University College London (UCL)
Genetics of Human Disease MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The MSc in Genetics of Human Disease is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of how genetics impacts human health. The program covers key areas such as the molecular basis of diseases, genetics techniques, and how genetic information is used in diagnosing and treating conditions. Students will learn through a combination of lectures, practical labs, and research projects that focus on current issues in medical genetics and genetic disorders.
The course aims to prepare students for careers in medical research, diagnostics, or further study in genetics. It emphasizes critical thinking and hands-on experience, helping students develop skills in analyzing genetic data and understanding its application in real-world medical contexts. The program also explores advances in genome editing and personalized medicine, giving students insight into future trends in the field. Throughout, students are supported to connect theoretical knowledge with practical skills, making them better equipped for work in genetics-related areas.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
Students develop their knowledge and understanding of the genetics of human diseases through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, presentations, and journal clubs.
Students learn through lecture-based, and technology-based learning; independent individual and group work including group presentations and multiple choice questions (MCQs), formative and summative assessments.
Taught modules are assessed by written reports, oral presentations, coursework and/or unseen written examinations. The research project is assessed by the student's project performance, the written dissertation, and the oral presentation.
Typically, a 15-credit module includes 150 hours of notional student learning time comprised broadly of teaching time, independent study, assessment, and feedback.
This time includes activities that take place in in-person-on-campus contexts such as on-campus lectures, seminars, tutorials, labs, studios and workshops, as well as tutor-mediated activities that take place in online environments.
There are approximately 8-15 contact hours a week during term time. Typically, the hours for self-directed studies are around 10 hours a week of study time for each 15 credit module in each semester. This very much depends on the individual and the way they study and comprehend the learning material.
Modules
Full-time
This course covers one full calendar year. Students undertake 180 credits, 90 of which are taught modules and 90 credits for the research project.
The first term consists of four compulsory taught modules and research project selection. From January, students commence their chosen specialist stream: Inherited Diseases, Pharmacogenetics, or Computation Genomics, and start working on their research project on a part-time basis.
After the main exam period, students work full-time on their research project until its completion in September.
Compulsory modules
- Advanced Human Genetics
- Basic Statistics for Medical Sciences
- Human Genetics: Core Skills
- Understanding Bioinformatics Resources and Their Application
- MSc Genetics of Human Disease Research Project
Optional modules
- Genetics of Cardiovascular and Related Complex Diseases
- Advances in Neurogenetics
- Genomics and Drug Development
- Anticancer Personalised Medicines
- Applications in Human Genetics
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Genetics of Human Disease.
What this course will give you
There is no better time than now to study human genetics. The completion of the Human Genome Project, alongside huge strides forward in technology, means that scientists can now gain a far better understanding of the genetic basis of many diseases, including cancers, heart disease and neurological disorders.
Join us on the specially-designed Genetics of Human Disease MSc to gain an in-depth knowledge of fundamental genetic concepts, together with the most advanced statistical and computational approaches, such as bioinformatics, now being used to establish how genetics contribute to disease susceptibility and progression.
What you will gain from this course:
- Study with scientists working at the forefront of genomics research. The UCL Division of Biosciences is ranked 6th in the world for Biological Sciences (QS Rankings), and our research community has over 500 staff and 300 PhD students engaged in cutting-edge research and collaboration.
- Benefit from a specially-designed multidisciplinary programme that combines basic science with modern genetics to improve human health. The programme is a cross-faculty initiative with teaching from across the Schools of Life and Medical Sciences at UCL. This allows us to offer a breadth of biological education unmatched in almost any other UK university.
- Benefit from being based at the UCL Genetics Institute (UGI), a world-leading centre which develops and applies biostatistical and bioinformatic approaches to human and population genetics. Opportunities to conduct laboratory or computational-based research projects are available in the laboratories of world-leading geneticists affiliated to the UGI.
- Gain first-hand insight into globally-significant research underway in the division.
- Choose from one three specialised streams in inherited diseases, pharmacogenetics or computational genomics – and complete a research project to conduct more in-depth analysis in the specific areas of genetics that interest you most.
- Benefit from studying within UCL’s diverse postgraduate community.
- Leave well equipped to pursue a PhD, to work in academia or to take your sought-after skills in interpreting genetics data into healthcare, pharmaceutical companies or other industries.
The foundation of your career
The expertise and skills you gain will put you in a strong position for building a career in human genetics, whether you opt to stay in academia or take your sought-after expertise in interpreting genetics data into industry.
Several of our graduates have taken their skills into the pharmaceutical industry, while others have entered careers in clinical genetic diagnosis services, particularly in molecular genetics, and project management in healthcare organisations and hospitals around the world, medical communication and many other job sectors. Those graduates with prior medical training often use their new skills as clinical geneticists.
Employability
Advanced training in genetic techniques, including bioinformatics and statistical approaches, will provide a solid foundation for progressing onto a PhD in a research area related to genetics and other areas of biological science.
About half our graduates enter a research career by completing a PhD and working as a research associate or scientist in academia.
Networking
You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your master’s.
- Take part in careers events through UCL Careers during the academic year, and enhance your CV writing and interview skills.
- Meet alumni to hear about their experiences and how the course has helped them progress in their careers.
- Attend activities at UCL Biosciences including research seminars and symposia.
- Attend conferences to network with students and researchers from across the UK.