Overview
Make a significant contribution to your clinical specialty with the published research you’ll produce on a programme designed specifically for medical graduates in clinical practice.
Supervision and support
We’ll tailor our supervisory support to reflect your needs and specialisms and the team will include at least one clinician in your field of interest.
Our students meet with their supervisors at least monthly, but you’ll be able to ask for advice any time.
Where you'll research
Your faculty
The Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care is the largest in ARU, with over 7,000 students. Our Faculty is teeming with expertise and primed to meet the demand for creating health professionals, teachers, doctors, scientists and educators for the three districts we serve: Chelmsford, Cambridge and Peterborough.
We have been training undergraduates for professional roles for over 25 years, with a reputation for quality, dedication and ambition balanced with student satisfaction.
We know that to give our students the very best experiential learning, prior to getting into the workplace, simulation is second to none, for safe, realistic, learning environments. We have invested heavily in purpose built simulated wards, science labs and skills space, to support our students through their learning.
Where can I study?
Chelmsford
Our striking, modern campus sits by the riverside in Chelmsford's University and Innovation Quarter.
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK students, 2023/24 (per year)
£4,712
UK students, 2023/24 (part-time, per year)
£2,356
International students, 2023/24 (per year)
£15,000
International students, 2023/24 (part-time, per year)
£7,500
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.
Funding
For advice on the doctoral loan and other sources of funding, including ARU scholarships, visit our finance guide for postgraduate researchers.
You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.
ARU research
You'll be supported by state-of-the-art research laboratory facilities, Clinical Trials Units, several research institutes, centres and groups.
Careers
Our Faculty has a strong track record of supervising MD (Res) and PhD students to completion where the students have produced publications in high impact journals. Most of our graduates from this programme have taken up senior clinical posts in the NHS.
By studying for an MD (Res), you’ll be able to develop your research skills in and outside of clinical practice. Moreover, you'll be given training in research methodology, statistics, presentation and scientific writing.
Contact details
If you're interested in finding out more about research study opportunities, please email your query to [email protected]
Entry requirements
Main
All of our MD (Res) students must hold an undergraduate medical qualification and must be eligible to register with the General Medical Council (GMC). If you want to undertake hands-on clinical research you must be registered with the GMC. Applicants are normally clinicians undertaking research associated with their employment.
Typically you’ll be a medical graduate at ST level. However, we do welcome applications from any medical doctor, including consultants, at any stage of their training and career.
You must be able to devote a substantial amount of time to research. This may mean taking time out from your clinical obligations to do a piece of full-time research, and then devoting further study leave during clinical training to complete the work.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the programme as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Contact our postgraduate research degree team for more information about studying a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate at ARU.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your research programme. Before starting, we recommend that you check our technical requirements for online learning.
Studying during COVID-19
Due to national restrictions all universities in England, including ARU, are only able to provide face to face access to research resources in limited circumstances where access can be justified under movement restrictions. Visit our restrictions page for details. All assessments and supervision are currently conducted online.
Study options
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic and related Government guidance, your research programme will be framed, wherever possible, to be conducted away from campus and in line with movement restrictions. For some types of research attendance on campus will be essential for some activities, and these activities will need to be undertaken in a COVID-19 safe manner in line with our risk management procedures.
In the event that there are further changes to the current restrictions that are in place within the UK due to the pandemic, we may need all of our researchers to work online only at short notice to remain in line with Government guidelines and ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need to make sure you meet our English language requirements for postgraduate courses.
Improving your English language skills
If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
