Health and Care - MRes
Ideal for graduates interested in doctoral study or work as autonomous research staff and principal investigators, our MRes in Health and Care will equip you with a broad and complex understanding of the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of research. With access to Keele's Registered Clinical Trials Unit, Impact Accelerator Unit and strong links with the NHS, social care and third sector organisations, you will have the opportunity to apply your learning in real-world research environments whilst using big data.
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
Location
Subject area
- Bioengineering, Counselling, Health and Rehabilitation, Life Sciences, Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Radiography, Social Science, Social Science and Public Policy, Social work, Sport
Fees for 2025/26 academic year
- UK - Full time £12,700 per year. Part time £7,000 per year.
International - £17,700 per year.
Duration of study
- 1 year full time, 2 years part time or up to 5 years modular
Why study Health and Care at Keele University?
Course summary
Our interdisciplinary-focused MRes draws from various fields to equip you with a broad and complex understanding of health and care issues. The programme offers the flexibility to tailor individual student research projects and elective modules to your discipline and area of interest, in discussion with the course director and your proposed supervisor. It also provides those interested in creating a research portfolio to develop a thesis without the commitment of a full 3 or 4 year research project.
During the programme you will undertake research methods training, research practice experience and have access to a variety of optional modules in fields including but not limited to, sociology, economics, bioengineering to develop your multi and inter-disciplinary training.
As a research-focused course, the bulk of your study is devoted to your research project, which you will begin preparing in the first semester and work on throughout the course under the supervision of an expert in an agreed field of interest. The research project offers an exciting opportunity for you to demonstrate advanced knowledge and writing skills in your chosen research theme, preparing you to pursue a research career or further research study, such as a PhD.
In the taught component of the course, you will explore:
- A range of research methods including study design, statistics and qualitative analysis
- Literature review and critical appraisal to develop your own research inquiry and get your research questions right
- Research project management and governance
- Research ethics and applying for ethical approval
- The dissemination of research findings and writing for publications
- Patient and public involvement in research
- Equality, diversity and inclusion within research
Practice based learning will include:
- Practice modules that enable you to take part in research in your area of interest
- Opportunities for involvement in existing research studies, whilst being supported under the supervision and mentorship of a senior researcher
- Experience working in Keele's clinical trials unit and engagement in recruitment, informed consent, data collection and entry
- Completing an Independent Research Project under the supervision of a senior researcher
Next steps
Practical research opportunities
You will have access to our rich research practice environment here at Keele and from our health and care providers, collaborating universities, research teams, research support entities, charities, communities and/or industry. These opportunities will offer you exposure to teams working and modelling high quality research delivery.
Course structure
Our MRes offers a hybrid model of delivery and is normally completed within 1 year full time or two years part time. You will study 3 compulsory modules comprising of 2 taught (15 credit) modules and a (120 credit) Research Project. You will also have the flexibility to choose 2 elective modules to the value of 30 credits.
A high proportion of the credits are devoted to the research project (120/180 credits) which will encourage discipline-based research training and collaborative working with a Project Supervisor and other relevant networks. Academic counselling will be used to guide you in the choice of research project and identification of your development needs. This will commence from the interview stage and continue throughout the programme.
- Full-time students will complete the programme in 12 months (1 year), with work spread evenly across the year. You will start the planning work on your research project and dissertation from the start of the programme.
- Part-time students will complete the programme over 24 months (2 years). Preparation of the research project will begin in your first year of study and continue over the final 12 months.
- Students studying via the modular route can accumulate their degree credits over a period of maximum 5 years (including the dissertation, any re-assessments and periods of leave of absence).
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Core modules
Core modules
Research Methods in Health (15 credits)
This module will develop your understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of health and social research; to enable you to make an informed and appropriate choice of research design and methods; to equip you with critical appraisal skills; and to provide you with the methodological foundation for your research dissertation.
Research in Practice (15 credits)
Our Research in Practice module will help you develop your knowledge to make an informed choice about research design in the context of your practice. During the module you will apply your learning to develop a research proposal focusing on an area of your own practice and develop expertise in research planning.
Research Dissertation (120 credits)
This MRes research project is intended to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen topic, making you aware of current research in the field and enabling you to confidently discuss research issues in an academic context. Your dissertation topic needs to be considered and agreed in the first semester the programme, so that you can choose the most relevant taught modules. You will be assigned a personal supervisor who will meet with you regularly to discuss the process, content and progress of your research and dissertation.
Optional modules
There is an extensive range of research and specialty focused optional module choices. Examples available to you within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences can be located here: https://www.keele.ac.uk/health/pdu/individualpostgraduatemodules/
Next steps
Entry requirements
- Please note that all applications will be reviewed on 1 April 2025.
- Applications received after 1 April 2025 will be reviewed after July 2025.
- Prospective students will also need to hold a current first level Professional Registration with a relevant regulatory body e.g., Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), General Medical Council (GMC), Social Work England, British Association Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Academy for Healthcare Science, General Chiropractic Council, General Dental Council, General Optical Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, UK Public Health Register or an international equivalent.
- All students who have applied and meet the entry requirements will be invited to an interview with the Programme Director.
The interview will focus upon the programme modules and future research project. - International students require IELTS 6.5 with no subset lower than 6.0. The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.
Next steps
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in a health or social care related subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a health or social care subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in a health or social care subject from a private university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in a health or social care subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in a health or social care subject or 65% in a degree in a health or social care subject from a '211' university
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in a health or social care subject,
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in a degree of at least 3 years in a health or social care subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in a health or social care subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in a health or social care subject
or
65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in a health or social care subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in a health or social care subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in a health or social care subject
or
Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in a health or social care subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a special bachelor's degree in a health or social care subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in a health or social care subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in a health or social care subject
or
demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
- Please note that all applications will be reviewed on 1 April 2025.
- Applications received after 1 April 2025 will be reviewed after July 2025.
- Prospective students will also need to hold a current first level Professional Registration with a relevant regulatory body e.g., Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), General Medical Council (GMC), Social Work England, British Association Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Academy for Healthcare Science, General Chiropractic Council, General Dental Council, General Optical Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, UK Public Health Register or an international equivalent.
- All students who have applied and meet the entry requirements will be invited to an interview with the Programme Director.
The interview will focus upon the programme modules and future research project. - International students require IELTS 6.5 with no subset lower than 6.0. The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests.
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group C.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
Funding
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2025 start date falls in the 2024/25 academic year. Please see the January 2025 fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2025
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
Scholarships
Keele University has partnered with the University of Birmingham to offer a scholarship opportunity for students interested in our Healthcare MRes programme.
The Insight West Midlands (WM) programme provides a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded opportunity.
Click here for full eligibility criteria and further information.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Next steps
Your career
On successful completion of this programme you will be well prepared to practise within the local or national research workforce, engaging in high-quality research that improves health and care. You will also have acquired and secured the necessary academic and clinical research skills to continue to doctoral study.
Next steps
Teaching, learning and assessment
Methods of teaching
Modules are delivered through a variety of learning and teaching methods using a blended learning approach. The differing modes of delivery, such as online and distance learning, also encourages inclusivity if you are at a distance from the university and cannot attend campus regularly.
Teaching methods include:
- Discussions
- Individual presentations
- Keele's virtual learning environment (KLE)
- Lectures
- Microsoft Teams
- One-to-one supervision
- Small group work
Methods of assessment
Assessment methods include:
- Examinations
- Oral presentation
- Problem-solving exercises
- Reports
- Research dissertation
- Written assignments
Next steps
Keele Postgraduate Association
Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.
Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.
Our expertise
Teaching staff
You will benefit from academic staff who are specialists from across the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. There are a significant proportion of staff with a PhD or Professional Doctorate, and almost all the remaining staff hold Master’s level qualifications. Postdoctoral staff have expertise across quantitative, qualitative, mixed method and participatory methodologies, and laboratory-based research.
Next steps
Facilities
Registered Clinical Trials Unit
Keele Clinical Trials Unit is a multidisciplinary team, led by Dr Ivonne Solis-Trapala, working in partnership with clinical colleagues to provide professional services to investigators conducting research. The CTU specialises in the development and delivery of high-quality multicentre clinical trials, designed to test new treatments and therapies, and other high-quality clinical studies, including large cohort studies.
Impact Accelerator Unit
Keele University has a specialist unit called the Impact Accelerator Unit (IAU), which aims to accelerate the uptake of health and care research into policy and clinical practice – so that people can benefit from the latest treatments quicker and valuable research knowledge is not wasted. The IAU is collaborative and multidisciplinary - it is made up of clinicians (GPs, nurses, physiotherapists), researchers, knowledge mobilisers, race equality experts and patients and the public, who all work together to co-design and co-produce innovations that are based on the latest health research. The unit works with strong NHS networks and communities to adapt these innovations for use in practice and ultimately improve treatment and quality of life for patients in the UK and beyond.
Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) Research and Innovation Excellence (CeNREE) UHNM
The mission of the Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE) UHNM is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, practitioners, and learners can do what they do best: improve clinical outcomes and experience through access to clinical research for staff and patients. Excellence will be applicable across the wider NHS through leadership and excellence in nursing, midwifery and allied health professional education, research and practice.