Clinical Embryology MSc

Course overview

The Leeds MSc in Clinical Embryology is a part-time, fully online distance-learning course.

It offers an internationally recognised qualification and provides superb academic and professional development opportunities for existing practitioners of clinical embryology.

Building on your existing knowledge and experience, the course offers advanced learning and establishes good practice in clinical embryology and assisted reproduction technologies. It allows you to remain in full-time employment while you study and offers superb academic and professional development opportunities.

The course features a series of compulsory modules that you’ll work through progressively along a set timeline. Through these modules you’ll develop your knowledge of both the theory and practice of clinical embryology. The MSc culminates with the research proposal in which you’ll create a hypothesis driven research proposal.

Designed for the working professional: The course is designed to allow the working professional to study while remaining in full-time employment. The course is part-time and the schedule is designed to be manageable for working individuals.

Staff expertise and support: Our academic staff have many years of professional and research experience in the field of clinical embryology and reproduction. Their diverse specialisations, ranging from reproductive biology to assisted reproduction technologies, underpin the uniqueness of the course at Leeds. Their insights and guidance will significantly enrich your learning experience. You’ll be supported by staff members who have years of experience in assisting distance-learning students with their studies. You’ll be assigned an academic tutor who will guide and advise you throughout the course.

International community: You'll connect with practitioners and fellow learners worldwide, fostering an enriching exchange of ideas and perspectives and allowing mutual sharing of expertise. This global network can be instrumental in shaping your career path and broadening your understanding of international practices in clinical embryology.

Interdisciplinary collaboration: The course is hosted by the Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine within the School of Medicine which fosters a rich, interdisciplinary teaching and research environment.

Ground-breaking research: Our faculty members are involved in world-leading research in fundamental and clinical research in areas related to gametes and preimplantation embryos, epigenetics, in vitro growth and maturation of oocytes, fertility preservation, uterine biology, and placental biology among other areas. This pioneering academic environment will help position you at the forefront of advancements in the field of reproductive science.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in a biological or related science or equivalent qualification.

We will also consider applicants with appropriate or accredited experience within an embryological laboratory.

You should be employed in a laboratory practising clinical embryology and with an employer who supports you in allowing time for study.

You must also have access to email and the internet.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

Career opportunities

The MSc Clinical Embryology course is committed to providing a transformative educational experience that prepares you for a successful career. This internationally recognised qualification provides enhanced academic and professional development opportunities for practitioners of clinical embryology. This course allows you to gain a wide breadth of knowledge that will give you confidence in your subject and skills that can be transferred to the workplace. You will also get the opportunity to network with an international group of ART practitioners, which is important for exchanging ideas on clinical practice and for career networking.

The course intake comprises of embryologists, clinicians, reproductive technicians and reproductive scientists, who are typically working full time when they start the course. Enhancing mobility and success in the workplace are ingrained in the course. We aim to uphold the academic excellence and integrity that has made the University of Leeds postgraduate courses in clinical embryology so highly respected in the field.

The enhancement of academic understanding of clinical embryology gained through the course provides improved prospects for promotion in the workplace or mobility to other positions. This has allowed many former students to move on to more senior positions within their own clinics, including several laboratory directors.

Research Activity: Many former students have become research active, presenting works at embryology and fertility conferences and adding an additional dimension to their existing careers. Others are active council or committee members of scientific and clinical societies in reproductive science.

Further Study: The course has also been used as a springboard for further study. Many students have completed post-graduate research degrees (such as a PhD), which are increasingly important in the field.