School of Health in Social Science

MScR Nursing Studies

The MSc by Research programme in Nursing Studies offers education and development for all those interested in developing research skills in the field of Nursing.

Name MScR Nursing Studies
Start Date September
Mode of Study 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Programme Director Larry Doi

Please check the postgraduate Degree Finder to see the specific entry requirements, start date and application deadlines. 

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Funding opportunities

We are currently accepting applications for The Burdett Fellows Studentship. For more information about application process, deadline and requirements please visit our dedicated page.

The Burdett Fellows Studentship

The MScR Nursing Studies is a postgraduate programme designed to provide comprehensive research training in the field of nursing. This unique course allows you to engage in research activities throughout the year while concurrently undertaking specialized taught courses, enriching research skills and expanding your knowledge base. Full-time students must take compulsory courses within one year, however our programme is also available part-time over two to three years. 

Our programme offers the possibility to work with and be supervised by a range academics whose background in both therapeutic practice and research is compatible with the student's proposed area of research. Your supervisor will meet regularly with you throughout the period of study, with the focus and content of supervision meetings negotiated jointly depending on your needs.  Successful completion of the MScR requires a dissertation, normally in the form of a report of research work, of 20,000 words. 

Why choose this programme? 

Edinburgh’s Nursing Studies played a prominent role throughout the developmental period for nursing research in Europe over the past 50 years. Our department, established in 1956, was Europe’s first university-based centre for nursing education and research. Following this, Scotland’s government-funded Nursing Research Unit was based here from 1971 to 1994, strengthening our national and international reputation as a major centre for research in nursing.  

The programme offers you the opportunity to gain advanced understanding of research design, data collection and data analysis issues in nursing, and is designed for qualified practitioners and graduates (or equivalent) interested in research in the field.  

A vibrant and inclusive research environment

The University of Edinburgh is a world-leader in research and innovation and an international centre of academic excellence. Students on this programme will become part of an active and diverse research community in the School of Health in Social Science and will have access to the wide-range of learning environments and outstanding resources that the University has to offer. Our postgraduate researchers work in close proximity to each other, enabling them to pool their expertise and knowledge to tackle complex challenges and push the boundaries of discovery. Students will be encouraged to engage with a wide range of seminars, talks, and events, and often have the opportunity to present their own research at national and international conferences. Our student-led postgraduate research blog provides a snapshot of the activities and events our PGR students organise and are involved in.

Find out more about ongoing research in our School

Our main areas of research activity and development in Nursing Studies currently relate to the themes of experience of health and illness, and organisation and policy for person-centred care. We have expertise in a range of qualitative and quantitative and mixed methods research approaches.

An important aspect of our work concerns knowledge transfer and effective engagement with NHS, social care and lay organisations. The School of Health in Social Science continues to develop a programme of work in collaboration with service providers. Nursing Studies welcomes the opportunity to develop Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, focusing on service re-design and an organisation of care delivery that would meet the demands of the modernising agenda. The latter has implications for workforce planning, CPD and the production of the new health care workforce.  

Supervisor Specialties:

Join our extraordinary Nursing Community

Nursing offers a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment as it involves caring for and making a positive difference in the lives of others. We are one of the top ten universities in the UK to offer Nursing, and our students' experience is second to none. Find out what it's like to join our close-knit community of international students and staff at the University of Edinburgh.

Find out more about our Nursing Community

The School of Health in Social Science offers several fully funded MScR and PhD studentships each year. A variety of scholarships are available, which vary from full scholarships covering tuition fees and a stipend to cover living expenses, to partial scholarships.

Find out more about our scholarships and funding opportunities

Beyond the programme 

The MScR can be used a stepping stone toward embarking on a PhD, however also delivers transferable skills for a number of career paths. Following completion of the MScR you will have developed a broad range of transferable skills to enhance your career prospects across a wide range of industries, including leadership in a variety of healthcare organizations, supervising nursing research or projects and influencing healthcare policy and practice.  

Further Study Opportunities     

The MSc by Research is a comprehensive foundation for PhD study, which will equip you for academic positions in nursing. Students with prior professional qualifications can also enhance careers with the addition of highly developed conceptual, analytical and research skills through this programme. 

You may also wish to return to the University to undertake CPD courses with Nursing Studies.

Find out more about our postgraduate Nursing Studies options