School of Health Professions

MClinRes Clinical Research

Are you a qualified health professional? Do you want to develop as a clinical researcher? Our Master in Clinical Research will provide you with the skills to undertake clinical research and to develop a career in clinical research. Learn from a team of experts in clinical research, drawn from a wide range of disciplines including nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, optometry, dietetics and medicine as well as representatives from patient and public support groups.

First choice for health

Delivered by professional experts, our programmes are tailored to you and your career. Together, we address today's most challenging healthcare issues, through research-informed teaching and active, real-world learning. #firstchoiceforhealth 

Key features
  • Progress your career and become a leader in clinical research with a programme that provides both theoretical and first hand practical experience of the whole research process from developing a clinically relevant question through to implementation of research in clinical practice.
  • Aligns with key Health Education England and NIHR objectives to develop clinical academics and increase research capacity in nurses, midwives, allied healthcare professionals and healthcare scientists.
  • Learn from nurses, midwives, allied healthcare professionals and healthcare scientists actively involved in the management and delivery of relevant clinical research, with national and international reputations in their specialist areas.
  • Experts drawn from across the University, other higher education institutes, the Research Design Service, the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (NIHR CLAHRC) and the Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit.
  • Strong input from patient and public support groups, NHS staff, managers and commissioners in developing and running the programme so that its content reflects the current needs of the NHS.
  • You’ll be encouraged to join the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR), and will be mentored and supervised by experienced clinical academics on your own research project. Specific research supervisors relevant to your profession and area of interest are allocated within two weeks of the start of the programme.
  • The MClinRes is specifically designed to help you gain future funding to further your clinical academic career. The programme specifically aims to progress you along the new NIHR clinical academic training programme for registered non-medical/dental healthcare professionals.
  • An additional module on research management and mentorship, provided at the end of the programme, supports you in publishing and disseminating your research findings, presenting at national and international locations and applying for NIHR internships and fellowships.
  • Make the most of our blended learning approach, which combines short study blocks and distance learning technologies with face-to-face teaching, enhancing the learning process by allowing time for reflection.
  • Choose from three award pathways – PgCert, PgDip, MClinRes. A range of assessments are used across modules designed to link your knowledge and skills to your area of practice.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • The MClinRes will be delivered by blended learning on a part time basis. 
    Pathways in this programme will include four core modules: applying evidence to practice, project design for research, applied qualitative research methods and applied quantitative research methods, as well as the research dissertation. Choose a 20 credit optional module from the diverse array on offer in the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences. The core modules build on each other providing skills in literature searching and implementing findings to the workplace; designing research protocols; understanding applied qualitative and quantitative methods and undertaking a clinically-relevant research project. 
    To gain a postgraduate certificate, you’ll need to earn 60 credits by studying three core modules worth 20 credits each. To gain a postgraduate diploma you will need to earn 120 credits by studying the four core modules, the optional module and an additional module from the MSc Advanced Professional Practice. To be awarded the full MClinRes masters, you’ll need to earn a total of 180 credits – you’ll study the same modules as the postgraduate diploma, with the extra 80 credits coming from your research dissertation.

    Core modules

    • Project Design for Research (ADV715)

      You’ll explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module you’ll formulate a research proposal. You’ll learn how to define and refine a research question, select and appraise methodology, address ethical considerations, and select and appraise data collection and analysis techniques.

    • Applied Qualitative Research Methods (MCR701)

      This module enables the student to acquire the knowledge and skills to design and conduct a qualitative research project. The students will have advanced understanding of different qualitative research methods, data collection strategies, qualitative data analysis approaches, writing skills in qualitative research proposals and final manuscripts.

    • Applied Quantitative Research Methods (MCR702)

      This module enables the student to acquire the knowledge and skills to design and conduct a quantitative research project. The students will have advanced understanding of different quantitative research methods, data collection strategies, statistical data analysis techniques, writing skills in quantitative research proposals and final manuscripts.

    Optional modules

    • Applying Evidence to Practice (ADV702)

      Focusing on the application of evidence based practice (EBP) to professional practice; you’ll learn how to use research to guide best practice. You will also identify a question relevant to your area of practice, review and critique the literature in this area, and plan and evaluate any necessary change to professional practice.

    • Applying Evidence to Practice (ADV702Z)

      This module is aimed at the application of evidence based practice (EBP) to professional practice. The students will learn how to use research to guide best practice. They will identify a question relevant to their area of practice, review and critique the literature in the area, plan and evaluate any necessary change to professional practice.

    • Project Design for Research (ADV715Z)

      Students will explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module will formulate a research proposal. The module will explore defining and refining a research question, selecting and appraising methodology, ethical considerations, selecting and appraising data collection and analysis techniques.

    • Applied Quantitative Research Methods (MCR702Z)

      This module enables the student to acquire the knowledge and skills to design and conduct a quantitative research project. The students will have advanced understanding of different quantitative research methods, data collection strategies, statistical data analysis techniques, writing skills in quantitative research proposals and final manuscripts.

    • Pathomechanics and Rehabilitation of Gait and Balance (ADV710)

      This module focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic interventions of health professionals managing patients with gait and balance problems. Gait and balance are explored alongside theoretical and practical approaches to rehabilitation in a wide variety of conditions.

    • Supported Independent Study (ADV712)

      This module is specifically designed to enable students to develop their own professional practice by undertaking and reflecting on learning and experience gained through a period of supported independent study related to agreed learning objectives.

    • Rehabilitation: Cognition, Perception and Behaviour (ADV739)

      This module will draw on the fields of neuropsychology, neuroscience and rehabilitation to explore cognitive and perceptual domains such as memory, executive function, attention and language. An inter-disciplinary team will highlight the functional and psychosocial impact of dysfunction to these domains and provide a critical review of current clinical interventions.

    • Clinical Management of Hypertonia (ADV778)

      This module provides an opportunity for learners to develop advanced skills and knowledge in the holistic assessment and management of hypertonia. It will be delivered as a blended learning module, bringing together face to face delivery with facilitated e-learning opportunities.

    • Systematic Review (MCR706)

      This module focuses on the appraisal and synthesis of evidence from research literature and documentary sources. Participants gain hands-on experience using JBI software (SUMARI). You will learn more about the systematic review methodology, critically analyse research and text or opinion papers as part of the review process and use software to perform a meta-analysis and meta-synthesis of selected studies.

  • Final year

  • Optional modules

    • Research Dissertation (MCR703)

      Over the course of this module students will complete their dissertation as part of their MClinRes programme under supervision from the module team and a named dissertation supervisor.

    • Research Dissertation (MCR703Z)

      Over the course of this module students will complete their dissertation as part of their MClinRes programme under supervision from the module team and a named dissertation supervisor.

    • Pathomechanics and Rehabilitation of Gait and Balance (ADV710)

      This module focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic interventions of health professionals managing patients with gait and balance problems. Gait and balance are explored alongside theoretical and practical approaches to rehabilitation in a wide variety of conditions.

    • Supported Independent Study (ADV712)

      This module is specifically designed to enable students to develop their own professional practice by undertaking and reflecting on learning and experience gained through a period of supported independent study related to agreed learning objectives.

    • Project Design for Research (ADV715)

      You’ll explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module you’ll formulate a research proposal. You’ll learn how to define and refine a research question, select and appraise methodology, address ethical considerations, and select and appraise data collection and analysis techniques.

    • Project Design for Research (ADV715Z)

      Students will explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module will formulate a research proposal. The module will explore defining and refining a research question, selecting and appraising methodology, ethical considerations, selecting and appraising data collection and analysis techniques.

    • Rehabilitation: Cognition, Perception and Behaviour (ADV739)

      This module will draw on the fields of neuropsychology, neuroscience and rehabilitation to explore cognitive and perceptual domains such as memory, executive function, attention and language. An inter-disciplinary team will highlight the functional and psychosocial impact of dysfunction to these domains and provide a critical review of current clinical interventions.

    • Clinical Management of Hypertonia (ADV778)

      This module provides an opportunity for learners to develop advanced skills and knowledge in the holistic assessment and management of hypertonia. It will be delivered as a blended learning module, bringing together face to face delivery with facilitated e-learning opportunities.

    • Systematic Review (MCR706)

      This module focuses on the appraisal and synthesis of evidence from research literature and documentary sources. Participants gain hands-on experience using JBI software (SUMARI). You will learn more about the systematic review methodology, critically analyse research and text or opinion papers as part of the review process and use software to perform a meta-analysis and meta-synthesis of selected studies.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MClinRes Clinical Research programme specification 5541

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Entry requirements
You will normally be a healthcare professional with a first degree or a related academic degree. BSc (Hons) at 2:1 or above, or European first cycle equivalent. Clinicians without a degree but with appropriate experience may be eligible to apply. Overseas students require IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent required.
AP(E)L
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential, are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)
This programme is equivalent to 90 ECTS credits (second cycle) with 30 ECTS credits at postgraduate certificate, 60 credits at postgraduate diploma and 90 credits at masters degree. Each 20 credit module has the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits and assumes a notional student effort of between 200-300 hours.
Programme requires ATAS
ATAS is the Academic Technology Approval Scheme which was introduced by the British government to certify students from outside the EU who wish to study or conduct research in Britain in certain sensitive technology related fields. For selected courses, obtaining a valid ATAS certificate is a requirement for gaining visa approval so should be taken seriously as part of any application. Areas related to ATAS include chemistry, engineering, physics, biophysics, metallurgy and microbiology. ATAS is used at all British universities and is enforced by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. More information about ATAS.

Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-24 2024-25
Home £9,900 £11,000
International £17,500 £19,000
Part time (Home) £1,100 per 20 credit module £1,220 per 20 credit module

Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per a number of credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding. 
Additional costs
Please be aware that there may be additional costs to undertaking your studies relating to printing of course materials, and requirement for an initial outlay for travel and accommodation in respect of practice placement. If you have any questions regarding these costs please contact pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk. 
International
If you are studying on a programme where placements are integral to your study there are costs associated with travel and accommodation. Please speak with the programme admissions tutor to find out more.
Applicants to this programme are eligible for a Student Loans Company Postgraduate Loan, if studying the full 180 credits (no Accreditation of Prior Learning is allowed) within the one year (full-time) or two year (part-time) study period. 

How to apply
Applying for this programme
Please visit our admissions homepage for full details on the application process and to download the relevant forms.
Please return your completed forms to:
Professional Development Unit
4th floor, Rolle Building
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth, PL4 8AA
What happens after I apply?
After your application is received by the PDU Admissions team, it will be processed and sent to the Programme Lead for a decision to be made on your suitability to study. You may be asked to provide additional information or to take part in an interview (for overseas students this may be by telephone or video conference). Once this decision has been made, you will be sent an email either confirming your place on the programme, or rejecting your application and giving the reasons for this decision (you may request further feedback in order to improve your chances of selection at a later date).
Please note that you will be enrolled on the full MSc programme. You may choose to exit with the qualification of PgCert upon completion of an appropriate 60 credits, or a PgDip upon completion of an appropriate 120 credits. More information is contained within the programme specification.
Applying for this programme
Please visit our PDU admissions homepage for full details on the application process and to download the relevant forms.
Please return your completed forms to:
Professional Development Unit
4th floor, Rolle Building
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Teaching and learning

The delivery structure of the programme is intended to be compatible with your busy life as a postgraduate student, and enhance the learning process by giving you time for reflection between study blocks.
You’ll develop your skills in reflection, analysis and critical debate, as well as increasing your knowledge base to the cutting edge of your subject.
Teaching and learning

People

Research in this area

Our staff have varied teaching and research interests and come from a range of backgrounds and settings.
You’ll become a part of the community of researchers and will be supervised by clinical academics on your own research project

MClinRes – career opportunities

The MClinRes aims to provide clinicians with the skills to develop, undertake, manage, disseminate and implement research findings. It is intended to be the first step to developing you as a clinical academic leader within the NHS.
We will support you to publish your research findings and develop you as a researcher beyond the programme.
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