MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care

Course details

Oxford's MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care is an advanced part-time modular course. It is delivered by leading scientists and experts with experience of taking nanotechnologies from basic concept through clinical validation to market realisation.

The course builds on the world-leading research in nanomedicine at the University’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering and other departments in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division and Medical Sciences Division.

Online info session

We recently held an online information session and Q&A, in which participants gained a brief overview of the course, met the course team and had the opportunity to ask questions. Please subscribe to our emails to be notified of future events.

Quick links

Who is the course for?

The course has been specifically designed for those who would value a part-time modular learning structure, for example those in full-time employment, both in the UK and overseas.

It will appeal to those working in the commercial, research or healthcare sectors who use or develop nanotechnology in their work. Applications are welcome from biomedical engineers, materials scientists, biotech-entrepreneurs, medical practitioners, chemists, pharmacists, electrical engineers, project managers in related industries, patent agents, legislators, as well as those involved in commercial or academic research in this area of science.

Entry requirements

Please visit the MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care page on the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website for details of the entry requirements.

Programme details

Course structure

The course is taken part-time as a mixture of online and face-to-face modules, consisting of six modules and a research project and associated dissertation. The programme is normally completed in two to three years. Students are full members of the University of Oxford and are matriculated as members of an Oxford college.

The course uses a blend of individual study of learning materials, together with group work during live online tutorials, conventional lectures and discussions and also requires the student to submit a dissertation reporting an original piece of nanomedicine-based research. The group sessions with tutors are particularly valuable because they offer highly focused learning and assessment opportunities.

The modules in this programme can also be taken as individual short courses. It is possible to transfer credit from up to three previously completed modules into the MSc programme, if the time elapsed between commencement of the accredited module(s) and registration on the MSc is not more than two years.

Course content

The course comprises:

  • three online modules giving a thorough introduction to the fundamental science of nanotechnology and the behaviour and characterisation of nanoscale materials;
  • three five-day modules taught face-to-face in Oxford explaining the scientific, regulatory, clinical and commercial aspects of the application of nanotechnology to medicine and healthcare
  • an original research project of approximately 18 weeks to be written up as a dissertation

The three online modules can be taken from anywhere in the world with tutors who provide online support and electronically replicate the famed Oxford tutorial system, whereas the three face-to-face modules offer intense, focused lectures from Oxford academics from a range of disciplines with expertise in this field. Assessment throughout the modules ensures that students can monitor their progress.

Modules

To complete the MSc, students need to attend the six modules and complete a portfolio of assignments for each of Modules 1-5, a written assignement for Module 6, and complete a research project with dissertation on a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor and the Course Director.

Modules can be taken as stand-alone elements on a for credit or not-for credit basis, please contact the administration team on nano@conted.ox.ac.uk for application dates and details.

Course support

The course has a dedicated Course Director, Associate Director and administration team accustomed to supporting students undertaking distance learning and face-to-face courses. Students have access to staff at the University of Oxford’s Begbroke Science Park and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, particularly the Course Director, Professor Robert Carlisle and the Associate Course Director, Dr Christiane Norenberg.

Throughout the course, students can use the University of Oxford’s excellent electronic library resources to enable them to complete the assignment tasks.

Programme overview with Peter Dobson

Watch Peter Dobson OBE, Emeritus Professor at the Department of Engineering Science, talk more about the Department's nanotechnology and nanomedicine programmes.

Oxford college affiliation

As a matriculated postgraduate degree student, you will become a member of one of the University’s famous interdisciplinary colleges, enabling you to encounter new perspectives in your field or learn more about many other different subjects from fellow college members.

The collegiate system makes studying at Oxford a truly special experience. Oxford colleges are small, intimate communities, where you could find yourself absorbed in fascinating conversations with students and academics from a variety of disciplines at college seminars, dinners, and informal occasions. 

To find out more about Oxford University colleges, please consult the University's Graduate Admissions website.

Staff

Prof Robert Carlisle

Role: Course Director and Tutor

Robert Carlisle is an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering and head of the Drug and Vaccine Delivery group within IBME. 

 
 

Dr Christiane Norenberg

Role: Associate Director and Tutor

Christiane is the Nanotechnology Programme Manager at the University of Oxford's Begbroke Science Park. 

 

Fees and funding

The annual award and college fees are payable at the start of each academic year. The module and dissertation fees become payable throughout the programme, before they are undertaken. All amounts are in pounds sterling. The fees below are for the MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care for the academic year 2024/25. Please see note 1* below regarding fees for the 2025/26 academic year.

Fee rates for the academic year 2024/25*

  • Annual award fee for students entering the MSc directly: £4,945 
  • Annual award fee for students entering the MSc after completing the PG Cert in Nanotechnology: £6,515
  • Module fee: £2,570 (per taught module)
  • Dissertation fee: £7,710 (equivalent to 3 module fees)

Illustration for direct entry to the MSc programme (assumes completion within two years*):

  • 2 x annual award fee = £9,890
  • 6 x module fee = £15,420
  • 1 x dissertation fee = £7,710

Total = £33,020

The total fees comprise a minimum of two annual award fees plus six module fees and a dissertation fee; a further annual award fee is payable for every additional academic year (or part-year) of attendance beyond the first six terms.

Illustration for transfer to the MSc programme, having completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology (assumes completion of the MSc within two years of transferring*)

  • 2 x annual award fee = £13,030
  • 3 x module fee = £7,710
  • 1 x dissertation fee = £7,710

Total = £28,450

Students transferring to the MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care from the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology should normally expect to pay, in addition to the Postgraduate Certificate fees already paid, three MSc module fees, one dissertation fee, one part-time college fee, and then one annual award fee per year (or part-year) of registration on the MSc. (Please contact us before applying if you are considering this). No additional college fee will be due for registration beyond three terms.

*Notes

  1. The fees listed are for the academic year shown, and you should be aware that these rates will increase annually, meaning that the total will be higher than is shown in the Illustration. The exact amount will depend on the fee rates set annually, and upon the years you are in attendance; these are normally published well before the start of each academic year, but for your own budgetary purposes you may wish to estimate a 5% annual increase on fee rates.

Payment

Payment methodsPDF document.

Funding and scholarships

Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our fees and funding pages.

When to apply

We strongly recommend that you apply by the January or March deadlines.  After the March deadline, the course will only stay open for that year's entry if places are still available. 

Remember that it can take a number of weeks to obtain all of the documents you need and prepare a competitive application. You should also allow your referees plenty of time to submit your references. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible.

How to apply

Applications for this course should be made online via the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website. Please see the Graduate Course Guide and the Application Guide for more information on how to apply.

Early application is strongly advised. All applications must have been fully completed before the application deadline. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to video interview and asked to provide evidence of their funding for the programme.

Later applications may be considered if places are available.

Please contact the administrative team if you have any questions concerning the deadlines for the course. See further information for the Graduate Admissions application guide.

*Eligible applications completed before the January deadline will automatically be considered for an Oxford Graduate Clarendon Scholarship.

If you would like to discuss the programme please contact the Course Administrator:

Tel: +44 (0)1865 286955 - Email: nano@conted.ox.ac.uk

Accommodation

Rewley House accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms are rated 3-star, and come with free high-speed internet access and TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

 

Visa Information

It is your responsibility to investigate whether you need a visa to study in the UK and to make any application. Before doing so you should make sure you are eligible to apply and meet the requirements. The type of permission/visa you require will depend on the type of course. Please see https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/visa/before for full information.

For distance learning courses where several short visits are undertaken over more than six months you will need to use the Visitor visa route. Note that in order to use the visitor visa to pursue a course that is longer than six months, you should be aware that you will need to reside outside the UK and attend for your arranged teaching blocks only. The Home Office guidance states that you must not use the route to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits or make the UK your main home, and that you will leave the UK at the end of each visit. A decision maker (a visa application caseworker or Border Control staff) will be looking at the pattern and duration of your time spent in the UK, and if they decide this indicates you are in effect living in the UK for your course they could refuse you a further visa or admission as a visitor.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support