Evidence Based Practice (Health and Care Studies) MRes

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Develop advanced research skills and prepare for doctoral study or a research-focused career in Health and Care Studies.

The Master of Research (MRes) in Evidence Based Practice is a postgraduate degree designed for individuals seeking to build expertise in research methods and practice across a range of disciplines. Whether you're a recent graduate or a professional aiming to advance your career, the MRes provides a rigorous and flexible route into research-intensive roles or PhD study.

Delivered by research-active staff, the programme offers opportunities to engage with real-world projects and develop independent research aligned to your interests. You will gain a strong foundation in qualitative and quantitative methodologies, critical analysis, and academic writing, while benefiting from expert supervision and a supportive research environment.

This pathway is designed for those seeking to explore research within health and social care systems. Taught by research-active staff working on externally funded projects with NHS Trusts and care organisations, students will engage with real-world challenges and develop research that informs policy and practice. Ideal for professionals and graduates aiming to progress into doctoral study or research roles in healthcare.

With multiple specialist routes available—including Policing, Criminology, Psychology, Health and Care Studies, and Clinical Research—the MRes allows you share experiences with others on the course, network and benefit from cross-disciplinary perspectives.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MRes Evidence Based Practice (Health and Care Studies)

Duration

This part-time postgraduate course usually runs for 3 academic years. 

Course content

Our MRes in Evidence-Based Practice is split into three modules. The main module is your research project, which you will lead under supervision from an academic. Designed with real-world impact in mind, the research will be expected to address a topic relevant to your specialist pathway.

You will also complete a taught module exploring evidence-based research and research methods.

Another taught module will look at how to communicate your research, including how to publish the work, explore funding opportunities, gain ‘buy in’ from stakeholders, and track the research impact.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Communicating Research 20 credits
Evidence Based Research Methods 40 credits
Research Project 120 credits

Entry requirements

A degree from a UK university or equivalent is desirable but not essential. We also welcome applications from those with relevant professional experience plus evidence of ability to successfully undertake the course and benefit from it.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Facilities

Libraries

We have Libraries and service desks at both sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our experienced and friendly staff can answer your IT queries, help you to access resources, show you how to research for your assignments and help with referencing.

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Lifelike living space

The lifellike living space on our Stoke-on-Trent campus lets you practice your skills in a variety of non-clinical settings, including bedroom, bathroom, lounge and bedsit. Read more

Bedrooms:

The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and is used for simulated crime scenes where students can practise investigative skills or social work and healthcare can use the space for urgent situations and interviews.

Lounges:

The lounges have a homely feel, with comfy furniture and framed photos. Students can use these spaces for policing or forensic investigations. Social work and healthcare can also use the space for realistic interviews and clinical emergencies.

Bathroom:

The bathroom provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. It can be used a range of simulation scenarios, such as domestic crime scenes or clinical emergencies.

Bedsit:

With a kitchen diner, bedroom and bathroom, the bedsit provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. Scenarios can range from gathering evidence at simulated crime scenes to dealing with clinical emergencies.
Watch video

Immersive Suite

Our Immersive Suite can simulate almost any environment including home, hospital and pub. The suite allows 360 projection putting you in a more realistic environment to enhance simulations.

Watch video View virtual tour

Careers

This course is ideal for professionals and graduates aiming to progress into doctoral study or research roles in healthcare.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a master's by research this programme takes a heutagogical approach which sees learners as being co-producers of knowledge rather than receivers of dispensed ideas. The course is structured to provide learners with the ability to undertake supervised, self-directed research in any form which suits their chosen discipline. The emphasis will be on empirically driven research but the required tools to undertake theoretical research will also be covered.

With 120 credits being the research element of the course, the most important aspect of the learning approach is that of close supervision from academics. Each learner will be assigned to an expert in their chosen field and will have the ability to submit formative versions of all research writing throughout their research period.

Learners will be encouraged to take part in relevant post graduate enrichment programmes. Throughout the programme, students will have access to academic support and supervision from the delivery team as well as the wider University’s services, such as the library, digital and wellbeing support amongst others. Where relevant, students will be signposted to industry-specific continuing personal development opportunities throughout the course of their research.

The digital learning environment will have different sections with readings and supporting materials which are relevant to the different subject areas. There will also be discipline specific tutor sessions, during the taught elements, in order to provide students with the subject specific support they need. This will be followed up by subject specific research supervision undertaken throughout the research period of the course.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Staff

You'll be taught by experts in their fields who have a wealth of experience in research. 

Dr Sarahjane Jones

Associate Dean - Research&Innovation

Sarahjane is a safety researcher with a particular interest in the utilisation of big healthcare data for quality and safety improvement. She also works in research capacity building in non-medical professions and healthcare and data ethics.

Sarahjane's profile

Dr Al Ross

Professor

I am a Chartered Ergonomist and Human Factors expert and a Chartered Psychologist with a wide-ranging research and teaching interest in system safety and improvement.

Al's profile

Dr Paul Bowie

Professor

I am a chartered ergonomist & human factors expert and a healthcare safety and improvement researcher. My research mainly focuses on safety investigation practices and translation and evaluation of human factors concepts and methods to healthcare.

Paul's profile

Alisen Dube

Research Fellow

I am a Registered General Nurse and Medical Statistician. I am completing my doctoral research which is exploring risk factors for developing heel pressure ulcers and their prognostic value in end of life.

Alisen's profile

Dr John Lamb

Senior Lecturer

John's research expertise focuses on areas including counter terrorism, radicalization, intelligence services and use of force by state officials. His PhD examined policing, national security and the implementation of PREVENT in the West Midlands.

John's profile

Dr Robert Cook

Senior Research Fellow

Dr Robert Cook is the Senior Research Fellow in Healthcare Analytics. His background is as an experimental scientist and statistician and has delivered projects on staff retention and safety in acute, mental health and emergency response medicine.

Robert's profile

Dr Yetunde Ataiyero

Lecturer

My research addresses equity, health inequalities, and research capacity in healthcare, with particular focus on nursing students and professionals, and racially minoritised communities.

Yetunde's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 26 January 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £9,135 per course £16,740 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you have previously completed an undergraduate degree with us, you may be entitled to an alumni discount off your course fee for any subsequent postgraduate taught course. For further information please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MRes Part-time, January start 26 January 2026 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

Have you considered?

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021