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Master's in Research Applied Health Studies MRes/PG Dip/PG Cert

Master’s in Research (Applied Health Studies) will equip you with the methodological skills to carry out applied research at doctoral level, which can be useful in any setting both in the UK and in other countries.

Overview

The programme incorporates a wide range of specialised teaching, the course enables you to develop your understanding of the theoretical and practical dimensions of research practice.

Key features

  • Taught by a diverse and experienced academic team who are recognised experts
  • Explore both traditional and long-standing research methods, plus innovative approaches to social research
  • Develop a range of technical and specialist skills as well as a philosophical understanding of key scholarly debates
  • Apply methodological constructs directly to your work-based interests
  • A grounding in research methods can support your application for PhD study

“The main benefit of studying in Health and Life Sciences is the focus on the development of progressive research, because of this commitment; the research process is fully supported and encouraged. From initial ethical approval to the final completion and viva, each step of the systematic enquiry is prioritised, enabled and celebrated. This has made me feel that I have a very special position within the university.”

“I would recommend DMU to anyone considering undertaking a degree for all of these reasons. With the professional student-centred support, coupled with the desire to achieve, every student is guaranteed to achieve at the highest level entering into a professional career with an excellent qualification from a highly respected institution.”
Dan Allen, student.

If you would like further information or an informal discussion about the Master's in Research course, please contact:

Module Leader

Sally Ruane
E: sruane@dmu.ac.uk 
T: 0116 207 8732

More courses like this:

Masters by Research

  • UK
  • EU/International

Start date: September 2024

Course code: B90075

Fees
2024/25 full-time tuition fees for UK students: tbc

Duration:
One year full-time, two years part-time

Attendance:
Full-time attendance is one day per week or half a day if studying part-time

Location of study: De Montfort University Leicester UK

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Start date: September 2024

Course code: B90075

Duration:
One year full-time, two years part-time

Fees
2024/25 full-time tuition fees for international students: tbc

Attendance:
Full-time attendance is one day per week or half a day if studying part-time

Location of study: De Montfort University Leicester UK

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

  • A good 2:1 honours degree or above in a relevant subject
  • Or a good 2:2 honours degree or above plus relevant professional experience
  • Or a portfolio of professional qualifications and/or academic qualifications of equivalent standing to an honours degree
  • Or an appropriate postgraduate diploma at a good standard

English language requirements:

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course.

Please visit dmu.ac.uk/international for more information.

 

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessment

Academic expertise

 

Course modules

This course offers rigorous multi-disciplinary training in traditional and innovative research methods and enables you to develop an advanced critical appreciation of key methodological debates.

  • Research Designs in Health - develops a critical understanding of socio-political aspects of research, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different research designs and to plan a research project
  • Research Dilemmas and Strategies - is designed to develop advanced and specialist knowledge in the fields of research strategies and philosophical assumptions underlying research decisions
  • Making Sense of Quantitative and Qualitative Data - develops advanced and specialist knowledge in the fields of both quantitative and qualitative methods
  • Advanced Statistics and Data Analysis - is designed to give a thorough appreciation of handling complex data sets, analysing quantitative data and presenting numerical data graphically in an accessible fashion
  • Research Dissertation - involves a requirement to present two bound copies of a formally presented dissertation of no more than 15,000 words.

Plus a specialist pathway module:

  • Health Policy and Strategy - examines the broad UK health policy context within which professionals, patients and the public engage. Explore the relationship of health to wider social policies.
  • Research in Social Work

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching typically consists of a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops for some modules and e-learning workshops, as well as one-to-one supervision and self-directed study.

Assessment in taught modules is by coursework, primarily essays, reports, mini-projects, presentations, method exercises, and a dissertation. There are no formal exams.

For the MRes (180 credits) you will complete a dissertation of 15,000 words; however the Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) may be awarded on completion of 120 credits, or a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) on completion of 60 credits.

Academic expertise

The course is taught by staff from a range of disciplines, who are all recognised experts in their fields.

Methodological expertise in quantitative methods and statistics is offered by Jean Hine and in qualitative approaches by Prof Brown, Dr Scott Yates and Dr Sally Ruane. Specific subject-relevant research expertise is offered by Dr Sally Ruane and Prof Rob Baggott of the Health Policy Research Unit.

Training in the management and planning of research studies is also offered by Professor Brown, while Dr Scott Yates offers a grounding in the epistemological and theoretical challenges for intending postgraduate researchers.

Aside from their teaching responsibilities, the team also offers individual supervision for students undertaking MRes dissertations, and their own expertise spans such areas as:

  • Communication in healthcare
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Influencing health policy
  • Public health
  • Criminal justice
  • Pathways into youth crime
  • Young people and disability
  • Youth justice
  • Information technology

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
Placements
Placements
 

Health and Life Sciences facilities

Substantial investment in Health and Life Sciences has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you develop your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

The 19th century Hawthorn Building has facilities designed to replicate current practice in health and life sciences, including contemporary analytical chemistry and formulation laboratories, audiology booths and nursing and midwifery clinical skills suites.

Purpose-built clinical skills areas allow you to apply theory to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from staff, to ensure that your practical ability in the clinical skills suites is accurate.

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Blackboard, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
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Scholarships

As part of the university's commitment to enhancing the personal and career development of our graduates. We offer an Alumni scholarship programme. For more information visit Health and Life Sciences Alumni Scholarships.

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Graduate careers

This course offers a route into doctoral research or a wider research career on a global level.

Professionals with some years’ experience seeking to enhance the research dimension of the workplace will find the opportunity to develop a level of research expertise which can be taken back into the arena of professional practice for work-based application. 

Take your next steps

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