This module develops students’ abilities to plan, conduct, and evaluate a healthcare research project. Working within their own workplace, students investigate an identified knowledge gap in a specific practice area and apply appropriate research methods to address it.
Short Course & Professional Development
This module develops students’ ability to design, conduct, and evaluate research within their own healthcare practice. Through a structured introduction to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, students learn how to define research aims, establish inclusion and exclusion criteria, and address an identified gap in knowledge relevant to their professional context.
The module also builds understanding of research bias, study limitations, ethical considerations, and governance requirements. Students gain practical experience in literature reviewing, critical appraisal, formulating research questions, collecting and analysing data, and presenting findings in a clear academic format. By the end of the module, learners will be equipped with the skills needed to undertake rigorous, practice-based healthcare research.
Learning Methods
The module is delivered entirely online through a flexible learning approach, using the University’s virtual learning environment, Moodle.
Students follow a structured timeline of activities and webinars while progressing at a pace that suits their learning style. Teaching combines asynchronous materials - directed readings, short microlearning videos, and practical tasks - with synchronous evening webinars held on Microsoft Teams. These evening webinars take the form of roundtable discussions and promote peer learning, tutor feedback, and opportunities to address challenges.
All webinars are recorded for 24/7 access, supporting students who balance study with professional commitments. Video resources include subtitles and are embedded in the virtual learning environment requiring no specialist software to view the resources.
Activity Summary
- Webinar - 20-30 students per group, 2 hours, three times per semester
- Project supervision - 20-50 hours per semester
- Independent study - 400-500 hours per course
Independent Study
The course consists of self-directed learning and several formative assignments to support your development. You will take the lead in identifying a project area within your own workplace to research as the main activity of the course. The number of hours of studying required per week is variable and depends on your workload and other commitments.
Assessment
Typically students are assessed via a report and an oral assessment or presentation.
Staff delivering on this course
Our staff include experienced academic pharmacists with a broad range of experience in undertaking healthcare research. Our staff develop learning materials, facilitate discussion forums, and participate in assessments and marking.
Find out moreRGUflex
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in a healthcare related discipline from a UK university or overseas equivalent, at a minimum of honours level OR in consultation with the course leader.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.
We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:
Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.
Academic Year 2025/2026
- All fees are to be confirmed.
Additional Costs
Some other costs are not included in the course fees:
- The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
- Costs associated with any placement / study abroad
- Accommodation and Living Costs
- Printing
Disclaimer
For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:
*"Rest of UK (RUK) and Ireland" includes England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Any questions?
Get in touch with the our Professional Development Team and we'll do out best to help.