Masters | Postgraduate Course - Clinical Research MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip Course Details within Cranfield University

MSc/PgDip/PgCert 1 Year FT up to 3 Years PT

In the 21st Century, healthcare expenditure makes a vital contribution to the performance of the global economy. The demand on the healthcare industry for high quality products and services makes medical drugs and devices two of the most profitable business sectors in the world. Against this backdrop is the need to provide value for money, ensure the efficacy and safety of drugs and devices and reduce the time it takes for them to reach the market. This is where clinical researchers make an important contribution.

Clinical research is conducted on a global scale to ensure organisations provide a consistent approach and service – no matter where in the world it is being delivered.

Today’s clinical research personnel must demonstrate an appreciation of the discovery process for medical interventions by attaining a thorough understanding of experimental design and statistical interpretation and a knowledge of national, European and international regulations, guidelines, ethical requirements and research governance.

Increasingly employers are demanding highly qualified and well trained professional staff, who are able to work within a team environment and complete tasks efficiently within specified time scales. The blend of skills and knowledge offered in this course, comprising scientific and clinical practice, communication skills and refined project management provide an excellent starting point for a career in clinical research.

Increasingly employers are demanding highly qualified and well trained professional staff, who are able to work within a team environment and complete tasks efficiently within specified time scales. The blend of skills and knowledge offered in this course, comprising scientific and clinical practice, communication skills and refined project management provide an excellent starting point for a career in clinical research.

Upon successful completion of this course, among other skills you will be able to:

- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the scientific requirements of drug discovery and clinical research in different settings (pharmaceuticals, devices, diagnostics, natural products, etc)
- Apply ethical and regulatory principles appropriate to any individual research project
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the reliability of medical evidence obtained through different approaches and to critically evaluate experimental designs and the appropriateness of their application
- Interpret, critique and apply the information included in medical publications
- Communicate both orally and in writing complex scientific data to a variety of audiences including the medical profession and their support staff, regulatory authorities, media and patients
- Demonstrate the ability to undertake an individual research project thus applying the principles of experimental design, data collection, analysis and critique.

The course is divided into three parts:

Compulsory Modules

Eight compulsory modules structured to cover the scientific, technological, managerial, ethical and commercial aspects of this complex topic.

This element constitutes 40% of the overall mark. The marks for each of the modules are usually obtained through a combination of written assignments, group presentations and examination.

Group Project 

Working in a team, using knowledge and skills gained during the taught modules you'll prepare a substantial dossier of required documentation for a clinical research programme. 

This element constitutes 20% of the overall mark. The marks are obtained through individual and group assessments. 

Personal Research Project and Thesis

A four month research project, carried out either at Cranfield, in industry or academia or for part-time candidates - in your place of work. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to apply your  new-found knowledge and skills in a real-life setting, it also allows you to make invaluable contacts with potential employers before even completing the course. 

This element constitutes 40% of the overall mark. The marks are obtained from a combination of a submitted thesis, oral presentation of your research and application and initiative shown during the project which is assessed by the supervisor.

The course content has been created to provide students with the skills, knowledge and practical experience necessary for a successful career in clinical research.

The Clinical Research MSc is comprised of the following segments:

Modules

1 Translation of New Medicinal Products into the Clinic

2 Research Design and Methodology

3 Statistical Analysis and Interpretation

4 Research Governance and Ethics

5 Preclinical Evaluation

6 Clinical Trial Practice

7 Regulatory Requirements and Marketing-Research Interface

8 Business Principles 

Group Project

Personal Research Project

1st or 2nd class honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such as a biological science, medicine, medicinal chemistry, dentistry, nursing, pharmacology, pharmacy, physiology or toxicology. Where applicable, students must demonstrate competency in English, such as a minimum International English Language Testing System Score (IELTS) of 6.5 of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 580. Our Academic Summer Programme offers pre-sessional training in English. 

Cranfield graduates are very successful in achieving relevant work. Some 93% are in relevant employment or further study six months after graduation.

Graduates from this course will be well prepared for employment in any area of clinical research or translational medicine. This includes careers within the pharmaceutical or medical device industries, clinical research organisations (CROs), universities and other research institutes, many departments of the NHS and the Clinical Research Networks. In addition opportunities are possible within regulatory organisations both in the UK and Europe, analysts with financial companies, medical writers and journals. Cranfield students are also well prepared to undertake research leading to the award of a PhD.