Entry requirements

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

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

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 an overall score of 7.0 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:

IELTS score requirements

reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

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

Course structure

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 modules allow you to attend for blocks of 3 to 4 days. This makes it possible to study alongside your other commitments.

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 (depending on their size). Each module is taught just once each year and represents up to 200 hours of study time. Your optional modules can include a module taken from anywhere in the University, subject to approval by the course leader.

For the dates each module is being taught in 2020 to 2021 academic year please see Medicine CPD module listing.

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

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2021-22

You must study the following modules:

Allergy Dissertation

Clinical Research Skills

Foundations of Allergic Disease

You must also choose from the following modules:

Allergic Airways Diseases

Allergic Skin Disease

Drug Allergy

Food Allergy

Work Based Learning: Task

Work Based Learning: Virtual Patient

Learning and assessment

Learning

This is a highly interactive degree, where you'll learn to make informed judgements in clinical and scientific settings and communicate these to other professionals, parents and patients. During your sessions learning will be as applied as possible. 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
group work
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 both face-to-face and electronically, 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.

Careers

As well as giving you hands-on, practical skills 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 2020). 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

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees are charged in years 1 and 2 only. The fees below are for the part-time MSc.

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £4,625.
EU and international students pay £10,346.

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:

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.

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

You are eligible for this scholarship if you:

are an international student who hasn’t taken a master's with us before
are enrolling to start a master's in September 2020
gained a 1st class honours degree at undergraduate level

If you meet these criteria you’ll be awarded an automatic £3,000 scholarship. This will mean a £3,000 reduction in your tuition fees. We’ll confirm your scholarship in your offer letter.

Unfortunately this offer isn’t open to UK / EU students.

Full terms and conditions.

MSc Allergy Natasha's Foundation (UK only)

We are delighted to be able to offer Natasha Bursaries following a very generous gift from the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.

These bursaries are available to UK citizens studying on any of our Allergy courses, including single modules, the postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or the master's.

The bursary is designed to help meet the cost of tuition fees.

The bursary applications are now closed for study in this academic year, but applications for 2021/22 will open in May or June 2021.

MSc Allergy Bursary (UK and International)

As a current or new UK or international student on the MSc Allergy course (MSc, PGDip or PGCert) you can apply for support towards your University of Southampton fees. More details can be found on the application form.

Complete the MSc Allergy Bursary Application Form (MS Word document)
Send your completed form with your CV (2 pages max) to fmed-studentoffice@soton.ac.uk

The bursary applications are now closed for study in this academic year, but applications for 2021/22 will open in May or June 2021.

Funding for EU and international students

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

How to apply

You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page, or email the programme team at allergy@soton.ac.uk

Application deadlines

UK students

Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

International students

We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.

We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. 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 a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. 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: