MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care

The course comprises:

• three online modules giving a thorough introduction to the fundamental science of nanotechnology and the behaviour and characterisation of nanoscale materials;
• three five-day modules taught face-to-face in Oxford explaining the scientific, regulatory, clinical and commercial aspects of the application of nanotechnology to medicine and healthcare;
• an original research project of approximately 18 weeks to be written up as a dissertation.

Modules

• Module 1: The Wider Context of Nanotechnology – online, October to December
• Module 2: The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology – online, January to March
• Module 3: Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology – online, April to July, with two-day component in Oxford at the end of the module
• Module 4: Introduction to Bionanotechnology – in Oxford, October
• Module 5: Nanomedicine – Science and Applications – in Oxford, March
• Module 6: Clinical Translation and Commercialisation of Nanomedicine – in Oxford, July

Nanotechnology is an incredibly diverse field that draws expertise from a wide array of disciplines. The MSc is designed for individuals from varied professional and academic backgrounds who share a passion for exploring and applying nanotechnology, with a part-time format that enables students to combine postgraduate study with their professional lives. Whether they have recently graduated or they’re an experienced professional, this programme provides opportunities for growth, collaboration, and discovery. The course attracts a lively and engaged group of students, who come from fields such as:

• Science and engineering: Biochemists, engineers, and computer scientists looking to expand their knowledge and applications in nanotechnology.
• Healthcare and medicine: Medical practitioners, dentists and pharmacists seeking innovative ways to enhance patient care through nanotechnologies.
• Regulation and patents: Professionals working in biotech regulation, intellectual property, and patent law who aim to understand the cutting edge of technological advancements.
• Entrepreneurship and industry: Entrepreneurs, consultants, and professionals in diagnostics, medical devices, and biotechnology development exploring nanotechnology’s commercial potential.
• Academia and research: Academics, lecturers, and PhD candidates seeking to deepen their expertise or refine their research focus in nanotechnology.

This part-time MSc combines online and face-to-face learning, offering flexibility for professionals alongside a structured academic experience. The programme comprises six taught modules followed by an independent research project and dissertation, and is typically completed over two to three years.

Teaching is delivered through a blend of guided self-study and interactive sessions. Students engage with curated learning materials in their own time, alongside live online tutorials, lectures, and discussions. The three online modules can be taken from anywhere in the world and are supported by tutors who recreate the highly personalised Oxford tutorial experience in a virtual setting. The three face-to-face modules, based in Oxford, provide intensive teaching through focused lectures and discussions led by academics from a range of relevant disciplines.

Small-group sessions with tutors offer valuable opportunities for in-depth learning, feedback, and assessment, while regular assessment throughout the modules helps students track their progress.

A key component of the course is the research project, culminating in a dissertation that presents original work in nanomedicine. This allows students to apply their learning to a specialised area of interest.

Individual modules can also be taken as standalone short courses. Students may transfer credit from up to three previously completed modules, provided these were taken within two years of enrolling on the MSc programme.

Oxford College affiliation

As a matriculated postgraduate degree student, you will become a member of one of the University’s multidisciplinary colleges, enabling you to encounter new perspectives in your field or learn more about many other subjects from fellow college members.

The collegiate system makes studying at Oxford a truly special experience. Oxford colleges are friendly and diverse communities, where you could find yourself absorbed in fascinating conversations with students and academics from a variety of disciplines at college seminars, dinners, and informal occasions.

For a list of colleges that accept students on the MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care, please see the ‘college preference’ tab on the Graduate Admissions course page.

To find out more about Oxford University colleges, please consult the University’s Graduate Admissions website.

Professor Robert Carlisle

Role: Course Director and Tutor

Robert Carlisle is a Professor in Biomedical Engineering and head of the Drug and Vaccine Delivery group within IBME.

Dr Christiane Norenberg

Role: Associate Director and Tutor

Christiane is the Nanotechnology Programme Manager at the University of Oxford’s Begbroke Science Park.

To qualify for the award of an MSc, you will need to:

• Complete and pass six taught modules, submitting one or more written assignments with each module. All modules are compulsory. Modules 1-3 are taught online, Modules 4-6 in person in Oxford. You will also be expected to attend a Residential Weekend in Oxford at the end of Module 3.
• Feedback will be provided for each submission when marks are released. Assessment is summative and weighted marks for each assignment will count towards your overall result for the MSc. Full details of the assessment structure are included in the Course Handbook provided to on-course students.
• You will need to submit a research dissertation of up to 15,000 words. You will be expected to define your own dissertation topic in consultation with your allocated supervisor and the Course Director. You must submit your proposed title no later than the ninth term of study. You will have three terms to complete and submit the dissertation. Students normally begin work on their dissertation project in October with submissions due the following September.

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in either a science or engineering discipline, or a medical degree.

Applicants with an undergraduate degree in biology, pharmacy or medicine must demonstrate at least A-level (or equivalent) knowledge in mathematics and physics.

Students who have previously completed the University of Oxford’s PGCert in Nanotechnology to a high standard are also encouraged to apply and may be permitted to credit their completed PGCert modules towards the MSc.

Alternatively, students may show an equivalent level of demonstrable understanding and competence as a result of professional experience and other training.

For applicants with a bachelor’s degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

Other qualifications and relevant experience

Successful applicants will normally provide:

• evidence of a demonstrated interest in nanotechnology;
• evidence of their motivation and ability to complete the course; and
• a clear and well-argued understanding of the benefits of the course to the applicant’s current employment situation and future prospects.

You will be expected to demonstrate an approach to your study which includes demonstrable skills of critical analysis, wide contextual knowledge and the ability to manage your own time.

You must also be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing and Windows applications (for communications with course members, course team and administration).

Publications are not expected.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. Further information on English language requirements can be found here.

Please visit the MSc in Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care page on the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website for details of course fees and costs.

Please see our funding page for help and information with regard to funding postgraduate studies. We further recommend that applicants search for funding opportunities via the online Fees, Funding and Scholarship search tool.

In order to be considered for many scholarships, applicants are required to apply by the January deadline. However, applicants should note that some scholarships require additional application materials and may have different deadlines, so applicants should make sure they check the application process for each scholarship carefully.

How to apply

Applications for this course should be made via the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website. This website provides information on fees and entry requirements, along with help on preparing and submitting your application.

Application deadlines

12:00 midday UK time on:

• Stage 1: Friday 14 November 2025 (Applications more likely to receive earlier decisions)
• Stage 2: Wednesday 28 January 2026 (Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships)
• Stage 3: Tuesday 3 March 2026

When to apply

Early application for the programme is strongly advised. After the March deadline, the course will only stay open for that year’s entry if places are still available.

Remember that it can take a number of weeks to obtain all of the documents you need and to prepare a competitive application. You should also allow your referees plenty of time to submit your references. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible.

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process within six weeks of the application deadline.