Clinical Research BSc (Hons); MSc; PGCert; PGDip; Professional Certificate in
About this course
The Institute of Health and Allied Professions at NTU offers a comprehensive suite of continuous professional development (CPD) courses that have been designed and developed to meet the needs of the local health sector workforce.
This course has been designed to promote advanced understanding of the theory and practice of research in health and social care settings. The course has been developed in collaboration with senior research leads at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust, and will be delivered by experienced multi-disciplinary research delivery experts.
The course explores contemporary issues in the conduct and utilisation of health and social care research, enhancing collaborative working and enabling effective leadership between research design, delivery and management.
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Enhance your ability and confidence in developing and delivering effective, inclusive and collaborative research. -
Strengthen your understanding of research governance, and its application in practice.
What you’ll study
Within this course you have a range of options about which qualification to undertake depending on your need and preference.
| Level 6 (undergraduate) |
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| Level 7 (postgraduate) |
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Please continue to read on to find out more about the modules included as part of each qualification.
Core modules
Lifecycle of Clinical Research
You will develop an understanding of the practical and regulatory issues associated with carrying out health and social care research. You will explore different types of research studies and their challenges, discuss research design and delivery, and learn more about funding and resource requirements.
Leading Health and Social Care Research
You will learn the principles of planning, patient recruitment, piloting and feasibility assessment. You will explore how collaboration can enhance study feasibility and quality, and you will appraise the attributes of an inclusive research leader.
Core modules
Evidence in Clinical Practice
This module is about developing an understanding of evidence-based practice (EBP) and will explore key factors and barriers influencing the adoption of EBP in healthcare. The module will look at different types of evidence underpinning clinical practice and begin to determine the quality of evidence and its relative value to patient care and outcomes.
Lifecycle of Clinical Research
You will develop an understanding of the practical and regulatory issues associated with carrying out health and social care research. You will explore different types of research studies and their challenges, discuss research design and delivery, and learn more about funding and resource requirements.
Leading Health and Social Care Research
You will learn the principles of planning, patient recruitment, piloting and feasibility assessment. You will explore how collaboration can enhance study feasibility and quality, and you will appraise the attributes of an inclusive research leader.
Independent Study in Healthcare Practice
This independent study module provides you with the opportunity for originality and intellectual independence into a specific area of your clinical practice. You will be able to choose between an impact study (e.g. service evaluation or audit), a clinical change project, or critical review of clinical practice.
Core modules
Lifecycle of Clinical Research
You will develop an understanding of the practical and regulatory issues associated with carrying out health and social care research. You will explore different types of research studies and their challenges, discuss research design and delivery, and learn more about funding and resource requirements.
Leading Health and Social Care Research
You will learn the principles of planning, patient recruitment, piloting and feasibility assessment. You will explore how collaboration can enhance study feasibility and quality, and you will appraise the attributes of an inclusive research leader.
Core modules
Research in Health and Social Care
This module will explore contemporary issues and debates in health research. The module will prepare you with the knowledge and skills required to undertake research in your chosen field of professional practice.
Lifecycle of Clinical Research
You will develop an understanding of the practical and regulatory issues associated with carrying out health and social care research. You will explore different types of research studies and their challenges, discuss research design and delivery, and learn more about funding and resource requirements.
Leading Health and Social Care Research
You will learn the principles of planning, patient recruitment, piloting and feasibility assessment. You will explore how collaboration can enhance study feasibility and quality, and you will appraise the attributes of an inclusive research leader.
Optional modules (30 credits)
Research Governance (15 credits)
On this module you will review Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles for conducting and reporting clinical trials, discuss quality assurance and quality control systems, and learn to effectively prepare for an inspection.
Research Ethics (15 credits)
On this module you will develop an awareness of the key ethical issues in research, the role of ethics committees, and research governance. you will also discuss how ethics and integrity protect the safety of participants, and how to identify ethical issues.
Trial Management (30 credits)
This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to manage a research study, including project planning, and resource and risk management. You will explore strategies to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget, and learn how to set up large, multidisciplinary projects.
Core modules
Research in Health and Social Care
This module will explore contemporary issues and debates in health research. The module will prepare you with the knowledge and skills required to undertake research in your chosen field of professional practice.
Lifecycle of Clinical Research
You will develop an understanding of the practical and regulatory issues associated with carrying out health and social care research. You will explore different types of research studies and their challenges, discuss research design and delivery, and learn more about funding and resource requirements.
Leading Health and Social Care Research
You will learn the principles of planning, patient recruitment, piloting and feasibility assessment. You will explore how collaboration can enhance study feasibility and quality, and you will appraise the attributes of an inclusive research leader.
Independent Study in Healthcare Practice
This independent study module provides you with the opportunity for originality and intellectual independence into a specific area of your clinical practice. You will be able to choose between an impact study (e.g. service evaluation or audit), a clinical change project, or critical review of clinical practice.
Optional modules (30 credits)
Research Governance (15 credits)
On this module you will review Good Clinical Practice (GCP) principles for conducting and reporting clinical trials, discuss quality assurance and quality control systems, and learn to effectively prepare for an inspection.
Research Ethics (15 credits)
On this module you will develop an awareness of the key ethical issues in research, the role of ethics committees, and research governance. You will also discuss how ethics and integrity protect the safety of participants, and how to identify ethical issues.
Trial Management (30 credits)
This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to manage a research study, including project planning, and resource and risk management. You will explore strategies to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget, and learn how to set up large, multidisciplinary projects.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
Delivery mode
The teaching strategy is multi-modal and adopts a blended approach, with a clear commitment to face-to-face teaching and learning supported by online learning materials, small group discussions, presentations and practical exercises. Lectures will develop students’ subject knowledge and understanding and will aim to build on previous learning.
Throughout the course, each module will encourage students to not only examine the knowledge and skills requirements for advanced and competent practice, it will also explore specific themes, based upon experiences in practice. In this way students will be able to integrate learning across the “theory and practice” divide and to emphasise the importance of the practice component. Where appropriate, learning on the course will be led and enhanced by the contributions of external professional staff with specialist expertise. This co-delivery of education will enable learners to benefit from both clinical and academic expertise to augment their learning and provides a symbiotic approach to professional development.
Clinical area
Students should work within an appropriate healthcare setting while studying this course. This will enable students to reflect on their current practice and apply the knowledge and skills that are learned throughout the course. The course will also use case studies relating to the specialty and workplace along with discussion of professional practice to facilitate the integration of theory and practice.
How you're assessed
- Formative discussion
- Written essays
- Presentation
- Professional discussion.
As well as formal (graded) assessments learners have the opportunity to undertake a formative (developmental, ungraded) assessment. Students are allocated a tutor during the course who will provide formative feedback on student's progress and development.
All work is marked aby experienced General Practitioners Educators with Teaching Experience and Qualifications and is internally moderated by the NTU course leader.
Campus and facilities
The purpose-built Health & Allied Professions (HAP) Centre on the Clifton Campus is home to our world-class teaching, practice, research and scholarship in the Institute of Health and Allied Professions (IHAP).
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep our students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
Professional Certificate
- Applicants to the Professional Certificate should work in an appropriate health or social care setting.
BSc
- Applicants to the BSc course should be registered health professionals working in an appropriate health or social care setting
- OR have a relevant foundation degree or equivalent qualification and work in an appropriate health or social care setting.
Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma and MSc
- Applicants must have a Level 6 qualification and evidence of the ability to study at Level 7, and work in an appropriate health or social care setting.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
Fees and funding
Fees for 2025 entry
| Level of study | Course cost |
|---|---|
| Professional or Postgraduate Certificate | £2,295 |
| Postgraduate Diploma | £4,590 |
| BSc | £4,590 |
| MSc | £8,100 |
*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can.
Download and complete our application form and return it to SOC.cpd@ntu.ac.uk. Please make sure you have read through the above course entry requirements carefully before you do.
This course is not open to international students.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder. You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates’ guide.
Good luck with your application!
