Course description

Our MRes in Health and Social Care is designed to give you an in-depth understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of research and the research methods relevant to applied research in contemporary health and social care contexts.

The course is designed for those who want to pursue a career in health and/or social care where research is a core component. Most of the units on this course are shared with other MSc and PhD programmes.

You will learn how to conduct and apply health and social care research to practice at both an individual and organisational level, drawing on the expertise of renowned lecturers and practitioners from disciplines including social work, nursing, midwifery, speech and language therapy, audiology, psychology and medicine.

The bulk of the course content is delivered online and is complemented by two compulsory four-day campus-based introductory and winter study schools, and one mid-semester study day in both Semester 1 and 2.

Aims

This course aims to:

• enable you to further develop systematic, in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the nature, purposes, methods and application of research relevant to health and social care practice at an individual and/or organisational level;
• contribute to building capacity and capability for research and evidence-based practice by equipping you with in-depth knowledge and essential skills to critically appraise, apply, design and undertake high-quality research in a range of health and social care settings;
• enhance the quality and evidence base for health and social care research, practice and service development through the provision of robust research training in a stimulating, challenging and supportive learning environment that draws on outstanding resources and expertise in research and practice;
• promote lifelong learning and enhance opportunities to pursue a variety of research careers and/or further research training that support and advance clinical and health and social care knowledge, research and practice;
• equip you with key transferable skills in critical reasoning and reflection, effective communication, team and multi-disciplinary working, use of IT/health informatics and logical and systematic approaches to problem-solving and decision-making.

Coursework and assessment

We use a variety of summative assessment methods that enable the integration of theory and practice. These methods build on continuous formative assessment exercises that are part of each unit with a variety of interactive, stimulating online exercises, with regular self-assessment and feedback being a key feature.

Career opportunities

This course is designed for individuals who seek a research career or require research training as a constituent part of their current or future roles. It is also for researchers who want research training focused on health and social care.

The course provides a comprehensive education and training in health and social care research as an excellent foundation for PhD study.

Students can also exit with PGDip or PGCert awards.