The MRes Health and Care (Nursing and Midwifery) is a two-year, online, research-intensive master’s degree designed to empower registered nurses and midwives to lead, influence and deliver high-quality research across diverse healthcare settings.
Throughout the programme, you will build the advanced knowledge and methodological skills needed to design and conduct impactful studies that directly enhance clinical practice, patient outcomes and service delivery. You will complete a substantial, supervised independent research project, benefiting from the expertise of active healthcare researchers who will support and guide you across your two years of study.
This programme is ideal for nurses and midwives who are passionate about evidence-based practice, committed to improving patient care, and motivated to progress towards doctoral study or senior research roles within healthcare organisations.
Why choose this course
- Specialised online modules designed for nurses and midwives developing complex research proposals relevant to contemporary nursing and midwifery practice.
- Profession-focused research training with modules created specifically for the skills required in nursing and midwifery research.
- Extensive digital learning resources including readings, activities and guided pathways that help you master essential research techniques.
- Active learning community with online discussion boards, tutor support and engagement with fellow nursing and midwifery researchers.
- A strong pathway to doctoral study, including eligibility for advanced standing on our Doctorate in Health and Social Care Practice (DPrac).
Over two years, you will complete five 20-credit taught modules and an 80-credit Independent Research Project, 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, which is only required for students completing the full Master’s degree.
Year one
- Trimester 1 (September): Quantitative Skills in Health and Care Research (20 credits). Launch of the Independent Research Project (80 credits) running throughout the two-year programme.
- Trimester 2 (January): Qualitative Skills in Health and Care Research (20 credits).
- Trimester 3 (May): Methods for Managing Health and Care Research (20 credits).
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 - 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
The programme blends synchronous (live) and asynchronous (self-paced) learning to give you flexibility while maintaining a supportive, structured experience.
Teaching and learning activities are carefully designed to build the advanced knowledge and practical skills you need to succeed in your assessments at the end of each trimester. These activities also lay the foundations for strong research management and leadership capabilities, preparing you to plan, conduct and deliver a substantial piece of independent research.
Course activities include:
- Regular one-to-one supervision with an experienced healthcare researcher
- Synchronous and asynchronous learning activities designed to build your research knowledge step by step
- Live online sessions offering real-time tutor interaction
- Peer-to-peer learning via discussion boards and collaborative tasks
- Ongoing academic support through email, tutorials and your virtual learning environment
Independent Research Project
From the start of the programme, you will design and carry out a major piece of primary research related to nursing or midwifery practice. With tailored academic supervision, you will shape your proposal, refine your methodology and undertake research that has the potential to influence real-world clinical practice.
Pace 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 notional study time.
- The Independent Research Project requires approximately 800 hours, spread across two years.
Notional study time is the work you will need to do around your online studies including reading, searching for literature, completing activities and studies for each unit and interacting with your fellow students.
The MRes programme requires dedication and commitment throughout the two years, 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.
The online format offers flexibility to fit learning around shift work, caring responsibilities and professional commitments, while still supporting you to progress steadily through the course.
Assessment method
You will complete a variety of assessment types that reflect the skills required for advanced nursing and midwifery research, including:
- Research reports based on the interpretation, analysis and critical evaluation of qualitative and quantitative data
- A recorded presentation, demonstrating your ability to communicate research findings effectively
- A viva examination involving a critical discussion with examiners and questions exploring your methodological and analytical choices
- A research proposal for a healthcare intervention, showcasing your ability to design rigorous, practice-focused research
- A substantial independent research project, culminating in a comprehensive thesis reporting your 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 (Nursing and Midwifery) are equipped for roles that demand advanced research capability and critical leadership skills. This programme prepares you for:
- Doctoral study, including eligibility for advanced standing on the University of Derby’s Doctorate in Health and Social Care Practice (DPrac) programme enabling entry directly into Year 3 (postgraduate research phase).
- Research leadership roles within the NHS, community health services, higher education institutions or professional bodies.
- Academic career pathways, contributing to the teaching of research methods in nursing, midwifery or allied health programmes.
- Funded research opportunities, with the ability to design strong research proposals targeting a range of funding sources.
This MRes provides a clear route into senior clinical academic careers and positions you to make a meaningful contribution to the future of nursing and midwifery practice.
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 Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) 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
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 (Nursing and Midwifery) 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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