Health and Social Care: The University of Manchester

Course description

The MRes HSC programme will equip students with an in-depth understanding and knowledge and skills in a range of theoretical underpinnings and research methods relevant to applied research in a range of contemporary health and social care contexts.

The MRes HSC is for students who wish to pursue a variety of careers in health and/or social care where research is a core component.  The majority of modules within the programme are shared with other students undertaking MSc and MPhil/PhD study.

The course is delivered mainly online but is complemented by two compulsory 5-day campus-based introductory and winter study schools. Opportunities for face-face support are also available in some modules as an alternative to online methods for students who are able to attend. For more information see details below.

Course aims

The aims of the course are to:

• Enable students to further develop systematic, in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of the nature, purposes, methods and application of research relevant to health and social care practice at an individual and/or organisational level
• Contribute to building capacity and capability for research and evidence based practice by equipping students with in-depth knowledge and essential skills to critically appraise, apply, design and undertake high-quality research in a range of health and social care settings
• Enhance the quality and evidence base for health and social care research, practice and service development through the provision of robust research training in a stimulating, challenging and supportive learning environment that draws on outstanding resources and expertise in research and practice
• Promote lifelong learning in students, and enhance their opportunities to pursue a variety of research careers and/or further research training which support and advance clinical and health and social care knowledge, research and practice
• Equip students with key transferable skills in critical reasoning and reflection, effective communication, team and multi-disciplinary working, use of IT/health informatics and logical and systematic approaches to problem-solving and decision-making.

Module details

MRes HSC comprises 6 taught units (90 academic credits in total) and a 90-credit dissertation unit.

Taught units focus on:

• Foundations of research
• Research design
• Critical appraisal and evidence synthesis
• Quantitative research design and analysis
• Qualitative research design and analysis and statistics
• The dissertation unit comprises a thesis derived from the undertaking of a supervised, research project relevant to Health and/or Social Care

PGDip Res HSC comprises 6 taught unit areas as above (90 academic credits in total) and a mini-dissertation (30 academic credits).

PGCert Res HSC comprises 4 taught units (60 academic credits in total) from the 6 taught unit areas outlined above.

Career opportunities

The MRes HSC is for health and social care professionals and others who seek a research career or require research training as a constituent part of their current or future roles, and for researchers who desire a sound health and social care orientated research training.

The programme provides a comprehensive education and training in health and social care research as an excellent foundation for students who wish to go forward to study for a PhD.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

(i) An honours first degree (normally 2.2 or above, or equivalent) in a relevant subject from an approved higher education institution. OR,

(ii) Demonstrable evidence of previous advanced study, research or professional experience which the School accepts as qualifying the applicant for entry. AND

(iii) For part-time students, written support of their employer to attend the programme and to complete any necessary requirements.

English language: Candidates whose first language is not English must have an IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 on any one component, or TOEFL 575 paper based or 230 computer based, or evidence of equivalent learning.

Other entry requirements:

In order to undertake the course students should also ensure that they have:

• Two days per week minimum study time (part-time students); Full-time hours availability (full-time students)
• For those seconded from employment to undertake the course - approval and support from their employer
• Consistent computer and IT access
• Computer hardware minimum: P4 1.6 GB PC with 256Mb RAM
• Broadband connection: downstream 2 Mb, upstream 256k
• Software: Windows XP or Vista
• Webcam and Skyp