The skills you learn are transferable to other graduate employment avenues

“I am from South Wales. I moved to Sheffield for university and have not left”, says Amy Harding, who studied MSc(Res) Translational Oncology. “I had always found cancer biology interesting and it’s a rapidly expanding area of biomedical research. The MSc(Res) Translational Oncology offers both a taught component and a six-month research project with dissertation. I felt that this aspect of the course would benefit my long-term career aspirations.”
I enjoyed being taught by both clinicians and scientists, whose inputs were current and informative. As they were experts in theirs fields, I felt very privileged to learn from them
Amy Harding
MSc(Res) Translational Oncology graduate
“I really enjoyed the six-month research project component, where I learned lab skills, attended lab meetings, conferences and integrated into a research environment. I also felt that this project was fundamental for my career plans, as it certainly helped me get my PhD. Therefore, making it the perfect transition from an undergraduate degree to further graduate training.”
Following her MSc(Res) Translational Oncology, Amy progressed into PhD study at Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry. She is currently in the final stages of PhD study and is working as a postgraduate research associate. In 2018, Amy was awarded the prestigious Senior Colgate Prize by the British Society for Oral and Dental Research, for her research into the use of tissue-engineered models to study cancer progression. In the future, Amy plans to establish her own scientific group.
“My advice for someone considering studying MSc(Res) Translational Oncology is that if you are interested in cancer biology and ‘bench to bedside’ research, then this course is perfect. The skills you learn are not just transferable to science and academia but to other graduate employment avenues. It is rare to get a six-month high-quality research project that includes being supported by top-class researchers in excellent lab facilities, so it’s definitely worth it.”