The University of Westminster has been awarded a years-long national contract with NHS England and the National School of Healthcare Sciences (NSHCS) to carry out the full development and delivery of two new Postgraduate Certificates in Genomics, which will ultimately lead to closing skills gaps currently hindering the diagnosis of some cancers.
The new courses focusing on histopathology, namely the study of tissue-related diseases, and haematology, which is the study of blood-related diseases, aim to provide genomics training to NHS workers until August 2028, to support national workforce development and boost clinical career progression across the sector.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Genomics in Histopathology course is designed to upskill existing histopathologists by teaching them the principles and application of genomics in areas like cancer diagnosis, treatment and risk prediction, while the Postgraduate Certificate in Genomics in Haematology is targeted at healthcare professionals to gain advanced skills in applying genomics to the diagnosis and treatment of blood-related cancers and disorders.
These programmes provide hands-on laboratory and informatics skills to analyse and interpret genomic data and integrate it into clinical decision-making. The certificate provides advanced knowledge for a multi-disciplinary role within the evolving field of genomic medicine.
Westminster will be responsible for the full end-to-end delivery of both programmes, including curriculum design, academic delivery, assessment, development of a digital Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and the full workplace-based learning framework with NHS Trusts.
Luisa Guerra, Senior Short Courses Manager at the University of Westminster, who oversees the development of bespoke courses delivered by the University, said: “We’re proud to be working in close partnership with NHS England and the National School of Healthcare Science on this nationally significant contract. It recognises Westminster’s ability to deliver high-quality, workforce-focused education at scale, helping to address critical genomics skills gaps and strengthen clinical decision-making across NHS services.”
Namir Al Hasso and Dr Jo Horne are the Programme Directors at the National School of Healthcare Science who will lead on these initiatives. They said: “We are thrilled to embark on this exciting new chapter of collaboration between NHS England and the University of Westminster. These innovative Genomics programmes will play a pivotal role in empowering and upskilling healthcare scientists across NHS England’s Genomics hubs and Histopathology departments. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare science and driving forward excellence in patient care.”
Professor Alistair Mathie, Head of the School of Life Sciences where the courses will sit, added: “The School is delighted to develop and deliver these courses, supporting our strategy to grow our Health and Life Sciences portfolio through authentic, career-based learning.”
This partnership directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, 4: Quality Education and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the range of short courses available at the University of Westminster.
Find out more about the School of Life Sciences.
