Cancer Immunotherapy University of Hertfordshire

Overview

The aim of the MSc in Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Hertfordshire is through an understanding of the numerous ways in which cancers and the immune system interact, to learn how cancer immunotherapies are developed. The utilisation of the immune system in cancer therapy has been a long standing goal in the field. 

The course will provide a thorough understanding of immune effector mechanisms and of cancer biology and the personal skills the students will develop, through problem-based learning and self-directed learning.

Key facts

• You’ll benefit from the research interests of the Bioscience Research Group. These include studies of the tumour microenvironment and communication with infiltrating immune cells, the methods tumours employ to diminish the effectivity of immune effector mechanisms and how tumours communicate using extracellular vesicles with pre-metastatic sites. 

• We’ll cover topics such as adoptive T cell therapy, tumour-associated macrophages, NK cells, monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy, vaccines, microbial cancer therapies and immune checkpoint blockade.

• Teaching will be delivered through lectures, tutorials and practical classes. You’ll immerse yourself in a research project which utilises problem-based and self-directed learning. You’ll explore case studies to gain a strong critical understanding. 

• Through your research projects, carried out in our innovative Science Building and supervised by world-leading researchers, you’ll be trained in data collection, analysis and its interpretation. You’ll also benefit from expert external speakers from the biopharmaceutical industry.

What job can I get?

• In cancer immunology a long-term goal has been the activation of immune effector mechanisms for therapy. You will acquire skills needed for careers in the exponentially growing cancer immunotherapy industries (Roche, Merck, Astra Zeneca and Small Medium Sized Enterprises). 

• Graduates of the MSc Cancer Immunotherapy may go on to work in a broad range of fields including: medical or pharmaceutical research and development, clinical trials, public health and epidemiology, academia research, medical writing/science journalism, education, or patent law. 

• Alternatively, you may also use the MSc Cancer Immunotherapy degree to underpin an application to study for a research degree such as MRes, MSc by Research, or a PhD in a related field.