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Cancer Sciences

Entry requirements


A level

A,B,B

A levels to include at least two science subjects, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry. A pass is required in science practical tests, if assessed separately. Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics. We will not accept Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, General Studies or Global Perspectives as your third A level.

Access to HE Diploma

D:24,M:21,P:0

These qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact the University for more information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,M2,M3

including two sciences, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry. Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Grade 4 (C) is required in English and maths or equivalent.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32

Including 6, 5, 5 at Higher Level including Biology or Chemistry and a second science at Higher level. Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DD

These qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, alongside an A Level at grade B. Please contact the University for more information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD

These qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact the University for more information.

Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)

D

These qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, alongside A Levels at BB. Please contact the University for more information.

Scottish Advanced Higher

A,B

Including two sciences, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry. Plus ABBBB in Scottish Highers. Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

Scottish Higher

A,B,B,B,B

Plus AB in Advanced Highers including two sciences, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry. Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

T Level

D

These qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact the University for more information.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

B

Considered alongside two A Levels grade AB. A levels to include at least two science subjects, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry. A pass is required in science practical tests, if assessed separately. Accepted second science subjects include: Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, Engineering, Psychology, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics.

UCAS Tariff

104-141

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Oncology

This course will give you a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of cancer sciences. From its basic scientific principles through to translation into therapeutics and drug development. Our Cancer Sciences BSc will give you training in the biomedical sciences in areas such as cell and molecular biology, immunology, and human physiology.

You’ll be supported by internationally recognised researchers and clinicians, and you’ll be equipped with the core scientific skills necessary to progress to specialisms in cancer sciences research, in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, finance and contract research industries, as well as in academic cancer research. You will also be well placed for opportunities in the management, regulation, and exploitation of research and Graduate Entry Medicine or other related fields.

This is one of the only undergraduate cancer research degrees in the UK.

You can also choose to study the integrated masters (MSci) version of this course (B130), which gives you the chance to undertake a nine-month placement in industry or a research laboratory.

Modules

In your first year, you will learn the characteristics of cancer, its causes, how it progresses, and how it affects a person's health. You will also learn the human physiology and fundamental cell and molecular biology that you need to understand cancer and its causes and treatments.

Your second year looks more closely at how different cancers form, grow, and spread, specifically focusing on lung, breast, and ovarian cancer. Themes this year include epidemiology and public health, as well as cancer cell genetics. The Patient-Centred Library Project module gives you the chance to study a different type of cancer and provides an overview of the patient journey through healthcare interactions.

Your final year focuses on the advanced study of the biology of cancer cells, immunology and the development of new cancer therapies. You'll have the opportunity to apply for one of our studentships, which will see you work alongside real cancer scientists during a 12-week placement. This is an exciting chance to contribute to discoveries in real-world cancer research.

If you choose to study the integrated masters (MSci), you’ll experience an extensive placement in your fourth year. This could be in an industry, research or academic setting - in the UK or overseas.

For the most up-to-date module information and full details, please visit the course page on our website.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a variety of methods, including: essays, coursework, exams, lab report, presentations, practical write-ups, and a dissertation.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£27,200
per year
International
£27,200
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

University Park Campus

Department:

School of Medicine

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

69%
Oncology

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Medicine by specialism

Teaching and learning

85%
Staff make the subject interesting
85%
Staff are good at explaining things
77%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
92%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

69%
Library resources
77%
IT resources
85%
Course specific equipment and facilities
54%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

92%
UK students
8%
International students
27%
Male students
73%
Female students

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
B
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Medicine by specialism

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£30,000
med
Average annual salary
100%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

98%
Health professionals
0%
Teaching and educational professionals
0%
Business, research and administrative professionals

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Medicine by specialism

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£39k

£39k

£49k

£49k

£53k

£53k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Nottingham | Nottingham
Medicine at Lincoln
BSc (Hons) 5 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 112-159
Same University
University of Nottingham | Nottingham
Cancer Sciences
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 112-153
Lower entry requirements
St George's, University of London | Wandsworth
Radiotherapy and Oncology BSc
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 75-112

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here