The course is particularly aimed at:

• Health and care professionals who are interested in undertaking research as part of their professional practice
• Undergraduates from a range of disciplines who want to pursue a postgraduate qualification that will prepare them to undertake future research
• Graduates or postgraduates, and prospective PhD students looking to develop their research skills before embarking on a PhD related to health and care

Related study and industry areas may include:

• Biology
• Organisation science
• Behavioural science
• Medical and health sciences
• Social sciences and social work
• Education

Flexible choice of modules

Students can choose three modules to study on different research methods that are of most interest and relevance to them. There are a total of six modules available to choose from covering diverse research approaches, such as statistics and epidemiological research, qualitative research methods, and mixed methods.

Research dissertation tailored to students’ interests

All students complete a significant research dissertation on a topic of their choice, to suit their interests and needs. Students are supported by an experienced supervisor and the extensive, in-depth nature of the dissertation allows students to maximise opportunities for research impact.

Firm entry point into a research career

The MRes is recognised as a high-value, research-intensive qualification that prepares students to design, conduct, manage and lead their own research in the future. The MRes is increasingly embarked upon by students interested in pursuing a PhD as a first step towards doctoral study, and by health and care professionals wishing to integrate research as part of their professional practice and to develop as a researcher. The MRes offers a firm foundation to understand more about the theory and practice of undertaking research in health and care.

Interdisciplinary focus

Our MRes Health and Care programme at Warwick is unique in its training for both health and social care research. Training will equip students to be able to conduct research in either health or social care, and to do this proficiently in their chosen specialism. It will also encourage – and challenge - students to think about how different research methods can be applied in different contexts. Our module leaders, lecturers and dissertation supervisors come from a range of professional and disciplinary backgrounds and bring a range of expertise to support you in your studies.

Career advancement

Our MRes provides a programme of training and development designed to advance your health and social care research career. If you work in health and social care, studying for an MRes can support your career progression by providing the opportunity to develop new skills, experiences, and enhance your potential for new responsibilities and leadership opportunities.

Builds on a strong foundation of health research at Warwick

Our MRes is a new programme that builds on an excellent foundation of world-class health research and teaching at Warwick. You will be studying with internationally renowned research academics within Warwick Medical School who deliver pioneering research in the fields of Health and Care Sciences, Clinical Trials and Biomedical Sciences. Our focus on interdisciplinary applied research enables a responsive, dynamic, and evidence-based approach to tackling health challenges, improving care, and transforming individual and population health and wellbeing. Warwick offers an outstanding cultural, intellectual, and physical research environment within which to enhance your research experience and skills.

Why an MRes and not a MSc?

The MRes provides greater opportunity for hands-on research experience through the larger dissertation project and gives students a unique opportunity to explore a topic in more depth. The course also offers more flexibility than a traditional MSc as students are free to choose their taught modules (from a range of options) and therefore tailor their learning to more clearly suit their area of interest. By combining this flexibility with greater practical research experience the MRes offers a comprehensive training in how to conduct health and care research.

The programme consists of two parts: formal teaching and an individual research dissertation.

For the MRes you will complete a total of three taught modules and a dissertation. The taught modules will include three core-option modules from the list below. Your dissertation will consist of an independent piece of research on a health or care topic of your choice, supported by an experienced dissertation supervisor.

The dissertation will provide you with an opportunity to explore a research topic of your choice in depth, applying your knowledge and skills gained through the taught modules. It can help you prepare to undertake a PhD or, if you are a health or care professional, enable you to initiate research within the health/care context where you work.

Induction

Before completing the course, you will undertake our Induction and Professional Development module, introducing you to all the underpinning regulations, guidance and support available to you during your postgraduate study.

Core Option modules

• Epidemiology and Statistics
• Understanding Research and Critical Appraisal in Health Care
• Qualitative Research Methods in Health
• Design, Analysis and Interpretation of Epidemiological Research
• Mixed Methods for Health Research
• Introduction to Health Economics (for Non-Economists)

Optional modules

Where there is strong justification, you may choose a Master's level module from across the University available in the relevant year of study as your third module. You must take advice from the course director about your choice to ensure it will provide what you need from your studies. Your module choice is subject to approval by the course director. Students will be expected to check the timetabling of modules to ensure dates do not clash with other module commitments. The following are some suggested optional modules:

• A module from the Warwick Medical School Master's programme
• Approaches to the Digital
• Complexity in the Social Sciences
• Digital Objects, Digital Methods
• Themes and Methods in Medical History

The PG Cert Health and Care Research

The PG Cert Health and Care Research is ideal for graduates and/or health and care professionals who wish to learn about how to conduct research within health and care practice, and/or as a first step towards a research-related career. It is also ideal for students who do not wish to commit to a full Masters. The PG Cert provides students with an advanced knowledge and understanding of research design in health and care, as well as different methodological approaches and research skills, to prepare them to undertake research in the future.

Students select and study three modules from the module options below (worth 60 CATs total), allowing students to tailor their learning to suit their interests and develop proficiency in particular research approaches.

Core Option modules

• Epidemiology and Statistics
• Understanding Research and Critical Appraisal in Health Care
• Qualitative Research Methods in Health
• Design, Analysis and Interpretation of Epidemiological Research
• Mixed Methods for Health Research
• Introduction to Health Economics (for Non-Economists)

Candidates for the Postgraduate Certificate are required to successfully complete three of the core-option modules above.

We welcome applications from graduates with at least a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject.

We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications and individuals with a minimum of three years’ work experience. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.

International students will be required to show sufficient competence in English (IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in reading and writing and no component below 6.0).

Teaching is through seminars and lectures and includes a dissertation - an extensive piece of work that you will choose, research and write with individual supervision from your tutor.

Modules are assessed by written assignment or a combination of recorded oral presentation and written assignment.

Your dissertation will need to be an original work of 20,000 words on a topic agreed with your supervisor. You will also complete a viva-voce on your dissertation.