the module will cover the essential aspects of assisted conception treatment. Essential skills required for appraisal and assessment of the research literature in relation to topics relevant to reproductive medicine and assisted conception will also be provided.

    **15 credits**

Law, ethics and policy in reproductive medicine
:   This module will give an overview of basic legal and ethical principles relevant to reproductive medicine. This will consider primarily the Abortion Act (1967), the Warnock Report (1978) The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Acts of (1990) and (2008) and the EU Tissues and Cells Directive (2004). However, comparisons with other legal frameworks around the world will be made with regard to how they deal differently with aspects of IVF, donation, gamete and embryo cryopreservation, sex selection, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and surrogacy. Basic ethical principles will be examined, including the Declaration of Helsinki and the role ethics committees and research governance plays in overseeing research using human subjects and embryos.

    **15 credits**

### 

Research project (reproduction)
:   The aim of this module is to provide the opportunity to learn and apply research methods to test a specific scientific hypothesis and to develop transferrable skills in data analysis, interpretation and presentation. A list of projects will be made available and students will be asked to select their top choices. Having being assigned a project of their choice, the students will carry out a focussed research project. Students will also be expected to attend and actively contribute to unit seminars, research group and supervisor meetings to learn and experience the day-to-day role of a scientific researcher.

    **90 credits**

The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

## Open days

Interested in postgraduate taught study?

- [Take part in our online open day](https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit/open-day "Postgraduate online open days") on **Wednesday 29 April**
- [Join us on a discovery afternoon](https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/visit/masters-study-discovery-afternoon "Masters study discovery afternoon") on **Tuesday 12 May**
- [Register your interest](https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/register-your-interest "Register your interest in postgraduate study at the University of Sheffield") in studying at Sheffield.

At the upcoming discovery afternoons you can book on to a **biological and life sciences session** to discover our broad range of courses across the discipline.

## Duration

1 year full-time

## Teaching

You will learn through lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, independent study and your research project.

## Assessment

You will be assessed through practical exercises with reflective reports, preparation of research articles, mock ethics committee presentations, systematic review and meta-analysis.

The research project is assessed through a poster presentation, short reflective reports, a thesis and a short oral exam based on your written work.

## Your career

This course is an ideal stepping stone towards further specialist training and a career in clinical embryology or andrology. Our graduates work in NHS and private fertility clinics around the UK, and many have secured places in the highly competitive NHS Scientist Training Programme.

## Student profiles

[If not for the MSc course I would not be where I am now

 Evie Gruszyk

Alumni,
\
 MSc Reproductive and Developmental Medicine](https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/students/postgraduate-students/evie-gruszyk)
[I’m not just saying it, but my masters was genuinely the best year of my university experience so far

 Amelia Parkin-Green

Alumni, current PhD student,
\
 Reproductive and Developmental Medicine MSc](https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/students/postgraduate-students/amelia-parkin-green)
[Conducting my thesis in collaboration with embryologists gave me invaluable hands-on experience.

 Stephanie Abi Zeid

Pregnancy and Fertility Coach ,
\
 Reproductive and Developmental Medicine MSc](https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/students/stephanie-abi-zeid)

## Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.

### **Subject requirements**

We accept degrees in the following subject areas:

- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Genetics
- Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Veterinary Science

We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

If required degree subjects and modules are listed, these are indicative only. Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

[Entry requirements for international students](https://sheffield.ac.uk/international/applying/postgraduate-taught "Postgraduate taught")

### English language requirements

IELTS 7 (with 6.5 in each component) or University equivalent.

[Other English language qualifications we accept](https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/english-language "English language requirements for postgraduates")

### Other requirements

We will **not** ask you to provide references or referee details as part of your application.

We **do not** require a supporting statement for this programme.

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please [contact the school](#contactus).

## Fees and funding

[Funding for postgraduate taught courses](https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/funding "Funding for postgraduate taught courses")

## Save on your course fees

### £3,000 scholarships for international students

Overseas fee-paying students joining in September 2026 will [automatically receive a £3,000 tuition fee discount](https://sheffield.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/scholarships/postgraduate/international-postgraduate-scholarship "International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026") (subject to eligibility) - no separate application form required.

### Save up to £2,500 on your course fees

Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could [save up to £2,500](https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/alumni-discount "Alumni Discount") on your postgraduate taught course fees, [subject to eligibility](https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/alumni-discount#terms-and-conditions "Alumni Discount").

## Apply

You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

[Apply now](https://sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/apply/applying "How to apply")

## More information

[School of Medicine and Population Health](https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/home)

## Contact

Start a conversation with us – you can get in touch by email, telephone or online chat.

[Contacts for prospective students](https://sheffield.ac.uk/contact/study "Contact us: course, application and study enquiries ")

Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

[Our student protection plan](https://sheffield.ac.uk/study/policies/student-protection-plan "Student protection plan")

Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read [information from the UK government](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/providing-services-to-any-country-in-the-eu-iceland-liechtenstein-norway-or-switzerland-after-eu-exit#recognition-of-professional-qualifications) and the [EU Regulated Professions Database](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/professional-qualifications/regulated-professions/index_en.htm).

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