MRes Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

at Bournemouth University

Course details

The MRes is focused on the development of generic research knowledge and critical analysis skills applied to independant research on an approved topic. You research would normally involve a literature study, an experimental or hypothesis-testing phase, an evalutation phase and a writing-up phase.

Your independant research would be written up as a thesis, which is expected to be between 15,000 and 30,000 words (depending on the discipline). 

The subject areas you can apply to study for your MRes with the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences are listed in the section below. 

Course content and assessment

Assessment of your thesis will consist of:

• A presentation of the thesis 
• An oral examination, normally including a 30-minute presentation and 60-minute viva voca examiniation.

An MRes can be a good precursor to a PhD, allowing you to develop your research skills, enhance your ability to critically analyse information and solve complex problems. During your MRes you will:

• Undertake research methods training to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the research methods used within the fields of health and social sciences
• Critically analyse information in the literature within your chosen field to identify information gaps, and develop and design a research project which addresses an issue within your chosen field
• Carry out your research project
• Produce a written critical analysis of the research data
• Present your research through a thesis and defend it by viva voce (oral) examination, to the satisfaction of examiners.

Entry requirements:

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:1 or equivalent.

If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS 6.5 (Academic) or above. 

Int'l Fees : £16,000 per year (library-based)
£18,000 per year (laboratory-based)

Transferable skills and academia

Undertaking a research degree will not only allow you to carry out research in a specialist field, it will also equip you with transferable skills that can be applied to roles within project management, commercial research and development, or consultancy services.

You may decide that you would like to pursue a career within academia, developing the research that you undertake during your MRes and sharing your expertise with others who have an interest in a similar field.