MRes Primary Care (Web-based Learning): The University of Manchester

Course description

The course is an adaptation of, and builds on, two previous courses: the Masters in Population Health Evidence (MPHe) and the MRes (Health and Community). It is a web-based course, and is partnered by a separate course, the Masters of Public Health (MPH) which has a much smaller research component. There are two streams to the MRes, Public Health and Primary Care. Distinction between the two is on the basis of the Course Units taken and the research topics chosen.

The aim of the course is to provide an entrance to research development, mainly for those currently in the workforce who wish to become researchers, through a combination of coursework and research training.

The objectives are to provide a combination of coursework and research work to develop research skills in Public Health and Primary Care. The flexibility provided by offering the coursework components online allows those currently in the workforce to use this as a way of entering research training.

Course aims

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Assess evidence that underlies health practice
• Develop a population focus to health issues
• Develop research skills necessary to research and answer population health questions
• Work under supervision in a research capacity
• Enter higher degree (PhD) research training
• Understand and develop skills in order to carry out research in the primary care and public health settings

Module details

The MRes comprises:

• 180 credits
• 6 course units (each course unit is worth 15 credits) and an extended dissertation
• two options, Public Health or Primary Care, are offered to students

MRes dissertations

The dissertation is 50% of the whole MRes course and must be a substantial piece of work. There are three options available for MRes students, all of which include original data collection. These reports should be between 10,000-12,000 words in length. These are:

• Qualitative research project: a research project involving original data collection, students must have completed the Qualitative Research Methods unit
• Quantitative research project: a research project involving original data collection
• Full systematic review
• Part-time students are advised to take at least two core course units in the first year of the course, or the first semester for full-time students.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

As a minimum entry requirement for graduate study, you should have an undergraduate degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent GPA). In all cases, the degree held must be from a recognised institution. Relevant research or professional experience may be acceptable in place of an academic qualification, but enrolment will only be on the Diploma in the first instance.

English language:

Students whose first language is not English require either:

• IELTS level 7.0 overall with level 7.0 in reading and writing specifically
• TOEFL 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based)
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English Grade B
• All certification should have been achieved within the past two years.

Other entry requirements:

Time commitment

• Students should expect to spend, on average, approximately 10 hours a week for each course unit studied.
• Full-time students should enrol on four course units each semester and complete the dissertation/project afterwards within the calendar year (MRes students only take two course units in the second semester)
• Part-time students usually enrol on one course units per semester, so that the coursework is completed within four years. However, the course can be taken at the student's own pace, provided it is completed within five years

Additional financial requirements

The course fees include all the tuition, technical support and examinations required for the course, but there are some additional costs:

• One text book per module costs approximately £30 per book (plus postage, if ordered from overseas)
  Communication costs for email and telephone
• The residential course: this is optional, but would include travel costs and accommodation in Manchester for 1-2 nights

Computer requirements

As this is an online course, students will need access to a computer with internet connection and there is a minimum level of computer skills required.