The Institute for Health Research (IHR) is delighted to offer a number of research opportunities under the MSc by Research, with awards in Public Health, Diabetes, Mental Health, Cancer, Renal Medicine, Child and Maternal Health, HIV/AIDS, and other medical subjects. The IHR has recently developed two new MSc by Research programmes in Clinical Biomechanics, and in Health and Ageing.

Students benefit from an opportunity to be supervised by eminent researchers in the field and to contribute to policy and practice. The student would complete a 10-18-month project and write up a 15-20,000 word thesis, which will be examined via an Oral Viva with an External Examiner.

There are many reasons as to why students opt to study either a Taught Master's or a Master's by Research at Bedfordshire - whether it's because you want to study a subject you enjoy in more detail, whether you want to progress and develop your career, or if you simply want to become an expert in your chosen field.

To help you decide whether this course is right for you and your needs, read the information below.

Master's by Research

Master's by Research includes both research methods training in the relevant discipline and a substantial research project. They are valuable, and sometimes necessary if you are planning to progress to a PhD. In some disciplines, it is expected that you will complete a Master's level course with a substantial research element before progressing on to a PhD, and so you may find it difficult to find funding for a PhD without doing so.

If you are unsure whether a PhD is right for you, a Master's by Research can give you a great insight in to what studying for a doctorate might be like, whilst at the same time allowing you to earn a valuable Master's level qualification.

Advantages of studying a Master's by Research

• Gain an insight in to what PhD study is like
• Enables you to focus on a particular research area that interests you
• Enables you to progress on to PhD or Doctorate study, including increasing your chances of obtaining a scholarship if your MSc leads to any publications
• Independent study opportunity to develop your own area of interest
• Useful if you are considering a career in the commercial world where research is a key focus

If you wish to apply for this programme, please contact research@beds.ac.uk for details and an application form.

If you would like to apply for either the MSc by Research (Clinical Biomechanics) or the MSc by Research (Health and Ageing), please contact Professor David Hewson at david.hewson@beds.ac.uk

More details of the two programmes can be found here:

• Clinical Biomechanics
• Health and Ageing