Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Charterhouse Square
- Fees
- Home: TBC
Overseas: TBC
The course fee is charged per annum for the first 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.
What you'll study
Studying on the programme will help you develop an invaluable set of generic research skills and knowledge including:
- clinical research project design and implementation
- written and oral communication
- logical and critical thinking.
The programme comprises two parts.
- Part 1 covers the key generic skills and knowledge needed to undertake clinical research
- Part 2 gives you a choice of elective modules on literature research, a practical project, and writing a grant proposal
You will be required to critically review a research field and prepare dissertations that show insight and novel interpretation of material.
The programme runs across the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, taking advantage of our outstanding research and educational expertise in all the component Institutes. You will receive formal training in the regulatory and ethical framework for clinical research and develop your key skills in research design, statistical analysis and critical review.
You will be taught by external experts from the pharmaceutical industry, and the interdisciplinary nature of your learning will give you useful networking opportunities. You will meet industry colleagues and liaise closely with our associated NHS Trusts.
Structure
The programme includes a 60-credit section (four 15-credit modules) leading to the PGCert in Clinical Research, or forming Part 1 (compulsory) of a PGDip or MRes in Clinical Research. Part 1 covers the key generic skills and knowledge to prepare you to undertake clinical research. This includes modules on ethics and regulation, data management and statistics, clinical study design, and options on practical aspects of clinical studies and communication and public engagement. Modules may be shared with other programmes.
Part 2 of the programme comprises of three optional 60-credit modules on literature research, a practical project, and writing a grant proposal. Successful completion of one or two modules, (in addition to Part 1,) would lead to award of PGDip or MRes respectively. All three modules require you to critically review a research field and prepare dissertations requiring insight and novel interpretation of material.
You will be permitted to register on any of the courses at the outset, with the option of transferring to a higher course, subject to conditions.
Part-time
Part-time study options often mean that the number of modules taken is reduced per semester, with the full modules required to complete the programme spread over two academic years. Teaching is generally done during the day and part-time students should contact the course convenor to get an idea of when these teaching hours are likely to take place. Timetables are likely to be finalised in September but you may be able to gain an expectation of what will be required.
Core modules
(Part 1)
- Clinical study design
- Ethics and regulation in clinical research
- Data management
- Statistics
Option modules
(Part 1)
- Communication and public engagement
- Practical aspects of clinical research
(Part 2)
- Research from the literature
- Practical project
- The grant proposal
Compulsory/Core Elective modules
Practical Project
Research from the Literature
The Grant Proposal
Elective modules
Assessment
Part 1 modules are assessed by a mixture of written continuous assessments and may include an oral presentation.
Part 2 modules are assessed by a dissertation in a style specific to each of your chosen modules.
Teaching
Modules are taught through short blocks of lectures and workshops.
You will have an Academic Adviser who will guide you in both academic and pastoral matters throughout your studies.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- The William Harvey Research Institute offers state-of-the art core facilities, including a Genome Centre, a flow cytometry and cell sorting station, and in vivo imaging facilities
- A Learning Resources Centre, open around the clock, with 200 networked PCs solely for the use of postgraduate students
- Medical libraries located at the Royal London and St Bart's hospitals and at the main university campus at Mile End
- Access to the Postgraduate Reading Room
- Research access to the British Library
About the Institute
William Harvey Research Institute
The William Harvey Research Institute (WHRI) places a high value upon training the next generation of researchers. We are part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary University of London, which is ranked joint seventh in the UK for the quality of our research (REF 2021).
Our primary research focus and excellence lies in our cardiovascular, inflammation and endocrine research themes. In addition, we achieve international excellence in critical care and perioperative medicine research. We aim to combine talents from different disciplines such as genomics, cell biology, and pharmacology, with translational bench-to-patient studies and large-scale clinical trials.
We are currently the largest pharmacological research institute in the UK University sector, and one of the largest in Europe. The Centre employs 530 clinicians and scientists from 45 countries.
Career paths
If you are an Academic Clinical Fellow or Clinical Lecturer at Queen Mary or an associated NHS Trust, this Clinical Research MRes programme will give you credit-bearing research training.
Your relevant training in research methodology will meet the requirements of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and other funders.
- 93% of WHRI graduates are in employment or further study (2020/21)
- 88% of WHRI graduates in employment or study are in highly skilled work or graduate study (2020/21)
Fees and funding
Part-time study
September 2025 | 2 years
- Home: TBC
- Overseas: TBC
The course fee is charged per annum for the first 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
January 2026 | 2 years
- Home: £12,650
- Overseas: £
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The course fee is charged per annum for the first 2 years. Note that fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
Applicants should have MBBS or BDS and be employed as Academic Clinical Fellow or Clinical Lecturer at Queen Mary or associated NHS Trusts.
Other routes
Individuals with non-clinical qualifications and employment at Queen Mary or associated NHS Trusts will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the William Harvey Research Institute falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
Please note, there are some postgraduate programmes with non-standard English language requirements in this Institute.
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.