Allergy (MSc)

You need at least a 2:2 degree in a relevant subject.

This course is also available as an intercalation degree for undergraduate medical students.

We may also consider an application if you have a relevant professional qualification, for example you may be a registered nurse without an undergraduate degree.

You must submit all supporting documents, including evidence that you can satisfy our English language requirement, when you submit your application.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

We do not accept Pre-sessional Language programmes as evidence of meeting the English Language requirement for this course.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you’ve been away from formal study for some time we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.  

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This part-time MSc is taken from 2 to 5 years. If you'd like to complete the course sooner you can choose to study full-time for 1 year, from September to September.

We take a mixed learning approach. Most of our students continue to work while studying, so our online modules allow you to join us for live sessions where you will engage with our expert teachers and your fellow students and benefit from rich discussions. You can watch additional recorded sessions each week at your convenience which makes it possible to study alongside your other commitments. Engaging with the blend of live sessions and recordings within each teaching week allows you to combine your learning aso you get the most from our modules.

Don't worry if you haven't studied for a while; study skills are included in your modules and you'll get plenty of support to help you back into studying.

You must complete and pass the core module ‘Foundations of Allergic Disease’. This gives you a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms and management of allergic diseases, along with study skills.

To gain the MSc you must also take and pass:  

• Clinical Research Skills – this helps you prepare for your dissertation  
• Allergy Dissertation – this can be a research project, or it can be based on your own professional practice  

You'll then choose between 4 and 6 optional modules. Each module is taught just once each year and represents up to 200 hours of study time.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

This is an interactive degree, where you'll learn to make informed judgements in clinical and scientific context and communicate these to other professionals, parents and patients. Our online modules are delivered using live online teaching sessions which you should attend, and additional supplementary recordings. Between these sessions you'll use our e-learning portal to engage with tutors and fellow students and develop your learning.

As well as lectures and tutorials you'll learn through:  

• interactive case histories 
• developing an allergy action plan
• teaching session planning and delivery 
• patient diagnosis and management plans 
• critical appraisal of own teaching practice 
• professional portfolio of clinical experience 

 This is a practical allergy testing course with demonstrations in:  

• skin prick and lung function testing 
• adrenaline autoinjectors 
• inhalers and nasal sprays 
• history taking and examinations 
• IgE (immunoglobulin E) allergen testing and food challenges 

Assessment

We'll assess you through a variety of methods, including: 

• presentations 
• reflective accounts and written assignments 
• clinical case reports 
• data analysis and reporting

There is also a science e-learning package available with self-assessment.

Dissertation

You'll need to complete a 6,000-word manuscript style document with an extended academic discussion. The whole project will take around 600 hours to complete. You'll be supported by a supervisory team as well as the module lead throughout this.

Academic Support

You'll have your own personal academic tutor, and you'll have individual support, with access to the Faculty of Medicine’s staff and resources. Dissertation support from the module leader is available at all stages, and group support will be available through regular online tutorials.

This MSc Allergy course is aimed at healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, dietitians and pharmacists providing clinical care both in the community and hospitals for adult and paediatric patients with allergy. It’s our ambition to create tomorrow’s leaders in the field of allergy management.

As well as learning about multiple aspects of allergy, this course will:  

• develop your problem-solving and research evidence skills  
• make you part of a community of allergy specialists, learning from your peers around the world 
• develop your leadership skills in clinical allergy 
• give you strategies for your continuing professional development  
• teach your colleagues to improve your clinical service delivery

“It is thanks to my training at Southampton that I am a world-leading dietitian in the field of allergic diseases.” Carina Venter - Assistant Professor at University of Colorado 

Explore more of our alumni stories 

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study (charged in years 1 and 2 only):

• UK students pay £4,625.
• EU and international students pay £12,122

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

MSc Allergy Natasha Bursaries (UK only)

The MSc Allergy Natasha Bursaries are made possible through a very generous gift from the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.

They are designed to help meet the cost of tuition fees and are available to UK citizens studying on any of our Allergy courses, including single modules, the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or the Master's.

Applying for the bursary

You can apply for this bursary now if you plan to study in the 2023 to 2024 academic year. You must apply by Thursday 30 June 2023. 

You must submit: 

• a completed application form 
• your CV (no more than 2 pages) 

Email your application to: fmed-studentoffice@soton.ac.uk

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

Places are limited and we allocate them on a continuous basis from 21 September 2022, until all places are filled. We advise you to apply early to avoid disappointment.

We expect to close applications for this course on Friday 7 July 2023 (11:59pm UK time).

This course may stay open after this date if places are still available.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Single module (CPD) applications

To apply for a single module (CPD), you'll need to fill in a physical application form that you can download from our continuing professional development pages.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a degree certificate
• evidence of professional qualifications

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We will aim to send you a decision 6-8 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000