MRes/PGDip/PGCert Health and Social Care

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
MRes HSC, PGDip Res HSC, PGCert Res HSC
Duration
MRes: 1 year (FT); 2 years (PT)
Entry requirements

We require an honours first degree (Upper Second or above) or overseas equivalent in a relevant subject from an approved higher education institution. We may consider applicants with a Lower Second degree on the basis of documented evidence of exceptional innovative practice, practice leadership, service development, research projects and publications in your application.

We also require part-time students to have written support from their employer to go on the course and complete any necessary requirements.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MRes N N Y Y
PGDip N N Y Y
PGCert N N N Y

Course overview

  • Develop your research skills if you are considering a career in health or social care research.
  • Learn when it suits you through our distance learning approach, which is complemented by workshops at our campus.
  • Benefit from our links with the NHS and social care services.

Open days

Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MRes (full-time distance learning)
    UK students (per annum): £12,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £26,000
  • MRes (part-time distance learning)
    UK students (per annum): £6,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £13,000
  • PGDip (full-time distance learning)
    UK students (per annum): £9,600
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £20,800
  • PGDip (part-time distance learning)
    UK students (per annum): £4,800
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,400
  • PGCert (part-time distance learning)
    UK students (per annum): £2,400
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £5,200

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowships and NIHR Pre-doctoral Local Authority Fellowships offer successful candidates backfill and fees to undertake master's level study and to prepare a Doctoral Fellowship application. You need to apply directly to NIHR for these awards.

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Telephone
+44 (0)161 529 4563
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/nursing/
School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require an honours first degree (Upper Second or above) or overseas equivalent in a relevant subject from an approved higher education institution. We may consider applicants with a Lower Second degree on the basis of documented evidence of exceptional innovative practice, practice leadership, service development, research projects and publications in your application.

We also require part-time students to have written support from their employer to go on the course and complete any necessary requirements.

English language

International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system.

We ask for English language proof if you are from non-majority English speaking countries (a list of majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here).

Specifically, we require a minimum of:

  • IELTS 7.0, with a score of 6.5 or above in each component
  • TOEFL 623 paper based
  • TOEFL 106 internet based (with a minimum score of 20 in each component)
  • TOEFL 250 computer based
  • GCSE English grade C

See further information about requirements for your country .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other entry requirements

We also require applicants to have:
  • two days per week minimum study time for part-time students) or full-time hours availability for full-time students;
  • consistent computer and IT access;
  • a PC or device that will enable you to connect with university learning platforms and video calling;
  • a webcam,  Skype, Zoom.

Application and selection

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

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.

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

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.

Special features

Interdisciplinary focus

You will learn from nationally and internationally renowned lecturers and practitioners from fields including nursing, midwifery, social work, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, audiology, psychology and medicine.

Strong collaborations

This course has strong links with other subjects within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, as well as the NHS and social care organisations.

Teaching and learning

This course is primarily delivered online to maximise access and increase flexibility. Online components are complemented by opportunities for face-to-face learning and networking between students, course and research staff through two four-day campus-based introductory and winter study schools and two mid-semester study days.

The relationship and communication between academic staff and students is recognised as an essential element of the learning process. We maintain high standards of supervision and communication through:

  • individual and group web-based audio-visual tutorials;
  • web-based collaboration areas and discussion boards;
  • shared digital documents;
  • online, telephone and face-to-face support from supervisor and academic advisors;
  • peer support through course-specific discussion boards and face-to-face meetings.
Find out more about postgraduate teaching and learning at Manchester.

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.

Course unit details

The MRes route comprises six taught units (90 academic credits in total) and a 90-credit dissertation unit.

The PGDip route comprises six taught units (90 academic credits in total) and a mini-dissertation (30 academic credits).

The PGCert comprises four taught units (60 academic credits in total).

Year 1

Full-time study

Six taught units in the following areas, plus a dissertation:

  • Managing research in health and social care
  • Research design
  • Critical appraisal and evidence synthesis
  • Quantitative research design and analysis
  • Qualitative research design and analysis
  • Statistics

Part-time study

Year 1

Four taught units:

  • Managing research in health and social care
  • Research design
  • Quantitative research design and analysis
  • Qualitative research design and analysis

Year 2

Part-time study

Two taught units, plus a dissertation:

  • Critical appraisal and evidence synthesis
  • Statistics

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
MResearch Dissertation NURS60013 90 Mandatory
Critical appraisal and evidence synthesis NURS60015 15 Mandatory
Quantitative design and analysis NURS60016 15 Mandatory
Qualitative design and analysis NURS60017 15 Mandatory
Research Design NURS60018 15 Mandatory
Statistics NURS60019 15 Mandatory
Managing Research in Health and Social Care NURS60020 15 Mandatory
Foundations of Research NURS60014 15 Optional

Scholarships and bursaries

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Facilities

This course is based in Jean McFarlane Building, which houses seminar rooms, IT facilities, clinical and interpersonal skills laboratories and lecture theatres.

The University of Manchester offers extensive library and online services to help you get the most out of your studies.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability and Advisory Support Service .

Careers

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 and is an excellent foundation for PhD study.

Associated organisations