MRes Health Science
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Public Health
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
This Health Science MRes course will give you an important understanding of research techniques and management principles, equipping you with the tools to pursue a career in scientific research, possibly through a PhD, or to develop your career as a health professional.
You will spend two-thirds of the course on a supervised individual research project within one of the research groups in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.
The remaining third consists of a research skills module and an optional module, chosen from a list that includes further research skills and subject-related academic modules.
Whether you are working in the NHS, private health services, community health organisations or the related commercial sector, you will benefit from the supercharging effect of a year (or two years part-time) in a superbly resourced environment which is helping produce research internationally recognised as being of the highest quality.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreREF 2014
Health Studies made a major contribution to the 86 per cent of our Allied Health research that was rated either ‘world-leading’ or internationally excellent’ by the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. This makes us the top modern university in London for our area of research and eighth in the country.
Strong employment prospects
The course is unique in offering a module on strategy in commissioning. Anyone wanting to work in the upper echelons of the NHS or other healthcare sectors needs to understand this area of operation. It will enable you to develop the leadership and management qualities essential to the healthcare sector.
Research focused
The course is designed to give you the opportunity to develop key research skills focused on Health and related research.
What we're researching
We’re making a major contribution to evidence-based rehabilitation through our work with the Human Motor Performance Research Group (HMPG).
This brings together a multi-disciplinary team of clinical scientists with backgrounds in physiotherapy, podiatry, neuroscience, biomechanical research, sports science and sociology.
Examples of our work include a major, eight-year research project on the impact of haemophilia on young children, led by Professor Wendy Drechsler in collaboration with the Canterbury and Kent Haemophilia Centre.
The research has shown that young haemophiliac children with a history of ankle joint bleeding have smaller, weaker muscles and walk differently to healthy children. The work has had a direct impact on clinical evaluation and the delivery of services across the country
In 2013, Dr David Stephensen established a UK Haemophilia Physiotherapy Advisory Board which has developed a ‘Train the Trainer’ programme based on UEL research to educate UK physiotherapists in the assessment and treatment of people with haemophilia.
Dr Stewart Morrison and colleagues are researching the biomechanical function of the foot and lower limb in children with obesity. They have advanced the understanding of movement dysfunction in young overweight children and are helping to translate their research into clinical ways of dealing with the problem.
Dr Kellie Gibson’s doctoral project involved developing and testing highly personalised orthotics for early rheumatoid arthritis patients. She has since been awarded £200,000 by the Dr Scholl Foundation to compare the effectiveness of prefabricated foot orthotics to bespoke ones.
Dr Graham Copnell, Senior Lecturer for the Podiatric Medicine and Physiotherapy MSc courses, is researching professional practice. It is qualitative, as opposed to quantitative research, ranging from education through to professional roles, negotiations, ethics, boundaries and professional development.
Making a difference
UEL is one of the UK’s leading modern research universities. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 17 per cent of our overall research submission was classified as ‘world-leading’ for its quality and impact – almost double our previous REF score. A further 45 per cent of our work was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Fees and funding
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
**Annual Postgraduate Research Fees apply - additional Bench Fees of up to £6000 also applicable**
Write-Up Fees = £1000 (with £500 rebate if thesis handed in within 6 months).
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
**Annual Postgraduate Research Fees apply - additional Bench Fees of up to £6000 also applicable**
Write-Up Fees = £1000 (with £500 rebate if thesis handed in within 6 months).
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
**Annual Postgraduate Research Fees apply - additional Bench Fees of up to £6000 also applicable**
Write-Up Fees = £1000 (with £500 rebate if thesis handed in within 6 months).
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
**Annual Postgraduate Research Fees apply - additional Bench Fees of up to £6000 also applicable**
Write-Up Fees = £1000 (with £500 rebate if thesis handed in within 6 months).
Entry requirements
We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and Maths.
In considering applicants we will look for evidence of a candidate’s ability and background knowledge in relation to the proposed field of study. On receipt of your application you will be assessed for suitability for entry to the programme and if acceptable will be sent a list of research projects to select from. You will be required to submit a short written justification for your project selection. All applicants will be interviewed prior to confirming an offer of a place on the programme.
A written statement in support of your application of a maximum of 1,500 words outlining academic and professional background, career objectives and reasons for choosing the MRes Programme.
Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course.
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
Research Proposal
What you'll study
We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.
- Essential Research Skills (core)
- Research Project (core)
- Designing and implementing (option)
- Survey research (option)
- Quantitative data analysis methods (option)
- Creating and analysing qualitative data (option)
- Doing research to assess quality, impact and effectiveness (option)
- Research and Epidemiology for Health Professionals (option)
- Public Health: Theory and Practice (option)
- Public Health: Policy and Strategy (option)
- Health Promotion: Theory and Practice (option)
- Core Themes and Structures in Health Promotion (option)
- Health Promotion: Challenges and Solutions (option)
- Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing (option)
- Impact of Globalisation on Health and Development (option)
- Muscles, Movement and Exercise (option)
- Gait, Balance and Posture (option)
- Evaluation of Interventions in Practice (option)
- Managing the Healthy Athlete (option)
- Sports Rehabilitation: Injury to Optimal Performance (option)
How you'll be assessed
We use a variety of assessment methods, including an annotated bibliography with critical appraisal, a professional research proposal, written reports, presentations and a final dissertation or research paper.
Course specificationHow you'll learn
The breadth and excellence of the research being undertaken in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience means you will have a wide range of choice for your vital research project.
Working on your project within the established research groups will give you the opportunity to participate in, and contribute to, ongoing projects. Supportive expertise will always be at hand.
You will have at least one supervisor and you may be co-supervised by another member of staff as well if they have a specific skill-set that applies to the methodology or the specialist area.
The research we undertake is carried out at national and international levels, and with a wide variety of partners including the National Health Service, industry and other UK and overseas universities.
Our research groups include the internationally recognised Institute for Health and Human Development (IHHD).
The IHHD has been heavily involved in more than 50 significant projects since its foundation in 2006. Our staff and students have researched into and developed programmes to improve health and wellbeing, particularly in some of London’s poorest communities.
Other research groups in the school focus on the development of medicines, human motor performance, infection and immunity and applied sports science.
“There’s no one else in London that I know of that offers this kind of opportunity to develop leadership and management skills,” says Dr Matthew Almond, Field Leader in Health Studies. “That’s what the market research has told us and all the NHS Trusts tell us that this is what they’re most interested in.
“They want people to come back and demonstrate leadership and understand how to manage people, understand how to communicate with patients – and understand that it’s not just the patient you have to deal with but also the patient’s family.”
What you'll learn
Unlike traditional MSc courses, our MRes in Health Science is designed specifically to provide you with the maximum opportunity to develop and demonstrate key research skills.
As such, the majority of the course consists of independent project work under the direction of a director of studies.
You will also study a core module on Essential Research Skills and choose one other from a list of options which range from Designing and Implementing Survey Research to Health Promotion: Theory and Practice, and Sports Rehabilitation: Injury to Optimal Performance.
The course as a whole will equip you with the knowledge, skills and techniques to carry out independent research effectively.
You will also learn about the standards and requirements research entails, and about how to maximise its impact and effectiveness.
You will emerge from this course with enhanced research expertise and, crucially, ready to demonstrate leadership in your given area.
You will also return to your workplace able to communicate more effectively with clients, their friends and family, and your colleagues.
Your future career
Working closely with experienced researchers on internationally recognised projects will give you an invaluable insight into what a career in high-level scientific work entails.
Your own experience and capacity to conduct research will be hugely enhanced if you decide to embark on a PhD.
You will be able to demonstrate your ability to conduct a piece of independent research, and your awareness of and ability to implement good research practice.
Being attached to research groups of such standing will also give you a good opportunity to develop your research and have it published.
Some of our graduates have gone on to pursue further research abroad. Some overseas students have become professors or lecturers in universities in their home countries.
Other graduates have returned to careers within NHS or other healthcare sectors with the skills required to take up new levels of responsibility.
Whether you’re a podiatrist, a speech therapist or a nurse – if you work in any kind of clinical setting, particularly within the NHS – you will find your career progression will be hindered unless you can demonstrate management competencies.
This unusual and carefully tailored course will help you progress your career – either by honing your research skills or by enhancing your managerial abilities.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
