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Email academic.registry@tcd.ieCancer research is a significant strength at Trinity College Dublin and a major focus at its associated teaching hospitals, including St. James’s Hospital. Global cancer incidences are rising rapidly each year and research exploring the underlying causes, mechanisms of tumour progression and response to treatments are vitally important.
This M.Sc. programme in Translational Oncology focuses on the cellular and molecular basis of cancer. The course also covers the scientific and clinical challenges pertinent to the management of site-specific cancers, and all aspects of cancer treatment from standard therapies to ‘individualised’ molecular targeted and immune-based therapies.
This one-year programme is aimed at scientists, clinicians and other healthcare professionals and provides students with an in-depth understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the causes and treatment of cancer.
Recognised by many academic and industry partners as a source of high-quality students, this course has had an employment rate above 92% in its last four years. Careers our graduates pursued span further research (including Ph.Ds) through to employment in hospitals, university and medical centres. Additionally, a significant number of students have secured positions in pharmaceutical and clinical trial companies, both nationally and internationally.
An induction day will be held for students in September, where the course structure, timetables, assessments and content will be explained in detail to the students.
Semester 1: formal lectures will take place Monday to Thursday (normally 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm). However, it may be necessary to schedule lectures outside these times to accommodate visiting and clinical lecturers. Students will be notified of all changes to the timetable. Students are also expected to attend tutorial sessions outside these normal lecturing hours.
Semester 2: Formal lectures take place Monday to Friday (10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm). However, it may be necessary to schedule lectures outside these times to accommodate visiting and clinical lecturers. Students will be notified of all changes to the timetable. Students are also expected to attend tutorial sessions outside the normal lecturing hours.
Research Skills modules will run over semester 2 to the research project.
Research projects and dissertations will begin after the taught modules are complete and run for 12 weeks. Students are required to be in their designated laboratories full time Monday to Friday.
The M.Sc. in Translational Oncology consists of eleven taught modules, which include: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Cancer; Disease-Specific Cancers; Tumour Immunology; Radiation, Chemotherapy and Molecular Targeted Therapies; Cancer Epigenetics, Gene Regulation and Stem Cells; Clinical Trials and Health Economics; Oncology Research Skills and Statistics; Obesity, Metabolism and Physical Activity; Drug Development from Discovery to Commercialization; Cellular and Genomic Instability; and Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Toxicity.
Each student is also required to undertake a twelve-week research project and submit a dissertation based on the outputs from this research project. The twelve-week research project will begin in Semester 2 once all the taught modules have been completed.
Click here for further information on modules/subjects.
Prof. Joanne Lysaght provides an overview of the Translational Oncology (M.Sc.) at Trinity College Dublin.
September 2025
Professor Jacintha O'Sullivan/Dr. Stephen Maher/Dr. Graham Pidgeon
Professor. Joanne Lysaght
31st July 2025
This programme is open to candidates with qualifications in science, medicine, or a related discipline. Scientific, dental or equivalent candidates must have a minimum upper second-class (2.1) degree. Medical graduates must have a M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. or equivalent from a recognised medical school.
All applicants should provide two academic or clinical references. Applicants should also include a 500 word personal statement addressing why they are interested in the programme and their suitability.
All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.
Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees
To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below
+353 (0)1 8964259
www.tcd.ie/medicine/surgery/postgraduate/msc-translational-oncology
Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.
Being a clinician, linking the clinic to basic sciences has become important in order to better understand and treat cancers. Through the Master's in Translational Oncology, I have learnt about the underlying mechanisms of cancers. The course has helped me nurture my thought process, research skills and amalgamate this knowledge with clinical medicine.
Graduate
The Master's in Translational Oncology offers me the prospects to expand my knowledge and understanding of the clinical and scientific aspects of oncology. Lectures were delivered by expert researchers from a number of universities actively investigating novel anti-cancer agents. Front-line cancer diagnosis and treatment knowledge was conveyed by practicing oncologists including surgeons and radiobiologists. Practical and research skills are developed through intense three-month laboratory placements. I feel gratified to have been awarded a place on this course and I look forward to being involved in cutting-edge translational oncology research in the future.
Graduate
