Health Research (MRes)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. English language requirements If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills: IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill. Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no less than 4 in any band. See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Course details

You can study the following modules as stand-alone CPD short courses: Qualitative Research and Analysis Quantitative Research and Analysis Research Ethics and Governance Skills for Knowledge Enquiry Study Design for Health Research Contact Admissions on postgraduate.admissions@stir.ac.uk if you are interested in studying: a module from this course the Postgraduate Certificate the Postgraduate Diploma These modules can link into appraisal systems such as the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework to help you record your professional development as you study. Modules Teaching How you'll learn online This course benefits from considerable staff expertise in online learning.  All lectures are delivered as podcasts or recorded in real-time with student participation. Additionally, ‘virtual classroom’ sessions offer the opportunity for students to engage in discussions, ask questions and collaborate on tasks. Online teaching sessions are delivered in the evenings (UK time), but are recorded to allow those who are unable to attend to catch up at a later time. Students will also access resources such as workbooks, electronic reading lists and online assignment submission and marking. As a fully online experience, this course offers the flexibility to study at your own time and wherever you are in the world. Assessment You’ll be assessed in a variety of areas, including: essay-based assignments verbal presentations writing analytical research reports completing data analysis exercises producing reflective reports/journaling Classroom hours Each 20 credit module requires around 200 hours of study time, including lectures, independent study and assignment preparation. Course director Dr Claire Eades , Course Director

Fees and funding

Fees and costs If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Fees 2025-26 fees 2026-27 fees Total course fee £8,100 £8,900 20-credit module fee £900 £989 60-credit module fee £2,700 £2,967 You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every module you enrol on. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course. If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees. This fee is charged as a module fee. Details of the tuition fee policy relating to module fees can be found in our tuition fees policy . Postgraduate tuition fee loans Some intakes of this course are eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. Additional costs There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees . Scholarships and funding Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. Payment options We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

Our Health Research course suits students who want a health career with research at its core. You’ll gain all the practical and theoretical skills and knowledge you need to progress as a researcher or to go on to pursue a PhD. The majority of our students are already working in health or social care prior to starting the course. They remain employed throughout the duration of their studies. Others use the MRes as preparation for PhD studies. Whatever your situation, we provide focused training in conducting high quality research. Your skills will be valued in a wide range of professional and academic roles. Our graduates have progressed to roles such as: Public Health Intelligence Adviser Consultant in Public Health Psychiatric Liaison Practitioner Associate Clinical Project Manager Strategic Leader in Healthcare Education