Program Overview

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Research Methods for Health

Overview

Learn to design and carry out healthcare research projects. Study part-time with active health researchers at an award-winning health sciences university.

Key Info

• Learning Mode: Online
• Study Level: Postgraduate SCQF Level 11
• Credits: 60
• Typical Duration: 16 months
• Start Month: September or January
• Indicative Cost: £5,490

What You'll Study

• Critically appraise research evidence (including systematic reviewing)
• Develop a research question and justify an appropriate study design
• Select the most suitable statistical method for analysis
• Choose the right methods to generate, handle and analyse qualitative data
• Interpret your findings

Who is This Online PgCert For?

This distance-learning PgCert is designed to help healthcare professionals, policymakers and early-career researchers improve their research qualifications in their spare time. Studying part-time online, there's no need to relocate or take a career break.

Fits Around Full-Time Work

This PgCert is designed to fit around work. With part-time hours and 24/7 study access.

You're in Expert Hands

We've been delivering online and distance learning for decades.

NHS and Alumni Discounts

NHS staff get 10% off this qualification. University of Aberdeen alumni get 20% off.

What You'll Study

You can choose to study for a:

• Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
• or start with one of the short courses that make up this PgCert (15 credits)

Postgraduate Certificate - 60 credits

You'll work through four 15-credit courses to gain your PgCert.

You can start your studies in September or January and progress at a pace that suits you.

Duration

Typically, it takes 16 months to complete this MSc part-time. To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term.

In this flexible PgCert, you can also take breaks between courses.

Compulsory Course

• Applied Statistics (15 credits, January)

Optional Courses

Choose three of these courses:

• Evidence-Based Health (15 credits, September)
• Epidemiology (15 credits, September)
• Fundamentals of Research Design (15 credits, September)
• Qualitative Health Research (15 credits, September)

We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to change. Further information about potential changes can be viewed here.

Start with a Short Course

Not sure you can commit to the full PgCert? You can start with a short course that's part of the award instead.

The credits from each of these short courses count towards this PgCert. You can study any of these courses standalone, or build your way towards the full award.

Short Courses

• Applied Statistics (15 credits, September or January)
• Epidemiology (15 credits, September)
• Evidence-Based Health (15 credits, September)
• Fundamentals of Research Design (15 credits, September)
• Qualitative Health Research (15 credits, September)

How You'll Study

Online Learning

Research Methods for Health is delivered flexibly, 100% online.

Your Teaching

Your online teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you'll need in your studies.

You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You'll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including:

• Podcasts
• Discussion boards
• Journal articles
• Online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library

Your Tutors

This online PgCert is designed and led by our Institute of Applied Health Sciences. You'll learn from a dedicated, interdisciplinary team of experienced researchers. Each course has its own specialised coordinator.

We actively encourage engagement with other students, so you'll also learn from your peers across countries and disciplines.

Assessments

This PgCert is assessed entirely online. We use several types of assessment, including multiple-choice quizzes, short online tests, essays, presentations and peer review.

Study Hours

Hours for Taught Courses

A 60-credit PgCert takes around 600 hours of study and assessment time to complete.

If you plan to study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. Students typically take one or two 15-credit short courses per term.

• 15 credits: Around 150 hours of study and assessment time to complete. You'll study 10 – 15 hours per week per term.
• 30 credits: Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete. You'll study 20 – 30 hours per week per term.

This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.

You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.

Activities at Fixed Times

There may be some activities scheduled at fixed times, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.

Study Experience

When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you're never alone in your studies.

But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.

Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.

Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:

• Be realistic
• Create a weekly schedule as a guide

If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We're here to help.

Support

Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren't alone in your studies. You'll have contact with your tutors via MyAberdeen and email. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.

We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:

• Careers and Employability Service – including one-to-one advice sessions
• Disability support
• IT support
• Library support
• Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
• Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
• Aberdeen University Students' Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
• Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier

Wherever you are in the world, you'll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.

Use Your Local University Libraries

We're a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).

Access Study Spaces, Books and Journals in Your Area

The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.

You'll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.

Your Support Team

Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.

• Professor Amanda Lee: Amanda is co-programme coordinator. She'll be on hand to answer any questions about course content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.
• Professor Kirsty Kiezebrink: Kirsty is co-programme coordinator. She'll be on hand to answer any questions about course content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.
• Clare McHattie: Clare is part of the School's postgraduate teaching support team. She'll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.

Where This Will Take You

Towards a PgDip and Masters

This PgCert underpins many of our online degrees. You can use it to continue on to our:

• PgDip and MSc in Clinical Nutrition
• PgDip and MSc in Health Economics for Health Professionals
• Master of Public Health (MPH)

You can also use your PgCert as the first stage in gaining an MSc in Applied Health Sciences.

Careers

Your qualification will be recognised by healthcare employers and learning institutions around the world. Your PgCert will give you the skills to:

• Confidently carry out health research and lead improvements in your workplace
• Be more competitive in securing external funding for projects to improve health and reduce health inequalities

You'll also have broadened your network of professional contacts.

Lifelong Career Support

Our career support doesn't stop when you graduate.

You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.

• 1:1 appointments
• CV checks
• Interview prep
• Job opportunities

Fees and Funding

Postgraduate Certificate

• 60 credits: £5,490

This indicative cost is based on 60 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.

The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.

Our tuition fees will rise by 3% for the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years. Our indicative cost includes a 3% fee rise each year.

Pay as You Go

This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.

You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.

You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.

How it Works

• You decide how many credits to study for each term.
• At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you're taking that term.
• This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your qualification.

Your Personalised Cost Breakdown

Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.

Additional Costs

Learning Resources

Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They'll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.

Printing

You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.

Funding Your Studies

There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:

• Employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors
• Student loans
• Scholarships – search our funding database for scholarships

Discounts

20% Alumni Discount

You're entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen.

10% NHS Discount

NHS staff receive 10% off online postgraduate degrees and short courses offered by our School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; our School of Psychology; and our ILM leadership courses.

How Discounts Work

Discounts are applied during your application process. Only one discount can be used per application. If you are eligible for more than one discount, we will apply the largest discount for you.

Entry Requirements

PgCert

• A 2:2 (lower-second) health-related honours degree
• or be able to demonstrate evidence of equivalent experience in healthcare practice or research

These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.

Short Course Route to PgCert Research Methods for Health

If you do not meet these entry requirements, or are not ready to commit to a full PgCert, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into the PgCert instead.

How to Apply

You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.

What You Need to Apply for This Degree

• Degree transcript
• Personal statement
• Degree certificate
• CV / Resume

Apply Now

Start with our step-by-step guide. It explains degree transcripts, what to write in your personal statement and how to use our Applicant Portal.

When to Apply

You can apply to start in either September or January.

Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.

September 2025 Intake

For our September 2025 intake, the application deadline is 8 September 2025.

You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 15 September 2025.

Teaching starts on 22 September 2025.

January 2026 Intake

Teaching starts on 26 January 2026.

Application deadlines will be announced in due course.

International Students

Entry Requirements

We welcome students from all over the world.

See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.

Visa Requirements

You do not need a student visa to study online with us.

English Language Requirements

Teaching is delivered in English.

If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.

English Language Tests and Scores

If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept.

These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements.

• IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
  • 6.5 overall
  • 5.5 for listening and speaking
  • 6.0 for reading and writing
• TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
  • 90 overall
  • 17 for listening
  • 21 for reading
  • 20 for speaking
  • 21 for writing
  • TOEFL DI code is 0818
• Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
  • 176 overall
  • 162 for listening and speaking
  • 169 for reading and writing
• LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT
  • 70 overall
  • 60 for listening and speaking
  • 65 for reading and writing
• Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
  • 7.0 overall
  • 5.0 for listening and speaking
  • 6.0 for reading and writing
• PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
  • 62 overall
  • 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
• Skills for English: SELT
  • B2 pass with merit
• Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
  • 120 overall
  • 95 for listening and speaking
  • 105 for reading and writing
• University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
  • Pass
  • Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
• Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
  • Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
  • B2 in all four skills
  • Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course

For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.

IT Requirements

You will need access to:

• A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) with an up-to-date operating system
• Reliable internet access
  • We recommend:
    • a wired connection
    • a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions
• Speakers or headphones
  • We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you're likely to study in an environment with background noise
  • A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions
• Software
  • We'll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices
  • If your course requires specialist software, we'll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies

See our detailed IT requirements for more information.