The MRes Health and Care (Allied Health Professions) is designed for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) who seek to deepen their research expertise, lead service improvement, and generate high-quality evidence that transforms patient outcomes and professional practice. Whether your background is in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography, paramedic science, dietetics, or any other AHP field, this programme will equip you with the advanced research skills required to design, conduct and deliver impactful, practice-focused studies.
Throughout the two-year programme, you will build a strong foundation in qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research, supported by specialist teaching and 1:1 supervision. At the heart of your learning is an independent empirical research project, allowing you to investigate a topic of professional importance and contribute new insights to your field.
This route is ideal for AHPs who are passionate about advancing evidence-based practice, progressing to doctoral-level study, or taking on research leadership roles within health and care organisations.
Why Choose This Course?
- Discipline-aligned learning designed specifically around the needs of AHP researchers working in complex clinical, community and rehabilitation settings
- Applied research modules focused on evaluation, service development, clinical outcomes and evidence-informed practice
- Extensive digital resources, including readings, activities, case examples and guided research tasks tailored to AHP professional contexts
- A supportive online community of students from varied AHP backgrounds, with opportunities to share perspectives across disciplines
- A strong progression route to doctoral study, including direct entry to Year 3 of the Doctorate in Health and Social Care Practice (DPrac)
The MRes Health and Care (Allied Health Professions) is a two-year programme throughout which you will undertake five 20-credit modules and one 80 credit Independent Research Project module, totalling 180 credits at level 7.
If you decide to leave the programme at the Postgraduate Diploma stage, you can still receive this step-off award by completing the Evidence-Based Health and Care Practice Project module (7NU645). This module replaces the Independent Research Project for Health and Care, which is only required for students completing the full Master’s degree.
Year one:
- Trimester 1 (September): Quantitative Skills for Health and Care Research (20 credits). Launch of the Independent Research Project for Health and Care (80 credits) running throughout the two-year programme.
- Trimester 2 (January): Qualitative Skills for Health and Care Research (20 credits)
- Trimester 3 (May): Methods for Managing Health and Care Research (20 credits)
In year two:
- Trimester 1 (September): Ethical and Scientific Standards for Health and Care Research (20 credits)
- Trimester 2 (January): Evaluating Health and Care Interventions (20 credits)
- Trimester 3 (May): Independent Research Project for Health and Care - write-up and submission (80 credits)
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Teaching and Learning
Your learning experience combines live (synchronous) sessions with flexible, self-paced online activities. Teaching is designed to build your expertise progressively, preparing you for the summative assessments at the end of each trimester. These learning activities also underpin the development of leadership, project management and analytical skills essential for high-quality AHP research.
Your learning experience includes:
- Online 1:1 supervision with an experienced healthcare researcher
- Self-paced online activities within each module
- Live interactive sessions with tutors and fellow learners
- Discussion forums for collaborative learning and peer support
- Ongoing academic guidance via email and the virtual learning environment
Independent Research Project and Project Supervision
The Independent Research Project spans both years of the programme and offers the opportunity to explore a topic central to your professional practice. Examples may include:
- evaluation of rehabilitation interventions
- analysis of patient outcomes
- service redesign within AHP pathways
- professional identity, education and clinical decision-making
- the role of AHPs in integrated care systems
You will work closely with a specialist supervisor who will support the development of your proposal, methodology and data analysis, ensuring your research makes a meaningful contribution to AHP practice.
Course duration and pace of study
The MRes Health and Care (Allied Health Professions) is an intensive and accelerated two-year programme of study. Each academic year consists of three 10-week terms (known as trimesters) commencing in September, January and May of each year.
- Each 20-credit module requires approximately 200 hours of study
- The Independent Research Project requires around 800 hours, spread across two years
This ‘notional’ study time includes reading, literature searching, completing learning activities, participating in discussions and preparing assessments.
The MRes programme requires dedication and commitment throughout the two years of study, coupled with a significant piece of primary research. The independent research project is launched alongside the first and second trimester and is supported throughout until submission in the third trimester of year two.
We understand that the time you can allocate for study may vary depending upon your other responsibilities, and the online modules are designed with some flexibility to fit learning around your other commitments.
Assessment method
Assessment is designed to develop your ability to conduct and communicate rigorous applied research relevant to AHP practice.
You will complete:
- Research reports analysing qualitative and quantitative data
- A recorded presentation showcasing your communication of research findings
- A viva examination involving critical discussion with examiners
- A research proposal for a health or care intervention
- A substantial independent research thesis based on your own original research
Assessment briefs are set at the beginning of each module and deadlines are normally scheduled for week 11.
Student support and guidance
There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Adviser, through to our:
Graduates of the MRes Health and Care (Allied Health Professions) are equipped for a wide range of research-focused and leadership roles within clinical, community and academic environments.
This course prepares you for:
- Doctoral study, including advanced entry to the University of Derby’s Doctorate in Health and Social Care Practice (DPrac) programme
- Research roles within NHS Trusts, integrated care systems, research centres and specialist services
- Leadership positions focused on service development, quality improvement or evidence-based practice
- Education roles, teaching research methods or supervising learners within AHP disciplines
- Funded research opportunities through the development of high-quality research proposals
Whether you wish to influence service design, strengthen clinical outcomes, or lead research in your profession, this MRes provides a robust platform for advancing your career.
Utilise our Careers and Employment Service
Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.
You’ll need:
- To be registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council or international equivalent
- An Honours degree of 2:2 or above (or international equivalent), or evidence of level 7 study
- You must be practicing and carrying out your proposed research within the UK
- An outline proposal of the research to be undertaken (see below)
Research proposal
Together with your application, you need to submit an outline of your proposed research topic. This is to enable us to appoint an appropriate academic supervisor during the admissions process, ready for the start of term.
Your outline proposal (of approximately 500-600 words) should cover the following:
- Research interests
- Proposed topic for developing during the MRes
- Rationale for choice of topic
- Proposed research methods
- Supporting literature / references
English language qualifications
If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in each area.
Recognition of Prior Learning or Experience
Exemptions can be made on the basis of prior academic study, professional qualifications (such as ACCA or CIMA) or professional experience. Students who have already studied at another institution, completed a training course or have work experience which appears equivalent to one or more modules of this programme, may be able to translate this prior learning into credits towards course modules so that they do not have to study them again. This is called recognition of prior learning or RPL.
‡2025/26 for new entrants
Starting between September 2025 and August 2026.
| | Per 20 credits | Modules | Cost |
|---|
| UK/EU/International |
£1,080 |
6 (five 20-credit modules and one 80 credit module) |
£9,720 |
About your fees
This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.
If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this may be in addition to the programme cost stated above.
The 80-credit Independent Research Project (IRP) (7NU994) runs across the entire two-year programme with the teaching element delivered alongside the year one modules.
Fees for this module will be due in full during the first trimester of your enrolment onto the programme. This will be alongside the fees for the first 20-credit module. This means that in academic year 2025/6, the fees due in the September trimester will be £5,400, which can be paid over four instalments.
Please be aware that if you withdraw from the programme or take a break from your studies after the standard withdrawal date (which is normally 1 November for the September trimester), you will be liable for the full fee for the 80-credit IRP module (7NU994). See the Withdrawal Calendar for further details.
This will also apply if you enrol onto the IRP module and decide after 1 November to exit the MRes Health and Care (Allied Health Professions) programme early with a Postgraduate Diploma. As part of the Postgraduate Diploma, you will also need to study the 20-credit Evidence Based Practice Project at the end of year two, for which fees will apply. Similarly, if you have enrolled onto the IRP module and then decide, after 1 November, to take a break from study, you will remain liable for the full module fee for the IRP and will need to retake the module again, incurring a new module fee upon return to programme.
Flexible payment plans available
Choose from two payment plan options:
Masters funding options
Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for a postgraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to help with living costs and tuition fees whilst studying your masters programme.
If you are considering applying for a student loan, please also see our additional guidance on Loans for Online Students.
Alumni discount for Derby graduates
We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.
Find out more about the Alumni discount
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