Skip to main content

Applied Health Sciences (MSc by Research)

    • How to apply Order a prospectusOpen Days
    This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.
    {{menu.previous.name}}
    {{menu.center.name}}
    {{menu.next.name}}

    Overview

    A Master of Science (MSc) by Research allows you to undertake a one-year (full-time) research degree. It contains little or no formal taught component. This type of study gives you the chance to explore a research topic over a shorter time than a more in-depth doctoral programme.

    Our research degrees are available as full-time, part-time and some are offered distance learning.

    Research Master's students choose a specific project to work on and have a greater degree of independence in their work than is the case with a taught Master’s course.

    You’ll be expected to work to an approved programme which you will develop in conjunction with your supervisor within the first few months of starting your studies. Whilst undertaking the research project you will also develop your research skills by taking part in training courses and events.

    You will be appointed a main supervisor who will normally be part of a supervisory team, comprising up to three members. The research supervisor will advise and support you on your project. At the end of the project, you write up your findings in the form of a short thesis of around 25,000 words, which will then be examined.

    On successful completion, you will be awarded your degree and if you have enjoyed this taste of research, you may then decide to apply for the full research doctoral degree (PhD).

    Key Information

    Entry requirements

    The normal entry requirements for enrolment on a MSc by Research is an upper second honours degree (2:1 or above) from a UK university or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    Start dates

    1 October 2026

    11 January 2027

    19 April 2027

    Application deadlines

    For September 2026

    12 June 2026 for International and Scholarship Students

    03 July 2026 for Home Students

    For October 2026

    12 June 2026 for International and Scholarship Students

    03 July 2026 for Home Students

    For January 2027

    16 October 2026 for International and Scholarship Students

    13 November 2026 for Home Students

    For April 2027

    22 January 2027 for International and Scholarship Students

    19 February 2027 for Home Students

    Duration

    The maximum duration for an MSc by Research is 1 year (12 months) full-time or 2 years (24 months) part-time with an optional submission pending (writing-up) period of 4 months.

    Sometimes it may be possible to mix periods of both full-time and part-time study.

    If studying on a part-time basis, you must establish close links with the University and spend normally not less than an average of 10 working days per year in the university, excluding participation in activities associated with enrolment, re-registration and progression monitoring. You are also expected to dedicate 17.5 hours per week to the research.

    Course Detail

    As a minimum you can expect to meet with your supervisors at least once a month (once every two months for part-time students). In practice you may meet with your supervisors more frequently. This time should include at least an hour of one-to-one supervision with each student.

    Self-directed study is to be agreed in liaison with you and your supervisor. Self-directed study and supervision time should equate to 35 hours per week (for full-time research degrees).

    Teaching

    A research degree has no compulsory taught element, the study period is for 52 weeks a year with a 35-day annual leave allowance. You are expected to study for at least 35 hours a week for full-time study.

    Variation for Professional doctorates - For professional doctorates there is a taught element, and you are required to attend and pass a core programme in research methods in the first 16 Months of study. Progression at the end of Module 4 will be dependent upon attendance and successful completion of these modules.

    Feedback

    Feedback, normally written, is provided on all assessments following submission. Submission and feedback dates will be provided to you upon enrolment.

    Progression

    You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory, or regulatory body guidelines.

    What can I research?

    Applications are welcome for a diverse range of specialist topics and areas of expertise. We would especially welcome applications for topics in which the proposed research is in line with the research priorities of the School of Human and Health Sciences.

    To find out more about the research we conduct, take a look at our Research, Innovation and Skills webpages, where you will find information on each research area. To find out about our staff visit ‘Our experts’ which features profiles of all our academic staff.

    You should enter the project title and supervisor in the online application form.

    No research proposal is necessary in your application.

    Our Campus
    Applied health research
    Interior of the Oastler building
    Exploring health issues
    Students in the Library
    Students socialising in a common space
    Investigating health issues

    Discover more about the course

    Student Support

    Discover all the support available so you can flourish.

    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    When you are offered a place on a research degree, your offer will include confirmation of your supervisory team, and the topic you will be researching.

    Whilst the University will use reasonable efforts to ensure your supervisory team remains the same, sometimes it may be necessary to make changes to your team for reasons outside the University’s control, for example if your supervisor leaves the University, or suffers from long term illness. Where this is the case, we will discuss these difficulties with you and seek to either put in place a new supervisory team, or help you to transfer to another research facility, in accordance with our Student Protection Plan.

    Changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, for example the University being unable to access its buildings due to fire, flood or pandemic, or the University no longer being able to provide specialist equipment. Where this is the case, we will discuss these issues with you and agree any necessary changes.

    Your research project is likely to evolve as you work on it and these minor changes are a natural and expected part of your study. However, we may need to make more significant changes to your topic of research during the course of your studies, either because your area of interest has changed, or because for reasons outside the University’s control we can no longer support your research. If this is the case, we will discuss any changes in topic with you and agree these in writing. If you are an international student, changing topics may affect your visa or ATAS clearance and if this is the case we will discuss this with you before any changes are agreed.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by the University’s Terms and Conditions and a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.