Studentships
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 5 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.
For testimonials from current students, click this link: Testimonial from current student
Academic Years starting 2027-2029
The NIHR INSIGHT South-West Central (SWC) Programme for academic years starting 2027-2029 is currently pending a NIHR grant application outcome. Please look out for information about whether/ how you can apply for a 2027 course start at the beginning of the year. Details will be published on this website. Or refer back to NIHR: INSIGHT Programme: inspiring students into research | NIHR for alternative regions.
Please review the details we published for previous rounds of INSIGHT SWC MRes Studentships below.
Eligibility
The NIHR INSIGHT programme is designed for undergraduate or postgraduate students pursuing professional registration, as well as early-career professionals who are registered with one of the following regulatory bodies and have no more than five years of practice experience. Eligibility for this studentship requires applicants to intend to pursue a master’s program at either UWE Bristol or Bournemouth University.
Please note: this does not include doctors and dentists
Which studentship option should I choose?
Full Time Study
Part Time Study
Complete your MRes degree in 12 Months.
Stipend £21805 (2026/ 2027).
Option: Work one day a week.
Complete your MRes degree in 24 months
Stipend of £ 10903 (each year) (2026/ 2027)
Option to work up to three days a week.
The cost of tuition fees and a tax-free studentship stipend at the UKRI rate : Support for UKRI-funded students – UKRI.
Image illustrates for academic year 2024-2025, the stipend was £19,237 for full-time study and £9,619 for part-time study.
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) and part-time students may work up to three days a week (0.6FTE) while in receipt of the studentship.
Requirements
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 are a prospective student on a Skilled Worker Visa, additional requirements apply. Please contact us for further information.
How to Apply
Studentship applications for the 2026/ 2027 academic year will be open from Monday the 12th of January 2026 until 17.00/ 5PM on Sunday the 15th of March 2026. The 2026 application form for the studentship is here: [Hyperlink Removed]
Please note: a separate application for your MRes course of choice will also need to be made to UWE or BU by 30th April 2026.
The Selection Process
You will be selected for an interview for the MRes programmes based on your admissions application form. If successful you you be invited to an online interview. Interviews will be scheduled after applications close (17.00/ 5PM on 15th March 2026), and likely held between mid March and mid April.
Recipients for the Research Masters Studentships funded by NIHR INSIGHT will be selected by a South West Central selection panel (May), taking into account both of your application forms (studentship and course) and your interview.
To learn more about the NIHR INSIGHT programme and studentship, watch the 2026 launch webinar on FAQ page.