NIHR INSIGHT South West Central Collaboration (SWCC) Programme

Project details

The NIHR INSIGHT South West Central Collaboration Programme – MRes allows you to undertake a research project at Master’s level which would be assessed via submission of a thesis and a viva voce.

Tailor your studies to your specific interests or career aspirations such as; healthcare, midwifery, nursing, leadership, womens’ health or well-being, long term conditions (mental health) and dementia. Other areas include radiography and medical imaging, physiotherapy and musculoskeletal health, occupational therapy, nutrition, exercise, operating department practice and paramedic science the social sciences, humanisation or social work.

You can set out to find the answer to a particular research question and will have the chance to delve more deeply into a subject area that you are passionate about.

Your research project will be developed in collaboration with our academic University staff who will provide you with specialist knowledge and supervisory input, while accessing BU’s technical and information resources.

You will also be part of BU’s wider postgraduate community and have access to the suite of research, professional and personal training offered through the Doctoral College and your Faculty of health and Social Sciences. 

We strongly encourage collaboration across specialisms, and an MRes provides an opportunity to work with supervisors from various backgrounds to deliver truly impactful research. It is highly recommended, although not essential, that you contact potential supervisors before submitting your application to ensure we have the supervisory capacity for your research. This can be done by searching our staff profile pages for your subject area.

The completion time for the full-time course is 12 months and part-time, 24 months.

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Supervisors

NIHR INSIGHT SWCC BU Lead: Professor Carol Clark 

NIHR INSIGHT SWCC BU MRes Programme Lead: Dr Lesley Gelling

NIHR INSIGHT SWCC BU Engagement Lead: Dr Theophilius Akudjedu

Funding

The cost of tuition fees and a tax-free studentship stipend at the UKRI rate. For 2025-2026, the stipend is £10,780 for full-time study and £10,390 for part-time study.

Both full-time and part-time studentships are available. Those studying full-time study are expected to complete their research masters degree within 12 months and those studying part-time are expected to complete within 24 months. Award holders may simultaneously develop their profession-specific skills, with some restrictions to ensure successful completion of the degree. Full-time students may work up to one day a week (0.2FTE) of paid employment and part-time students may work up to three days a week (0.6FTE) of paid employment while in receipt of the studentship.

Full entry requirements

Who is eligible to apply for an MRes

We would normally expect you to have an Honours degree at Upper Second Class (2:1).

Some supervisors may ask you for additional entry requirements such as relevant work experience, evidence of written work, or previous study of a particular subject.

Who is eligible to apply for a studentship

The studentships are available to those who meet the following eligibility criteria.

• Working towards or registered with one of the following Regulatory Bodies: Academy for Healthcare Science, General Chiropractic Council, General Dental Council, General Medical Council, General Optical Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, Health and Care Professions Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Social Work England, UK Public Health Register. (Please note: this does not include doctors and dentists).
• Newly graduated or up to three years experience of practice as a registered health or care professional.
• Have UK home student status. (see https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Fees-and-Money/England-HE-fee-status for further information)
• Planning to apply and study for the Masters in Research Health and Care Research at UWE Bristol or Masters in Research (MRes) at Bournemouth University.  

For entry to our research masters programmes, we normally require a Bachelors honours degree of 2:1 or above (or equivalent if it is a non-UK degree) in a relevant subject. If you do not meet the above grade requirements but have at least 12 months relevant professional experience and/ or equivalent qualifications, we will consider you on an individual basis.  Where English is not your first language, an IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 minimum (with a minimum 6.5 in each component, or equivalent) is required and this must be evidenced at point of application.

How to apply

The third round of Research Masters studentships is open now to start in September 2026. You will be selected for an interview for the MRes programmes based on your application for a Research masters studentship and a BU MRes application. Closing date for BU MRes applications has been extended to 30 June 2026. An online interview lasting up to 30 minutes will be arranged once your application has been reviewed. Recipients for the Research Masters Studentships funded by NIHR INSIGHT will be selected by a South West Central selection panel, taking into account both of your application forms and your interview. 

Step 1: Complete the NIHR funded INSIGHT program South West Central online application form for a Research Masters studentship.

This will ask you for a statement about why you would like to obtain a Research Masters studentship funded by the NIHR INSIGHT programme. Information about your proposed research and an outline of contextual factors that are relevant to your application.
Preparation and mentorship  opportunities are provided to help prepare your answers before you complete the online form.

Step 2: Complete the online BU admissions application form for your preferred research Masters programme (Full time or part time).
You will need to provide a research proposal of around 750 words long (excluding references).

The selection process

You will be selected for an interview for the MRes programmes based on your admissions application form. An online interview lasting up to 30 minutes will be arranged once your application has been reviewed. Recipients for the Research Masters Studentships funded by NIHR INSIGHT will be selected by a South West Central selection panel, taking into account both of your application forms and your interview.