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Clinical Trials MSc

Distance learning programme

Gain comprehensive skills in designing, conducting, analysing, and reporting clinical trials, to play a key role in advancing medical innovations. Study fully online over one, two, or up to five years - you can learn from anywhere in the world. Whether starting your career or seeking leadership opportunities, this MSc offers an ideal opportunity.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
£9,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
£9,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
All applicants: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree in a healthcare or life science related subject (including pharmacy) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Clinicians are required to have a degree (for example, an MBBS).

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree



Clinical trials are essential in discovering whether new healthcare interventions (new medicines, medical devices, lifestyle behaviours etc.) improve outcomes for patients and the public.

The clinical trials programme draws on real trial examples, including the latest developments in cancer, infectious diseases, cognitive health, neuroscience, women’s health, and primary care. You’ll develop skills in all stages of the trial lifecycle (design, conduct, analysis and reporting) and explore the methodology underpinning each stage.  

As a graduate of this programme, you will have the knowledge and skills required to design and undertake clinical trials which maximise participant safety and data integrity.

The programme content is regularly updated to keep up with the latest developments in this rapidly evolving field, for example, you will explore how AI is increasingly used in clinical trials to help to accelerate the development of new interventions and about the importance of conducting efficient and sustainable clinical trials.

The fully online programme format means you can study alongside your work and personal responsibilities. Our curriculum is designed using globally applicable clinical trials and international guidelines. This ensures the content is relevant to where you live and work.  

Who this course is for

The programme is primarily aimed at graduates from life sciences and related disciplines including medical, nursing, dental, pharmacy, and other healthcare fields. It’s also ideal for health professionals and those already working in clinical trials who want to enhance their knowledge, skills and leadership potential.  

Our distance learning format means you can join us from anywhere in the world.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

You will study through the UCL Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology (UCL ICTM), a centre of excellence for clinical trials, meta-analysis and epidemiological studies. UCL ICTM has the largest concentration of trialists in Europe, employing the best scientific minds across the broad field of clinical trials. The Institute has a track record of developing future leaders in both academia and industry. Our teaching team are experienced trialists, all eager to share their knowledge and expertise.

With a UCL MSc in Clinical Trials, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to excel in clinical research and contribute to the development of new medical interventions that improve health outcomes globally. 

More specifically, you can expect to:

  • Learn the scientific, methodological and practical issues involved in designing, conducting, analysing and reporting clinical trials. 
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the ethical, scientific, and regulatory aspects of clinical trials, including protocol development, data management and best practices in trial oversight.
  • Learn about patient and public involvement (PPI) and how to engage participants and the public to enhance the relevance, quality, and impact of clinical trials. 
  • Learn about novel designs across all phases of trials – from first-in-human to practice changing late-phase trials. Trial designs developed by UCL ICTM researchers are used worldwide by many organisations.
  • Gain a worldwide perspective on trial implementation - understanding the challenges and opportunities in conducting trials (including those with novel designs) across different countries and populations.
  • Develop excellent research skills – including, choosing the most appropriate trial design, understanding statistical analysis and data interpretation - key skills for designing effective trials and evaluating their outcomes.
  • Build valuable skills in leadership, innovation, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and change management – preparing you to lead and work effectively in this multi-disciplinary field.
  • Be able to carry out your own research, having completed an independent research project under the supervision of a UCL ICTM researcher.  
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Designed in consultation with specialists from academia, the pharmaceutical industry and the UK NHS, our MSc programme will equip you to become a key player in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of high-quality trials. 

Graduates have gone onto work with the NHS, Roche, IQVIA, GSK, German Cancer Research Centre, Johnson & Johnson Ltd., the Medical Research Council, and universities in the UK and abroad.*

Many of our graduates have used their MSc qualification as a springboard for further study at doctoral level.

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 cohorts.

Although I was already working in the field for 2 years, having career switched from organic chemistry, the MSc provided a strong theoretical and academic background that I was lacking in clinical and medical research. In addition, the degree also focuses on the 'nuts-and-bolts' involved in running a trial so being able to bounce off practical questions to colleagues on the course and tutors was equally invaluable.

David

Clinical Trials MSc

Read more

Employability

Researchers with a good understanding of all aspects of clinical trials, with critical thinking and problem-solving skills which are highly sought after. You will gain knowledge and skills which are relevant for roles in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, contract research organisations (CROs), academic institutions, hospitals or regulatory agencies.

You will be equipped to maximise your potential in clinical, operational or strategic roles across the clinical trial lifecycle - from the development of an idea to changing clinical practice. Successful completion of the programme will also give experienced trialists a competitive edge when seeking leadership positions. 

An MSc in Clinical Trials can serve as a foundation for further academic study, opening opportunities for academic, leadership and research careers.

Networking

The programme provides opportunities to connect with experienced professionals, faculty, and peers in the clinical trials field.

  • You will be invited to the Institute’s online Monday lunchtime seminars (1-2 pm UK time during term time). These seminars feature invited speakers presenting on topics related to clinical trials / other research and initiatives relevant to staff and students in the Institute. You can also work with UCL ICTM staff to set up a journal club. 
  • During live online lectures, you will have the opportunity to connect with experienced professionals from academia and industry and peers in the clinical trials field. These opportunities can lead to collaborations, mentorships, and potential job opportunities.
  • During the research project, you will have the opportunity to work closely with supervisors who are experts in their field.
  • You will be assigned a personal tutor who will be a member of staff from within UCL ICTM.
  • UCL ICTM Students and Alumni LinkedIn group- This is a private group on LinkedIn for current students and alumni from our MSc – members are encouraged to use the group to expand their networks, engage in discussion and explore career opportunities. 
     

Teaching and learning

Teaching is delivered fully online, and taught modules are structured into weekly topics of learning. It works as follows: 

Self-directed study using online Learning Packs: Each week, you’ll receive a learning pack designed to deepen your understanding of a topic. These packs are self-paced, allowing you to study at your convenience within the week. They include a mix of recorded lectures, videos, write-ups, and activities. You can also access online forums to ask questions and receive answers from our teaching team. 

Live Online Sessions: To consolidate your learning, we hold live online sessions. These sessions may feature lectures from trialists and industry experts, collaborative work with other students on trial documents or data and guided individual activities with our trialist teaching team. You can also ask questions and engage with your peers. We encourage our students to attend these sessions.

Live online sessions: 

  • Tuesdays: typically two-four hours during UK working hours.
  • Thursdays: typically two-four hours during UK working hours.


Please note that times vary among modules, but the days (Tuesday and Thursday) will remain the same.

Meet the academics currently leading this programme on the UCL ICTM website.

We use a variety of assessments where you apply what you have learned about clinical trials. Examples of assessment types are: 

  • Written assessments based on clinical trial scenarios: Reflective portfolio, short answer questions - you will have four weeks to work on most of these.
  • Oral presentations: Short presentations (10-15 minutes) are designed to improve your communication and public speaking skills - they are conducted live online or as a recorded version depending on the module. 
  • Timed online exams: You will need to complete these exams within a given time frame that will work no matter where you are in the world.

You will also undertake an independent research project. You can come up with your own idea for a project (subject to approval) or you can select a project idea offered by UCL ICTM staff. 

Full-time MSc students complete 120 taught credits over one year, 60 credits in Term 1 and 60 credits in Term 2. Part-time MSc students will also complete 120 taught credits, 30 credits in each of Term 1 and Term 2 over two years.

In First and Second Term full-time students can typically expect six contact hours per teaching week. In Third Term and the summer period students will be completing their own project research. You can also expect group sessions with project module co-leads and supervision time with a UCL ICTM researcher.

Overall, we expect full-time students to spend a full 35-hour week studying, with time outside of online classes spent in self-directed study. Part-time and flexible students study at a pro-rata rate.

A Postgraduate Diploma, consisting of seven core modules (120 credits) and available for full-time, part-time or flexible study is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate consisting of three or four modules (60 credits) and available for full-time, part-time and flexible study is offered.

Modules

Full-time students need to complete the seven compulsory taught modules (six 15-credit modules and one 30-credit module) plus the research project module (60 credits).

Part-time students need to complete the seven compulsory taught modules but will have the flexibility to complete them over two years before completing the research project module.

We strongly advise students to take the Thursday modules in the first year and Tuesday modules in the second year.

Modular/flexible students need to complete seven compulsory taught modules before completing the research project module. The programme leads will advise students on the order in which modules should be completed for the optimal student experience. The programme, including the research project, needs to be completed within a five-year timeframe.

Compulsory modules










Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Clinical Trials. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Clinical Trials. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Clinical Trials.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

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Online - Open day

Book a virtual 1-2-1 about Clinical Trials MSc

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Book a 15-minute 1-2-1 with a member of the Clinical Trials MSc programme team who will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the programme, careers or studying at UCL.

Balcony and Winter Garden UCL, Great Ormond Street, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford St, WC1N 1EH, London, UK - Open day

Life and Medical Sciences Postgraduate Open Evening

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Discover UCL’s Master's degrees in health, medicine, brain sciences and life sciences at our upcoming Open Evening! Join us to learn more about our Master’s degrees, meet our academic teaching staff, and see where postgraduate study may take you.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400 £9,200
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400 £9,200

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There are no additional costs for this programme.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we access your application, we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Clinical Trials at graduate level.
  • What particularly attracts you to the UCL Clinical Trials MSc.
  • How your academic and professional background are relevant to your interest in the programme.
  • How you would like to use your degree professionally.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Applications will be considered in gathered fields. For more information, please contact the UCL ICTM administrator.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology
Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology

ICTM.pgtct@ucl.ac.uk

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