CAMBRIDGEGENOMIC MEDICINE
HomeCareersGenetic Counsellor

CAREER PATHWAYS

Genetic Counsellor

Explore the kinds of work and module choices associated with this pathway.

These examples draw on the choices of previous students. Use your programme requirements and discuss your own choices with the programme team.

A genetic counsellor and another person discuss a shared genomic-information sheet at a table.
Genetic counsellors help people explore genomic information and what it means for their own decisions. View larger illustration

What do they do?

Genetic counsellors are professionals who have specialized training in genetics and counselling to provide personalized help patients may need as they make decisions about their genetic health. You will encounter and be taught by members from the counselling team at Cambridge University Hospitals.

What modules are relevant?

A student wishing to pursue a career as a genetic counsellor might want to consider the following combination of modules:

  • GM1 · Fundamentals of human genetics and genomics

  • GM3 · Omics technologies and their application to genomic medicine

  • GM12 · Genomics of common and rare inherited disease

  • GM7 · Molecular pathology of cancer and application of genomics in cancer

  • GM8 · Pharmacogenomics and stratified healthcare

  • GM11 · Variant interpretation (formerly Bioinformatics)

  • GM9 · Introduction to counselling and communication skills in genomic medicine

  • GM10 · Epigenetics and disorders of the epigenome

  • Research Project (clinically focused)

"This combination of modules includes three with elements taught by genetic counsellors. Students will benefit from interactions with both genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists who contribute to these modules."

Explore the current module guides

All current module guides →