Course summary
Do you want pursue a career in sociological or health research? Thinking of embarking on a PhD and you want to develop your existing research skills? Or do you want to diversify your career in practice to include research? If so, this could be the course for you. Our MSc Health Research can be studied either on a full-time basis over 1 year, or via modular, credit accumulation which would take between 2 and 5 years. The part-time route is helpful if you are planning on working full-time alongside your studies. This course offers an introduction to the key methodological and theoretical aspects of health-related research from a social scientific perspective. You combine perspectives from the areas of sociological research methods, and the specific application of these research methods, to the burgeoning health context of an ageing population and increased need for health care. This programme should be of interest if you wish to pursue a career in health-related research, or employment in health related governmental and non-governmental organisations, or to pursue further postgraduate study to doctoral level. On our course, you'll:
- advance your knowledge of how to design and execute health-related research from a social science perspective through a blend of theory and practise;
- explore some of the philosophical foundations of health-related social research, and how this lens influences the researcher’s approach to theory development and strategy;
- consolidate your research skills so you are adept at searching for and analysing current materials to formulate a well-rounded literature review
- examine commonplace research designs, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, using examples from published health-related literature
- have the option of gaining practical experience through a short work placement at the Institute of Social and Economic Research or another recognized survey organization where you will have the chance to engage in various activities in the running of a large-scale survey research project.
Modules
You can tailor your learning experience with a choice of optional modules. More information about these can be found on the University of Essex website
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course can be found on the course finder on the University of Essex website – www.essex.ac.uk
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £10500 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £10500 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £10500 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £10500 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £10500 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £10500 | Year 1 |
| EU | £22750 | Year 1 |
| International | £22750 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees displayed are for 2025-26 entry. Fees for part-time courses are calculated pro-rata to the relevant full-time fee.
Tuition fees may be subject to annual increases in each year of study in line with inflation.
Provider information
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ