(Part time) 2021 start
Health Research PGCert
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
The Postgraduate Certificate can be taken as a stand-alone qualification or as a stepping stone to a Postgraduate Diploma. The Certificate provides introductory research training for health professionals with an interest in researching health and healthcare, often undertaken within National Health Service Settings.
Through the course you will study a wide range of topics such as philosophy of research, quantitative and qualitative research design, critical appraisal of published papers, questionnaire design, recording and analysing data, analytic research design,
Develop and connect
You’ll be taught by academics who are active researchers and experienced in delivering high quality and practically focused learning and teaching. Your fellow students will come from a range of health disciplines creating a lively and dynamic learning environment.
You’ll have access to University facilities, including the Health Sciences library, which provides computing facilities, a broad range of books and journals and a quiet environment for private study.
Virtual Postgraduate Open Day
Register your interest in our upcoming postgraduate virtual open day, which will feature a live subject talk and Q&A from our Health Research team.
More information
We have designed the course to fit around you and your personal and work commitments. You register initially for the Postgraduate Certificate, which you can join in either September or February. Successful completion of the Certificate means you can apply to register on the Postgraduate Diploma. All programmes are part time. Most modules are around four days' duration, with a gap of two or more weeks between modules. Typically, the Certificate can be gained after six months of study and the Diploma after a further year.
Course content
The Postgraduate Certificate is an introductory course in research skills and consists of four compulsory 15-credit modules. The certificate is offered twice yearly in September and February. Topics include the philosophy of research, quantitative and qualitative research design, critical appraisal of published papers, questionnaire design, recording and analysing data, analytic research design, systematic reviews and writing and disseminating research.
This course provides extensive use of problem-based classes, workbook exercises, hands-on computer sessions and group participation.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Analytic Research 15 credits
- Intervention Research 15 credits
- Getting started in health research 15 credits
- Capturing and Handling Data in Research 15 credits
Learning and teaching
Effective and enjoyable learning about research skills involves activity: on this course you will find that there is extensive use of problem-based classes, workbook exercises, hands-on computer sessions and group participation.
You’ll have access to electronic copies of all the teaching materials through our Virtual Learning Environment and to the Library’s extensive collection of online journals.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessments reflect teaching style and depend heavily on the assignments. They could typically involve completion of problem schedules and workbooks and critical appraisal of published research.
Your results in all modules count towards the final qualification.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
Normally applicants should hold a degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, a profession allied to medicine, health management, a biological science or a social science.
Non-graduates can undertake programmes leading to postgraduate awards with the University of Leeds if they have adequate and relevant professional qualifications. We welcome enquiries and applications from non-graduates with work experience in health research.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
School of Medicine Taught Postgraduate Policy 2021
Fees
- UK: £3,416 (total)
- International: £7,500 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
Many of our successful participants work in the UK National Health Service or in universities associated with the NHS and its research projects. Graduates of this course have gone on to research degrees, research fellowships, and research posts within the NHS and the university sector.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.