The Postgraduate Diploma in Genomic Medicine is part of the suite of part-time, postgraduate courses in Genomic Medicine designed to further educate suitably qualified NHS healthcare professionals and science graduates with an interest in the clinical application of genomics. These courses aim to prepare interested professionals for the future adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of diagnosis and treatment pathways.
Each postgraduate course is delivered through a combination of face-to-face sessions (requiring attendance in Cambridge), self-directed learning and assessment (in the form of coursework). Study is fully supported through a virtual learning environment [VLE]. With the exception of GMO6 and GMO7 (see below), each module is run as a week-long course, from Monday to Friday, during which in-person attendance will be required each day for the 30+ hours of teaching time (from 9am to 5pm daily*).
*Timings are approximate as start and finish times may vary.
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key Features
The programme has been developed by University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) and Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) and Wellcome Connecting Science.
This is a part-time course designed to fit with the demands of full-time employment.
Aims of the programme
- Provide professionally relevant teaching and learning informed by research in an integrated clinical and research environment.
- Develop and create a cohort of doctors and other professionals allied to medicine able to pursue and develop their roles in the rapidly-changing and challenging environment of genomic medicine.
- Prepare healthcare professionals for the adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway.
- Develop researchers competent in the use of genomic technologies for biomedical research.
- Develop a cohort of health care professionals with the ability and confidence to lead service improvement for safe and high-quality patient care.
- Develop a cohort of health care professionals allied to medicine with an understanding of research methodologies and clinical opportunities relevant to genomic medicine.
- Encourage a commitment to intellectual challenge and evidence-based clinical practice informed by the latest conceptual and theoretical knowledge of genomic medicine.
- Develop students' intellectual, practical and transferable skills related to genomic medicine.
- Encourage critical thinking related to genomic medicine.
- Equip students for entry into health care professional training schemes including graduate entry medicine courses.
- Prepare students for undertaking research degrees (PhD) in genomic medicine-related research fields.
- Provide students from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other industries with an understanding of the relevance of advances in genomics for current and future health care.
Student support
Depending upon your needs, a variety of support opportunities are available to you including wellbeing support sessions, short-term counselling, and study skills support sessions. Find out more in our student support webpages.
Academic requirement
Applicants are normally expected to a hold a 2i degree or higher from a UK university or an equivalent from an overseas university.
Language requirement
If English isn’t your first language, you will be required to submit evidence that you meet the University’s English language requirement before you are admitted.
Please see full details on the University Language Requirement webpage.
Language requirements for this course are below:
- IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
- TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)
- C1 Advanced: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element), plus a Language Centre assessment.
- C2 Proficiency: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200, with no element lower than 185)
There are no exceptions to this requirement and, if you are offered a place on the course, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement.
International students must ensure they have the correct Visa documentation, and those in full-time employment, whether in the UK or abroad, to work and study at the same time. Further information is provided on the International Students website and prospective students are advised to read this in full.
Teaching
The PG Diploma course runs over two academic years and students must complete eight modules. There is additional between-module reflection, study and assignment work. The introductory module in October is compulsory for all students.
Genomic Medicine Modules
Students choose eight modules from the list below:
(at least four modules to be taken in the first academic year of the course):
Dates for the 25/26 academic year shown below as planned, but may be subject to change.
Options and Dates for the 26/27 academic year will be communicated in due course.
Each scheduled day is expected to be a full day of study, e.g. 9am - 5pm.
- An introduction to human genetics and genomics (GM1A): 13 - 17 October 2025 (Mandatory first module)
- Research and statistical skills in genomic medicine (GMO7): 21, 22, 29 October & 5, 19, 26 November
& 10 December 2025 (part-time students must speak to the course director if interested in this module) - Omics techniques and their application to genomic medicine (GM2): 10 - 14 November 2025
- Bioinformatics, interpretation and data quality assurance in genome analysis (GM7): 1 - 5 December 2025
- Application of genomics in infectious disease (GM5): 19 - 23 January 2026
- Molecular pathology of cancer and application in cancer diagnosis, screening, and treatment (GM4): 2 - 6 February 2026
- Pharmacogenetics and stratified healthcare (GM6): 2 - 6 March 2026
- Counselling skills for genomics (GMO2): 16 - 20 March 2026
- Epigenetics and epigenomics (GMO5): 13 - 17 April 2026
- Advanced bioinformatics - from genomes to systems (GMO4): 27 April – 2 May 2026
- Genomics of common and rare inherited diseases (GM3): 11 - 15 May 2026
- Expanding the content with a genomic medicine focussed, workplace-based module (GMO6): February - June 2026 (students must speak to the course director if interested in this module)
To note: Not all module options will necessarily be offered in any one year. To meet eligibility requirements, some funding providers such as HEE may require the study of specific modules.
Assessment
Students are assessed formatively throughout the taught modules of the programme using a variety of techniques and interrelated strategies including evidence of regular reflection, demonstration of active participation in the programme will also be required. There may also a requirement for the students to take part in peer review of other students.
For each of the eight taught modules comprising the Postgraduate Diploma, students must complete summative assignments of 2500-3500 words.
Fees
The fee for 2025 entry will be £5,850 per annum (£11,700 for the full 2 academic years) for Home students and for overseas students £15,237 per annum (£30,474 for the full 2 academic years).
An application fee of £50 is payable for all applicants.
Students are required to fund travel, accommodation and subsistence during the programme of study.
Funding
HEE funding is available for NHS staff wishing to apply to study Genomic Medicine at The University of Cambridge for individual modules or modules completed as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or part-time Masters in Genomic Medicine.
Limited funding is also available for those wishing to extend their Postgraduate Diploma to a MSt.
All funding is subject to availability and the final decision rests with HEE, not the University.
Prospective students wishing to apply for HEE funding should apply for their course place in the first instance.
HEE funding is accessed through the University following receipt of a conditional offer of a place to study (and not by applying directly to HEE). For full details of details of the application procedure, including a useful flow chart, please refer to the HEE website here.
We recommend that you explore any potential funding well in advance of the application deadline.
The application deadline has now been extended to the 30th May 2025 with applications dealt with in two batches; any applications received up to the 30th April 2025 will be considered in batch one, and any applications received between the 1st and 30th May 2025 in batch two. We may carry over applications received in the first batch over to the second batch. Should the course become full, we reserve the right to close for applications early. As a result, we would encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.
Eligible candidates will be invited to interview shortly after the batch application deadline and informed of final decisions within 4 - 6 weeks.
Your application must include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- copies of relevant qualification certificates and transcripts
- language proficiency (if required)
- contact details of two referees who will be contacted on your behalf
- evidence of funding (if applicable)
- employer support letter
When completing your application, please note the University restrictions and risks of using AI tools.
