Program Overview

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MRes Nursing and Midwifery

Overview

The MRes Nursing and Midwifery is a two-year online postgraduate program designed to prepare nurses and midwives for leading and undertaking extensive programs of research within a wide range of healthcare settings.

Study Options

• Part-time: 2 years
• UK fee: £9,720 (2025/26)
• International fee: £9,720 (2025/26)
• Start date: September
• Location: Online

Course Description

This online MRes Nursing and Midwifery program aims to prepare nurses and midwives for leading and undertaking extensive programs of research within a wide range of healthcare settings. The program seeks to give you the knowledge and skills you will need to design and execute research studies that will have maximum impact upon practice and those who access healthcare services.

What You Will Study

The MRes Nursing and Midwifery is a two-year program throughout which you will undertake five 20-credit modules and one 80-credit Independent Research Project module, totaling 180 credits at level 7.

Year One

• Trimester 1 (September): Quantitative Research Skills for Nursing and Midwifery Research (20 credits)
• Trimester 2 (January): Qualitative Research Skills for Nursing and Midwifery Research (20 credits)
• Trimester 3 (May): Methods for Managing Healthcare Research (20 credits)

Year Two

• Trimester 1 (September): Ethical and Scientific Standards for Healthcare Research (20 credits)
• Trimester 2 (January): Evaluating Healthcare Interventions (20 credits)
• Trimester 3 (May): Independent Research Project - write-up and submission (80 credits)

Core Modules

• Quantitative Research Skills for Nursing and Midwifery Research
• Qualitative Research Skills for Nursing and Midwifery Research
• Methods for Managing Health Research
• Ethical and Scientific Standards for Nursing and Midwifery Research
• Evaluating Healthcare Interventions
• Independent Research Project

How You Will Learn

• Online 1:1 supervision meetings and support with a research supervisor
• A range of online activities within each of the course modules asynchronously delivered within the learning environment
• Synchronous live sessions with interactive support from course tutors
• Peer support via online discussion and completion of module activities
• Support via email and throughout online activities within learning units

Assessment Method

• Research reports based upon the interpretation and analysis of qualitative and quantitative research data
• Recorded presentation
• Viva examination encompassing a critical discussion and questions put forward by examiners
• Research proposal for healthcare interventions
• Conduct of a significant piece of research, reported within a comprehensive thesis

Student Support and Guidance

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students
• Develop@Derby for study, personal, and employability skills

Who Will Teach You

• Dr. Andrew Dainty, Programme Leader
• Dr. Rukaiyya Muhammad, Lecturer
• Dr. Donna Barnes, Senior Lecturer in Pre-Qualifying Healthcare

Careers

The MRes Nursing and Midwifery is designed to prepare you for a career in research or further study and research at doctoral level. Students completing the MRes will be well prepared to undertake doctoral programs at the University of Derby, or other institutions offering Nursing and Midwifery Fellowships.

Entry Requirements

• Active registration as a nurse or midwife (NMC register part 1) practicing within the UK (essential)
• An Honours degree of 2:2 or above and/or evidence of level 6 or level 7 study within the last five years (essential)
• GCSE grade C or above (Grade 4-9) in Maths and English (or equivalent) (desirable)
• Experience of education or study within the last five years at level 6 or 7
• Work experience gained within a research context (desirable)

Research Proposal

Together with your application, you need to submit an outline of your proposed research topic. This is to enable us to appoint an appropriate academic supervisor during the admissions process, ready for the commencement of term.

Interviews

We want to ensure that the MRes Nursing and Midwifery program is the right program for you. Applicants will be invited to an interview (to be held via Microsoft Teams) with the program leader.

English Language Qualifications

If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course, you will need IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each area.

Recognition of Prior Learning or Experience

Exemptions can be made on the basis of prior academic study, professional qualifications, or professional experience.

Fees and Funding

• Per 20 credits: £1,080
• Modules: 6 (five 20-credit modules and one 80-credit module)
• Cost: £9,720

How to Apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.

• Official photo identification such as a passport or driving license
• Current CV
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications
• Evidence of your registration with the United Kingdom (UK) Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Sub part 1: registered nurse (any field) or midwife (midwifery register)
• Research proposal as explained under Entry Requirements

Application Deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts.