Biomedical and Clinical Research Queen's University Belfast

Overview

The MSc in Biomedical and Clinical Research is a research-intensive programme at  Queen's University Belfast designed for students seeking to excel in academic research, clinical translation, clinical trials and the life sciences industry. This programme provides rigorous training in advanced research methodologies, critical analysis and innovative thinking – equipping graduates to tackle the most pressing biomedical and clinical challenges of the 21st century.

With a string emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, the programme welcomes students from diverse backgrounds including biomedical sciences, medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and allied health specialities. Participants will engage in cutting-edge research projects, working alongside leading academics and clinicians to translate scientific discoveries into meaningful healthcare advancements. For medical and dental students, this MSc can be pursued as an intercalated degree, enhancing both research and clinical expertise. Additionally, the programme serves as a springboard for PhD , positioning graduates for leadership roles in biomedical innovation, clinical trials, and translational medicine.

Key facts

The MSc in Biomedical and Clinical Research is provided by the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM). The Institute’s mission is the pursuit of scientific breakthroughs in understanding mechanisms of disease to improve health outcomes, and its vision is to be an international hub of excellence in innovation and discovery to cure disease and improve health. WWIEM is strategically placed to provide expertise for the Institute for Research Excellence in Advanced Clinical Healthcare (iREACH) centre, based at QUB. iREACH brings together the expertise of clinicians, life scientists and data scientists with experienced industry partners in a collaborative approach to clinical trial delivery.One of the programmes objectives is to learn the research journey that spans between pathophysiology of the disease and translating that knowledge to develop novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies to improve health. The modules focus on research related to the broad spectrum of expertise available in the WWIEM. The acquired skills range from a strong fundamental understanding of high-quality biomedical research, advanced experimental techniques to conduct research involving animal and in vitro disease models. The training also allows students to develop expertise in conducting clinical research to include observational studies as well as design and implementation of clinical trials, and the use of health informatics such as Electronic Health Records and how this information can be leveraged for translational bioinformatics research.The programme is research-intensive and focuses on developing proficiency in experimental design and execution, regulatory and ethical aspects, data analysis and interpretation. Dedicated sessions will also emphasise training on scientific communication, presentation, grant writing, publishing, and use of social media in dissemination of findings.