The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are funding ‘INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research’, an innovative and exciting three year programme starting in Summer 2024 as part of the NIHR Academy’s portfolio of career support for health and social care professionals. The programme supports the NIHR aim to develop a highly skilled research workforce capable of advancing the best research which improves health and care, and benefits society and the economy.
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About NIHR INSIGHT South West Central
The NIHR INSIGHT programme for South West Central is one of 12 NIHR INSIGHT regional programmes. It is a collaboration between the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Bournemouth University who together have 6,000 pre-registration and 4,000 post registration students across more than 15 health and care professions. The South West Central region includes the following integrated care systems:
- Gloucestershire
- Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
- Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire
- Dorset
Building collaborative partnerships and student networks across the region is a key aim of the programme. Over 20 co-collaborators spanning health and social care providers and NIHR organisations across the South West Central Region are involved in the programme.
Who the programme is for
NIHR INSIGHT is undergraduate or postgraduate students working towards registration and early career professionals registered with one of the following regulatory bodies (not including doctors and dentists):
| 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 |
This includes nurses, midwives, allied health professionals (comprising of art/music/drama therapists; dieticians; occupational therapists; operating department practitioners; orthoptists; osteopaths; paramedics; physiotherapists; podiatrists; prosthetists and orthotists; radiographers; and speech and language therapists), pharmacists, healthcare scientists, social work and public health professionals.
What the NIHR INSIGHT programme provides
- A programme of activities for student and early career health and care professionals to become more familiar with research and its delivery to enhance their practice career and to showcase and attract health and care professionals to the full range of research careers, including careers that combine research and practice.
- 30 Research Masters studentships in the South West Central region funded by NIHR INSIGHT each year for the next three years.
The first round of Research Masters studentship is open now to start in September 2024. The closing date for applications is extended to 5pm, Wednesday 14th August 2024. Further details about the research masters programmes and how to apply is provided below.
How to find out more
Contact us via email: insight.swcentral@uwe.ac.uk
Watch a recording of an online event held on 22nd May 2024.
Research Masters Studentships for South West Central funded by the NIHR INSIGHT programme
The research masters studentships funded by the NIHR INSIGHT programme are competitive awards for newly qualified and early career health and care professionals with up to 3 years of experience of practice as a registered professional. The studentships will enable individuals to gain academic training and the skills to manage and deliver health and care research as part of their future career either in research or in combination with practice.
What the studentship provides
The cost of tuition fees and a tax-free studentship stipend at the UKRI rate. For 2024-2025, the stipend is £19,237 for full-time study and £9,619 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.
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 five years experience of practice as a registered health or care professional.
- 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.
Consideration will be given to personal circumstances and contextual factors such as a career break or caring responsibilities. If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact the programme team on insight.swcentral@uwe.ac.uk.
Research Masters Programmes
As part of the Research Master studentships, you will be able to take one of the two Masters in Research (MRes) programmes at either UWE Bristol or Bournemouth University. The MRes programmes share a similar ethos; to inspire and equip researchers to work creatively and flexibly to understand and apply research so that they can make significant contributions to addressing research priorities in health and care. MRes students will be equipped with the professional attributes to undertake high quality impactful research and provide opportunities to work with existing research teams, gain experience, build skills and knowledge that enhance working with others to ensure a broader impact. For more detailed information about the specific MRes programmes, please visit the webpage of the host university.
UWE Bristol MRes Health and Care Research
Programme Lead: Dr. Mwidimi Ndosi (mwidimi.ndosi@uwe.ac.uk)
The MRes Health and Social Care Research will provide an excellent foundation in health and care research. The programme provides you with formal training enabling you to understand the nature of research evidence and research methodologies and methods. You’ll learn how research is applied to inform practice and policy and to develop the knowledge and skills to manage and deliver research that aligns to contemporary research needs. and priorities.
The programme is based on a modular approach to learning. It uses a student-centred blended learning approach, combining in-person and online learning and planned to allow students to study full-time or part-time. Compulsory modules contribute 150 credits and optional modules contribute 30 credits to the 180 credits required for Masters study. Three compulsory taught modules (60 credits) provide training in research methodologies and research practice from conception to dissemination and implementation. The extended research project module (90 credits) accounts for 50% of the MRes programme. Optional modules (30 credits) allow students to tailor their learning programme to their professional or research interests. Students have access to a broad range of CPD modules and can opt to undertake a research practice placements with NHS research delivery services, NIHR organisations or academic research teams.
The research project provides you with a practice-based research experience. You will work with academic and practitioner staff with extensive research experience in health and care settings. Many are involved in externally funded research projects and are members of our research centres (Centre for Health and Clinical Research, Centre for Public Health and Wellbeing). The research project is assessed by publication format and poster presentation which allow you to prepare a publication to submit to a scientific/professional peer-reviewed journal or present at a conference.
Please visit our webpages for more information about UWE Bristol (https://www.uwe.ac.uk/) and the MRes programme (click here).
Bournemouth University MRes
Programme Lead: Dr. Leslie Gelling (lgelling@bournemouth.ac.uk)
Embarking on an MRes at Bournemouth University is one exciting step towards a clinical academic career – so we want to ensure you are provided with as much support as possible during what promises to be a life -changing experience.
Our programme provides an opportunity for you as a health or care professional to join a flexible student-orientated programme designed with equality, diversity, and inclusivity in mind; a programme that will build skills to enhance research capacity and leadership and importantly to improve outcomes across health and care practice. We offer the opportunity of working with our external stakeholders recognising that working with external organisations and networking with the NHS, councils, health research, companies and charities will broaden your knowledge and experience beyond academia.
MRes students will complete 180 credits of an independent research project supervised by a team of clinician(s) and academic(s). Assessment will be presentation of a thesis (traditional or integrated) and a viva voce examination. An integrated thesis allows the students the opportunity to publish as part of the thesis.
Be assured you will be joining a research community with a strong track record of successful and impactful collaborative research that recognises public/patient involvement and engagement accelerates research benefit. You will enjoy the support of a team of dedicated, enthusiastic academic and professional support staff who will ensure your work is efficient, enjoyable and most of all successful. All of this within a fabulous location with seven miles of award-winning sandy beaches, amongst the delights of Bournemouth which attracts a vibrant and creative community.
Please visit our webpages for more information about Bournemouth University (https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/) and the MRes programme (click here).
How to apply
The first round of Research Masters studentship for September 2024 is now closed. We will provide information about applying for September 2025 in due course. Please register your interest here to be notified about this opportunity.
If you have any queries about the MRes programmes, would like to discuss the studentship offer or the application process, please contact us on insight.swcentral@uwe.ac.uk.
STEP 1: Complete the online application form for a Research Masters studentship.
The online form will ask you for a 300 word statement about why you would like to obtain a Research Masters studentship funded by the NIHR INSIGHT programme. You will also be able to outline contextual factors that are relevant to your application and access support for the application process. If you would like prepare your answers before you complete the online form, you can view the form here: Online application form template.
STEP 2: Complete the online admissions application form for your preferred research Masters programme.
UWE Bristol – the link for application will be added shortly. You will need to provide a personal statement for your application.
Bournemouth University – – the link for application will be added shortly. You will need to provide a research proposal of around 750 words long (excluding references).
UWE Bristol
You will need to provide a personal statement as part of your application.
Bournemouth University
You will need to provide a research proposal of around 750 words long (excluding references) as part of your application.
Completion of both the Research Masters studentship application form and an admissions application for one of the Universities is required for award of a studentship. You are requested to complete and submit the applications forms as soon as possible.
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. Interviews will scheduled once you have submitted your research masters studentship application. 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.
Contact us
To contact us about any queries, please email: insight.swcentral@uwe.ac.uk.
