Social Sciences Research for Healthcare

MSc

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Suitable for applications.

The September 2023 intake of this course is now closed to international applicants. Home applicants can still apply.

Overview

The new MSc in Social Sciences Research for Healthcare is suitable for graduates in a broad range of disciplines, as well as healthcare professionals interested in developing a portfolio of social sciences research skills.

The programme provides a unique opportunity to build an understanding of the principles of research design and strategies in a multidisciplinary environment created by staff and students from various healthcare professions. During the programme you will discover a variety of advanced research skills and analytical techniques relevant to your field of study, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods.

Your journey will include aspects of research management as well as dissemination of results consistent with both professional practice and the principles of research ethics.

You will actively engage with the seven interdisciplinary pathways that are central to the White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership vision at Master’s level, introducing the ‘grand challenges’ within each thematic pathway.

The programme is aligned with:

Postgraduate Training and Development Guidelines of the Economic and Social Research Council
Objectives of the Health and Care Professions Council
Researcher Development Framework Vitae.

Entry requirements

GCSE or equivalent English and Maths at minimum of C (or 4)
Undergraduate degree, at least 2.1 or international equivalent in relevant subject

We may consider lower qualifications if you have appropriate professional experience, in which case we will review a written work sample with your application and hold an interview.

English language requirements: Non-UK applicants need to achieve IELTS with an overall score of 6.0 with at least 5.5 in the four sub-tests (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

Your learning journey

All module information is for 2022 entry, and is subject to change

First Year

The programme is designed around four core modules:

Research Design, Philosophy and Working Beyond Disciplines
Professional Skills for Researchers
Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Research Methods
Independent Research Project

All core modules are available in distance learning mode.

In addition, you can choose to expand your interests, selecting from the range of approved modules (subject to module availability and meeting required pre-requisites) spanning across the Faculties of Life Sciences and Health Studies, including:

Prescribing for Pharmacists
Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals
Urgent Care (Minor Illness/ Injuries)
Health and Social Care Leadership
Understanding Health and Social Care through Policy and Strategy
Critical Perspectives on Dementia: a rights based approach (distance learning)
Enhanced Communication Methods (distance learning)
Applied Pathophysiology & Pharmacology in Acute & Long Term Conditions
Business Economics
Business Data Analytics
Applied Econometrics
Economic Growth and Development
Strategic Management
Emerging Issues in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Marketing Planning and Strategy
Managing People in Health and Social Care
Leading Change and Service Improvement in Health and Social Care
Advanced Evidence Appraisal and Synthesis (distance learning)
Advanced Practice: Skills and Research Methods (distance learning)
Evidence Based Diabetes
Cross-Cultural Management
Corporate and Social Responsibility
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Global Technology and Innovation Management
Human Resource Development
Sustainable Cities

This list is not exhaustive. If you have an interest in specific discipline-related modules, please email programme leader Dr Krzysztof Paluch.

Distance learning pathway

Dementia Studies

Students currently have an option to complete this programme in distance learning mode by choosing dementia-related (DEM) option modules. The distance learning pathway is for dementia studies only.

Suggested options for the following pathways are available only in blended learning mode.

Healthcare Professional
Allied Health
Healthcare and Policy
Sustainable Growth, Management and Economic Productivity

Dementia Studies (DEM) (distance learning)

Critical Perspectives on Dementia: a Rights-based Approach
Enhanced Communication Methods
Advanced Evidence Appraisal and Synthesis
Advanced Practice: Skills and Research Methods (DEM)

Healthcare Professional

Prescribing for Pharmacists
Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals
Or any of the NUR, LEM or DEM modules

Allied Health (NUR)

Urgent Care
Applied Pathophysiology
Pharmacology in Acute and Long-term Conditions
Evidence-based Diabetes (NUR)
Or any of the LEM or DEM modules
Healthcare and Policy (LEM)
Health and Social Care Leadership
Understanding Health and Social Care through Policy and Strategy
Managing People in Health and Social Care
Leading Change and Service Improvement in Health and Social Care

Sustainable Growth, Management and Economic Productivity

Business Economics
Business Data Analytics
Applied Econometrics
Economic Growth and Development
Strategic Management
Emerging Issues in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Marketing Planning and Strategy
Cross-Cultural Management
Corporate and Social Responsibility
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Accounting and Finance
Global Technology and Innovation Management
Human Resource Development
Sustainable Cities

Learning and assessment

The programme uses an evidence-based blended approach to learning. The learning and teaching strategy includes taught study days, online 'lecturecasts', workshops, debates, case–based interdisciplinary problems and collaborative learning. To support this learning there will also be webinars and online learning packages. The programme aims to make use of your own experiences, allow choice in learning (optional modules) and assessment (M4 Independent Research Project), provide continual formative feedback and encourage you to move to increasingly advanced stages of personal development.

Much of your learning time will be dedicated to directed study, related to your own area of research. This will give you the opportunity to practice and develop the knowledge, skills and practices necessary to become an independent researcher. The learning process will be supported by formative and summative feedback, reflection on learning experiences and tutorials.

You will receive regular support from your personal academic tutor to track your progress against the relevant frameworks, identify your learning needs and set your personal learning objectives.

We utilise our virtual learning environment to ensure materials are accessible and our eportfolio system enables you to demonstrate your development over time.

You are also able to attend training at our White Rose Doctoral Programme training partner institutions to develop further your networks and interdisciplinary research skills.

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

Home (UK): £7,744 per year
International: £19,494 per year

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

Graduation from this programme may provide a route to obtaining externally funded PhD studentships in healthcare and/or social sciences research.

The programme will suit, among others:

social and/or health researchers requiring formal training in research
healthcare practitioners/professionals who are interested in pursuing clinical academic research for their professional development

As a qualified researcher with knowledge across a range of social and healthcare research designs, this may form part of a career plan to develop into research-informed or research-led clinical roles.

If you are seeking a career in social or healthcare institutions (NHS, HCPC professions), evidencing advanced skills in knowledge generation and appraisal can be beneficial.

This course may prepare you for a career in academia or other public/private research institutes and organisations where data-gathering and analysis are key.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.