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If you are a registered healthcare professional interested in progressing your career, and at the same time making a real difference for your patients/client group through your research, then this course could be the ideal opportunity. You’ll gain the necessary skills and be supported to implement service improvements from your own practice experience within the healthcare sector.

Led by a highly experienced teaching team, you will learn everything you need to know to undertake, use and critique ethically sound and impactful research within your area of practice, whether that’s Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Operating Department Practice or any other allied health professional field.

The course is delivered in a blended format, to allow you maximum flexibility in fitting study around your work and other commitments. During the first year you’ll have access to interactive e-lectures through Blackboard Ultra, and come onto campus for half a day every other week to consolidate your learning through interactive seminars with your inter-professional peer group.

During the second year you will undertake a major research project, either based on your own workplace or within a research group at Northumbria University. You’ll receive 20 hours of one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be an expert in an area of direct relevance to your chosen topic.

By the time you graduate you will be fully equipped to undertake research to inform your area of practice, as well as critically appraise existing evidence relevant to your role. Studying on this programme will support future career progression, enabling you to move into senior positions within your area of practice, and to contribute to the future of the healthcare.

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 2025

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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Entry Requirements 2025/26

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. Visit www.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. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

Full UK Fee: £9,700

Full International Fee: £19,350



Scholarships and Discounts

Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

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

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

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

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

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

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.

 

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

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If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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