Taught course

Leading Clinical Research Delivery (Online)

Institution
University of Exeter · Clinical and Biomedical Sciences
Qualifications
MScPGDipPGCert

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum 2.2 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Relevant clinical or professional experience (more than two years post-qualification) may be taken into consideration as evidence of equivalency.

Applicants will be experienced healthcare professionals from any registered healthcare discipline, such as medicine, nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions (including pharmacists and healthcare scientists), or those who have worked in a relevant role for at least two years (e.g. clinical trials manager, clinical research practitioners, university postdoctoral researcher).

The target audience for this programme are clinical researchers based in NHS / public funded healthcare settings in England. We also welcome applicants from academia, social care, the devolved UK nations and countries outside the UK for whom the content is relevant.

Students who have successfully completed the PGCert will be eligible to join the PGDip / MSc programme with their prior learning recognised.

As part of your application, you will need to upload a completed PDF version of the linked Expression of Interest Form in the references section of University Admissions Portal.

If you are joining the University of Exeter Leading Clinical Research Programme following completion of the PGCert Leading Clinical Research Delivery at another institution, you should contact us at the point of application to confirm use of credits for the APL process.

Please ensure you select the correct course (see details on the Expression of Interest form). You will also need to complete the APL process alongside your application. Students joining who have prior experience who have level 7 credits from another institution can use the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process. You should read the information regarding the APL process before applying.

Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MSc Leading Clinical Research Delivery at Exeter is one of only three NIHR-AoMRC funded, fully online MSc programmes, developed in line with the NIHR-AoMRC Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework. It supports practising clinical professionals aspiring to work in the clinical research delivery workforce.

  • Examine the infrastructures and policies shaping clinical research, learn how to engage with patients, plan projects, manage budgets and gain practical experience by supporting current clinical research projects.
  • Benefit from flexible access to high-quality interactive online learning modules tailored to meet the challenges and opportunities for clinical research in the 21st Century NHS, whilst supporting the Government’s plan to create a world-leading UK clinical research environment. The report Saving and Improving Lives: The Future of UK Clinical Research Delivery provides further detail of the ambitious vision for the future of clinical research delivery.
  • Provides a number of opportunities to apply for fully funded places for eligible applicants, in some cases with additional funding for back-fill of role or study-time to facilitate study (see funding section below).
  • Read our FAQs to learn more about what's involved on a Master's Leading Clinical Research Delivery course.

Healthcare is becoming increasingly complex, with clinical work and clinical research requiring unprecedented levels of cooperation between diverse providers and multiple sectors. We will provide you with a strong theoretical foundation covering topics such as research leadership, equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as planning and piloting to ensure study feasibility and optimal delivery.

Alongside this, you will consider the practicalities of doing clinical research and ways to improve participant recruitment. Our Research Practice Experience modules enables you to put theory into practice by being directly involved with a clinical research project.

This programme has been developed in line with the NIHR-AoMRC Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework to support practising healthcare professionals aspiring to work in clinical research delivery. Through the programme, you will continue developing your patient-centred approach to research delivery and understanding of measures of health outcomes.

With a strong emphasis on using reflective practice to apply and transfer learning from the course, you will develop yourself as an adaptable, reflexive practitioner ready to lead clinical research delivery.

Information for international students

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

Fees and funding

UK students
£6,100/year part time
International students
£14,300/year part time

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.

For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone taught Masters degree (eg MA, MSc, MRes, MFA, LLM, PGCert, PGDip) or research degree (eg MPhil, PhD) with us a scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees. These scholarships are worth 20% of the first year tuition fee for students enrolling on a postgraduate taught or research programme of study in 2025/26. Full details can be found here.

*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MSc
    part time
    24 months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification
  • PGDip
    part time
    24 months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification
  • PGCert
    part time
    - months
    • Online learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Dr Kerry Gilbert
Phone
+44 (0)1392 72 72 72