Clinical Research

Entry requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant subject including medicine, nursing, psychology, biological sciences or related subjects. Applicants with relevant professional experience and without a first degree should contact the Course Director.

Months of entry

October

Course content

MSc Clinical Research comprises three core modules providing an introduction to clinical research and applied methodological skills and will enable students to interpret and communicate healthcare and clinical research. Students will choose then from a range of optional modules tailored to their needs to complete the Master's. The structure of the Master's is very flexible and it can be completed full-time over 1 year or part-time over 2 or 3 years.

Programme overview

The programme is delivered by whole day sessions of face-to-face teaching supported by flexible online learning resources and interactions. Face-to-face teaching sessions led by experts in their respective fields focus on sharing knowledge and group activities, while online interactions use our virtual learning environment and include discussion forums and collaborative digital spaces.

Taught Core Modules

• The Life Cycle of Clinical Research
• Methodological Foundations
• Translating Research into Healthcare Policy and Practice
• Optional modules
• Evidence-Based Improvement Science
• Quality Improvement and Measurement
• Drug Development (from concept to clinic)
• Systematic Reviews
• Infectious Disease Modelling
• Spatial Statistics
• Secondary Data Analysis

There are a total of 120 taught credits, followed by a 60 credit dissertation, which can be taken over a one, two or three year pathway.

Dissertation

For the 60 credit practice-based dissertation module, you will develop and undertake a research project designed, delivered and submitted as a dissertation. This project is undertaken in your own professional context, under academic supervision. Supervisors will be chosen based on relevant theoretical or methodological expertise within a student’s area of interest where possible.

Our academic staff have expertise in:

• Biostatistics and Epidemiology
• Public health and population health
• Palliative care
• Cancer
• Social and Ethical Aspects of Health and Medicine

Programme outcomes

The Master's in Clinical Research aims to:

• Promote advanced knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of research in a healthcare setting.
• Foster critical approaches to evidence review
• Develop advanced skills in awareness of research designs, data analysis, presentation and dissemination

The programme is available to study full-time over one year, part-time over two years, or as a Clinical Academic Fellow over three years. Depending on which option students choose, the study modules take place in the following years:

1) Three year/ Academic Clinical Fellow pathway

Year 1

• The life cycle of clinical research MED706 (30 credits).
• Methodological Foundations MED707 (30 credits).

Equivalent to a PG Certificate/60 credits

Year 2

• Translating research into healthcare policy and practice MED708 (30 credits).
• 30 credits from optional modules

Year 1 and year 2 equivalent to a PG Diploma/ 120 credits]

Year 3

Dissertation MED703 (60 credits)

2) Part time/ two-year MSc pathway

Year 1

• The life cycle of clinical research MED706 (30 credits)
• Methodological Foundations MED707 (30 credits)

Translating research into healthcare policy and practice MED708 (30 credits)

Year 2

• 30 credits from optional modules
• Dissertation MED703 (60 credits)

3) Full time/ one-year MSc pathway

Year 1

• The life cycle of clinical research MED706 (30 credits)
• Methodological Foundations MED707 (30 credits)
• Translating research into healthcare policy and practice MED708 (30 credits)

Dissertation MED703 (60 credits)

30 credits from optional modules within the faculty allowing the student to develop specific research interests. The Course Director should meet with students to discuss research interests and provide further information.

Information for international students

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Learn more at the fees and funding page.