Peninsula Medical School

ResM Medical Studies

Undertake research skills training with the University of Plymouth Faculty of Health. Our medical studies research masters (ResM) degree incorporates taught elements and an extended research phase, including a research project and dissertation. It is suited to a wide range of people with an interest in developing their research skills within healthcare settings.

This could be you if you're: an early and mid-career health professional; a NIHR Integrated Academic Trainee; not yet ready to commence a PhD without further skills acquisition; wishing to gain research skills at masters level.

Key features
  • A bespoke training pathway tailored to the individual needs of each candidate.
  • Modules may be chosen from a variety of existing taught masters programmes and can span disciplines and faculties as appropriate.
  • Personalised expert supervision (you'll be assigned a Director of Studies and an additional supervisor).
  • A combination of taught modules and personal supervision will support you in developing and conducting your extended research project.
  • Credits are determined by the supervisor and candidate depending on previous experience and the requirements of the proposed research project element.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Students taking this award complete a minimum of 40 credits of taught modules up to 120 credits maximum.
    Taught credits typically include a research methods module, appropriate to discipline, and then further credits directly applicable to the subject area or methodological skills to be acquired. You are assigned a Director of Studies and an additional supervisor. Examination is by thesis and viva voce examination.
    Credits are determined by the supervisor and candidate depending on previous experience and the requirements of the proposed research project element.

Entry requirements
You will usually need a 2:1 degree from a UK University or equivalent. 
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to show evidence of your English language ability. The minimum IELTS test score for entry to a research programme is 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each element of the test. However, some postgraduate research degree programmes are linguistically more demanding, and higher command of the English language and/or higher IELTS scores are required. This will be indicated upon advertisement of that specific research degree study opportunity, upon contact and/or following interview with the applicant. 

Fees, costs and funding
Please visit tuition fees for postgraduate researchfor information about fees. ResM Medical Studies is in Band 2 for fees purposes.
You are responsible for meeting all of the costs related to your own research project, beyond the resources available in the department.
Please visit our postgraduate research money matters pageto find out more about issues related to fees, funding, loans and paying for your programme of study.

How to apply
Potential applicants should first identify a member of academic staff who may be a suitable supervisor, and contact them by email to discuss possible directions for a research proposal. The research proposal must be agreed by the supervisor before an application to study can be made. You can identify research areas of interest at the University by browsing Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR).
Submitting your application
Complete your application and upload supporting documents to the Doctoral College by completing our online application form.
Questions on the application process?
We're here to help. Please contact the Doctoral College we'll be happy to assist you.
You can view or download our postgraduate research admissions policy on the student regulations, policies and procedures page
If you have a disability and would like further information on the support available, please visit our Additional support for students with an impairment, health condition or disability website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office. 
Find more information about Apply for a postgraduate research programme.

Further information on our ResMs

In order to be awarded a ResM degree, you need to achieve a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 120 credits via taught modules, plus successful defence of a ResM thesis. If you are interested in lab based or bioscience projects, the modules listed against MSc Biomedical Science would be of interest to you.
Applicants interested in clinical or education type projects can find modules of interest against programmes in Peninsula Medical School.
ResM students also have access to modules from other faculties, for example the School of Health Professions run a MClinRes Clinical Research with many modules of relevance.
A timetable of modules will be agreed between you and your supervisory team ahead of your start date.
The research component of a ResM includes execution of an extended research project. The ResM degree examination involves writing-up a thesis about the project undertaken and a viva voce (thesis defence examination).
 
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