Immunology
Gain the knowledge, creativity and critical thinking skills to prepare for a career as a researcher in immunology.
Immunology
Gain the knowledge, creativity and critical thinking skills to prepare for a career as a researcher in immunology.
Gain the knowledge, creativity and critical thinking skills to prepare for a career as a researcher in immunology
Plan, design and conduct projects and experience a hands-on approach to experimental work
Learn from leaders in the field and participate in a leading Immunology conference
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£15,500 Home
£45,000 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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Hammersmith
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Minimum entry standard
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2:1 in an appropriate Science subject, Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science
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Qualification
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PG Cert
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Duration
3 months
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£7,750 Home
£22,500 Overseas
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Delivered by
-
Location
-
Hammersmith
-
Minimum entry standard
-
2:1 in an appropriate Science subject, Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science.
Course overview
Understand the theoretical principles of innate and adaptive immunity on this Master's course.
You'll build the skills required to conduct a range of research projects as you explore immunity in health and disease.
You'll also further your understanding of this subject area at an Immunology conference, with insights from conference speakers at the forefront of the discipline. During the event, you'll conduct an in-depth team presentation exploring one immunology topic of choice.
Teaching is delivered through a blended programme which includes small group tutorials, lectures, journal clubs and workshops.
You'll then apply your learning to an extended laboratory-based research project.
Through this project work and the modules, you'll use scientific evidence to propose creative solutions to both theoretical and practical immunological problems.
Understand the theoretical principles of innate and adaptive immunity on this course, which leads to a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert).
You'll develop the expertise required to conduct your own mini-research project as you explore immunity in health and disease.
Teaching is delivered through a blended programme which includes small group tutorials, lectures, journal clubs and workshops.
You'll also further your understanding of this subject area at an Immunology conference.
During the event, you'll benefit from insights from conference speakers at the forefront of the field and conduct an in-depth team presentation exploring a set immunology topic.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll study the following core modules.
Core modules
Uncover the principles of innate and adaptive immunity and build a solid understanding of immune players and interactions in a healthy environment.
Work in pairs on a mini-research project and experience a hands-on approach to experimental work. You'll define a hypothesis, design and execute your experimental plan, and critique your findings.
Attend a conference organised by the British Society of Immunology (BSI) and work in small teams to investigate and report in-depth on a chosen topic of interest.
Journey through a range of immunological research topics actively being explored at Imperial. Subjects may vary, but could include the immune response to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, and inflammation.
You’ll conduct an experimental project as part of a research team.
The project will be directly related to your subject area of expertise.
You’ll have the opportunity to evaluate immunological problems and generate hypotheses using appropriate experimental design.
You’ll use the scientific method to investigate an immunological question in-depth and develop your laboratory skills.
You’ll study the following core modules.
Core modules
Uncover the principles of innate and adaptive immunity and build a solid understanding of immune players and interactions in a healthy environment.
Work in pairs on a mini-research project and experience a hands-on approach to experimental work. You'll define a hypothesis, design and execute your experimental plan, and critique your findings.
Attend a conference organised by the British Society of Immunology (BSI) and work in small teams to investigate and report in-depth on a chosen topic of interest.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Small group tutorials
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Lectures and keynote lectures
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Data interpretation sessions
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Journal club
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Workshops
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Group work
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Conference
Assessment methods
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Computer-based closed-book examinations
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Oral individual and group presentations
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Conference written proceedings
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Posters
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Scientific papers
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Research project thesis
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Oral assessment
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Research plan
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Laboratory meetings
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Coursework assessments
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Tutorial discussions
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Written examination
Teaching and learning methods
-
Small group tutorials
-
Lectures and keynote lectures
-
Data interpretation sessions
-
Journal club
-
Workshops
-
Group work
-
Conference
Assessment methods
-
Computer-based closed-book examinations
-
Oral individual and group presentations
-
Conference written proceedings
-
Posters
-
Scientific papers
-
Oral assessment
-
Coursework assessments
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
This course is divided into two progressional levels of study:
- PG Certificate (PG Cert)
- MSc
Each level of study has its own entry point; you can apply to either level in the first instance, but we recommend you apply for the award with which you wish to exit.
Read more about Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc degrees
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
Home fee
MSc
£15,500
PG Cert
£7,750
If you have already completed one of the qualifications and are moving on to the next level of study, you will only need to pay the top-up fee for the course you’re applying for.
You may apply to enter this programme at either level of study.
If you enter the MSc, without having studied the PG Cert, then you will pay the full fee listed for the MSc.
If you enter at the PG Cert level and return in future academic years to complete a higher award, you will pay the top-up fee advertised in the year of your return, instead of the full fee for your chosen course.
If you continue uninterrupted from one award to the next, you will pay the relevant top-up fee, plus any annual inflationary increases applied to the entry fee. This applies to applicants who originally entered for an MSc. This does not apply to those who have completed a PG Cert and are re-entering for a higher award.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
MSc
£45,000
PG Cert
£22,500
If you have already completed one of the qualifications and are moving on to the next level of study, you will only need to pay the top-up fee for the course you’re applying for.
You may apply to enter this programme at either level of study.
If you enter the MSc, without having studied the PG Cert, then you will pay the full fee listed for the MSc.
If you enter at the PG Cert level and return in future academic years to complete a higher award, you will pay the top-up fee advertised in the year of your return, instead of the full fee for your chosen course.
If you continue uninterrupted from one award to the next, you will pay the relevant top-up fee, plus any annual inflationary increases applied to the entry fee. This applies to applicants who originally entered for an MSc. This does not apply to those who have completed a PG Cert and are re-entering for a higher award.
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
Immunology and Inflammation MSc Scholarship for students of Black heritage
Value per award
- £14,900 + maintenance stipend
Who it's for
- Home students of black heritage who have submitted
The Dean’s Master’s Scholarships
Value per award
- £10,000
Who it's for
- All students applying to study a Faculty of Medicine Master’s programme
The Dr Jean Alero Thomas Scholarships
Value per award
- Partial or full tuition fee at the Home rate
Who it's for
- All students applying to study a Faculty of Medicine lab-based Master’s programme
The Dean’s Master’s Scholarships
Value per award
- £10,000
Who it's for
- All students applying to study a Faculty of Medicine Master’s programme
The Dr Jean Alero Thomas Scholarships
Value per award
- Partial or full tuition fee at the Home rate
Who it's for
- All students applying to study a Faculty of Medicine lab-based Master’s programme
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Obtain the training and skills necessary to pursue a career in scientific research (in academia, industry, or communication).
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Graduates often pursue PhD studies or, if they are medically qualified, enter clinical practice or research.
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Taking the MSc course will expand your repertoire of transferable skills, enabling you to enter a variety of occupations across sectors.
Further links
Contact the department
- Email: mscimmunology@imperial.ac.uk
Reader in Immunology: Dr Sophie Rutschmann
Senior Teaching Fellow: Dr Wayne Mitchell
Senior Teaching Fellow: Dr Maggie Trela
Visit the Department of Immunology and Inflammation website.
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Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications