MSc Research and Quality Improvement in Health and Care
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Our MSc in Research and Quality Improvement (QI) in Health and Care is your gateway to making a real impact. This cutting-edge, multi-professional programme doesn't just teach you fundamental research skills – it empowers you to apply them directly to transform healthcare outcomes.
What sets this programme apart? Complete personalisation. You'll build essential research knowledge while crafting your own individualised learning pathway through carefully tailored modules that match your career ambitions and specialty interests.
This programme is suitable for professionals with clinical and non-clinical health and care research interests. Whether you're working as a health or care professional or in another health and care research-related role, it’ll enable you to improve outcomes, enhance individuals' well-being, and influence health and care policy
The content of the programme is informed by current capability frameworks (NIHR Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework (2023), NHSE Multi-Professional Practice-based Research Capabilities Framework (2023)) and by internal and external stakeholder engagement. The whole programme is underpinned by analysis and evaluation of the health and care contexts in which research and Quality Improvement take place, consideration of stakeholder and research participant experience, and the design and delivery of effective health and care research and research-related activity. You'll apply your enhanced knowledge, understanding and skills in your own final-year systematic review, small-scale research or Quality Improvement project.
The course is designed to be taken part-time and is available fully online, enabling you to study at a distance whether you're based in the UK or internationally. Flexible access to a full portfolio of modules allows you to complete single modules as standalone Continuous Professional Development (CPD), which you can subsequently import (within 5 years), or enrol directly to undertake the full Master's.
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you'll build a solid foundation through a carefully designed mix of compulsory and evidence-based practice modules.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Modules are taught fully online over 12 weeks, with one module taken per term.
A 20-credit module requires approximately 200 effort hours to complete successfully, including 70-80 hours of asynchronous and live online learning, practice-based and/or academic supervision (if applicable), and assessment preparation. Additionally, you're expected to conduct independent study, such as finding, evaluating, and applying evidence to support your academic writing and thinking. This independent work not only enhances your learning experience but also helps build a robust evidence base for your professional practice.
Our modules consist of asynchronous learning which you'll engage with flexibly, on a day and time that's convenient to you. Our learning has been carefully curated to include a wide range of engaging and informative online learning resources and activities. You'll also attend supported live online sessions including focused tutorials and webinars. Additionally, some modules may involve practice-based activity requiring practice-based supervisory support.
Module organisers are experienced academics with a strong research background. Modules are further supported by teams of knowledgeable academics and research practitioners with appropriate specialist expertise and the experience to help you apply your academic learning to practice.
Assessment
Assessments across the programme have been designed to ensure diverse assessment methods to accommodate different learning styles and abilities. Our assessments purposefully develop your research capability and skills in analysis, evaluation, and dissemination that are part of everyday research practice in health and care. Types of assessments you'll complete include reflective writing, research proposals and commentaries, research protocol/report analysis, examinations, oral and poster presentations, evaluative conversations, and portfolio development.
Structure
Your second year combines further compulsory modules with methodological training, plus the flexibility to choose from a range of optional modules. This enables you to tailor your learning experience to your specific interests, career goals, and professional aspirations.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your second year, modules continue online, with one module per term.
Each 20-credit module requires approximately 200 study hours, including 70-80 hours of structured online learning and independent research work to support your academic writing and professional practice.
You'll engage with flexible asynchronous learning at convenient times, plus curated online resources and live tutorials/webinars. Some modules may include practice-based activities with supervisory support.
Experienced research academics lead modules, supported by specialist practitioners who help you apply academic learning to professional practice.
Assessment
In year two, assessments will continue to vary to accommodate your learning style and abilities. Types of assessments you'll complete include reflective writing, research proposals and commentaries, research protocol/report analysis, examinations, oral and poster presentations, evaluative conversations, and portfolio development.
Structure
In your third year, you’ll complete either a Quality Improvement or Health Research Dissertation—an exciting opportunity to explore a topic that genuinely interests you and showcase your expertise through original research.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching and learning in your third year focuses on providing the support and supervision required for you to complete your dissertation successfully. As a 60-credit module, your dissertation module equates to 600 hours of effort. Although this will include asynchronous and live online learning to support your project design, implementation, and evaluation, most of this time will be spent in independent study. You'll be allocated a dissertation supervisor, who will meet with you regularly throughout the year to provide personalised guidance and support for your project.
Assessment
In your third year, you'll undertake either a Quality Improvement Dissertation or Health Research Dissertation.
The Quality Improvement Dissertation consists of a written case for change and project plan, and a poster presentation with an evaluative conversation.
The Health Research Dissertation consists of a project report of a systematic review, primary quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods research project, or secondary data analysis.
Employability
After the Course
The knowledge, skills, values and behaviours you develop after completing this course will enhance your career progression across a range of roles within health and care. This may include clinical research practitioner, early career researcher, doctoral research student, biomedical scientist, medical clinician, advanced, specialist and consultant practitioner, manager and leader in health and care settings and roles in the health pharmaceutical industry and medical technology. Whichever route you choose, you'll be playing a vital role in contributing to knowledge generation and improvement in health and care.
The learning community you'll join through the programme will also help you build networks and collaborations that will boost the value of your qualification and open up opportunities for you to contribute to important health-related research projects.
Once you graduate, you'll also have opportunities to develop as a researcher in various roles - from clinical research fellow to clinical or health research practitioner, clinical academic, embedded researcher, or positions within wider research networks. You could even progress to leading academic or clinical research programmes across different health and care settings.
As a graduate, you'll also be able to mentor and supervise others looking to build their research skills, helping to deliver research education and training in health and social care. This will boost your career development alongside your professional practice, strengthen your role within your team, and give you the chance to make a real difference.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Eligibility for further study options (master's or doctoral degrees) across the health and care sectors.
- Eligibility for clinical academic jobs, e.g. working in research groups in universities or as a lecturer-practitioner).
- Research or Quality Improvement roles, including those requiring recognition and approval by professional and regulatory bodies.
- Leadership roles.
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2 within the last 5 years
Degree Subject
Health Care subject
- Additional Entry Requirements
We can consider current Registered Healthcare professionals (including Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists) with a minimum of 2 years post registration practice experience, working at Band 5 and above in a suitable clinical facing role with equivalent evidence of recent study in the last 5 years which includes
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Two or more degree level 6 CPD modules achieving 55% and above
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One or more Masters level 7 CPD modules achieving 50% and above
Memorandum of Understanding
You must submit a Memorandum of Understanding at the time of application. Your manager will need to confirm that you will be given the time and resources required for the programme.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent within the last 5 years.
Degree Subject
Health Care subject
- Additional Entry Requirements
We can consider current Registered Healthcare professionals (including Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists) with a minimum of 2 years post registration practice experience, working at Band 5 and above in a suitable clinical facing role with equivalent evidence of recent study in the last 5 years which includes
-
Two or more degree level 6 CPD modules achieving 55% and above
-
One or more Masters level 7 CPD modules achieving 50% and above
Memorandum of Understanding
You must submit a Memorandum of Understanding at the time of application. Your manager will need to confirm that you will be given the time and resources required for the programme.
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- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.