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Continuing professional development

Research Approaches

in Health Professions Education

Develop the knowledge and practical skills to design robust research projects using qualitative and quantitative approaches in healthcare education.

Course length 11 weeks part-time
Start date September
Location Online

Introduction

About the short course

Gain the skills and confidence to design, develop, and evaluate research projects in healthcare education.

The course will introduce you to key concepts in quantitative and qualitative research in order to form a research question, plan an appropriate methodological approach and method for data collection and analysis, and write a research proposal.

Who is this short course for?

This course is ideal for those from across the healthcare professions who are involved in or have an interest in developing research ideas and learning about different research approaches.

You will receive 20 Level 7 credits on completing this short course, including the assessment.

You can take the short course on its own or as part of the PGCert/PGDip/MSc in Health Professions Education.

What you will learn

You will learn about key research approaches and be guided in developing a research protocol in an area of your own practice/interest. If you then decide to complete the Health Professions Education MSc, you can develop this protocol into your final MSc project.

How is this short course delivered?

This course is delivered primarily through distance learning, with an optional hybrid study day that can be attended in-person or online. The course allows for flexible study to fit around your other commitments. You will take part in a variety of learning activities on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), discussions with peers and tutors on online discussion boards and at online learning sessions (typically 2-3 per module, held on weekday evenings), and hybrid study days (held in module week 2 or 3, on the York campus and livestreamed to online attendees).

The time commitment is 200 notional hours across the module (for teaching activities, self-learning and assessment), and therefore approximately 20 hours per week.

Teaching is provided by experienced clinical and non-clinical academics and researchers from our Health Professions Education Unit (HPEU), a group dedicated to advancing health professions education. We extend knowledge boundaries on workforce research, recruitment, selection and widening access, workplace-based learning, curriculum development, professionalism and assessment to enhance practice and understanding.

How is this short course assessed?

The course is assessed through a written assignment, specifically a research protocol.

Fees and funding

Tuition Fees

The fee for this short course for the academic year 2026/27 is £1,494.

Fees are reviewed annually and may change.

Health Professions Education students in discussion
Health Professions Education student demonstrating

Entry

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a relevant undergraduate degree or its equivalent and have access to an appropriate level of teaching activity (we recommend around 18 hours, which should ideally consist of a few separate events). Academic waivers may be possible in exceptional circumstances.

The majority of teaching is delivered online. You will need a reliable internet connection and a device with a camera and microphone to access classroom sessions through Zoom.

Annually reviewed

Courses and their content are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure they remain up to date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. Where changes are necessary or proposed, we will advise applicants and enrolled students at the earliest possible opportunity.