MRes Health & Care

Introduction

This course offered by Warwick Medical School enables you to develop the skills needed to lead and conduct health and/or care research in the future. Over the course you will learn about different research methods, how to design and carry out your own research, and broader research skills such as ethics and public involvement. The course structure - a choice of three taught modules and a dissertation – allows you to tailor your learning to specialise and develop proficiency in research approaches that suit your area of interest, and then apply them.

Why study MRes/PGCert Health & Care at Warwick Medical School?

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 and qualitative research 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.

Essential Information

Entry Requirements

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).

Useful Information

Scholarships

Each year there are a selection of scholarships available to students studying for postgraduate taught courses at Warwick. The complete list of scholarships can be found on thehere. Ones most relevant for students at Warwick Medical School are:

• Warwick Taught Masters Scholarship Scheme
• NIHR INSIGHT Programme(for MRes Health and Care Research, iheed Clinical Research and iheed Public Health)
• Chevening Scholarships(international applicants only)
• Fulbright-University of Warwick Award
• Li Xiaoming Scholarship(Chinese applicants only)
• International Scholarships
• Warwick Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarships
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme(Master's in Public Health applicants only)

Course Structure

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.

PGCert

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.

Modules

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.

Induction

Core option modules

Dissertation

Assessment

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.

Teaching Methods

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.

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