University College London (UCL)
Human Tissue Repair MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The Human Tissue Repair MSc is designed for those interested in understanding how tissues heal and how to develop new treatments for tissue damage. The program covers the basic science behind tissue repair and regeneration, including cell biology, molecular mechanisms, and biomaterials. It also explores recent advances in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, giving students practical knowledge that can be applied in research or clinical settings.
Throughout the course, students will engage with a mix of lectures, practical sessions, and research projects. The program aims to build skills in experimental design, data analysis, and problem-solving, preparing graduates to contribute to innovations in tissue repair and regenerative therapies. With a focus on current research and cutting-edge technologies, the MSc supports students in developing a deep understanding of the field, whether they want to continue with research or move into industry roles. The program offers a supportive environment for learning and a chance to explore a rapidly evolving area of medicine.
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
The programme is delivered through a mix of seminars, lectures, e-learning, laboratory work, practicals and small group tutorials.
Assessment is through examination, presentations, coursework, practical reports and a dissertation. Examinations are taken in-person, coursework is submitted online, and practical reports are completed during lab time. Research project dissertations are written in the style of a research manuscript prepared for a scientific journal.
Term one has approximately 16 hours of teaching a week and 12 hours of independent learning. Typically, there are two days of lectures (four hours per day) at the beginning of each week. There is a study day (no contact) in midweek, followed by two days of tutorials (four hours per day) to consolidate the topics covered.
Term two has approximately 23 hours of teaching a week and 12 hours of independent learning. You spend four hours per week (lectures and tutorials) on your selective ‘pathway’ module and four hours per week each on two optional modules. You also spend 1.5 days (11 hours) per week in a wet laboratory to gain practical research skills.
Modules
Full-time
Term one establishes the foundation of knowledge required for the MSc with four compulsory modules: 'Principles of Inflammation', 'Principles of Immunology', 'Tissue Repair and Regeneration', 'Research Methods'.
Towards the end of the first term, you will be asked to select one of two routes (either 'Immunotherapy' or 'Tissue Engineering'), and a research project based on your scientific interests. You will then transfer onto that route. The following outlines what happens depending on which route you choose.
In term two, you will then choose one of two selective modules as your route: 'Immunological Basis of Disease' or 'Applied Tissue Engineering'. This will determine the name of your final degree, i.e. Human Tissue Repair ('Immunotherapy' or 'Tissue Engineering').
Optional modules include: 'Applied Tissue Engineering', 'Immunological Basis of Disease', 'Stem Cell Therapy', and 'Transplantation Science'. This list of optional modules is not exhaustive, and students may have other options by agreement with the programme lead.
In term two, you will also complete a compulsory 'Practical Laboratory Research Skills' module. This is a wet-laboratory module where you will be taught the basic skills and techniques required to work successfully in a biomedical research science lab. This will prepare you for your chosen research projects.
In term three, you will carry out a research project chosen from a list of projects available within the Division of Medicine, according to your scientific interest and chosen route. You will be placed in, and be part of, research groups on active projects, generating valuable data. Projects typically last four months full time in our laboratories.
Part-time
Year one
Term one:
- Principles of Inflammation
- Principles of Immunology
Term two:
- Immunological basis of Disease
or
- Applied Tissue Engineering
Year two
Term one:
- Tissue Repair and Regeneration
- Research Methodologies and Transferable Skills
Term two:
- Practical Laboratory Research Skills
- Optional module one
- Optional module two
Term three:
- Research Project
Compulsory modules
- Principles of Immunology
- Principles of Inflammation
- Tissue Repair and Regeneration
- Practical Laboratory Research Skills
- MSc Research Project (Human Tissue Repair)
- Research Methodologies and Transferable Skills
Optional modules
- Immunological Basis of Disease
- Choosing a Drug Target 1: Scientific and Technical Aspects
- Choosing a Drug Target 2: Intellectual Property, Clinical Need and Commercial Aspects
- Applied Tissue Engineering
- Stem Cells and Their Applications in Surgery
- Transplantation Science
- Biological Therapies and Live Medicines
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 Human Tissue Repair.
What this course will give you
This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.
- The chance to study in a world-class research and teaching environment in biomedical sciences, within UCL's new Institute of Immunity and Transplantation at the Royal Free Campus.
- Access to teaching from UCL's internationally renowned Divisions of Medicine and Surgery and Interventional Science (the programme is run jointly by both).
- Access to multi-disciplinary training in inflammation, immunology, tissue engineering, transplantation, drug discovery and in understanding and treating human disease.
- Opportunities to work with experts across UCL institutes and divisions, in UCL partner hospitals, and with industrial partners.
- The chance to develop the skills and techniques required to work successfully in a biomedical research science lab.
- The chance to work on research that could lead to publication.
The foundation of your career
You will gain awareness of the commercial opportunities and diverse funding mechanisms for developing new ideas, technologies, and applications, and be well prepared for careers in academia or industry.
According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), around 83% of Human Tissue Repair MSc graduates were in work (75%) or further study (8%), with a large majority undertaking highly skilled work.
Employability
The programme provides a solid foundation and network for further academic study and for working at the highest levels of biomedical sciences. Previous graduates have joined graduate-entry programmes in Medicine both in the UK and abroad.
You could take the specialist skills you develop into the public healthcare sector and NHS, industry and biopharma, government and research councils, biomedical charities and stakeholders, sports medicine, or scientific media and publishing houses. Graduates are also equipped with transferable skills in presentation, writing, organisation and teamwork.
According to the HESA survey, MSc Human Tissue Repair graduates have gone on to work for biotech companies such as Educell and Engitix, as well as medical services partners and consultants such as Open Health.
Their roles include biochemists and biomedical scientists, industrial relations, quality assurance technicians, and professionals in natural or social sciences. Some have also gone onto work at universities, or entered graduate-entry programmes in Medicine, both in the UK and overseas.
Networking
There are regular networking opportunities, including events where you can hear from expert speakers. We encourage students to broaden their skills and expand their networks by attending and participating at conferences.