MSc in Clinical Embryology
Provided by University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division
About the course
The MSc course is based alongside TFP Oxford Fertility in purpose-built premises at the Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Oxford Business Park, with dedicated state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. The department’s intention is to inspire, motivate and train a network of future leaders in clinical embryology throughout the world.
The course runs over a period of one year, from October to September, incorporating the three University of Oxford terms: Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity. Fundamental reproductive science and laboratory methods/practical skills are taught in the first term (Michaelmas) over five discrete modules. Applied and clinical aspects are delivered in the second term (Hilary) over a further set of five modules. Each module is delivered over a period of one to three weeks and together, the ten modules comprise the ‘core content’ of the course. The third term (Trinity) is extended to allow sufficient time for a high quality laboratory or desk-based research project.
The department places significant emphasis on the acquisition of practical laboratory skills. A particular strength of the course is that you will be trained individually on micromanipulation and laser biopsy equipment using training beads, mouse oocytes, human sperm and surplus human oocytes when available. You will spend significant amounts of time with TFP Oxford Fertility following senior clinicians in the clinic, and embryologists in the IVF laboratory. You will also spend time with junior/trainee embryologists to discuss career options, writing CVs and you will meet visiting clinicians and embryologists from other leading UK IVF clinics. The department’s staff will also provide significant insight into the legal issues surrounding ART, along with quality management, ethics and ISO-accreditation. You will attend professional development seminars covering a wide range of topics including medical ethics, communication and presentation skills and experimental design.
The course is taught primarily by senior members of staff from the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health and TFP Oxford Fertility. A variety of teaching methods are used to enhance and optimise student learning: class lectures, group tutorials, laboratory practical classes, self-directed learning sessions, journal clubs, problem-based learning, workshops and in-house demonstrations by visiting companies. You will also attend lectures given by visiting scientists who are world experts in their field. Private study sessions are timetabled during Michaelmas and Hilary Term, students are expected to use this time to work on formative and summative assignments.
Attendance
The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.
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.
You will be provided with a desk space within the postgraduate study room and are encouraged to bring your own laptop which can be connected to the University's network and Wi-Fi. Laser printing/photocopying facilities are available within the teaching facility. IT support is predominantly provided by the Medical Sciences Division IT Unit, based at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Further support is provided by Oxford University Computing Services (OUCS), who also provide an extensive range of short IT training courses. The University of Oxford has an incredibly diverse library service including the Radcliffe Science Library. MSc students predominantly utilise the Health Care Libraries, particularly the Cairns Library situated on the John Radcliffe Hospital site.
Experimental sessions are held in a dedicated modern laboratory equipped with a range of top quality equipment, including state-of-the-art gamete manipulation/injection systems. Sufficient experimental apparatus is provided to allow each student significant ‘hands-on’ training.
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health 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 Women's and Reproductive Health.
You will have the opportunity to receive individual mentorship by the Course Director and other members of the course staff throughout the course and whenever required. You will also be allocated a Departmental Mentor (a senior member of the academic or clinical staff) and a Graduate Advisor within your college. Most students meet their Departmental Mentor and their Graduate Advisor once a term.
Assessment
There are five summative assessments in total:
- A computer-based multiple choice examination at the end of Michaelmas term
- An extended essay submitted during Hilary term
- A short essay written examination in Trinity term
- A dissertation based on a laboratory research project submitted during the extended Trinity term
- A viva voce examination, normally conducted in September of the year in which the candidate is examined
Graduate destinations
Graduates go on to pursue careers in clinical embryology, and further research activities in reproductive, biological and biomedical science, assisted reproduction, clinical academic work and industry.
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.
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 Clinical Embryology:
- Green Templeton College
- Jesus College
- Kellogg College
- Linacre College
- Lincoln College
- Reuben College
- St Anne's College
- St Catherine's College
- St Cross College
- St Edmund Hall
- St Hugh's College
- Somerville College
- Trinity College
- Wolfson College
- Wycliffe Hall
Enquire
| Start date | Venue | |
|---|---|---|
| 06 Oct 2025 | Distance learning | Book now |