MRes Health and Life Sciences at Birmingham City University

Programme overview

The Masters by Research (MRes) in Health and Life Sciences is a flexible, research-focused postgraduate degree designed to prepare graduates for careers in research, healthcare, industry, the public and private sectors, or further academic study, including PhD programmes.

Faculty: Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences | Department: Sport and Life Sciences, Health Professions | Duration: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time | Study mode: full-time/part-time | Intake: September 2027, January 2028 | Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Throughout the course you will develop a keen understanding of advanced research methods. This will take you on the journey from an initial research idea and proposal, to embedding research philosophy and contemporary methodologies and analysis within your work. This is geared towards producing a piece of research that could be pursued further at doctoral level, for a publication, or display the relevant skills to be competent within industry, healthcare or the public sector. Modules include Becoming an Impactful Researcher, Advanced Research Methods, Masters by Research Dissertation.

Career pathways

This course has been designed with creativity and flexibility in mind, therefore allowing you to first learn then apply skills in self-management, leadership and initiative. As a result, this helps you to build the problem-solving skills and interpersonal skills to be an effective employee upon graduation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 UK degree or international equivalent in a relevant discipline. You are also required to provide a written personal statement and a project proposal. The project proposal should be no more than one side of A4 and outline what you want to explore in your research project and why; please see guidance below for further details. Please note: we are unable to consider any applications submitted without a personal statement and project proposal. Research Proposal Requirements. Be no more than two sides of A4, including references. Present a clearly defined research problem, including the research questions, proposed methodology, and anticipated research contribution, aligned with the research interests outlined in the Research Interests section on this website. Please ensure you look at individual staff profiles with your specific interest/s and ensure the proposal aligns with their research areas, interests, or any current or past projects/outputs. Demonstration of the potential for meaningful research outputs, such as work suitable for presentation at academic conferences or publication in peer-reviewed journal.

Domestic applicants: GBP 6,400 a year (2026/27). full-time, 12 months; annual tuition for the first year of study; 2027/28 fee to be confirmed, figure is for 2026/27 entry Source

Intake: September 2027, January 2028

Duration: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time

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