Health and Clinical Research Delivery

Entry requirements

A 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a clinical or health care related subject. However, we will consider applicants who do not meet these criteria, but who can provide evidence of relevant work-based experience alongside a lower degree classification or other relevant medical, healthcare or nursing qualifications.

Letter of support

To ensure you have the support you need to succeed, we will ask you to upload a letter of support from your employer. This signed letter needs to be from an individual within your organisation who has agreed to support you during your studies.

The letter must be signed by your ‘supporter’, be on headed paper, state the name and role of your ‘supporter’ and include an acknowledgement that you have discussed the course and the above study requirements with them, including the 20 hours a week study time required to participate.

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This online, part-time course supports practising healthcare professionals aspiring to work in the clinical research delivery workforce. At the University of Sheffield, you'll learn from leading experts in the field, all while enjoying the flexibility to fit your studies around your professional commitments.

Course description

This part-time, fully online programme is designed for practitioners such as doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, healthcare scientists, and allied health professionals who want to excel in clinical research delivery. Whether you are new to research or already involved, this course prepares you with essential skills to improve future healthcare for your patients.

Our curriculum focuses on the practical aspects of delivering clinical research. You'll explore ways to enhance participant recruitment and consider the challenges and impacts of conducting research. The ‘ Research Practice Experience’ module will let you apply what you learn by participating directly and reflecting on real-world research delivery activities. By the end of the course, you'll have the skills and confidence to lead health-related or clinical research that improves people’s health and well-being and health and social care services.

Flexible study

Our program offers maximum flexibility to fit your work and personal commitments. You'll study part-time online, allowing you to progress at your own pace and integrate learning into your professional practice from any location.

You can tailor your study duration to your goals: complete a PG Certificate in one year, a PG Diploma in two years, or a full master's in three years. We offer flexibility to adjust your study timeline as needed, with support throughout.

To succeed, you should

• dedicate about 20 hours per week to coursework
• spend approximately 3 hours per week on practical and research activities
• identify a work-based supervisor for the Research Practice module
• secure organisational support and approval from your line manager
• if employed outside England, work for an organisation involved in health, care or clinical research with access to local research delivery training.

Applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You can apply to use previous study or experiential learning to count towards your Health & Clinical Research Delivery qualification.

For more information on RPL read the University of Sheffield's Recognition of Prior Learning policy.

To make an application you must complete the RPL application form and email it to population-health-clinres@sheffield.ac.uk.

If you are applying for RPL based on experiential learning, you should refer to the HCRD RPL Guidance carefully to ensure that you include all of the relevant information.

You will also need to submit a postgraduate online application form to be considered for entry. Approval of your RPL application does not guarantee you a place on the course.

Accreditation

All our HCRD qualifications are accredited by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC).

This programme has been developed in line with the new NIHR-AoMRC Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework. This framework was designed by both the NIHR and the AoMRC to bridge the research skills gap within the NHS and other healthcare services. We work with partner organisations from the healthcare sector to develop the course and tailor it to your needs.

Please see our University website for the most up-to-date course information: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses

Letter of support

To ensure you have the support you need to succeed, we will ask you to upload a letter of support from your employer. This signed letter needs to be from an individual within your organisation who has agreed to support you during your studies.

The letter must be signed by your ‘supporter’, be on headed paper, state the name and role of your ‘supporter’ and include an acknowledgement that you have discussed the course and the above study requirements with them, including the 20 hours a week study time required to participate.

Information for international students

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent.

Other English language qualifications we accept

Fees and funding

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees