Healthcare Professional Practice MRes
2 Years Part-Time | September Start
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
International
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Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
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
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
Sarah Morey gives an introduction to the Healthcare Professional Practice MRes at Northumbria University.
Explore our immersive 360 tours, informative subject videos, inspirational student profiles, ground-breaking research, and a range of life at university blogs videos and articles.
We’ve structured this course so that registered healthcare professionals with little or no previous research experience can develop competency in designing, developing, implementing, and disseminating research. Where you’ll be able to put your theory and research to test within our simulation-based learning environment and see your impact to improve the healthcare sector.
The induction period will help you settle into the course, with interactive talks on expectations for postgraduate study. You’ll meet your peer group, and receive details about your degree structure, timetable, assessment schedules, and marking criteria.
Over the course of the first year you’ll study a ‘Contextualising Research’ module which will consolidate all your learning. You will gain understanding of differing methodological approaches and how these are applied in a research study. All of these modules equip you to undertake your own major research project in the second year.
You will experience a range of innovative learning techniques, including a ‘flipped classroom’ approach where you have access to online lecture materials prior to seminars, group work and inter-professional peer learning, and an enquiry-based learning (EBL) approach designed to facilitate your own personal learning requirements.
Summative assessments will focus on communication skills and will ‘feed forward’ into your subsequent summative assessments. All programme assessments are authentic tasks which simulate the kinds of activities that health researchers routinely undertake, for example report-writing and presentations, to give you the best possible preparation for future professional research.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
The course will be led by a team of highly experienced academic staff, who have been involved in a wide range of healthcare and education research. Many of them continue to engage in cutting-edge research projects, giving you the opportunity to become part of an inspiring research community.
You will be well supported by the programme team. You’ll be allocated a Personal Tutor who will be there for you throughout the programme, and a dissertation supervisor who will be in close contact with you during the second year. In addition, the module tutors are happy to help with issues specific to their modules, and the programme leader will be available to offer guidance throughout.
The breadth of experience in the department means that your allocated dissertation supervisor will be an expert in an area related to your chosen topic. This can include academics from other departments such as Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation if that’s what you require, thanks to the multidisciplinary nature of our research culture here at Northumbria.
We will also bring in guest lecturers from other disciplines and from professional practice, to give you new perspectives and insight into the implementation of research. They’ll make you consider the practicalities of your research, give you access to the research culture here at Northumbria, and support with career advice.
Meet the team of module leaders who will be working with you at Northumbria University.
Dr Philip Hodgson
Programme Leader
Dr Gemma Wilson-Menzfeld
Senior Lecturer
Maggie Coates
Assistant Professor
Professor Peter McMeekin
Professor
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
At our base on Coach Lane Campus you will benefit from modern teaching facilities, and from being immersed in an environment dedicated to the study of healthcare.
This environment gives you the opportunity to reflect on your learning and collaborate with your peers, who will be from a variety of professional backgrounds but working towards similar career goals.
Technology-enhanced learning is fundamental to the blended learning approach, and each module will have extensive learning resources available through Blackboard Ultra. This will include recorded lectures for you to watch in your own time, presentation slides, reading lists, assessment details and a dedicated discussion board. Through online discussions you can keep in contact with your peers while you are away from campus.
The University Libraries at both Coach Lane Campus and City Campus offer an extensive collection of material, access to international databases, and training in information retrieval. Study space is also available in the library if you require somewhere quiet, and you can find a variety of study skills materials on the library’s Skills Plus site.
If you are an international student you can also benefit from the support of our Academic Language Skills Programmes (ALS). The programmes will run alongside your studies to help you develop your academic language and communication skills within a healthcare context.
Explore the outstanding facilities available at Northumbria University.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
This programme has been designed to equip you with the research skills that will enable you to both progress in your career, and make a positive impact on your client group. Working with your inter-professional peer group within the active research environment at Northumbria, you will acquire valuable critical skills that will last a lifetime.
You will develop the ability to critically evaluate current healthcare evidence, advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, and an understanding of how best to communicate complex findings to a variety of audiences through journal articles, conference posters or oral presentations.
The dissertation module will enable you to demonstrate mastery in independently conducting an ethically sound and innovative research project within your area of interest, benefitting you within practice. You will apply the advanced research skills and techniques you’ve developed during the programme, and exhibit your skills in critical evaluation and synthesis of research findings, all supported by our research-active staff.
Our academic staff have extensive research experience across nursing, midwifery and health, where our work informs policy and practice to improve quality, safety and effectiveness. Our areas of research strength include. Health Economics & Applied Statistics, Living Better in Later Life, Workforce Education and Practice Development, Implementation and Innovation Research, Veterans and Military Families Research, Multiple Long-term Conditions.
Discover more about some of the inspiring research currently taking place at Northumbria, within our department and across the wider University through our multidisciplinary research themes.
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
If you want to progress in your healthcare career then undertaking practice-based research is key to gaining professional recognition and development. This course will equip you to work independently with Higher Education Institutions that will help to shape the future of your profession.
We have designed our curriculum to meet the needs of NHS Trusts, to ensure that we will be equipping students with the right mix of skills to make an impact. These include project management, collaboration, statistical analysis, leadership and communication skills, which are in high demand across the sector.
Over the course of the programme you will become a reflective practitioner, so that throughout your career you will understand how to apply your skills in different contexts, and how to identify areas for further development so that you can reach your full potential.
You will be able to apply everything your learn within your own sphere of practice, whether that’s nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy or any other related field. Together with the major project based on a genuine issue within your workplace, this course offers the perfect blend of transferable skills and practice-based learning.
We will support your career aspirations with sessions on successful networking, self-promotion, and disseminating your research for maximum impact, as well as CV advice, portfolio guidance, and interview preparation. You may even be able to publish a research paper as a result of your work on the course. If you wish to continue your studies to PhD level, this course is also ideal preparation to give you access to those opportunities.
If there is one place to study, it's Northumbria.
Heather Darwen
The programme embraced my clinical experience and has guided me through the principles of research within the context of my practice.
Kaye Walsh
Take a look at what Northumbria has to offer and discover what studying with us can do for you.
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.
Full UK Fee: £9,700
Full International Fee: £19,350
Scholarships and Discounts
ADDITIONAL COSTS
There are no Additional Costs
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
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.
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.
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 informationAC7079 -
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 informationAC7062 -
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 informationModule 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.
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.
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 informationAC7079 -
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 informationAC7062 -
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.
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