Our most reliable knowledge about health, diseases and their treatment comes from high-quality research. This programme will develop your skills to understand or undertake the critical elements in planning, performing, analysing and applying research in (non-laboratory) healthcare and health-related settings. This programme is taught by leading researchers in applied healthcare.
The skills you develop are vital for anyone wanting to begin or enhance their career in healthcare and health-related fields: from clinical and allied health professionals or healthcare providers, health and biomedical researchers, those working in pharmaceutical and healthcare industries or in public and charity sector organisations.
Graduating from the MSc in Health Research Methods at the University of Birmingham in 2024 has been one of the most valuable and intellectually rewarding experiences of my career. As an internal medicine specialist and health consultant preparing to begin a PhD, I was looking for a programme that would sharpen my ability to conduct and apply research in real-world settings - and this MSc exceeded my expectations. The programme is set apart by its consistently high quality of teaching across every module and the genuinely supportive learning environment. Being part of such a diverse and motivated cohort enriched the experience even further, bringing in perspectives from a wide range of health systems worldwide and professional backgrounds. The MSc in Health Research Methods has been essential for my development as a professional today, changing how I think, work, and engage with evidence. I recommend it without hesitation to any health professional ready to take their research skills to the next level.
Course Structure This course can be studied full-time, part-time, or for up to five years in a flexible learning pattern. International students can only study this course full-time. Teaching takes place in one-week blocks. You'll study compulsory modules, then choose from a wide range of optional modules. You'll also attend a non-assessed introductory week at the beginning of the course which introduces key concepts.
Term one begins with a non-assessed Introductory Week ensuring you have a firm grasp of key concepts in health and health research as well as discovering the rich study environment at the University. Further core modules will provide you with a detailed understanding of applied health research methods (including epidemiology, study designs and analysis), developing and applying your quantitative and critical evaluation skills. You'll begin to tailor the programme to your specific interests by choosing from a wide range of optional modules. Masters students will decide on their dissertation project with support from advisors and the programme team.
In term two, you'll have the opportunity to extend your knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods and develop more advanced skills. You'll continue to develop your tailored programme to meet your specific needs with further optional modules (e.g. qualitative research methods, systematic reviews, mixed methods research, advanced statistical analysis, health economics). Masters students will finalise and present their dissertation plans.
Term three focusses on undertaking research for the dissertation project, analysing and interpreting your own data, discussing the findings and outlining their implications for healthcare practice and future research relevant to different types of stakeholder. This is a significant piece of work undertaken with the support and advice of active researchers and academics, giving you a further insight into the research process. You'll be required to submit a dissertation and present a conference poster.
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To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
Applications also welcome from UK medical students who wish to intercalate.
English language requirements If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
| QS 综合 | 院校 | 学制 | 学费 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 第 136 位 | 埃克塞特大学University of Exeter | 1年 | 28900英镑/年 |