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Course Overview
- Course Overview
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- Research Rich Learning
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If you are a registered healthcare professional interestedin progressing your career, and at the same time making a real difference foryour patients/client group through your research, then this course could be theideal opportunity. You’ll gain the necessary skills and be supported to implementservice improvements from your own practice experience within the healthcaresector.
Led by a highly experienced teaching team, you will learneverything you need to know to undertake, use and critique ethically sound andimpactful research within your area of practice, whether that’s Nursing,Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Operating Department Practiceor any other allied health professional field.
The course is delivered in a blended format, to allow youmaximum flexibility in fitting study around your work and other commitments.During the first year you’ll have access to interactive e-lectures through BlackboardUltra, and come onto campus for half a day every other week to consolidate yourlearning through interactive seminars with your inter-professional peer group.
During the second year you will undertake a major researchproject, either based on your own workplace or within a research group atNorthumbria University. You’ll receive 20 hours of one-to-one support from yoursupervisor, who will be an expert in an area of direct relevance to your chosentopic.
By the time you graduate you will be fully equipped toundertake research to inform your area of practice, as well as critically appraise existingevidence relevant to your role. Studying on this programme willsupport future career progression, enabling you to move into senior positionswithin your area of practice, and to contribute to the future of thehealthcare.
Please note: Teaching will take place on Thursday afternoons.
Please note: NIHR INSIGHT are offering fully funded research Masters Studentships for this course, to find out more click here.
Find out more about studying an MRes at Northumbria University here
See other similar courses you may be interested in: Sport, Exercise and Health Science MRes
Course Information
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
2 years Part Time
Department
Nursing, Midwifery & Health
Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2024
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Discover more / Healthcare Professional Practice
Sarah Morey gives an introduction to the Healthcare Professional Practice MRes at Northumbria University.
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We’ve structured this course so that registered healthcareprofessionals with little or no previous research experience can developcompetency in designing, developing, implementing, and disseminating research.Where you’ll be able to put your theory and research to test within our simulation-based learning environmentand see your impact to improve the healthcare sector.
The induction period will help you settle into the course,with interactive talks on expectations for postgraduate study. You’ll meet yourpeer group, and receive details about your degree structure, timetable,assessment schedules, and marking criteria.
Over the course of the first year you’ll study a‘Contextualising Research’ module which will consolidate all your learning. Youwill gain understanding of differing methodological approaches and how theseare applied in a research study. All of these modules equip you to undertakeyour own major research project in the second year.
You will experience a range of innovative learningtechniques, including a ‘flipped classroom’ approach where you have access toonline lecture materials prior to seminars, group work and inter-professionalpeer learning, and an enquiry-based learning (EBL) approach designed tofacilitate your own personal learning requirements.
Summative assessments will focus on communication skills andwill ‘feed forward’ into your subsequent summative assessments. All programmeassessments are authentic tasks which simulate the kinds of activities thathealth researchers routinely undertake, for example report-writing andpresentations, to give you the best possible preparation for futureprofessional research.
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The course will be led by a team of highly experiencedacademic staff, who have been involved in a wide range of healthcare andeducation research. Many of them continue to engage in cutting-edge researchprojects, giving you the opportunity to become part of an inspiring researchcommunity.
You will be well supported by the programme team. You’ll beallocated a Personal Tutor who will be there for you throughout the programme,and a dissertation supervisor who will be in close contact with you during thesecond year. In addition, the module tutors are happy to help with issuesspecific to their modules, and the programme leader will be available to offerguidance throughout.
The breadth of experience in the department means that yourallocated dissertation supervisor will be an expert in an area related to yourchosen topic. This can include academics from other departments such as Sport,Exercise and Rehabilitation if that’s what you require, thanks to themultidisciplinary nature of our research culture here at Northumbria.
We will also bring in guest lecturers from other disciplines andfrom professional practice, to give you new perspectives and insight into the implementation of research. They’llmake you consider the practicalities of your research, give you access to theresearch culture here at Northumbria, and support with career advice.
Your Tutors / Healthcare Professional Practice
Meet the team of module leaders who will be working with you at Northumbria University.
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At our base on Coach Lane Campus you will benefit frommodern teaching facilities, and from being immersed in an environment dedicatedto the study of healthcare.
This environment gives you the opportunity to reflect onyour learning and collaborate with your peers, who will be from a variety ofprofessional backgrounds but working towards similar career goals.
Technology-enhanced learning is fundamental to the blendedlearning approach, and each module will have extensive learning resourcesavailable through Blackboard Ultra. This will include recorded lectures for youto watch in your own time, presentation slides, reading lists, assessmentdetails and a dedicated discussion board. Through online discussions you cankeep in contact with your peers while you are away from campus.
The University Libraries at both Coach Lane Campus and CityCampus offer an extensive collection of material, access to internationaldatabases, and training in information retrieval. Study space is also availablein the library if you require somewhere quiet, and you can find a variety ofstudy skills materials on the library’s Skills Plus site.
If you are an international student you can also benefitfrom the support of our Academic Language Skills Programmes (ALS). Theprogrammes will run alongside your studies to help you develop your academiclanguage and communication skills within a healthcare context.
Facilities / Healthcare Professional Practice MRes
Explore the outstanding facilities available at Northumbria University.
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This programme has been designed to equip you with theresearch skills that will enable you to both progress in your career, and makea positive impact on your client group. Working with your inter-professionalpeer group within the active research environment at Northumbria, you willacquire valuable critical skills that will last a lifetime.
You will develop the ability to critically evaluate currenthealthcare evidence, advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis,and an understanding of how best to communicate complex findings to a varietyof audiences through journal articles, conference posters or oralpresentations.
The dissertation module will enable you to demonstratemastery in independently conducting an ethically sound and innovative researchproject within your area of interest, benefitting you within practice. You willapply the advanced research skills and techniques you’ve developed during theprogramme, and exhibit your skills in critical evaluation and synthesis ofresearch findings, all supported by our research-active staff.
Our academic staff have extensive research experience acrossnursing, midwifery and health, where our work informs policy and practice toimprove quality, safety and effectiveness. Our areas of research strengthinclude. Health Economics & Applied Statistics, LivingBetter in Later Life, Workforce Education and Practice Development,Implementation and Innovation Research, Veterans and Military FamiliesResearch, Multiple Long-term Conditions.
Research / Nursing Midwifery and Health
Discover more about some of the inspiring research currently taking place at Northumbria, within our department and across the wider University through our multidisciplinary research themes.
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If you want to progress in your healthcare career thenundertaking practice-based research is key to gaining professional recognitionand development. This course will equip you to work independently with HigherEducation Institutions that will help to shape the future of your profession.
We have designed our curriculum to meet the needs of NHSTrusts, to ensure that we will be equipping students with the right mix ofskills to make an impact. These include project management, collaboration,statistical analysis, leadership and communication skills, which are in highdemand across the sector.
Over the course of the programme you will become areflective practitioner, so that throughout your career you will understand howto apply your skills in different contexts, and how to identify areas forfurther development so that you can reach your full potential.
You will be able to apply everything your learn within yourown sphere of practice, whether that’s nursing, physiotherapy, occupationaltherapy or any other related field. Together with the major project based on agenuine issue within your workplace, this course offers the perfect blend oftransferable skills and practice-based learning.
We will support your career aspirations with sessions onsuccessful networking, self-promotion, and disseminating your research formaximum impact, as well as CV advice, portfolio guidance, and interviewpreparation. You may even be able to publish a research paper as a result ofyour work on the course. If you wish to continue your studies to PhD level,this course is also ideal preparation to give you access to those opportunities.
Student Profiles
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EntryRequirements ModulesOverview Fees, Funding and Scholarships
Entry Requirements 2024/25
Standard Entry
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or equivalent.
Registration as a healthcare professional (or licence to practice) with a nursing regulator or appropriate licensing board / health department.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visitwww.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visitwww.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visitwww.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidancePlease review this information before submitting your application.
Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry
Full UK Fee: £9,250
Full EU Fee: £18,250
Full International Fee: £18,250
Scholarships and Discounts
Discover Moreabout Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK, EU and International applicants.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Modules Overview 2024/25
Modules
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
Year one Year two
Year one
AC7058 -
Contextualising Research (Core,30 Credits)
On this year-long module you will learn a variety of key skills (both practical and theoretical) which underpin the contexts of research. These will be delivered to support / complement the other methodological / impact modules on the MRes Healthcare Professional Practice. You will be given the opportunity to explore your own research interests and potential questions, whilst developing them into a viable research project. This will then allow you to explore the contextual factors of your potential research project in a way that is tailored to meet your own methodological and research interests. It will result in the production of a proposal which can then be taken forward to the dissertation module. You will be given the opportunity to learn topics such as:
•Epistemology and ontology of research
•Developing a research question
•Project management
•Mixed methods research
•Ethics and governance
•Co-production
•Public and patient involvement
The aims of the module are to both help you to understand and develop your own research project, and also have the opportunity to carry out some of the key skills required with support of the tutor. This will help you understand the overall journey of a research project, from inception to dissemination, and enable you to experience the practical and logistical skills required to successfully complete a research project.
This module will enable you to develop the professional and reflective skills needed to be a good researcher that will underpin your future research and professional practice.
More information
AC7061 -
Research Impact and Influence (Core,20 Credits)
The main purpose of research within healthcare is to ultimately have a positive impact on patient care and/or health outcomes, but what is impact and how can it be measured? This module will help you to evaluate the whole concept of impact and influence within health research. The module will start by examining impact, i.e. what it means and how it can be measured at multiple levels within health and social care. You will have the opportunity to review impact case studies and critically debate with your peers the elements that determine the greatest impact and influence on clinical practice. You will critically appraise your role as an insider researcher and be able to recognise how your role will influence your research, from developing your research question to dissemination and impact of your findings. Ensuring you have the necessary time and resources is critical in conducting a successful research project and so within the module you will examine the importance of research funding, identifying funding opportunities and developing grant applications. You will explore methods on how to promote your research, including examining the use of technologies and benefits of networking. Dissemination is a vital part of your research and you will critically explore why and how to disseminate your finding. As part of this you will also develop practical skills around producing abstracts and posters, delivering oral presentations and writing for publication. Finally, you will explore different research career pathways and examine the opportunities and challenges these different roles may bring. This module will enable you to develop life-long learning skills that will benefit
your future research projects and research career pathway.
More information
AC7078 -
Preparation and Understanding of Research Methodology (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will develop a comprehensive understanding of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research theories, approaches, and methodologies. Throughout the module, you will engage with research experts to conceptualise the different approaches to research being undertaken at the forefront of academia and practice. By the end of this module, you will be able to recognise and critically evaluate quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method theories, approaches and methodologies. You will also be able to justify their use in the field. This module will prepare you for your dissertation module.
More information
AC7079 -
Preparation, Understanding, and Application of Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will develop a comprehensive understanding and application of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research methods. Throughout the module, you will engage with research experts to conceptualise the different approaches to research being undertaken at the forefront of academia and practice. By the end of this module, you will be able to apply appropriate research methods to undertake empirical investigation. This will include knowledge regarding obtaining a research sample, collecting data, analysing and interpreting data, and reporting findings. The content of this module is supported by the previous research module ‘Preparation and understanding of research methodology’. This module will help to prepare you for your research dissertation.
More information
Year two
AC7062 -
MRes Dissertation (Core,90 Credits)
On this module you will have the opportunity to independently conceptualise, plan and undertake a research study that contributes to knowledge and understanding in your field of practice. You will critically evaluate current theories and evidence in order to generate your own research question. You will engage with the relevant ethical guidelines to design a feasible project plan. You will develop your skills as an independent researcher and research leader during this module as well as identifying points of collaboration with supervisors, research staff and other potential stakeholders. You will have the opportunity to communicate your research plans in both written and oral form and then use a variety of relevant skills, techniques and research methods in order to implement your study. Finally you will have the opportunity to disseminate your findings in written form.
More information
Modules Overview 2025/26
Modules
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
Year one Year two
Year one
AC7058 -
Contextualising Research (Core,30 Credits)
On this year-long module you will learn a variety of key skills (both practical and theoretical) which underpin the contexts of research. These will be delivered to support / complement the other methodological / impact modules on the MRes Healthcare Professional Practice. You will be given the opportunity to explore your own research interests and potential questions, whilst developing them into a viable research project. This will then allow you to explore the contextual factors of your potential research project in a way that is tailored to meet your own methodological and research interests. It will result in the production of a proposal which can then be taken forward to the dissertation module. You will be given the opportunity to learn topics such as:
•Epistemology and ontology of research
•Developing a research question
•Project management
•Mixed methods research
•Ethics and governance
•Co-production
•Public and patient involvement
The aims of the module are to both help you to understand and develop your own research project, and also have the opportunity to carry out some of the key skills required with support of the tutor. This will help you understand the overall journey of a research project, from inception to dissemination, and enable you to experience the practical and logistical skills required to successfully complete a research project.
This module will enable you to develop the professional and reflective skills needed to be a good researcher that will underpin your future research and professional practice.
More information
AC7061 -
Research Impact and Influence (Core,20 Credits)
The main purpose of research within healthcare is to ultimately have a positive impact on patient care and/or health outcomes, but what is impact and how can it be measured? This module will help you to evaluate the whole concept of impact and influence within health research. The module will start by examining impact, i.e. what it means and how it can be measured at multiple levels within health and social care. You will have the opportunity to review impact case studies and critically debate with your peers the elements that determine the greatest impact and influence on clinical practice. You will critically appraise your role as an insider researcher and be able to recognise how your role will influence your research, from developing your research question to dissemination and impact of your findings. Ensuring you have the necessary time and resources is critical in conducting a successful research project and so within the module you will examine the importance of research funding, identifying funding opportunities and developing grant applications. You will explore methods on how to promote your research, including examining the use of technologies and benefits of networking. Dissemination is a vital part of your research and you will critically explore why and how to disseminate your finding. As part of this you will also develop practical skills around producing abstracts and posters, delivering oral presentations and writing for publication. Finally, you will explore different research career pathways and examine the opportunities and challenges these different roles may bring. This module will enable you to develop life-long learning skills that will benefit
your future research projects and research career pathway.
More information
AC7078 -
Preparation and Understanding of Research Methodology (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will develop a comprehensive understanding of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research theories, approaches, and methodologies. Throughout the module, you will engage with research experts to conceptualise the different approaches to research being undertaken at the forefront of academia and practice. By the end of this module, you will be able to recognise and critically evaluate quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method theories, approaches and methodologies. You will also be able to justify their use in the field. This module will prepare you for your dissertation module.
More information
AC7079 -
Preparation, Understanding, and Application of Research Methods (Core,20 Credits)
In this module you will develop a comprehensive understanding and application of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research methods. Throughout the module, you will engage with research experts to conceptualise the different approaches to research being undertaken at the forefront of academia and practice. By the end of this module, you will be able to apply appropriate research methods to undertake empirical investigation. This will include knowledge regarding obtaining a research sample, collecting data, analysing and interpreting data, and reporting findings. The content of this module is supported by the previous research module ‘Preparation and understanding of research methodology’. This module will help to prepare you for your research dissertation.
More information
Year two
AC7062 -
MRes Dissertation (Core,90 Credits)
On this module you will have the opportunity to independently conceptualise, plan and undertake a research study that contributes to knowledge and understanding in your field of practice. You will critically evaluate current theories and evidence in order to generate your own research question. You will engage with the relevant ethical guidelines to design a feasible project plan. You will develop your skills as an independent researcher and research leader during this module as well as identifying points of collaboration with supervisors, research staff and other potential stakeholders. You will have the opportunity to communicate your research plans in both written and oral form and then use a variety of relevant skills, techniques and research methods in order to implement your study. Finally you will have the opportunity to disseminate your findings in written form.
More information
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Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
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