Overview
The health and social care sectors are constantly changing in order to provide better treatment and access to care. Improving health and social care services would not be possible without the work of well-trained researchers.
Our Health Research Masters degree equips you to conduct high quality, rigorous research. You’ll benefit from our strong emphasis on both theoretical and practical skills and you'll be supported by a multidisciplinary team of experienced researchers and health professionals.
The course is suitable for diverse backgrounds including medicine, nursing, midwifery, allied health, social work, social and natural sciences. It's for anyone wishing to pursue a career in health research or to study for a PhD.
The course is entirely online, giving you the freedom to work towards a Masters around your personal and professional commitments.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
The aim of our MRes Health Research programme is to develop skilled and knowledgeable researchers, able to understand and apply a full range of research methods and approaches to conducting research in health. We focus on equipping you with a combination of skills and experience, as well as placing an emphasis on developing confidence in both independent study and working as part of a team.
This course has been designed to be suitable for both novice and experienced researchers. No matter what your level of expertise may be, we will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to prepare for a career in research or to study for a PhD.
Professional accreditation
This course meets the requirements for the ESRC 1+3 awards, which means prospective students are eligible to apply for a studentship providing funding for a one-year research training Masters linked to a three-year PhD. Prospective applicants should apply approximately one year in advance of their intended start date.
Read more at the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science website.
Work placements
The Research in Practice module will give you experience of working within a research team. Students are allocated to research projects and these can also be completed remotely. Some students opt to spend some time on campus to benefit from the full experience.
Flexible learning
Our flexible degree structure means you can study the following modules from the MRes Health Research (Online) individually as stand-alone continuing professional development (CPD) short courses:
- Qualitative Research and Analysis
- Quantitative Research and Analysis
- Research Ethics and Governance
- Skills for Knowledge Enquiry
- Study Design for Health Research
You can study most MRes Health Research modules as standalone Continuing Professional Development (CPD) short courses.
These modules can link into appraisal systems such as the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework to help you record your professional development as you study.
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
Our research is world-class and is recognised for its quality and innovation. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) analysis 100% of our research environment, 80% of our research impact and 83% of our overall research in Allied Health Professions and Nursing is classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Course details
Study part-time or full time as you work towards a Health Research Masters degree. Advance your knowledge and skills in how to conduct high quality, rigorous health research.
This course includes six modules and a dissertation project, all of which need to be completed in order to earn the Masters award. Full-time students will be expected to take 12 months to complete this work. Part-time students can complete the course in 24 or 30 months. If you are working full time, you are strongly recommended to undertake the programme part-time.
Modules
Course Details
Teaching
How you'll learn online
This course benefits from considerable staff expertise in online learning. All lectures are delivered as podcasts or recorded in real-time with student participation. Additionally, ‘virtual classroom’ sessions offer the opportunity for students to engage in discussions, ask questions and collaborate on tasks.
Online teaching sessions are delivered in the evenings (UK time), but are recorded to allow those who are unable to attend to catch up at a later time. Students will also access resources such as workbooks, electronic reading lists and online assignment submission and marking. As a fully online experience, this course offers the flexibility to study at your own time and wherever you are in the world.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed in a variety of areas, including:
- essay-based assignments
- verbal presentations
- writing analytical research reports
- completing data analysis exercises
- producing reflective reports/journaling
Classroom hours
Each 20 credit module requires around 200 hours of study time, including lectures, independent study and assignment preparation.
Course director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
|
2024-25 fees |
|
|---|---|
|
Total course fee |
£7,350 |
|
20-credit module fee |
£817 |
|
60-credit module fee |
£2,450 |
|
2025-26 fees |
|
|---|---|
|
Total course fee |
£8,100 |
|
20-credit module fee |
£900 |
|
60-credit module fee |
£2,700 |
You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every module you enrol on.
Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course. If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
This fee is charged as a module fee. Details of the tuition fee policy relating to module fees can be found in our tuition fees policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Some intakes of this course are eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Fully funded places
Fully funded places are available on this course through the ESRC. Details can be found on the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science website.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Our Health Research course suits students who are interested in a variety of careers in health research. It will give you all the practical and theoretical skills and knowledge you need to progress as a researcher or go on to pursue a PhD.
The majority of our students are already working in health or social care prior to starting the course and remain employed throughout the duration of their studies. Others use the MRes as preparation for PhD studies. Whatever your situation, the course provides valuable training in conducting high quality research that can make a genuine impact on the health and social care sector – a skill that is valued in a vast range of professional and academic roles.
96% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020/21, HESA).
Employability skills
You’ll develop a wide range of transferable skills during your studies that will boost your career opportunities, including:
- Team-working
- IT skills
- Literature searching
- Critical appraisal
- Presentation skills
- Writing and data analysis
Companies we work with
The MRes team consists of experienced health professionals and social scientists. Through their work they collaborate with various national and international bodies.
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