Prepare for a career in Health Research
The online Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) Nursing and Midwifery Research Skills reflects our commitment to preparing nurses and midwives to lead and undertake programmes of research within a wide range of healthcare settings. It is designed for nurses and midwives who are passionate about healthcare research and are working towards an exciting and rewarding career in health research.
The programme aims to help you to develop some of the knowledge and skills you will need to design and execute research studies that will have a highly positive impact upon practice and the people who access healthcare services. The six core modules within the programme focus on developing a research-based skill set specifically for nursing and midwifery research practice.
The PG Dip Nursing and Midwifery Research Skills is facilitated by healthcare researchers. You will be provided with tailored support, to help you to develop the confidence, knowledge and talent to drive forward research and influence the direction of future healthcare practice.
Course Highlights:
- Online modules tailored specifically to meet the needs of nurses and midwives developing complex proposals for health research within nursing and midwifery practice
- A wide range of resources, online reading materials and activities designed to help learners develop essential nursing and midwifery research skills and work towards a range of summative module assessments
- Online discussion boards with support from module tutors, and access to the virtual learning environment supporting and embracing a thriving community of fellow nursing and midwifery students
Stepping stone to an MRes
The PG Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery Research Skills is derived from the first and second stage of our online MRes Nursing and Midwifery programme. Upon completing the PG Diploma, you may wish to transfer onto the MRes to complete the full Masters award as the next step in your research career. You can do this by accessing the 80-credit independent research module to complete the 180-credit level 7 MRes award in full, studied over two academic years.
The PG Dip Nursing and Midwifery Research Skills is a two-year programme throughout which you will study six 20-credit modules, totalling 120 credits at level 7.
Year one:
- Trimester 1 (September): Quantitative Research Skills for Nursing and Midwifery Research (20 credits)
- Trimester 2 (January): Qualitative Research Skills for Nursing and Midwifery Research (20 credits)
- Trimester 3 (May): Methods for Managing Healthcare Research (20 credits)
Year two:
- Trimester 1 (September): Ethical and Scientific Standards for Healthcare Research (20 credits)
- Trimester 2 (January): Evaluating Healthcare Interventions (20 credits)
- Trimester 3 (May): Evidence Based Practice Project (20 credits)
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Teaching and Learning
As you work though the six core 20-credit modules, you will engage with a range of synchronous and asynchronous activity. Teaching and learning activities are designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to work towards summative assessments which take place at the end of each trimester.
Activities will consist of:
- A range of online activities within each module asynchronously delivered within the learning environment
- Synchronous live sessions with interactive support from course tutors
- Peer support via online discussion and completion of module activities
- Support via email and throughout online activities within module units
Pace of study
The PG Dip Nursing and Midwifery Research Skills is delivered over two academic years.
Each academic year is made up of three 10-week terms (known as trimesters, with trimesters commencing in September, January and May).
Modules within the programme are studied one at the pace of one 20-credit module per 10-week trimester and we recommend around 20 hours of study per week.
This study time is usually referred to as ‘notional’ study time and includes the work you will need to do around your online studies including reading, searching for literature, completing the activities and studies within online learning units and interacting with your fellow students.
We understand that the time you can allocate for study may vary depending upon your other responsibilities, and the online modules are designed with some flexibility to learn around your commitments.
Assessment method
The assessment methods include the following:
- Research reports based upon the interpretation and analysis of qualitative and quantitative research data
- Recorded presentation
- Viva examination encompassing a critical discission and questions put forward by examiners
- Research proposal for healthcare interventions
- Conduct and report of a limited evidence review
Assessment dates are set at the beginning of each trimester and are normally submitted at week 11.
Student support and guidance
Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:
All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.
Studying the Postgraduate Diploma Nursing and Midwifery Research Skills may be your first step in pursuing an exciting career in health research. Having completed the 120 level 7 credits, graduates may decide to enrol onto the 80-credit level 7 independent research project module to complete the full award for MRes Nursing and Midwifery.
Graduates completing the PG Dip will be well prepared to develop proposals for further research within nursing, midwifery or other healthcare contexts. Graduates will also be suitably prepared for supporting research activity within a wide range of healthcare contexts such as research nursing roles, clinical trials units and leadership roles where an in-depth understanding of research methods is a requirement.
Utilise our Careers and Employment Service
Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.
You’ll need:
- Registration as a nurse of midwife (NMC register part 1) practicing within the UK
- An Honours degree of 2:2 or above/or evidence of Level 7 study within the last five years
During the admissions process, we will also consider:
- GCSE grade C or above (Grade 4-9) in Maths and English (or equivalent)
- Experience of education or study within the last five years at level 6 or 7
- Work experience gained within a research context
Interviews
We want to ensure that the Postgraduate Diploma Nursing and Midwifery Research Skills programme is right for you. Applicants will be invited to an interview (to be held via Microsoft Teams) with the programme leader. During the interview, we will discuss your reasons for wanting to do the programme, the time commitment and intensity of study, access to suitable IT facilities and your digital literacy. It is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the programme, student support and the mode of study.
English language qualifications
If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or above.
Recognition of Prior Learning or Experience
Exemptions can be made on the basis of prior academic study, professional qualifications (such as ACCA or CIMA) or professional experience. Students who have already studied at another institution, completed a training course or have work experience which appears equivalent to one or more modules of this programme, may be able to translate this prior learning into credits towards course modules so that they do not have to study them again. This is called recognition of prior learning or RPL.
‡2025/26 for new entrants
Starting between September 2025 and August 2026.
| | Per 20 credits | Modules | Cost |
|---|
| UK/EU/International |
£1,080 |
6 |
£6,480 |
About your fees
This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.
If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this may be in addition to the programme cost stated above.
Flexible payment plans available
Choose from two payment plan options:
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
Apply directly to the University.
Apply now
For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.
Documents to support your application
For your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:
- Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
- Current CV
- Written reference supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
- Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*
- Evidence of you registration with the United Kingdon (UK) Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Sub part 1: registered nurse (any field) or midwife (midwifery register)
*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
- The translator’s contact details
A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.
Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.
Application deadlines
All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.
