Student life and support
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, is a world-leading higher education institution and a college of the University of London, specialising in research and postgraduate education in cancer. We have a strategic goal to educate and train the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians.
Information to prepare for study
This page provides information to help prepare you for study as well as details of our academic facilities and our expectations of students, set out below in our Student Charter. You can also find signposting to other useful resources below:
- Read the benefits of studying with us.
- If you're applying for a studentship from overseas, our information for international students should help you to start thinking about setting up home in London.
- If you're new to London, read our tips for finding accommodation and travel advice.
- Find out what it's like to study here by reading our student profiles.
- Discover what opportunities are open to graduates from the ICR by reading our alumni profiles.
- We have an active and welcoming student body with strong representation from students across the ICR – visit our student committee page.
- At the ICR, we believe that our strength comes from combining what we have in common – our shared goals and values – with what makes each of us different. Read about our equality and diversity objectives and initiatives, in particular our scheme promoting the careers of women in science, as well as our networks to help promote diversity and drive greater equality in our workplaces, such as the LGBT+ Network and REACH Forum.
Student Experience
We want our students to have a fulfilling and productive time at The Institute of Cancer Research, academically and in other aspects. In the 2021 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey, the ICR ranked top nationally for overall student experience.
Our sites and facilities
The Institute of Cancer Research offers some exceptional academic and recreational facilities for students across its two London sites – in Chelsea and Sutton. A regular shuttle bus service transports ICR students between the two sites for free.
The Chelsea site is based in the heart of Central London and has excellent public transport links, with both South Kensington and Gloucester Road underground stations located very nearby.
The purpose-built Chester Beatty Laboratories building in Chelsea is home to the Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre and the Divisions of Breast Cancer Research, Cancer Biology and Structural Biology. Scientific facilities at the Chelsea site include the supercomputing, microscopy and mass spectrometry laboratories.
The site contains meeting rooms of various sizes, lecture theatres for internal and external seminars, and a PhD study room which can be used by students for quiet study. A staff restaurant (for staff and students) serves hot and cold food, snacks and drinks throughout the day. There are also several coffee shops, cafes andrestaurants, within walking distance.
As there is no dedicated gym at the Chelsea site, the ICR will subsidise membership at a sports centre or gym for staff based at Chelsea (see staff intranet page for more details).
The administrative headquarters of the ICR can be found on Old Brompton Road, a 5-minute walk from Chester Beatty Laboratories. This building houses administrative teams involved in academic services, communications, finance, fundraising, HR and IT.
Getting here
The Chester Beatty Laboratories are on Fulham Road, roughly a 5 minute walk from South Kensington Underground station. Our Corporate Headquarters on Old Brompton Road are a 5 minute walk from both South Kensington and Gloucester Road Underground stations.
There are cycle racks and showers available at both the Chester Beatty Laboratories and the headquarters on Old Brompton Road. The ICR also provides a bike loan scheme for staff in conjunction with Evans Cycles (see staff intranet page for more details).
The Sutton site is close to the beautiful countryside of the North Downs, and has good transport links to Central London, with Belmont and Sutton stations close by.
There are a number of purpose-built laboratories housed at the Sutton site. These include laboratories for the Divisions of Cancer Therapeutics, Clinical Studies, Genetics and Epidemiology, Molecular Pathology, and Radiotherapy and Imaging. Academic facilities at the Sutton site include chemistry labs, medical imaging equipment, microscopy labs, an extensive research library, and centres in which clinical trials are conducted.
The Sutton site contains meeting rooms of various sizes, lecture theatres for internal and external seminars, and a PhD study room which can be used by students for quiet study. A staff restaurant (for staff and students) offers hot and cold food, snacks and beverages. The Royal Marsden is also located nearby, with a canteen, shop, cash machine, and Boots pharmacy, that ICR staff and students are welcome to use.
The Sutton site has some excellent recreational facilities including: a gym which is free for staff and students; and a Sports and Social Club which has a bar, squash court, and a large sports hall. Membership of the club is free to all staff and students (although there is a small charge for some activities).
Staff working at the Sutton site have access to child places at the Royal Marsden nursery (subject to availability) and discounted places on local holiday play schemes (see staff intranet page for more details).
Getting here
The Sutton site is one mile from Sutton station, served by the Thameslink line and by Southern Trains from London Bridge and London Victoria. A regular shuttle bus service transports ICR staff and students to and from Sutton station to the Sutton site for free.
There is limited car parking for staff. The application form and criteria for consideration for a staff parking permit can be downloaded from the Site Management (Transport) staff intranet page.
Cycle parking can be found adjacent to the ICR stores outside the Brookes Lawley Building lower-ground floor. The ICR also provides a bike loan scheme in conjunction with Evans Cycles (see staff intranet page for more details).
Student charter
The student charter sets out what you can expect from The Institute of Cancer Research, and what the ICR's expectations are of you. It is developed in partnership with taught course students and research degree students.
The purpose of this Charter is to provide a set of expectations which demonstrate that:
- students will actively engage with their learning experience and life at the ICR as well as contributing to shaping that experience;
- the ICR will enable students to engage and contribute, both individually and collectively, and will provide an inclusive, stimulating and safe environment in which to do this.
The Student Charter is not a contract, legal or otherwise, and is not intended to supersede the policies and procedures in place at the ICR. Rather, it is intended to foster a general understanding of mutual expectations between the ICR and our students, underpinned by the ICR’s Values.
Download the Student Charter (PDF)
Contact us
If you have any further questions about studying at the ICR, please contact [email protected] We are always happy to help and will do our best to reply promptly to your email.
The ICR's commitments
The ICR will provide:
- a supportive, high-quality learning environment which embraces diversity, where all students can reach their full potential and will be treated with kindness and respect;
- training in research and transferrable skills, and the opportunity to be consulted about training as appropriate;
- access to activities that enhance employability and personal development including careers support and advice;
- access to library and journal resources;
- academic support in planning your work and regular opportunities to discuss progress with your supervisor or Course Director;
- personal support and welfare advice via Course Directors, supervisors, members of the Academic Dean's Team, or the Registry/MSc Course Team as well as via ICR-wide programmes and resources;
- a fair assessment process as outlined in the Code of Practice or Handbook for each degree programme;
- timely consideration of all submitted documentation, with feedback and decisions communicated as quickly as possible;
- opportunities to comment: on the standard of teaching or supervision you receive, on access to the relevant learning resources, and on other issues relevant to student life;
- fair, prompt handling of any complaint or appeal in accordance with the relevant procedure.
- serious, speedy and confidential treatment of allegations of misconduct including all types of harassment.
The ICR will provide students with the following information:
- clear, consistent and robust regulations, policies and procedures that are accessible to students;
- accurate and accessible outlines of each programme of study available including details of assessment and progress monitoring, and contact hours for taught course students; stipends, fees, payment deadlines, and estimates of necessary additional costs;
- how the ICR ensures teaching or supervision is of appropriate quality and appropriately planned and conducted;
- feedback on all proposals made and concerns raised by students, including details of subsequent decisions or actions taken.
Research supervisors (including MSc in Oncology Part C tutors) will:
- familiarise themselves with the requirements and guidance in the Codes of Practice and Regulations including updates made annually, and commit to the responsibilities detailed within.
- respond to students' individual needs and circumstances in support of academic progress, professional development and personal wellbeing as appropriate
- make time for dialogue and communicate expectations which nurture respect, flexibility, clear communication, and clear roles and responsibilities
- encourage open communication and feedback in both directions
- provide students with support for developing strategies for coping with pressure and managing workloads in both the short and long term
- role model and encourage a positive, balanced approach to working practices
Your commitments
Students will:
- take responsibility for their own learning and development, proactively seeking academic advice and support as required;
- meet expected deadlines and respond promptly to any ICR communications;
- attend induction, prescribed training and classes, laboratory work and supervisory meetings as required;
- provide all necessary documentation for registration (including payment of fees);
- familiarise themselves with and adhere to the requirements and guidance in the handbooks, Codes of Practice and Regulations as well as the ICR-wide policies highlighted in the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment;
- act on any feedback they receive which supports their progress and development
- prepare for assessments in a timely manner and in accordance with requirements.
- provide constructive feedback on their experience and participate in mechanisms (such as surveys and questionnaires) that will lead to improvements in the quality of teaching and overall student experience;
- be proactive in raising any issues or concerns as they arise, with a Course Director, supervisor, a member of the Academic Dean’s Team, a member of Registry staff, or the Student Committee as appropriate;
- conduct themselves in a professional way and represent the ICR positively when attending conferences or events outside the ICR;
- strive to embody the ICR values, treating others with kindness and respect and act in accordance with the ICR’s Equal Opportunities policy.
The Student Committee and all student representatives will:
- attend and contribute to relevant meetings and seek to represent all ICR students collectively or relevant sub-groups as appropriate;
- communicate to all students any student-related business of ICR committees that have student representatives (confidentiality constraints permitting);
- elect student representatives to a range of appropriate roles;
- maintain awareness of the current needs and concerns of their fellow students - championing them, and acting honestly, fairly and openly with respect to committee matters and all colleagues.
- create opportunities for all students to interact with each other across disciplines and locations and to access peer support;
- take measures to remove any barriers to the participation of any student in activities and events where appropriate, including promoting awareness of opportunities;
- act to promote ICR values across the student body and the ICR as a whole.
Agreed in 2022 by:
- Academic Dean
- Student President
- Registrar
- Taught Course Student Academic Board Representative
Key contacts
- MSc in Oncology students: [email protected]
- Research degree students: [email protected]