MRes Health and Care (Allied Health Professions) - Online

University of Derby

The MRes Health and Care (Allied Health Professions) is designed for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) who seek to deepen their research expertise, lead service improvement, and generate high-quality evidence that transforms patient outcomes and professional practice. Whether your background is in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography, paramedic science, dietetics, or any other AHP field, this programme will equip you with the advanced research skills required to design, conduct and deliver impactful, practice-focused studies.

Throughout the two-year programme, you will build a strong foundation in qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research, supported by specialist teaching and 1:1 supervision. At the heart of your learning is an independent empirical research project, allowing you to investigate a topic of professional importance and contribute new insights to your field.

This route is ideal for AHPs who are passionate about advancing evidence-based practice, progressing to doctoral-level study, or taking on research leadership roles within health and care organisations.

Why Choose This Course?

Discipline-aligned learning designed specifically around the needs of AHP researchers working in complex clinical, community and rehabilitation settings.

Applied research modules focused on evaluation, service development, clinical outcomes and evidence-informed practice.

Extensive digital resources, including readings, activities, case examples and guided research tasks tailored to AHP professional contexts.

A supportive online community of students from varied AHP backgrounds, with opportunities to share perspectives across disciplines.

A strong progression route to doctoral study, including direct entry to Year 3 of the Doctorate in Health and Social Care Practice (DPrac).

The MRes Health and Care (Allied Health Professions) is a two-year programme throughout which you will undertake four 20-credit modules and one 100 credit Independent Research Project module, totalling 180 credits at level 7.

If you decide to leave the programme at the Postgraduate Diploma stage, you can still receive this step-off award by completing the Evidence-Based Health and Care Practice Project (7NU645) and Ethical and Scientific Standards for Health and Care Research (6NU643) modules. These two 20 credit modules replace the Independent Research Project, which is only required for students completing the full master’s degree.