NIHRMResClinical & HealthResearch

StudentshipInformationandGuidance

ClinicalAcademicTrainingPathway

fornurses,midwives, alliedhealthprofessionalsand healthcare scientists

InformationandGuidanceforStudentshipApplicants

ClinicalAcademicTrainingPathway

TheNationalInstituteforHealthResearch(NIHR)provides funding for an integratedclinicalacademictrainingpathway fornurses,midwives, alliedhealthprofessionals and healthcare scientists.TheFacultyofHealthScienceshassecuredfundingfor10fullyfundedplacesperyearonourMResClinical& Health Researchprogramme,between2015and2017.We can confirm that we have 10 places to allocate for September 2016.

TheNIHRClinicalAcademicTrainingPathway comprises fourlevelsofAward:Masters,Doctorate,ClinicalLectureshipandSeniorAcademicClinicalLectureship.ThePathwaysupportsnurses,midwives, alliedhealthprofessionals and healthcare scientistscommittedtodevelopingacareerinvolvingresearch, allowing them to integrateclinicalpracticeandresearch or(post-graduate)training;

The MastersinResearchrepresentsthefirst stageoftheIntegrated ClinicalAcademicTrainingPathway.Itisthefirst phaseoftrainingsuitableforgraduatenurses,midwives, alliedhealthprofessionalsor health care scientists whohaveatleast 1 years’experienceofclinicalpracticesincegraduatingbutwhohavelittleformalresearchexperienceortraining.Thetrainingisavailable1yearfull-timeor2yearspart-time.

We recommend that you visit the NIHR Trainees Coordinating Centre website ( for further information on the Clinical Academic Careers pathway and the list of eligible professions.

Studentshipsareofferedonasecondmentbasis,andapplicantsmustdemonstratesupportfortheirapplicationfromtheirclinicalmanager/employingorganisation.Applicantsmustthereforediscusstheirapplicationwiththeirrelevantmanageroremployingorganisation, prior to submitting the application form.

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TheFacultyofHealthSciences

TheFacultyofHealthSciencesisanationally,andinternationallyrecognisedcentreofexcellencefornursing,midwifery,alliedhealthprofessional(AHP)and health care science researchandeducation.TheFacultyoffersarangeofestablishedclinically-focusedMastersandPhDlevelprogrammes,anda rangeofpostgraduateinter-professionallearningopportunitiesforhealthcareprofessionals.

Awell-developedframeworkfor preparingnurses,midwives, AHPsand healthcare scientists forresearchcareersisinplace,includinga multi-professionalPhDprogramme,DoctorateofClinicalPractice,anda post-doctoralcareerdevelopmentprogramme.The Faculty hasestablishedfundedclinicalacademiccareerspostsfor nurses,midwivesandAHPsatdoctorateandpost-doctorallevels,workingwithpartnerTrustsand HEE. Graduates from our MRes Clinical & Health Research have been successful in progressing onto the next stages of the NIHR Clinical Academic Training Pathway.

TheFaculty’sResearchGroupsare: Complex Healthcare Processes; Fundamental Care and Safety; Health Work and Systems; Active Living and Rehabilitation. Successfulapplicantswillbe supportedto workwithinoneoftheseResearchGroups,withanexperiencedresearchsupervisor.Furtherinformationontheresearchgroupscanbe foundonourwebsite:

TheMResClinical & HealthResearch

Theoverallaimofthecourseistopreparenurses,midwives,AHPsand healthcare scientists withthe requisiteknowledgeandskillstoeffectivelyundertake,manageanddeliverallaspectsoftheclinicalresearchprocess,makinganeffectivecontributiontothegenerationapplicationofpatient-focused,appliedresearchintheclinicalcontext.The courserequiresstudentstodrawonclinicalpracticetoinformtheirlearningthroughouttheprogramme.

The MRescombinestrainingin researchmethods(bothqualitativeandquantitative)withtrainingin researchmanagementandgovernance,andequipsitsgraduateswiththeskillsto manageanddeliverresearchina clinicalsetting.Thecourseisaimedatpreparinggraduatesfor eitherfutureresearchatPhDlevelorclinicalresearchpractice.

Theprogrammeistargetedatnurses,midwives, AHPs and healthcare scientists,includingresearch-activestaffbasedinclinicalresearchfacilities,clinicaltrialsunitsandotheracademic/researchunits,andgraduatesseekingpreparation foraclinicalresearchcareer. Weenvisagethatgraduates from theMRes willengageinclinicalresearch inavarietyofemployment settingsandwillbeabletotakeupkeyrolesinresearch teamstomanageanddeliverresearchinclinicalsettingsand/orwillbewellpreparedforfuturedevelopmentasclinicalresearchleaders.

Modularstructureofthecourse

Thecourseconsistsoftaughtmodulesleadingto60 ECTScreditsandadissertation(30ECTS).Studentsundertakeanintroductoryresearchmethodstrainingmodule,andmodulesin bothquantitativeandqualitativeresearchmethods.Theyalsotakea modulefocusedonthechallenges of carrying out research inclinicalpractice settingsandbuilding a clinical research career.StudentswillalsocompletearesearchskillsdevelopmentmodulelinkedtoaResearchGroupwithintheFacultyofHealthSciences.Theclinicalresearchprojectcomponentofthecourseextendsovertheperiodofregistration.

Studentswillalsoselecta furthermodulefromtherangeofclinical,researchandleadershipmodulesprovidedwithintheFaculty(seeourwebsitefor furtherdetailsoflevel7 modulesavailable:

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Modulesareasfollows:

1.Designing, Implementing & Communicating Research L7(10 ECTS)

2.ClinicalResearchinPractice(10 ECTS)

3.AppliedQuantitativeResearch Methods(10 ECTS)

4.AppliedQualitativeResearch Methods(10 ECTS)

5.DevelopingResearchSkills(10 ECTS)

6.Researchdissertation(30 ECTS)

7.Optionmodule(10 ECTS)

In relation to specific questions about timetable, we do not have a set MRes programme timetable, as some modules are optional. However, mostly the modules follow the same timetable pattern year to year, so you should be able to extract approximate attendance from each individual module profile. Many modules have e-learning linked with lecture attendance, so the time not allocated to attendance is dedicated to independent study. For more detail on our programme structure and the modules please follow this link:

The NIHR funded studentships

The Faculty of Health Sciences has been awarded 10 NIHR funded studentships for the 2016-17 academic year; 6 part-time and 4 full-time

Thestudentshipsprovidefundingtocoversalarybackfillandcoursefees.

Six Placesareavailablepart-time(104weeksmaximum)and fourfull-time(52 weeks)andsuccessfulapplicantswillcombinearolein clinicalpracticewithstudyontheMRes.Itshouldbenotedthat,duetoresearchethicsandgovernanceprocedures,thescopetocarryoutresearchprojectsintheclinicalareamaybe morelimitedforfull-timestudents.Itwillalso,necessarily,bemore difficult tomaintainlinkswithclinicalpracticeduringthecourse.Prospectiveapplicantsshouldthereforeweighthebenefitsoffull-timestudyagainstanypossibledisadvantagesforintegrationoftheclinicalandresearchroles. You will need to agree your chosen study route (full or part-time) with your manager prior to application.

The NIHR funding stream, is extremely competitive and candidates require relevant clinical/professional experience, along with a good first degree of 2:1 or above. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • Normallya 2:1degreeor above (applicants without a first degree may be considered if they can demonstrate additional research experience and/or the ability to study at Masters level)
  • RegistrationwiththeNMCorHPC or other relevant professional body
  • Atleast 1years’experienceofclinicalpracticesincegraduating
  • Currently employedbyanorganisationdeliveringhealthcarefortheNHSorprovidingservicestotheNHS
  • Abletobe registeredasa ‘home’studentfor feespurposes

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for the funded studentships you may still be able to apply for a self- or employer-funded place. Please contact [ to obtain further information about this process.

NIHR-fundedMResstudentswillbe requiredtoattendtheUniversityatleasttwodaysperweekduringtheperiodof study.

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Application process

For entry in September 2016, please apply via the University of Southampton on-line application system. Please insert ‘NIHR studentship’ in the box for funding on this form.

Additionally, in your personal supporting statement, consider that applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Abilitytodemonstrateclinicalexperience/expertiseintheirfieldofpractice
  • IssupportedtoundertaketheMResbytheirclinicallinemanageror appropriatepersonintheiremployingorganisation
  • Demonstratesrelevantresearchinterest,experienceand/ora commitmenttodevelopingclinicalresearchin practice
  • Potential for high quality supervision
  • Potential to link with experienced researchers within research groups in the Faculty or beyond
  • Abilitytodemonstratesupportfortheirprogressionina clinicalacademiccareerfromtheclinicalenvironmentinwhichtheywork
  • Demonstrateaclinicalacademiccareerplan
  • The potentialofthecandidatetomakeacontributiontoclinicalresearchdevelopmentandcapacityintheirchosenfieldintheUK

Within applications we do ask you to identify a potential research area / question and the Research Group in which your work would fit and possible / potential supervisors. We have four research groups within the Faculty of Health Sciences:

  • Complex Healthcare Processes
  • Fundamental Care and Safety
  • Health Work and Systems
  • Active Living and Rehabilitation

Follow this link to review the groups:

You should be able to identify all active researchers and their defined areas and methodologies from this, which will help you identify where your project may fit and also identify potential supervisors and/or approach the most appropriate person to discuss your project idea with. We strongly recommend that you contact potential supervisors for an initial informal discussion about potential project areas.

Further information

Forfurtherinformationpleaseemail quoting‘MResClinical Research studentships’.

Forenquiriesaboutthe MResClinicalResearch studentships,pleasecontact:

Francesca Lambert, Project Co-ordinatoron

Closingdatefor applications is: Friday 15th April 2016

†Programmestructureandcontentissubjecttochangethroughperiodicreviewandqualityassurance processes.

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