The University of Plymouth and the University of Exeter are delighted to be working together to deliver the INSIGHT South West Peninsula programme. This offers up to 30 research studentships each year from September 2024. The studentships support fees and a stipend to study a research masters qualification via a full time or part time route for registered healthcare, social work and public health professionals.
The first studentships were awarded in September 2024. An additional 30 places are available each year for a further two years for September start dates in 2025 and 2026.
Research Masters Studentships
The studentships will enable individuals to gain academic training and develop the necessary skills and experience to lay foundations for a research career.
They will develop skills in:
- A range of research methods including study design, statistics and qualitative analysis
- Literature review and critical appraisal to develop research inquiry and get the research question right
- Research project management and governance
- Research ethics and applying for ethical approval
- The dissemination of research findings and writing for publication
- Patient and public involvement and engagement in research
- Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion within research
- The importance and benefits of industry collaborations
Studentship study will engage research practice experience, through activities such as:
- Practical modules that enable learners to take part in research in their area of interest
- Involvement in existing research studies, whilst being supported under the supervision and mentorship of an experienced researcher
- Experience working alongside clinical trial investigators, engaging in recruitment, informed consent, data collection and entry, etc.
- Developing and undertaking an independent research project under supervision from an experienced researcher
In addition, students will be able to access relevant optional modules to develop their multi and inter-disciplinary training.
The recipients of studentships will be considered NIHR Academy Members.
Research Masters Studentships Available from The South West Peninsula starting September 2024, September 2025 and September 2026.
Eligibility criteria
This is an inclusive opportunity for early career professionals that have recently completed their professional registration (or will have at the point of commencement of masters studies) 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
NIHR INSIGHT is particularly looking to interest and engage students and recent graduates from a diverse group of professions, irrespective of employment status or locality of residence. *Please note that Doctors and Dentists are not eligible to apply to this programme but have opportunities with the NIHR programme for Integrated Clinical-Academic Training (IAT) and NIHR INSPIRE scheme.
Employment related information
Studentship funding will be paid to applicants rather than employers as standard. Applicants wishing to study part time to supplement an existing part time employment contract are free to apply. Applicants currently employed on a full time contract wishing to study part time over 2 years or full time over 1 year can consider an employment break, reduced employment hours, or sabbatical if agreeable to their employer.
If you or your employer would like assistance with your application, please:
- Join a webinar
- Book a 1:1 with an NIHR INSIGHT South West Peninsula Programme lead
- Contact the NIHR INSIGHT SW Peninsula Project Officer for information and support ahead of your application: nihrinsight-swpeninsula@plymouth.ac.uk
Places available
Places on the following programmes are available annually for three years between 2024 and 2026 and will be competitively allocated. Applications from under-represented people and professions are encouraged and 10% of studentships are protected to help support under-represented people and professions, based on the contextualising information applicants share.
Masters of Clinical Research, MClinRes, University of Plymouth
Choose either face to face learning or a hybridised learning experience with distance learning options
Full and part time routes available
Initially developed with NIHR funding and local stakeholder engagement in 2015, this programme supports interns and pre-doctoral learners from a wide range of health, social care and healthcare science professional backgrounds. It offers five taught modules plus a module incorporating a substantial individual project. Each module comprises of supported independent study with online support embedded between two scheduled learning blocks, each between two and three days in length to work around the needs of health and social care practitioners in employment. Whilst feedback has determined that some modules work better with in-person delivery methods (namely ‘Applied Qualitative’ and ‘Applied Quantitative’ methods), all modules have the option to study online asynchronously; to remain both inclusive to those preferring this option and reflexive as a means of contingency in response to unanticipated barriers to synchronous delivery that learners can experience.
Optional modules draw from an extensive existing suite of advanced level training in research, education, practice and leadership domains. This programme is based at the InterCity Place University of Plymouth and Plymouth Science Park locations and is available as a 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time route.
Masters in Leading Clinical Research Delivery, MScLCRD, University of Exeter
100% distance learning
Part time route available
This is one of only three NIHR-Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) funded, fully online programmes, developed in line with the NIHRAoMRC Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework. It aims to support practising clinical professionals aspiring to work in the clinical research delivery workforce, by equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute effectively to networked clinical research within everyday clinical settings. It also provides options to specialise, for example in research methodologies or leadership. This practical-based part-time course offers dedicated Research Practice Experience modules delivered fully online over 2-years. It utilises synchronous and facilitated learning alongside asynchronous learning activities that encourage peer and tutor interaction and independent study.
Masters in Health Research Methods, MScHRM University of Exeter
A programme of learning that is hybridised with face to face and distance learning components
Full and part time routes available
This programme based at St Luke’s Campus, University of Exeter, has a robust track record of supporting internship and pre-doctoral learners from a wide range of professional backgrounds. It offers six taught modules plus a module incorporating a substantial individual project. Each module comprises of supported independent study and two learning blocks, each between two and three days in length, to work around the needs of learners in employment. It adopts a carefully planned hybridised design of in-person and online deliveries and can be studied as a 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time route.
What does this studentship opportunity offer financially?
Successful applicants will receive 100% course fee payment plus a stipend of £20,780 (for full time route, or £10,390 each year for 2 years part time) for living expenses.
This is UKRI aligned and not taxable and as such broadly aligned to a National Health Service band 5 starting salary.
Those opting for full time study and residing alone or with other students may also claim a Council Tax exemption during the period of study.
Personal Access Funds
Funding is available to students funded by the NIHR INSIGHT SW Peninsula project and other eligible early career professionals to support and enable access to their studies and career development. You can apply for funds to cover travel costs, childcare or other caring costs, conference and other event attendance-related costs or for the loan of laptops or other IT support for the duration of relevant study. For more information please read the policy guidelines in the ‘Links and Downloads’ section below. To apply please go to the Personal Access Funds Application Form – please ensure you have read the policy guidelines to check your eligibility for this funding before submitting an application. For more information please email the Project Officer, Jane Mole, at nihrinsight-swpeninsula@plymouth.ac.uk.
Policy Guidelines for the Personal Access Funds can be found here.
How to apply?
There are no catchment areas for study, we will ask applicants to indicate programme preferences and allocate places based on availability of places and strength of application.
Please note that offer of a studentship is subject to formal offer from the programme of study. As such you may wish to explore the admissions criteria for your first and second choice course options before applying. This can be found on the webpages for the host programmes.
Please note that an application to these programmes without a formal application made for an NIHR INSIGHT masters studentship will not automatically lead to the award of a studentship.
Applications for studentships starting in September 2026 will be accepted in two rounds:
- Round 1: Opens 1 December 2025. Closes 31 January 2026
- Round 2: Opens 1st April 2026. Closes 31st May 2026.
We aim to notify all applicants of the outcome within one month of each closing date.
To apply for the next round of studentships please go to the application form.
Links and downloads
- Register for your free place now! NIHR INSIGHT South West Peninsula Summer Writing Retreat and Awayday