(MSc) Master of Science
Health Research
Withdrawn
University of Essex
University of Essex
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
MSC B99012
07/05/2025
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A degree with an overall grade of 2.1, including research training and a dissertation.
We are also happy to consider applicants who have a 2.1 degree whose professional experience includes research, including data analysis etc.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
The course aims are:
- To provide advanced research training tailored to contemporary and anticipated future clinical research priorities;
- To deliver comprehensive practicum learning in clinical research settings, focusing on research praxis, networks, and the importance of user and stakeholder involvement, knowledge exchange and translation to practice;
- To build capacity, resilience, adaptability, and flexibility in the regional clinical research workforce;
- To leverage progression through a clinical academic career pathway with a view to subsequent doctoral and post-doctoral clinically focused research opportunities.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Advanced understanding of key concepts in clinical research.
A2: Advanced understanding of the principles of research design
A3: Knowledge of the relationship between theory and data in clinical research
A4: Ability to apply principles of research design into clinical research practice
A5: Advanced understanding of integrated and mixed methodologies
A6: Understanding of the role of computer-assisted analysis in clinical research
A7: Advanced understanding of the role of well-formulated and relevant research questions
A8: Understanding of contemporary ethical, legal, management and governance issues in clinical research
A9: Understanding of contemporary ethical, legal, management and governance issues in clinical research
Learning methods
A1-A9 will be achieved using lectures, seminars, and workshops. A4, A5, A7-A9 will be achieved in research placements.
Assessment methods
A1-A6 will be assessed using essays and applied case studies. A4 and A8 will be assessed using research practice reflections and good clinical practice certification from the NIHR academy. A7-A9 will be assessed using research dissertation.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Advanced knowledge of how to systematically gather and critically appraise relevant evidence bases
B2: Ability to review and analyse different approaches to research project management
B3: Ability to engage in advanced debates of theoretical and practical issues in clinical research
B4: Ability to develop and construct research questions in line with contemporary clinical priorities
B5: Advanced knowledge of quantitative and qualitative collection and analysis methods and existing repositories of such data sources
B6: Able to critically reflect upon personal learning and professional contribution to clinical research
B7: Interpret the practical implications of empirical evidence provided in different forms of research
Learning methods
B1-B7 will be achieved using lectures, seminars, and workshops. B6-B7 will be achieved in research placements.
Assessment methods
B1-B5 will be assessed using essays and applied case studies. B6 will be assessed using research practice reflections. B4-B7 will be assessed using research dissertation.
C: Practical skills
C1: Perform advanced and systematic searches of the contemporary evidence base
C2: Perform critical evaluation and appraisal of existing research
C3: Process and analyse qualitative data using a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software package
C4: Process and analyse data using a statistical software package
C5: Select and justify the appropriate techniques for analysing data from different sources
C6: Demonstrate independence and self-direction in undertaking clinical research and project management
C7: Critically apply governance processes in their own research practice and the design of research projects
C8: Critically evaluate models of independent and team-based project management and justify their use when designing and undertaking research projects
C9: Construct scholarly and practical research outputs that contribute to a specified clinical need
Learning methods
C1-C9 will be achieved using lectures, seminars, and workshops. C5, C6 and C8 will be achieved in research placements.
Assessment methods
C1-C5 and C8-C9 will be assessed using essays and applied case studies. C5, C6 and C8 will be assessed using research practice reflections. C1, C2 and C6-C9 will be assessed using research dissertation.
D: Key skills
D1: Demonstrate advanced verbal and written communication with colleagues, supervisors and peers; summarise and communicate complex ideas to professional and lay audiences
D2: Use internet sources, word processing packages, spreadsheet packages and data analysis software packages to effectively contribute to clinical research and academic work
D3: Read, manipulate and interpret numerical data and statistics; apply a variety of recognised and appropriate statistical techniques and be able to interpret the implications of these
D4: Utilise advanced knowledge and critical reasoning to address theoretical and practical dilemmas in clinical research; select appropriate methods of enquiry to address research problems and plan work within a realistic timeframe
D5: Meaningfully contribute to a research team; adopt a collaborative approach to group work
D6: Critically reflect upon personal learning and professional contribution to clinical research; reflect upon own knowledge and practice and identify areas for professional and personal development
Learning methods
D1-D6 will be achieved through lectures, seminars, workshops, and practice placement
Assessment methods
D1-D6 will be assessed through written assignments and research reflections and presentations.