Clinical Health ResearchMRes

This dynamic course offers cutting-edge clinical research training. Whether you want to integrate research into your current role or embark on a thrilling journey towards a research-focused career, this programme has you covered. You'll collaborate with experienced researchers, master advanced research methods, and use them to tackle your own exciting research question.

Course Structure

What makes this course different?

Our Clinical Health Research MRes programme supports the National Institute for Health and Care Research's mission of integrating research into health and care, enhancing patient access to clinical studies and better treatment options.

You'll master quantitative and qualitative research skills through core modules, with the chance to explore topics like mixed methods and statistics in optional modules. Plus, you'll complete a supervised thesis to put your knowledge into practice.

You’ll also gain valuable research and project management skills for clinical projects. Whether you're driven to answer clinical questions, improve health outcomes, or advance your research career, our programme will equip you with practical skills and an understanding of good clinical practice essential for success.

• Work directly with esteemed researchers on well-established projects.
• We passionately champion research in palliative and end-of-life care across all age groups and healthcare environments.
• Additionally, we’re interested in projects related to organisation and delivery of healthcare services and risk, abuse and violence.

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

Let our reputation enhance yours

We have a global reputation for our world-leading research and teaching.

We’re ranked 15th for Nursing and 19th for Medicine in the Complete University Guide (2024). 74th for Clinical & Health in the Times Higher Education (2024). 68th in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine by QS World Rankings (2024). 65th for Clinical Medicine in US News rankings (2023). 51st – 75th for Clinical Medicine in the Shanghai rankings (2023).

Why are these rankings so important? The higher we place, the more your reputation and development will benefit.

This course consists of two core taught modules and one optional module. You will also complete a thesis based on a research project.

• Taught modules – these are mainly delivered in a week-block pattern. There are also a number of distance learning modules.
• Supervised thesis – this can be a research study or a systematic review. A quality improvement project may be suitable if sufficiently robust.
• Assessment – taught modules are assessed using a variety of methods, including written essays, exams, and poster presentations. The thesis forms a 15,000 words report and is examined by an internal and an external examiner.

Depending on the modules you take, you can typically expect six to nine hours of classroom time per week, two or three per module. If you are a part-time student, you will typically take three modules across one year, followed by a thesis in year two.

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.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Students must select a further 20 credits of M Level modules provided by the College of Medical and Dental Sciences or beyond, as appropriate to their research area and the aims of the ACF scheme and in negotiation with the programme leader. Examples of modules include the following:

• Mixed Methods Research Design (20 credits)
• Epidemiology, Statistics & Research Methods (20 credits)
• Practical Epidemiology and Statistics (20 credits)
• Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis (20 credits)
• Creating & Applying Evidence (20 credits)
• Project Management and Research Governance (Distance Learning and workshops) (20 credits)

Students intending to gain the MRes qualification undertake a research project equivalent in effort to 120 taught credits and submit a thesis

If you don’t hold an undergraduate degree, a postgraduate qualification and/or experience in a relevant health related area may be considered.

For international students there is an English language requirement of IELTS of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.

If you are made an offer of a place to study and you do not already meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course. If you successfully complete this, you will be able to fulfil the language requirement without needing to take a further qualification.

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.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

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.