MRes Health Research (Online)
Study online and boost your health research career with a Masters degree in Health Research from the University of Stirling.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MRes, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate
- Start date September 2022
- Duration MRes full-time: 12 months, MRes part-time: 24 to 36 months
- Mode of study Online, Part-time, Full-time, Stand-alone modules
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 MRes 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
Most of the modules on our MRes Health Research are available to study individually as part of your continuing professional development (CPD). UK/EU and overseas students can study a 20-credit module for £667.
For further information see the modules on the course details section or visit the MRes Health Research CPD page.
If you’re interested in studying one or more of them you can also email graduate.admissions@stir.ac.uk to discuss your course of 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 Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport was ranked 1st in Scotland for Health Sciences in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014) – highlighting our commitment to producing world-leading research that improves healthcare and reduces health inequalities on a global and local scale.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
English language requirements
Due to disruption in English Language testing caused by COVID-19, we are accepting alternative English Language tests (including online English Language Tests).
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Indicator 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 overall with a minimum of 169 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 169 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
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Merit in all sub-skills, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- Duolingo 105 overall with a minimum of 95 in each sub-skill
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass with a minimum of 152/200 overall and 33 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 20 December 2021
If you are from India, Bangladesh, Ghana or Nigeria please also check your country/region specific page for any additional, or changes to, English language requirements.
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language 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 two or three years. If you are working full time, you are strongly recommended to undertake the programme part-time.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2021). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
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
Key staff
Ask an expert
Professor Jayne Donaldson explains why Stirling is the ideal place to study health sciences and sport.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
|
UK and Republic of Ireland students |
Overseas students | |
|---|---|---|
|
Total course fee |
£7,000 | £7,000 |
|
20-credit module fee |
£778 | £778 |
|
60-credit module fee |
£2,334 | £2,334 |
|
UK and Republic of Ireland students |
Overseas students | |
|---|---|---|
|
Total course fee |
£7,000 | £7,000 |
|
20-credit module fee |
£778 | £778 |
|
60-credit module fee |
£2,334 | £2,334 |
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
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students who study this course full-time (or part-time if they complete the course in 24 months or less) may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £10,000 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £11,570 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,025 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 £5,500 from Student Finance NI.
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 Loan
This course is currently approved for Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan funding from the Student Awards Agency Scotland.
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.
- 1st in Scotland and top 15 in the UK for Health Sciences (REF2014)
- 96% of our postgraduate leavers are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey, 2016/17)
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.
Testimonial quotes
I applied to study for the Master of Research in Health Research chiefly because my work experience and career plan aligns with what the course offers. The modules and teaching approaches offered by the University of Stirling through the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport seemed like the perfect fit for me because the programme greatly improved my previous knowledge and subsequently Job skills. The knowledge gained and applied where I currently work has earned me employer’s recognition and promotion.
Samuel O Ikani, Nigeria
MRes Health Research 2014
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.
What our students said
Kuwait
MRes Health Research (Online)
Read Grace's storyI live out in Kuwait and work as a podiatrist, so when I decided to take on a Masters I knew I needed a distance learning degree that was fully online. The course at Stirling has been fantastic for me.
Scotland
MRes in Health Research
Read Jonathan's storyThe beauty of the programme is that it works for a whole range of backgrounds. That actually helps with your learning as you meet people from other backgrounds who can give you insight into their work and you learn a lot from each other.
Changes at Stirling
Find out about important changes including how you'll be taught, start dates and how we're making campus safer.