Overview
The suite of courses is a collaborative partnership with Newcastle Academic Health Partners. You’ll gain knowledge and skills to perform to a high level in all aspects of clinical research. Our courses are for professionals in many different areas of the health service. This includes doctors and NMAHPs.
Our programmes encourage you to plan, conduct, analyse and write up clinical research. You’ll do this in the context of your own professional role. You’ll learn and develop skills in clinical research in your area of expertise. This is the most valuable way of consolidating the theory you’ll learn on the course.
In the final year of your master’s, you’ll carry out your own research project. It is useful to have a workplace mentor for this. This is someone who can provide professional and specialist advice and guidance. The University will provide an academic supervisor to support your research.
You’ll gain a strong theoretical as well as practical knowledge of clinical research. This helps support your current or future professional as well as leadership roles. Our programmes are UK based but globally aware. They reflect international collaborations and their requirements.
Our courses are suitable for any clinical research topic, including:
- medical
- surgical
- mental health
- allied health care
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
NIHR INSIGHT
The NIHR INSIGHT North East & Cumbria programme is fully-funding research masters courses to help early career health and care professionals. Our Clinical Research programme is eligible for this funding. To find out more and see if you are eligible, please visit the NHIP Academy.
NIHR Credentialed Postgraduate Certificate
The NIHR Credentialled Postgraduate Certificate in Research Delivery is a fully-funded PGCert course to help healthcare professionals engage in delivering research in their workplace. To find out if you are eligible for this, please visit the NIHR Researcher Credentials Framework webpage.Â
Application to the course and the bursary are two separate processes. To apply for the bursary you need a student number, which you receive with confirmation of your application.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
PGDip
An MClinRes is a taught master’s degree. It allows you to study clinical research in the context of your workplace. It typically includes:
- subject-specific taught modules
- a research project
You can study part time or accelerated.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
PGCert
A PGCert is awarded if you successfully complete half of the taught modules (60 credits).
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
MClinRes
A PGDip is awarded if you successfully complete all of the taught modules (120 credits).
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
What you’ll learn
Some of the core learning outcomes of our programmes include:
- appraising good practice principles in all aspects of clinical research
- recognising academic scholarship in your own work and of others
- differentiating between different forms of clinical research
- identify opportunities in your chosen area of clinical research or chosen pathway
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Compulsory modules
- Integrity, Infrastructure and Information Governance in Healthcare Research (E-learning) (20 credits)
- Data Management and Communication of Clinical Research: Doing Clinical Research Well (E-learning) (20 credits)
- Designing a Research Proposal (E-learning) (20 credits)
- Clinical Research Dissertation (E-learning)* (60 credits)
* The dissertation will be undertaken in the field of the degree programme studied.
Optional modules
OR
You also take 40 credits from the list of optional modules below:
Compulsory modules
- Integrity, Infrastructure and Information Governance in Healthcare Research (E-learning) (20 credits)
- Data Management and Communication of Clinical Research: Doing Clinical Research Well (E-learning) (20 credits)
- Designing a Research Proposal (E-learning) (20 credits)
Optional modules
OR
You also take 40 credits from the list of optional modules below:
How you’ll learn
You’ll learn online, so you can choose to study anytime and anywhere. This flexibility means that you can fit your studies around your other commitments. It will also allow you to develop your online digital literacy skills.
The courses offer a range of modules to choose from so that you can gain the research skills you need. The master’s research project can involve a topic of your choice in line with the needs of your day-to-day job.
We’ll provide you with an email address. You’ll also receive an account on Canvas (our managed learning environment). Canvas is accessible across a variety of operating systems and browsers.
You don’t need to attend any classes on campus. Instead, you’ll need access to a computer, and hardware to take part in group discussion and seminars.
As part of the course, you’ll take part in ‘good clinical practice’ training. This is mandatory for professionals who conduct clinical research. If you can prove that you’ve already completed this training, you won’t need to repeat it.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- PC examination
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Report
- Research proposal
- Written exercise
Additional assessment information
You’ll undertake a single research project. Projects will offer diverse experiences in research techniques and methods. This will be across the range of research activities in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. You’ll work in collaboration with your own workplace environment.
You’ll work with an academic tutor to guide you through your studies.
For the master’s project, you’ll need to nominate a workplace mentor. They will provide professional and specialist advice and guidance. They’ll also:
- support your studies
- maintain academic links
- maintain clinical links
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Academics, researchers and NHS clinicians deliver the courses. They are all research-active or in NHS research and development teams. They are also part of clinical networks.
Our teaching staff includes:
- Dr Joanne Elson (Lecturer, dissertation coordination)
- Hon. Prof Marieke Emonts (Curriculum Director)
Your development
Upon completion of our programmes, you’ll be able to:
- design clinical research projects or trials. They’ll exhibit good research practices. They will show effective governance and with justified ethical principles and theories
- get the necessary permissions and approvals for carrying out research. This will be specific to Postgraduate Diploma and Masters
- collect, manage, analyse data using appropriate computer database(s). You’ll use statistical software and in compliance with relevant legislation
- translate research findings into clinical practice. This will be in the context of current research in your own field
- complete the various steps and documentation to gain access and approval to data sources
- interpret and analyse data using appropriate resources
- design, put in place, adjust manage and report on projects. This is specific to postgraduate diploma and master’s
Your future
Applicants may wish to progress their career in a research-intensive clinical environment. Our courses are also for anyone wishing to introduce clinical research into their workplace. Our graduates include:
- research managers
- projects leads
- research nurses
- clinical trials managers
Our programmes also provide a route into:
- PhD level study
- research management
- research design
- research delivery
Many of our students go on to publish in peer-reviewed journals. An excellent example Greig Taylor, Research Fellow in Paediatric Dentistry. He studied for a MClinRes and was recently published in the online International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You’ll have access to services that will develop graduate and research skills. With these, you’ll enhance personal development and employability. Our facilities include:
- professional support services for health and wellbeing
- careers service
- excellent library and IT resources
- participation in academic and programme development
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject, an MBBS, BDS, or international equivalent. You also need to have a workplace mentor to support you in your studies.
We also consider professionals who have an appropriate degree, or equivalent professional qualifications. You must work in a relevant field and have two years’ post-qualification experience.
If you are applying for the accelerated programmes, you will only be considered if there is evidence of significant experience within the field of research and/or if you hold a degree classification of a first or 2:1 honours degree or equivalent. If you are in full-time employment you will also be invited to discuss with a selector the programme requirements together with your motivation, commitment and potential for study at masters level.
