Clinical Trials (Taught)

This Masters programme will provide you with an excellent foundation in clinical trials, covering the theoretical and practical aspects of the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of clinical trials.

Research through clinical trials is a growing global business in academic institutions, industry, the NHS and across public health organisations.

Clinical trials have huge societal impact, providing the best research evidence of the effectiveness of healthcare interventions. The conclusions of well conducted trials inform both clinical and health policy decision-making, ensuring that the most appropriate interventions are used to improve the health and quality of life of the population. Whilst the focus of this programme is trials within healthcare, the majority of theoretical and practical aspects applicable to clinical trials are transferable to trials of social care and public health interventions.

This modular multidisciplinary programme offers a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or a Masters in Clinical Trials and is designed to provide academic training to professionals currently working in, or who wish to work in, clinical trials.

You will take 60 credits from the taught modules above. Option combinations for the Postgraduate Certificate are as follows:

Option A
Rationale for Clinical Trials, Key Concepts and Features (20 credits)
Selection, Collection and Reporting of Trial Outcomes (10 credits)
Analyses of Clinical Trials, Interpretation and Communication of Trial Findings (20 credits)
Early Phase Clinical Trials (10 credits)

Option B
Rationale for Clinical Trials, Key Concepts and Features (20 credits)
Preparation and Set-up for a Clinical Trial (20 credits)
Delivery and Management of Clinical Trials (20 credits)

Option C
Rationale for Clinical Trials, Key Concepts and Features (20 credits)
Analyses of Clinical Trials, Interpretation and Communication of Trial Findings (20 credits)
Design and Delivery of Further Clinical Trials (20 credits)

Assessment is via a mixture of examination and assignment. If a module is assessed by assignment you will usually have 4-5 weeks to complete it after the module has finished. If a module is assessed by examination it will take place after a period to allow for revision after the taught part of the module has finished.

Masters students complete their degree by also undertaking a research project and writing a dissertation. This provides them with an opportunity to pursue a specific research question in depth, and to demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired during the taught part of the programme.

Prizes are presented to the best students on the programme.