Overview
You’ll develop your own bespoke course with our broad range of taught modules. You’ll then have a 24-week research project.
Research is the foundation of our teaching. Course content changes to reflect:
- developments in the discipline
- the requirements of external bodies and partners
- student feedback
Transplantation is a competitive research area. You’ll work in academia but may also have opportunities in industry.
Our suite of MRes courses
The Transplantation MRes is closely linked to a suite of MRes courses that you may also be interested in:
- Ageing and Health MRes
- Animal Behaviour MRes
- Biofabricaton and Bioprinting MRes
- Biotechnology and Business Enterprise MRes
- Cancer MRes
- Cardiovascular Science in Health and Disease MRes
- Diabetes MRes
- Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine MRes
- Epidemiology MRes
- Evolution and Human Behaviour MRes
- Human Nutrition MRes
- Immunobiology MRes
- Medical Genetics MRes
- Medical and Molecular Biosciences MRes
- Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine MRes
- Molecular Cell Biology and Cell Signalling in Health and Disease MRes
- Molecular Microbiology MRes
- Neuroscience MRes
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells MRes
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics MRes
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
You’ll study subject-specific content in medical genetics research. You’ll add to these modules from a broad range of complementary options. You’ll also have training in general research principles, professional and key skills.
You’ll gain insight into the speciality of transplantation sciences in the context of:
- transplantation of haematopoietic stem cells
- corneal/limbal stem cells
- a variety of solid organs
The modules aim to:
- provide an understanding of the scientific basis of therapeutic benefits of clinical transplants
- provide an understanding of the adverse effects of clinical transplants
- highlight research areas where immunology and cell biology can improve transplant outcomes for patients
- provide a view of translational links between scientific research and clinical practice
You’ll explore clinical practice-driven research. This will prepare you for a future career in either medical practice or broad biomedical research.
The main topics covered include:
- transplantation immunology related to cellular and molecular basis of allogeneic immune responses, tolerance, immunosuppression
- the genetic and molecular basis of HLA system, non-HLA immunogenetics, histocompatibility, the impact of HLA matching in choice of donor and transplant outcome
- transplantation pathology related to graft-versus-host disease following haematopoietic stem cell transplant, rejection following solid organ transplant, tissue damage and loss of graft function
- manipulation of haematopoietic stem cells for clinical use
- development of novel therapeutic strategies to aid improvement of clinical transplant outcome
Your 24-week research project comprises the major element of the course. You’ll receive supervision from an expert academic researcher in the field.
Watch our introduction to MRes Research Project
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Transplantation Sciences | 20 |
| MRes Project | 110 |
| Research Skills and Principles for the Biosciences | 10 |
Additional optional module information
Surgical Anatomy is only open to intercalating medical students.
Some combinations of modules may not be available due to timetabling constraints. In exceptional circumstances the running of some modules may be determined by student demand.
How you’ll learn
You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- group work
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- PC examination
- Practical lab report
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Additional assessment information
You’ll have a range of assessments. These will vary depending on the optional modules you choose to study. Assessment methods may include:
- essay
- critical appraisal
- oral presentation
- written examination
- project design
- graphical abstract or a problem-solving exercise
MRes Research Project
You’ll choose from projects that relate to your MRes title. Proposals of projects are from academic supervisors within the University.
The 24-week research project will begin in your second semester.
You’ll complete guided but independent original research. You’ll develop skills in:
- planning
- executing
- recording research
- data interpretation and analysis
You’ll complete a written dissertation, lay abstract, oral presentation and poster. The project dissertation and poster will be marked internally and by an expert from another Institution.
Previous projects from the MRes suite include:
- Regulators of cell differentiation and disease
- An exploration of the molecular basis of novel inborn errors of immunity
At the end of each academic year, we hold an MRes poster presentation evening. You’ll showcase your research to your peers and the extended academic community.
Postgraduate research student support
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Your development
You’ll develop a range of research and practical laboratory skills.
Your future
This MRes can be a pathway for a career in scientific research in academia and industry. It is also excellent preparation for a PhD.
Careers
Graduates from the Faculty of Medical Sciences MRes at Newcastle have undertaken a wide range of roles. This includes:
- project manager
- research associate
- associate consultant
- senior analysts
- research scientist
- Marie Curie early stage researcher
- clinical research associate
- medical information and patient safety executive
- medical writer
- medical doctor
- research laboratory technician
- sales representative
- immunology development manager
Watch our introduction to Futures in Research
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You’ll work in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. This is part of our city-centre campus.
The Faculty is also home to:
- dentistry
- medicine
- psychology
- pharmacy
It is on the same site as Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital. We are one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.
Our facilities include:
- individual research laboratories where students carry out their projects
- a dedicated medical library with a wide range of specialist books and journals
- hi-tech computer clusters and study spaces
- dedicated facilities for a range of key bioscience applications. This includes flow cytometry, bioinformatics, imaging, genomics and proteomics
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in:
- a life science or related discipline
- or an MBBS/BDS degree
This programme accepts both medical and dental students wishing to take a master’s degree as an intercalation. You will need to have successfully completed your third or fourth year of study. Â
Practical laboratory work experience is desirable, although not essential. The modules you can study may depend on your academic background.
