Clinical Research

Course detail Description

There are two compulsory modules on qualitative and quantitative research methods to give you the knowledge you need to work as a researcher. They cover every element of research, from the concept and design of studies, to how to carry out your project in a health environment. You will also learn how to critically appraise specialist health research. If you are following the part-time study pathway, you will typically complete the qualitative and quantitative research methods and the optional modules in the first year and the dissertation in the second and final year.

You can then choose optional modules from any of the Health faculties at King’s to tailor your programme to your interests. Once you have completed the taught elements of the course you will write a dissertation in clinical research.

Our MRes programme is flexible, allowing for full- or part-time study. There is also the option of completing a PG Certificate in Clinical Research. New funding offered by the HEE/NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship scheme has made this a more popular choice among students.

Although you need to apply directly to the NIHR for this funding, we can support you with your application.

Additional support is available to Practitioners with the appropriate innovation and critical-thinking skills to develop a future clinical academic career.

You will be exposed to real research examples throughout your time at King’s. Your lectures are taught by professors or researchers who have extensive research experience and share examples of their own work during sessions.

Taking what you learn in the classroom and applying it to ongoing research activity is an important part of this programme. Across the university’s health faculities we run clinical and pre-clinical research, allowing you to work in a field that interests you.

Your supervisor can be from any faculty at King’s, ensuring you have access to the most relevant expertise in your chosen area of health research.

We also encourage all our students to publish their findings in well-respected, peer-reviewed journals. You will directly contribute to world-leading research that delivers new treatments, improves patient care and influences health policy at the highest levels.

Year

Lectures, seminars & feedback

Self-study

One

Approximately 450 hours (25% of total hours) in combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision and workshops.

Approximately 1350 hours (75% of total hours) of independent study such as preparing for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading, and completion of assessment task or revision.
This will vary depending on the optional modules chosen.

You are expected to undertake on average 30 hours of self-study a week.

The majority of learning for this degree takes place across the four King’s College London campuses, including three Thames-side campuses (Waterloo, St Thomas’ and Guy’s) and the Denmark Hill Campus in south London. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.

The purpose of this taught programme is to develop students’ knowledge and research skills to enhance their current and future careers in supporting, delivering and integrating research into clinical practice, and fostering evidence-based practice.

For further information about our postgraduate opportunities, please visit our Faculty Postgraduate Study handbook here.

There will be a variety of assessment tasks, depending on the optional modules you select. These can include coursework, exams and other written assignments such as essays and portfolios. Your course also includes a dissertation in clinical research.

As well as attending seminars, lectures, workshops and tutorials, you will also need to spend time on independent study.

King’s College is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

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Structure

Year 1 Required Modules

Students study two compulsory modules, Advanced Qualitative Research Methods and Advanced Quantitative Research Methods. These 30 credit modules provide opportunity to study research methodologies in depth.

MRes Students also select optional module(s) to gain an additional 30 credits. A full list of optional modules will be provided when students enrol. Optional modules are available from throughout King’s Health Schools, including Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery and the Institute of Psychiatry. Recent students have studied a wide variety of courses, including Evidence Based Decision-Making in Health Care and Advanced Assessment Skills for Non Medical Practitioners (offered by FNSNM), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (offered by IoP), Skeletal Muscle Function, Fatigue and Plasticity - Movement to Molecules (offered by Physiotherapy), Health Economics and Health Policy, Basic Epidemiology and Statistics(offered by Medicine) and Issues in the Conduct of Health Care Research and Developing Professional Leadership.

The MRes programme culminates in the conduct of a substantial research dissertation (90 credits) with one to one supervision and group seminar support. The research project is 15,000 words, and you will also be required to submit a draft 3,000 word publication.