Cancer Frontiers

Introduction

The BSc Medical Sciences with Cancer Frontiers programme is designed to provide an understanding of the scientific basis of cancer and how this relates to diagnosis and treatment. The course has a strong translational emphasis and will introduce you to cutting-edge technologies, many of them being pioneered at Imperial. The course will comprise three core teaching blocks, a self-directed learning block involving independent and group work, and a 14-week research project. Topics covered include:

• The Hallmarks of Cancer
• Cancer models – 3D, animal models and patient avatars
• Cancer and the immune system - viruses, vaccines and immunotherapy
• Precision medicine – understanding and applying ‘omics and informatics
• Frontiers in imaging and bioengineering
• Advances in surgery, treatments and trials

The programme is supported by a diverse team of clinicians and teaching fellows with a broad range of expertise. In addition, you will be taught by experts from the Division of Cancer and the Division of Surgery, many of whom will be offering clinical and laboratory research projects.

The Course Director is Dr Robert Kypta (r.kypta@imperial.ac.uk).

Aims and Objectives

The programme aims to create clinicians and academics with the ability to interpret and inform best practice, and to extend boundaries of current thinking in medical science. It also provides a foundation in scientific methodology and analytical approaches from which students can grow into a competent clinicians and clinical researchers By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Recognise the hallmarks of cancer and their roles cancer development and progression
• Critically appraise the literature, synthesise evidence and opinion, and identify knowledge gaps
• Show how advances in imaging, treatment regimes, surgery, informatics and engineering are being used to improve patient outcomes
• Organise, analyse and report laboratory and clinical data, independently and as part of a group
• Communicate technical and non-technical information through a range of methods, to a variety of audiences

Detailed course information can be found in the BSc Cancer Frontiers Course Guide.

Eligibility

This is a one-year intercalated BSc. To be eligible to apply you must:

• Be registered on a recognised Medical, Dental or Veterinary course at a UK or Irish university.
• Have completed at least one year of that course before you apply to Imperial. i.e. you must be at least in Year 2 in 2024/25.
• Have at least one year of your degree left when you return to your home institution after completing your intercalated BSc.

Application Process

You can apply online now for 2025-26 entry. The application deadline will be 4pm on Friday 28th February.

Selection is based on your application form and the supporting documents you will upload with your application. Please find further information about the application process in the Imperial College London Intercalated BSc Guide for 2025-26 (PDF).

If you have any queries about the application process, please email the BSc Programmes Team at feo.bsc@imperial.ac.uk.

Second Round of Applications

Unsuccessful or wait-listed applicants will be given the opportunity to make a second round application to any BSc course with space remaining.

Course Structure

The BSc in Medical Sciences with Cancer Frontiers will run from Monday 22 September 2025 until Friday 22 May 2026. The term dates can be found in the  Provisional BSc Dates and Course Structure 2025-26 (PDF).

The course is comprised of three modules:

• A 12-week teaching block where students gain specialism-specific knowledge and skills, alongside their core research training
• A 5-week self-directed learning block involving a clinical case study and group work
• A 14-week supervised research project

Please find in-depth information about the course content in the BSc Cancer Frontiers Course Guide.