This Health Science MRes course will give you an important understanding of research techniques and management principles, equipping you with the tools to pursue a career in scientific research, possibly through a PhD, or to develop your career as a health professional.

You will spend two-thirds of the course on a supervised individual research project within one of the research groups in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.

The remaining third consists of a research skills module and an optional module, chosen from a list that includes further research skills and subject-related academic modules.

Whether you are working in the NHS, private health services, community health organisations or the related commercial sector, you will benefit from the supercharging effect of a year (or two years part-time) in a superbly resourced environment which is helping produce research internationally recognised as being of the highest quality.

The breadth and excellence of the research being undertaken in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience means you will have a wide range of choice for your vital research project.

Working on your project within the established research groups will give you the opportunity to participate in, and contribute to, ongoing projects. Supportive expertise will always be at hand.

You will have at least one supervisor and you may be co-supervised by another member of staff as well if they have a specific skill-set that applies to the methodology or the specialist area.

The research we undertake is carried out at national and international levels, and with a wide variety of partners including the National Health Service, industry and other UK and overseas universities.

Our research groups include the internationally recognised Institute for Health and Human Development (IHHD).

The IHHD has been heavily involved in more than 50 significant projects since its foundation in 2006. Our staff and students have researched into and developed programmes to improve health and wellbeing, particularly in some of London’s poorest communities.

Other research groups in the school focus on the development of medicines, human motor performance, infection and immunity and applied sports science.

“There’s no one else in London that I know of that offers this kind of opportunity to develop leadership and management skills,” says Dr Matthew Almond, Field Leader in Health Studies. “That’s what the market research has told us and all the NHS Trusts tell us that this is what they’re most interested in.

“They want people to come back and demonstrate leadership and understand how to manage people, understand how to communicate with patients – and understand that it’s not just the patient you have to deal with but also the patient’s family.”

Unlike traditional MSc courses, our MRes in Health Science is designed specifically to provide you with the maximum opportunity to develop and demonstrate key research skills.

As such, the majority of the course consists of independent project work under the direction of a director of studies.

You will also study a core module on Essential Research Skills and choose one other from a list of options which range from Designing and Implementing Survey Research to Health Promotion: Theory and Practice, and Sports Rehabilitation: Injury to Optimal Performance.

The course as a whole will equip you with the knowledge, skills and techniques to carry out independent research effectively.

You will also learn about the standards and requirements research entails, and about how to maximise its impact and effectiveness.

You will emerge from this course with enhanced research expertise and, crucially, ready to demonstrate leadership in your given area.

You will also return to your workplace able to communicate more effectively with clients, their friends and family, and your colleagues.

Working closely with experienced researchers on internationally recognised projects will give you an invaluable insight into what a career in high-level scientific work entails.

Your own experience and capacity to conduct research will be hugely enhanced if you decide to embark on a PhD.

You will be able to demonstrate your ability to conduct a piece of independent research, and your awareness of and ability to implement good research practice.

Being attached to research groups of such standing will also give you a good opportunity to develop your research and have it published.

Some of our graduates have gone on to pursue further research abroad. Some overseas students have become professors or lecturers in universities in their home countries.

Other graduates have returned to careers within NHS or other healthcare sectors with the skills required to take up new levels of responsibility.

Whether you’re a podiatrist, a speech therapist or a nurse – if you work in any kind of clinical setting, particularly within the NHS – you will find your career progression will be hindered unless you can demonstrate management competencies.

This unusual and carefully tailored course will help you progress your career – either by honing your research skills or by enhancing your managerial abilities.