MSc in Integrated Immunology (Part-time)
About the course
Immunology is an interesting, complex and dynamic subject, the applications of which have changed society. The discoveries and inventions of immunologists have led to worldwide successes in vaccination, immunotherapy, transplantation and immunodiagnostics.
The aim of the taught MSc in Integrated Immunology (Part-time) is to provide students with a stimulating and comprehensive education, high-quality research training and the professional skills required for a rewarding career in modern immunology. The department particularly welcomes exceptional candidates from challenging or unconventional backgrounds, those residing in low- and middle-income countries, and those with caring or professional responsibilities.
Structure and Content
The part-time online MSc in Integrated Immunology explores immunology in breadth and depth and is intended for science and medical postgraduates. It is a 24-month, part-time course comprising two taught units followed by an extended research project typically hosted by a University of Oxford research group. The first taught unit focuses on the fundamental science of immunology. This is taught over Michaelmas and Hilary terms of the first academic year. The second unit explores the applied, clinical and therapeutic aspects of immunology, and is taught over Trinity term and the long vacation of the first year. The third unit research project takes place over the second year of study, beginning in Michaelmas term and ending during Trinity term.
Taught units are each delivered across a series of five linked topic themes to ensure holistic coverage of modern immunology.
Course content includes:
Unit 1 Scientific Principles of Immunology taught themes:
- Fundamentals in immunology
- Innate immunity and inflammation
- Antigen presentation and recognition
- Adaptive immunity
- Evolution of human immunity
Unit 2 Clinical and Applied Principles of Immunology taught themes:
- Infection & immunity
- Failure of immunity
- Aberrant or unwanted immunity
- Cancer immunology
- Manipulation of immunity
Unit 3 Experimental Principles of Immunology:
- Research project (remote, desk based)
Teaching and Learning
The course is designed to support you with flexible part-time study, therefore, written, recorded and interactive materials are accessible asynchronously, allowing you to study at a time that suits you. The class will meet ‘live’ online, typically at fortnightly intervals during taught units. Pre-recorded lectures are given by speakers drawn from the University of Oxford Immunology Network, Oxford University Hospitals or external institutions. During the third unit you will undertake a desk-based remote project with staff affiliated to a top-ranked research department or institute across the Medical Sciences Division. Oxford has one of the highest concentrations of research-active immunologists in the world; students on this MSc course are therefore uniquely placed to benefit from this wealth of expertise.
Within taught units, topic themes each last between two and four weeks. In an average teaching week, students usually watch three to four pre-recorded lectures and complete related reading and asynchronous interactive activities. Each topic theme includes one or two synchronous ‘live’ online small group discussions, collaborative activities or problem-based learning sessions, which are led by tutors or students. Continuing professional development classes, including in scientific skills, careers and special research seminars take place during both taught terms. Self-directed study is also required alongside structured teaching. In the third term you will undertake an original, supervised research project to gain a working understanding of research techniques in immunology or a related area. Research supervisors provide support and guidance during the course of the desk-based project, and students are normally expected to work on their projects part-time during the week, or as agreed with their supervisor.
A one-week residential is included as part of the course and is held in Oxford at the end of the first year of study. This will include special seminars and other academic activities, opportunities for professional networking and time to explore your college and the wonderful city of Oxford. This will include social events with your fellow students and the course team.
Attendance
This part-time postgraduate course is delivered online over two years, with a one-week residential component in Oxford towards the end of the first year of study. The course is aimed at those who wish to study the exciting subject of immunology at a world-class institution, but who are not able to relocate to Oxford to study full-time in-person.
On average, over the units of study during the course term time it is expected that students devote an average of 12 hours per week to their studies.
Resources to support your study
As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.
The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.
The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.
As part of the Bodleian libraries, you will have access to the Bodleian Health Care Libraries. You will therefore have online access to further reading materials recommended by lecturers.
All resources, including lecture presentations and recommended further reading as well as material for problem-based learning sessions and/or small-group discussion classes, are made available through Canvas, the virtual learning environment for which you will receive training at the beginning of the course.
During your research projects, you will become a member of the hosting research group and you will conduct a desk- based project with remote support from them. The Course Team will also maintain contact with you and your peers during this time
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences.
The Course Director will be your primary supervisor throughout the course. They typically have close contact with the class during the first two terms and you will have the opportunity to meet with them online to discuss your progress. In the third term day-to-day supervision is devolved to the project supervisor, however the Course Director remains available to meet with students and will continue to monitor their progress.
Assessment
By the end of the course students should be able to clearly demonstrate their understanding of how the fundamental principles of immunology integrate with the clinical aspects of immune-driven disease, and with other relevant bioscience disciplines. Successful graduates should also be able to respond to complex questions and challenges in immunology using their comprehensive understanding of the field and their analytical and research skills. To evidence this, students undertake six assessments across the two-year course.
At the end of each taught unit, you will take a computer-based examination to test core knowledge. Further elements of the overall assessment are a critical essay in Unit 1, a set of clinical case commentaries in the second term, a research dissertation in Unit 3 and a final viva voce examination, which will normally take place live online.
Detailed assessment instructions and marking criteria will be provided at the beginning of each unit. The course also includes formative assessment and feedback opportunities, designed to prepare you for the main assessments and to develop your academic and professional skills.
Graduate destinations
This part-time online course was new for autumn 2024. However, the full-time variant of the MSc in Integrated Immunology has run continuously since 2004 as a one-year in-person program in Oxford. Over those years, about half of the alumni from the MSc have gone on to graduate research degrees, with a number of those taking up DPhil positions in Oxford. Approximately a third of alumni from the MSc have continued to medical school, or progressed to higher specialist medical training. Others have taken up positions the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or corporate sectors as senior scientists, policy advisors, analysts and managers. The department anticipates that students on the part-time course will follow similar career paths to become part of the global network of immunologists.
Changes to this course and your supervision
The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.
Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.
For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.
Entry requirements for entry in 2025-26
Proven and potential academic excellence
The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.
We know that factors such as socio-economic circumstances and school performance can make it difficult for students to demonstrate their full potential. This course is taking part in an initiative to use contextual data to help us to better understand your achievements in the context of your individual background. For further details, please refer to the information about improving access to graduate study in the How to apply section of this page.
Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. Contextual data may also be used in the assessment of studentships.
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 a biological, biomedical or other relevant science, including interdisciplinary subjects.
However, entrance is very competitive and many successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.
An appropriate medical qualification equivalent to MBBS (MD for overseas students) is also a suitable background for applicants.
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.5 out of 4.0. However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7 or above.
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.
GRE General Test scores
No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience
- Research or work experience in an area relevant to the course may be an advantage, but is not essential.
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. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.
| Test | Minimum overall score | Minimum score per component |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (Institution code: 0713) | 7.5 | 7.0 |
TOEFL iBT, including the 'Home Edition' (Institution code: 0490) | 110 | Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 |
| C1 Advanced* | 191 | 185 |
| C2 Proficiency† | 191 | 185 |
*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
†Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement.
Declaring extenuating circumstances
If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.
References
You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Supporting documents
You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Performance at interview
Interviews are normally held online as part of the admissions process.
Applicants are shortlisted according to the criteria listed. Interviews are normally held within six weeks of each application deadline. There will typically be a minimum of two academics on the interview panel. Interviews are conducted over Microsoft Teams (with video).
You will be asked to outline your educational background and interest in the subject, and how this course is relevant to your future plans. You will also be asked to demonstrate your basic immunological and scientific background knowledge.
If you are invited to attend an interview, you may be asked about your ability to commit sufficient time to study and fulfil all elements outlined in the course description (eg completing coursework, assessments, and attending course and University events and modules).
You will also be asked some questions about how you intend to fit part-time study around your other commitments.
Interviews are approximately half an hour in length.
Offer conditions for successful applications
If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our 'After you apply' pages provide more information about offers and conditions.
In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:
Financial Declaration
If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a Financial Declaration in order to meet your financial condition of admission.
Disclosure of criminal convictions
In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any relevant, unspent criminal convictions before you can take up a place at Oxford.
Evidence of ability to study for employed part-time applicants
If you are currently employed, you may be asked to provide evidence that your employment will not affect your ability to study and that you can commit sufficient time to fulfil all elements outlined in the course description. You may be asked to provide details about your pattern of employment and provide evidence to show how you will fulfil your commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules.
Other factors governing whether places can be offered
The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:
- the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the About section of this page;
- the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
- minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.
Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences
The Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS) is the academic department of surgery at the University of Oxford. It hosts a multidisciplinary team of senior clinical academic surgeons, senior scientists, junior clinicians and scientists in training.
The department offers research training opportunities for both clinical and non-clinical graduate students. It has a growing number of full-time funded research student opportunities. Research undertaken within the NDS covers many areas including fields such as cancer, immunology, neurosciences, and global surgery, and specialities such as patient safety, transplantation, urology and vascular surgery.
Funding
For entry in the 2025-26 academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.
If you apply by the December deadline shown on this page and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships. For the majority of Oxford scholarships, your application will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria, without needing to make a separate application. There are further Oxford scholarships available which have additional eligibility criteria and where you are required to submit a separate application. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.
To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, for which you may be eligible, use our fees, funding and scholarship search tool to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply. Alongside Oxford scholarships, you should also consider other opportunities for which you may be eligible including a range of external funding, loan schemes for postgraduate study and any other scholarships which may also still be available after the December deadline as listed on our fees, funding and scholarship search tool.
Details of college-specific funding opportunities can also be found on individual college websites:
Please refer to the College preference section of this page to identify which of the colleges listed above accept students for this course.
For the majority of college scholarships, it doesn’t matter which college, if any, you state a preference for in your application. If another college is able to offer you a scholarship, your application can be moved to that college if you accept the scholarship. Some college scholarships may require you to state a preference for that college when you apply, so check the eligibility requirements carefully.
Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.
Costs
Annual fees for entry in 2025-26
How long do I need to pay course fees?
Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges.
What do course fees cover?
Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information section below.
Where can I find further information about fees?
The Fees and Funding section of this website provides further information about course fees, including information about fee status and eligibility and your length of fee liability.
Additional information
Living costs
In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.
Living costs for part-time study
Your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you will still need to cover your cost of living on a full-time basis for the duration of your course, even if you will not be based in Oxford throughout your studies. While the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student living in Oxford is between £1,425 and £2,035 per month, living costs outside Oxford may be different.
Part-time students who are not based in Oxford will need to calculate travel and accommodation costs carefully. Depending on your circumstances and study plans, this may include the cost of a visitor visa to attend for short blocks of time (assuming that visitor visa eligibility criteria are met).
Further information about living costs
The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. For study in Oxford beyond the 2025-26 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 4% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. For further information, please consult our more detailed information about living costs, which includes a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs.
College preference
Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs).
If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief introduction to the college system at Oxford and our advice about expressing a college preference.
If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide.
The following colleges accept students on the MSc in Integrated Immunology (Part-time):
Before you apply
Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.
If it is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under the December deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance. Check the deadlines on this page and the information about deadlines and when to apply in our Application Guide.
Application fee waivers
An application fee of £75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:
- applicants from low-income countries;
- refugees and displaced persons;
- UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and
- applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.
You are encouraged to check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver before you apply.
Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?
You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.
You are welcome to communicate with the MSc Course Administrator or the MSc Course Director to discuss the course content, teaching, assessment and any questions you may have, via the contact details provided on this page.
Improving access to graduate study
This course is taking part in initiatives to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.
Socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used as part of an initiative to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.
Completing your application
You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.
For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application.
If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.
Referees
Three overall, ideally academic
Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.
Academic references are ideal though professional references will be accepted where academic references cannot be obtained.
Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, and ability to work independently as well as in a group.
Official transcript(s)
Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.
Statement of purpose:
A maximum of 800 words
Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in. The statement should also indicate how you will fit part-time studies around your commitments, and your future career plans.
You should provide evidence of your ability to commit sufficient time to study and fulfil all elements outlined in the course description (eg completing coursework, assessments, and attending course and University events and modules).
If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.
This will be assessed for:
- your reasons for applying to, and suitability for, this course;
- evidence of motivation for, and understanding of, the proposed area of study;
- commitment to the subject beyond the requirements of the degree course;
- capacity for sustained and intense work and ability to absorb new ideas at a rapid pace; and
- your ability to commit sufficient time to study and fulfil all elements outlined in the course description if you are applying for part-time study.
Start or continue your application
You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please refer to the requirements above and consult our Application Guide for advice.
After you've submitted your application
Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can find out more about our shortlisting and selection process in our detailed guide to what happens next.
Find out how to manage your application after submission, using our Applicant Self-Service tool.
ADMISSION STATUS
Open - applications are still being accepted
Up to a week's notice of closure will be provided on this page - no other notification will be given
Deadlines
12:00 midday UK time on:
Tuesday 3 December 2024
Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships
Applications may remain open after this deadline if places are still available - see below
A later deadline under 'Admission status'
If places are still available, applications may be accepted after 3 December. The Admission status (above) will provide notice of any later deadline.
| Part Time† | |
|---|---|
| Course code | TM_MY9P1 |
| Expected length | 24 months |
| Places in 2025-26 | c. 12 |
| Applications/year* | 27 |
| Start date | 6 October 2025 |
| English language | Higher level required |
†A full-time MSc is also offered by the University
*One year of applications (for entry in 2024-25)
Further information and enquiries
This course is offered by the
Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences
- Course page on the department's website
- Funding information from the department
- Academic and research staff
- Departmental research
- Medical Sciences Graduate School
- Residence requirements for full-time courses
- Postgraduate applicant privacy policy
Course-related enquiries
Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page
✉ mscimmunology@medsci.ox.ac.uk
☎ +44 (0)1865 612272
Application-process enquiries
Visa eligibility for part-time study
We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.