Master of Clinical Science

Program Overview

Master of Clinical Science

About the course

This course is primarily designed for graduates of clinical and biomedical degrees who wish to develop skills in cognate research fields or disciplines, or who are required to complete research training as part of their specialist training. Students develop an understanding of the research process and demonstrate competence in different aspects of designing and commencing a research study.

Career Pathways

Clinicians undertaking this course will acquire skills in evidence-based enquiry and the evaluation of clinical studies which will be embedded in their future clinical careers.
Clinician and biomedical scientists will acquire the research training skills to progress to PhD enrolment and careers in academia.
Biomedical scientists undertaking this course will develop enhanced research skills as graduates working in biomedical or clinical research groups or may progress to PhD candidature or postgraduate professional degrees.

Further Study

This course provides students with Honours 2A equivalence for direct entry into higher degree by research courses, including the Doctor of Philosophy.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.

Domestic Student Fees for Full-Fee Paying Places

If you're not eligible for a Commonwealth-supported places, you will be charged a for Full-Fee Paying place. For Full-Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load.

Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course. Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course type to find out more. Fees are subject to annual indexation. More information on how fees are calculated.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree in a relevant clinical or biomedical discipline, or a relevant clinical professional postgraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA
AND EITHER
(b)(i) the equivalent of a UWA course weighted average mark of at least 60 per cent
OR
(b)(ii) Two years of relevant professional work experience in health or medical sciences

English Competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Course Details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Part-time only
• Delivery: On-campus, Online
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Level of study: Postgraduate
• Course Code: 90740
• This course is not available to international student visa holders

Course Structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

• Core: Take all units from this group (12 points)
  • MEDC5805 Principles of Research Methods in Medicine (6)
  • MEDC5806 Principles of Evidence-Based Practice (6)
• Option - GROUP A: Take unit(s) according to sequence notes.
  • AHEA5801 Aboriginal Health Research and Ethics (6)
  • PUBH4403 Epidemiology I (6)
  • PUBH5752 Health Systems and Economics (6)
  • PUBH5757 Clinical Epidemiology (6)
  • PUBH5769 Biostatistics II (6)
  • PUBH5785 Analysis of Linked Health Data (6)
  • PUBH5805 Qualitative Research Methods in Health (6)
• Option - GROUP B: Take unit(s) according to sequence notes.
  • PAED4401 Research Conduct and Ethics (6)
  • PUBH4401 Biostatistics I (6)
• Option - Group C: Take unit(s) according to sequence notes.
  • MEDC5801 Development and Communication of Research (6)
  • SCOM4402 Synthesising Research Literature: Reviewing, Analysing, and Reporting (6)
• Child Health Research specialisation: Take all units (24 points)
  • PAED5505 Child Health Research Project Part I (12)
  • PAED5506 Child Health Research Project Part II (12)
• Clinical Research specialisation: Take all units (24 points)
  • MEDC5803 Clinical Research Project Part I (12)
  • MEDC5804 Clinical Research Project Part II (12)
• Clinical Science Training specialisation: Take all units (12 points)
  • PAED4401 Research Conduct and Ethics (6)
  • PUBH4401 Biostatistics I (6)
• Emergency Medicine Research specialisation: Take all units (24 points)
  • EMED5504 Emergency Medicine Research Project Part I (12)
  • EMED5505 Emergency Medicine Research Project Part II (12)
• Surgical Research specialisation: Take all units (24 points)
  • SURG5854 Surgery Research Project Part I (12)
  • SURG5855 Surgery Research Project Part II (12)

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Science

The course structure allows students to exit the course with a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Science after the first year (part-time) on completion of 24 credit points.

Specialisations

Students have the option to specialise in one of the following:

• Clinical Research
• Surgical Research
• Child Health Research
• Emergency Medicine Research
• Clinical Science Training

What you'll learn

Graduates will have expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills in research to independently:

1. critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories,
2. research and apply established theories to a body of knowledge or health practice, and
3. interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Why study this course?

1. Gain a greater understanding of research processes through incorporating research findings into evidence-based clinical practice
2. Students have the opportunity to further advance their research skills through projects or workshops and develop knowledge of the most current techniques within the research specialities of their choice
3. UWA is ranked 34th in the world and 3rd in Australia for clinical medicine (GRAS 2024)