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2026/27 entry
Clerkenwell campus

  • Programme Director, Dr Kirsten Barnicot, introduces themselves and the MRes Clinical Research programme at City St George's, University of London.

Key information

Taught by methodological and health practitioner experts, this intensive MRes course will build your confidence and expertise in leading research in healthcare settings. You will gain in-depth understanding and skills across a breadth of research methods, laying the groundwork for a career as a healthcare researcher.

Start date

September 2026

Institution

City St George's, University of London

Course code

PSMRCR

Location

Clerkenwell campus

  •  

    Placement marker

    We provide opportunities for supervised application of research in clinical settings

  •  

    Facilities

    Our focus on applied healthcare research led by practitioners equips our students to apply their skills in real-world healthcare settings

Clinical Research MRes/PGCert Course overview

Benefits of this course

The programme focuses on formal training in research methods for evidence based practice and on applied data analysis, including quantitative and qualitative research and statistical analysis. Through the allocation of a University-based supervisor and a practice-based clinical mentor, you will be prepared for the conceptual, methodological, ethical and logistical challenges faced by all researchers.

Under the guidance of methodological and profession specific experts, the course will provide the opportunity to explore the application of advanced-level research. You will undertake high quality, publishable research, that can be used to influence and lead health service related delivery, policy and innovation.

Awards

You can select to apply for one of the available exit points for this course.

  • Master of Research (MRes)

  • Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone interested in leading research in healthcare settings. Students will be able to tailor their research training to their field through a wide range of electives delivered by academics with expertise in public health, mental health, health management, health technology, health policy and leadership.

The course will lay the groundwork for advancement to clinical research leadership roles or doctoral studies.

Structure

Awards

You can select to apply for one of the two available exit points for this course.

Master of Research (MRes)

Duration:

  • Full-time: 1 year,
  • Part-time: 2 year,

Total credits: 180

Modules:

  • 5 in total
  • Core modules: 4

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

Duration:

  • Full-time: 1 year,

Total credits: 60

Modules:

  • 3 in total

Core modules

Through all core modules you will develop the Graduate Attributes, five core skillsets that will help you launch a successful, fulfilling career. Find out more about the Graduate Attributes.

  • Introduction to Research Methods and Applied Data Analysis-online module (30 credits)

    You will develop an understanding of the principles, theory and epistemology of research and data analysis. You will be guided and supported to conduct research in practice by developing a pragmatic research proposal.

  • Advanced Research Methods (15 credits)

    You will further develop your understanding of research methods in a health context, introducing more complex forms of study design and higher-level methods of appraisal and review of literature.

  • Work-based Clinical Research Placement (15 credits)

    You will undertake a clinical research placement, providing the opportunity to work with a research team in a specialist clinical area, under the guidance of a practice mentor.

  • Application of Research in Clinical Settings (15 credits)

    You will learn how to critically appraise and tackle operational, strategic and ethical issues when conducting and implementing research in clinical practice.

Elective module

  • Elective module (15 credits)

    Choose from a wide range, including (indicative list): Commissioning for Health and Social Care; Engaging Technology; Evaluation; Global Health; Health Economics; Health Policy; International Health Systems; Leading Change; Professional Leadership; Public Health.

Dissertation

  • Clinical Research Dissertation (90 credits)

    You will conduct a systematic review and an empirical research study and write up your dissertation in the format of two manuscripts for publication.

Programme specification

The programme specification contains more information on how the course is organised, the requirements for progression for each part and credits required for awards.

Download course specification:

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is conducted via a mixture of:

  • lectures
  • class discussions and seminars
  • student presentations
  • analysis of case studies
  • worked examples
  • interactive computer-based exercises
  • online Virtual Learning Environment
  • self-directed reading.

You will learn through discussions with peers in tutorials and with expert practitioner researchers, and through work-based learning during your clinical research placement.

Clinical Research Placement

During the course you will undertake a clinical research placement, providing the opportunity to work with a research team in a specialist clinical area, under the guidance of a practice mentor.

Fees and funding

Fees for academic year 2026/27

Master of Research (MRes)

Full-time per year

Home/UK: £13,770

International: £16,580

Part-time per year

Home/UK: £6,890

International: £8,290

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

Full-time per year

Home/UK: To be confirmed

International: To be confirmed

Where applicable, tuition fees for City's programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each year of study. Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study.

Funding

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

School of Health & Psychological Sciences Funding Options

The School of Health & Psychological Sciences (SHPS) is committed to providing financial support to students who show academic and/or clinical excellence. Find out about the funding options available to SHPS Postgraduate Taught applicants.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

20% off your study

We are offering a Graduate Loyalty Discount of 20% on tuition fees to all our alumni when applying to any of our degree courses.

To be eligible for the discount you must have successfully completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at legacy City, University of London or legacy St George's, University of London, as well as being self-funded.

To apply you will need to be accepted onto your intended course of study and to meet all the normal academic admissions criteria for the relevant course at City St George's, University of London.

Career

The programme aims to support you to develop your clinical academic research career and become a leader in your clinical field.

Graduates have gone on to doctoral-level research and/or have entered clinical research leadership roles.

How to apply

Entry requirements

UK

  • An honours degree, minimum 2:2 or equivalent
  • An upper second class or higher mark in undergraduate or postgraduate dissertation would normally be expected
  • In addition, we welcome applications from individuals with significant clinical experience, who do not meet the above admission criteria but do demonstrate the ability to undertake Level 7 academic studies, for example documented evidence of exceptional innovative practice, practice leadership, service development, research projects or publications, or successful completion of a recognised HEE/NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic Programme Internship. Such applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applications from clinicians working in the health sector will be prioritised; however this is not an essential requirement.

Applications can be made in conjunction with an application for an NIHR Pre-doctoral Fellowship or a HARP Pre-doctoral Fellowship.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following qualifications is also required:

  • A first degree from a UK university
  • A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions in Australia, Canada or the USA
  • International English Language Testing Service (IELTS): a score of 7.0 is required, with no subtest scoring below 6.5
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic): a score of 72 required.

Application process

When you attach these documents to your application, please ensure that you have labelled them appropriately for ease of identification during the shortlisting process e.g. passport or visa.

Failure to do so may delay the application process.

September 2026 entry

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is where we accept a previous qualification as meeting the learning outcomes (or covering the syllabus) for part of a course or module, so you don't need to take it as part of your degree.

If you have previously completed credits from a Masters level qualification that can be matched to credits on the programme qualification you would like to apply for, then you may be eligible for RPL or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) at City.

For more information on the policy, the maximum credits permitted and how to apply, please see the Guidance on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Maximum transferable credits for each award
For PGCert (60) credits are required to qualify,
NaN credits are transferable.
For MRes (180) credits are required to qualify,
45 credits are transferable.

Contact the postgraduate team

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 5000

Email: health@citystgeorges.ac.uk

Our academics

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.

Dr Kirsten Barnicot

Dr Kirsten Barnicot

Reader

Department of Population Health and Policy

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Martina shares her story through three objects, symbolising her past, present and future. Discover the motivations and drivers behind her decision to undertake the MRes in Clinical Research.

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