Course summary

Never before has this area of study been so publicised, with the importance of infection and its control so visible during the coronavirus pandemic, which has highlighted the need for scientists who can contribute to infectious disease research from an understanding of epidemiology, to public health measures and how the immune system responds to viruses and vaccines. Please note that this programme is suitable for intercalating medical students. Our MSc programme will develop your understanding and skills within infectious disease, immunology, therapeutics and vaccines that connects with world class infection-related research and interfaces with clinical and global health issues. You will be taught by internationally-renowned infection and health scientists and clinicians in practice, to provide in-depth scientific knowledge and you will receive training for research that can be applied to academic, commercial and healthcare settings. In addition, you will learn digital, programming and informatic skills that are of increasing importance for research and many employers. Career prospects Past graduates of the School of Life Sciences have continued their academic careers as research assistants or pursued further study leading to a PhD. Graduates have also developed careers in conservation or qualified to immediately go into industries. There is a demand currently for graduates with specialisations in science or computing to enter the teaching profession. Commercial sectors such as the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and agriculture industries will be possible employers of graduates, especially with the anticipated increases in the use of next-generation sequencing and the corresponding data analysis that will be required. The programme has a framework to enable you to improve skills in communication, statistics and critical evaluation in the context of infectious disease and immunology research. You will also develop skills in bioinformatics that are increasingly sought in many careers and education settings as well as leadership roles.