About this course
Qualify for a career in fertility treatment and reproductive research on this new Clinical Embryology MSc, designed and run in conjunction with industry.
- Study on this Clinical Embryology MSc, which is jointly taught by LJMU and CARE Fertility
- The course is the only fully integrated UK clinical embryology masters taught with fertility treatment providers
- Learn from academic, research-active staff at LJMU and clinical embryology and reproductive medicine specialists at CARE Fertility
- Focuses on practical experiences and current advances in fertility research
- Provides a strong practical and academic foundation and knowledge base to prepare you for a career in assisted reproduction
- Develop an in-depth understanding of current technologies relevant to the fertility treatment sector
- Benefit from teaching in state-of-the-art facilities at LJMU and CARE Fertility
The MSc Clinical Embryology programme has been designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of assisted reproductive technologies. You will have access to specialist, state-of-the-art laboratories at both LJMU and CARE Fertility Manchester and will receive training in relevant new technologies. CARE Fertility’s dedicated training laboratory features four fully-equipped zones for hands-on practical work and expert demonstrations. Each zone has a microscope, laser and micromanipulator with access to IVF incubators and consumables. There is also a dedicated area with audio-visual tools for teaching, discussion and study with live-link video to the on-site clinical IVF laboratory.
The curriculum is research-led and the latest advances will be explored in student-focused seminars. Upon graduation, you will have a competitive edge in the fertility treatment jobs market. Please note that this degree does not lead to state registration as a Clinical Scientist. If you require further careers advice on the route to becoming an embryologist/andrologist, please contact: scienceadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk for more information.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to programme-appropriate software
- Library and student IT support
- Free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
This degree provides a strong practical and academic foundation and knowledge base to facilitate a career in assisted reproduction. There is also the option to progress your academic studies by completing a PhD in this field. It is expected that some of the output from the programme could help towards graduates seeking State Registration as a Clinical Scientist.
The student experience
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Core modules
Embryology
20 credits
All lectures in this module will be covered by experts in their respective fields who will introduce the basic principles of embryology.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies 1
20 credits
Provides postgraduate level knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts and issues involved in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), at both a scientific and clinical level.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies 2
20 credits
Provides you with increasing understanding of infertility and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), with more emphasis on clinical aspects than in the ART I module. The module also has a focus on drug regiments and clinical management.
Genetics
20 credits
Aims to develop a reflective understanding of the genetic basis of disease and its investigation.
Advanced Laboratory Skills
20 credits
Provides an understanding of cell culture as a technological component of aspects of biological research and commercial exploitation.
Biomolecular Research Skills and Data Analysis
20 credits
The aim of this module is to equip you with the necessary skills to effectively search for information, critically appraise and analyse data, report scientific data and communicate research findings.
Research Project
60 credits
Provides you with the opportunity to conduct independent, in-depth research in an assisted reproductive technologies topic.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
The 20 credit modules have on average 37 hours’ contact. Three modules will be delivered in semester 1, three modules in semester 2 and the 60-credit research project will be conducted from May to August. Generally, there are three contact days in semesters 1 and 2. The project will be conducted Monday to Friday for four months.
Teaching methods
Course content is delivered via a combination of lectures, practicals, workshops, seminars, tutorials, student-centred activities and independent research.
Applied learning
There may be the opportunity for some students to conduct their research project at CARE Fertility, however this is dependent upon availability of places offered by industrial partners and competition at interview for places.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
On this programme you will be assessed via a combination of examinations, practical reports, oral presentations, critical literature reviews, portfolios, project reports and oral defences.
Course tutors
Dr Giles Watts
Programme Leader
Dr Giles Watts
Programme Leader
Dr Giles Watts has worked as a Senior Lecturer in Genetics at LJMU for six years and teaches genetics and molecular biology to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Giles obtain his degree in Genetics from the University of Leeds, followed by a PhD in Cancer Genetics from the University of Birmingham. He previously completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Washington, Seattle and worked as an Instructor in Genetics, Children’s Hospital, Boston and as a Lecturer in Cell and Molecular Genetics at Norwich Medical School. He is a member of LJMU’s Biomedical Science research group and conducts research into functional genomics and microbiomes. CARE Fertility tutors - Dr Alison Campbell - Professor Simon Fishel - Professor Charles Kingsland
“I enjoy supporting students as they grow and develop into confident independent scientists”
School facilities
What you can expect from your School
You will have access to specialist, state-of-the-art laboratories at LJMU and CARE Fertility. At LJMU you will study at our Byrom Street site in the university’s City Campus. The Life Science Building offers state-of-the-art research facilities to ensure we can underpin all of our postgraduate studies with impactful, public-focused research activities.
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Entry requirements
You will need:
- a minimum 2.1 honours degree in Biological Science or another related biological sciences degree
- alternative qualifications with significant work experience
- an international qualification that equates to UK requirements. International students must also have an English language qualification equivalent to at least IELTS 6.5 (a minimum of 6.0 is required in all components) as recognised by LJMU
Please note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.
View country specific entry requirements
Contact LJMU's International Admissions Team for guidance on visa information. Further information is also available from our international web pages.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
You will apply for the majority of postgraduate courses using our online application form. You should complete the form thoroughly and provide a detailed personal statement which reflects your suitability and aptitude for the programme.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.