MRes Public Health (Web-based Learning) / Course details
Year of entry: 2024
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Course description
"The MRes course and the experience I gained with an external partner organisation through The University of Manchester was excellent.
This was a big factor in me being accepted onto a fully funded PhD. Also, the staff are very encouraging and supportive here."
Lorna Flintham / MRes Student
Our MRes Public Health course is an innovative distance learning research degree that meets the need of researchers in all public health settings, from local authorities to non-governmental organisations in both the UK and worldwide.
The course provides an introduction to research development, mainly for those currently in the healthcare workforce who wish to become researchers or pursue a research pathway within their profession.
You will learn through a combination of coursework and research training, with the modular nature enabling you to design the taught component around your own training needs. The teaching and supervising staff are international experts in public health, primary care and related disciplines.
After completing the taught component, you will be supported in carrying out your own research project or a full systematic review.
We offer three MRes courses, in Public Health, Primary Care and Dental Public Health. Distinction between the three is based on the course units and research topics you choose.
Our course is ideal for Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs) who wish to gain research experience in the field of primary care and public health.
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.Special features
Expert teaching
You will be taught by professionals working in the field of local, national and international public health. There is an emphasis on applying your learning to real life public health issues.
Flexible learning
All of the course content is delivered online, enabling you to fit study around other commitments. If possible, a face-to-face induction is held in Manchester at the start of the course, but attendance is not compulsory. There are both fully online and blended options where face-to-face sessions are planned.
Learn with students from around the world
You will be able to mix with students from a range of disciplines from all over the world. We have over 1,500 alumni from more than 80 countries.
Specialisation options
If you have an interest in a specialised approach to public health, you may choose to specialise in Primary Care or Dental Public Health .
Additional course information
Face-to-face induction (If possible)
A face-to-face induction is normally held at the University at the beginning of the academic year.
The course is designed to introduce you to the content and technology used throughout the programmes. It is also an opportunity for you to meet academic and support staff.
You are encouraged to attend the face-to-face induction, when it is running, and many students find it very beneficial.
However, due to the international nature of our programmes, attendance is not compulsory and an online induction is also offered.
The residential course includes:
- an introduction to the course units
- an opportunity to meet tutors and administrators
- an introduction to the online learning environment
- an introduction to the library and e-resources at Manchester
- an opportunity to present your work and hear about work undertaken by other students
You will be required to provide your own transport and accommodation for the face-to-face induction.
Confirmation of attendance on the face-to-face induction will be sought once you have applied for the course.
Online induction
Our online induction will offer a similar programme to the face-to-face induction but will be delivered entirely online. Attendance is not compulsory but the induction can help to introduce you to the programme, the team and provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Teaching and learning
Most of our course units are delivered completely online. A learning structure with a recommended pace is in place throughout the course unit, with specific deadlines for all summative assessments.
Some course units require your participation throughout and some of the optional units are blended, which require a mandatory face-to-face element. Please check whether your chosen course unit includes any face-to-face teaching days, as this is clearly stated in the Course Unit Overview. If you unable to attend a face-to-face component due to mitigating circumstances, you may be permitted to repeat this unit in a subsequent year. However, if you are unable to attend the face-to-face sessions, please do not choose one of the blended units. Please contact mph.admin@manchester.ac.uk if this is likely to be a problem.
Coursework and assessment
Course unit details
This course has one core unit that you must complete: Evidence Based Practice.
You are then able to select your remaining five units from a pool of more than 20 optional units, including some blended learning and face-to-face study options.
After completing all of the taught units, you will progress to your dissertation project.
You will be able to choose from a range of dissertation models designed to cater for different work situations and interests. The master's dissertation is a focused, critical and reflective body of writing that seeks to add to the understanding of a particular problem or question. It is an opportunity to expand knowledge and expertise in an area of study, through in-depth, critical and reflective thinking, relevant to the focus of the dissertation.
We advise you to informally contact the dissertation tutor early on in your course to discuss research ideas and plans. Following these discussions, you will then submit a proposal. If this is approved, you will be assigned a supervisor from the University.
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.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence Based Practice | POPH60041 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Dissertation for Masters of Research (Public Health and Primary Care) | POPH63160 | 90 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to Public Health | POPH60001 | 15 | Optional |
| Health Promotion Theory & Methods | POPH60021 | 15 | Optional |
| Creating Equitable Services for Health and Wellbeing | POPH60062 | 15 | Optional |
| Working with Communities | POPH60072 | 15 | Optional |
| Economic Evaluation in Healthcare | POPH60092 | 15 | Optional |
| Applied Epidemiology | POPH60112 | 15 | Optional |
| Practical Statistics for Population Health | POPH60982 | 15 | Optional |
| Fundamentals of Epidemiology | POPH60991 | 15 | Optional |
| Displaying 10 of 34 course units | |||
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Scholarships and bursaries
For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.
What our students say
'Even though I have already completed a PhD, I found the optional units available on the MRes course broadened my research knowledge and skills. This course has been a positive learning experience, strengthening my research capability and benefitting my clinical-academic practice.' Dr Richard S Bourne.
This course shares some units with our Master of Public Health (MPH) course. See what our Student Ambassadors have to say about our MPH course and visit our blog .
Facilities
Disability support
Online learning resources are designed with accessibility as a priority, using the latest web accessibility technologies.
Further practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .
CPD opportunities
We offer a number of our units as standalone credited CPD courses through our Personal Professional Development programme in public health and primary care.
We also run monthly public health journal clubs, the annual Festival of Public Health , an International Summer School , CPD events and our free open-access courses.