Health Research MethodsMSc / PGDip / PGCert

The skills you develop are vital for anyone wanting to begin or enhance their career in healthcare and health-related fields: from clinical and allied health professionals or healthcare providers, health and biomedical researchers, those working in pharmaceutical and healthcare industries or in public and charity sector organisations.

Course Structure

What makes this course different?

The University of Birmingham is a leading Institution in healthcare research (top 70 globally and top 5 UK). This world-class programme is delivered by leading experts in applied health research, with extensive research and teaching experience, using their own research alongside classic examples to informatively and engagingly explain and demonstrate contemporary best approaches to undertaking, analysing, interpreting, critiquing and using healthcare research for a global community.

• The programme allows students to tailor the course to their individual interests and needs through a wider range of optional modules. Students can also take some modules from other programmes e.g. Public Health.
• Gain an internationally recognised qualification that will equip you with the range of skills that are invaluable for anyone working in or aspiring to work in healthcare and health-related settings.
• Build an in-depth knowledge and practical experience of the range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies and analyses applied in health-related research in a global healthcare context.

The University of Birmingham is also ranked as the first choice for leading graduate employers in the UK.

• Structured learning - teaching takes place in one-week blocks.
• Teaching - benefit from a range of teaching styles including lectures, small group tutorials, presentations, peer group learning and self-study.
• Academic and personal support – you will have academic and personal support to assist and encourage you to study to the best of your abilities. This will include your own personal academic tutor who you will meet regularly. Wellbeing tutors are available to support welfare issues.
• Assessment - assessment is via a mixture of methods including examinations and assignments. If a module is assessed by assignment, you will usually have four to five weeks to complete it. If a module is assessed by examination, it will take place after a period of revision.
• Research project and dissertation - Masters students complete their degree by also undertaking a research project and writing a dissertation and poster presentation.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

The following must be taken: 

Students can tailor their programme to their own needs by choosing 80 credits from the following modules:

For Economic Evaluation in Health Care, and Introduction to Health Economics modules, prior knowledge is required and may only be available to part-time students.

In addition students may also take 20 credits of modules offered by the Department of Applied Health Sciences, subject to timetable constraints.

Masters students will also complete a dissertation. Students are advised to take a full 60 credit dissertation option but may take a shorter 40 credit research proposal dissertation option following discussion with the programme directors, subject to approval If the shorter option is chosen, then an addition 20 credits must be taken from within the optional modules of the programme.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term.  Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Applicants will need to pay a £500 non-refundable deposit at the point of accepting an offer to study on the programme. The deposit is put towards payment of fees when students join the course.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

This programme can be taken as an intercalated option for those studying MBChB Medicine and Surgery at another Institution. To apply for the Intercalated MSc Health Research Methods please fill in this registration form (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/medical-school/intercalation-register-your-interest) and we will be in touch with details about how to apply. For more information, please contact us on mdsintercalationenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.