
Fundamental Principles of Cancer Biology - 20 credits - Module
Currently viewing course to start in 2022/23 Entry.
This module aligns with the Professional Practice Programme philosophy and is designed to be flexible and practice-led. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills of enquiry, reflection and problem solving related to the field of cancer biology, and robustly relate theory to practice.
- Level CPD
- Study mode Distance Learning
- Location Online Learning
- Award Module
- Start date October 2022
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Health Sciences
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Overview
This module aligns with the Professional Practice Programme philosophy and is designed to be flexible and practice-led. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills of enquiry, reflection and problem solving related to the field of cancer biology, and robustly relate theory to practice.
What's covered in this course?
Any health care professional working within the field of cancer who wishes to enhance their current knowledge and skills in this area should consider undertaking this module.
This 20 credit module which can be studied at level 6 or level 7.
Why Choose Us?
- Patient and people focused courses, substantially linking theory to practice
- Excellence in delivering high quality standards of flexible and bespoke academic provision for post qualifying practitioners
- 2017 Winners of the Student Nursing Times awards – Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration)
- Links with healthcare providers
- State of the art facilities
Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic
The University has put in place measures in response to Covid-19 to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: Module
Starting: Oct 2022
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Distance Learning
- 6 weeks
- £756 per 20-credit module
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: Module
Starting: Oct 2022
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Distance Learning
- 6 weeks
- £756 per 20-credit module
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
How to apply
Complete the online application form via the link above, including the name of the module you are enrolling onto.
Course in Depth
Level 6
This module is designed for health care practitioners who wish to expand their knowledge on the biology of Cancer and apply this to a case study from presentation through to diagnosis.
More than one in three of us will develop Cancer. It is vital that those who work with Cancer patients are supported with appropriate education and reflective practice, to drive up the quality of care for Cancer patients. This module provides you with the opportunity to learn about the principles of Cancer biology by applying it to a specific malignant condition. By being able to understand this better, it will lead to:
- Advising patients appropriately
- Enable improved evidence-based discussions and practice
- Allow Cancer pathways to be redesigned and patients’ care to be tailored to their health requirements
This module can also be studied as a standalone module. This is delivered completely online incorporating course teaching material and a variety of learning activities, such as online lectures, forums, quizzes and workbooks. You are expected to participate and engage with this material. Tutorial support will be offered via video tutorials, chat forums, email and telephone.
This module aligns with the Professional Practice Programme philosophy and is designed to be flexible and practice-led. You will have the opportunity to develop skills of enquiry, reflection and problem solving, in line with the university’s learning and teaching strategy. You will be encouraged to think critically and share practice experiences with your fellow students, as well as engaging in both directed and self-directed learning activities. You will be an active partner in your own learning and development and in return you will receive regular feedback and feedforward aimed at developing your academic skills, and have the opportunity to discuss your progress with the module team.
Level 7
This module is predominantly designed for graduate health care practitioners who wish to expand their knowledge on the biology of Cancer and apply this to a case study from presentation through to diagnosis.
More than one in three of us will develop Cancer. It is vital that those who work with Cancer patients are supported with appropriate education and reflective practice, to drive up the quality of care for Cancer patients. This module provides you with the opportunity to learn about the principles of Cancer biology by applying it to practice. By being able to understand this better, it will lead to:
- Advising patients appropriately
- Enable improved evidence-based discussions and practice
- Allow Cancer pathways to be redesigned and patients’ care to be tailored to their health requirements
This module can also be studied as a standalone module. This is delivered completely online incorporating course teaching material and a variety of learning activities, such as online lectures, forums, quizzes and workbooks. You are expected to participate and engage with this material. Tutorial support will be offered via video tutorials, chat forums, email and telephone.
This module aligns with the Professional Practice Programme philosophy and is designed to be flexible and practice-led. You will have the opportunity to develop skills of enquiry, reflection and problem solving, in line with the university’s learning and teaching strategy. You will be encouraged to think critically and share practice experiences with your fellow students, as well as engaging in both directed and self-directed learning activities. You will be an active partner in your own learning and development and in return you will receive regular feedback and feedforward aimed at developing your academic skills, and have the opportunity to discuss your progress with the module team.
Course structure
This module covers the principles of cancer biology and applies this to practice from presentation to diagnosis.
This module is delivered completely online incorporating course teaching material and a variety of learning activities, such as online lectures, forums, quizzes and workbooks. You are expected to participate and engage with this material. Tutorial support will be offered via video tutorials, chat forums, email and telephone.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
The creation of our new suite of courses in Sport and Life Sciences is yet another exciting development at Birmingham City University. The 10,500sq metre building at City South Campus will enable us to offer a wide range of new health, nutrition, biomedical science and sports courses, as well as providing a new home for our education programmes.
Not only are we investing £41 million in a new building to house the laboratories and teaching spaces needed, but we also plan to open up these facilities to benefit all students and the wider community. This will complement our existing sports facilities, which already provide a base for students to compete in activities ranging from rugby to jiu jitsu.
The courses will reflect the latest developments in our teaching and our focus on practice-led learning with work placements and live industry case studies incorporated into the curriculum. All courses have been co-designed with employers and are endorsed or accredited by professional bodies where appropriate.
By expanding our provision to these new areas, we will be helping to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing society today, such as obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, by encouraging and supporting healthy eating and greater physical activity.
In addition, we will be producing graduates who can support elite performers in meeting the UK’s ambitions for sporting success at events such as the Olympics and other world sporting tournaments. We are constantly looking to enhance the range of courses we offer - please check all our courses for the latest additions to our portfolio.

Simulation Mannequins
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and Simulation babies (SIM babies) which are leading edge, anatomically correct mannequins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills.

S.P.A.C.E.
SPACE is an innovative practice area all students can access to use equipment and resources to practise a wide range of skills in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment. It provides students with a creative learning environment to get the best educational experience before becoming a health care professional.

Learning Facilities
We offer up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across. These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.

Virtual Tour
Explore our facilities in 360 panoramas, including welcome videos from key members of staff and Health and Wellbeing student profiles.
Doug Ellis Sports Centre
Our £8.5 million Doug Ellis Sports Centre boasts an 80-station fitness suite, an eight-court sports hall, and workout and spinning studios. The centre offers state-of-the-art fitness training equipment and plenty of room for team sports including five-a-side football and cricket. An all-weather pitch adds the finishing touches to the centre.
Visitors to the gym can choose a personalised fitness programme, instructed by qualified fitness trainers, and take advantage of a selection of classes, such as yoga, salsa or body combat.

Our staff
Alison Simons
Senior Lecturer
Alison was a cancer nurse for 18 years looking after patients with a variety of cancer and receiving a variety of treatments. She was the junior sister of a mixed oncology ward within a large teaching hospital. Alison then went on to become a professional development sister responsible for the educational needs of 200 oncology and haematology...
More about AlisonEnquiries
Module Leader
If you have any queries about this course please contact the Module Leader, Alison Simons on:
- Tel: 0121 331 7012
- Email: Alison.simons@bcu.ac.uk
Professional Navigator
Our Professional Navigator, Nicola Clarke, are also on hand to offer guidance and will help you to choose which modules are best for you, taking into account your aims, professional or clinical experience, KSF requirements and your academic achievements.
Call Nicola on +44 (0)121 331 6162.