Clinical research degrees abroad
Clinical research is a vitally important part of developing new drugs and medical treatments. It is the process by which these new therapies are tested to ensure they are safe and work as they should.
As a clinical research student, you’ll develop the skills required to design and lead high-quality clinical research and support healthcare research innovation. You’ll also learn how to conduct critical analysis of evidence, and to carry out in-depth qualitative and quantitative research.
Effective and collaborative clinical research has never been more important. As an international student, you’ll get to see how clinical research is approached in a new country, and gain access to the best facilities and teaching. Not only this, but you’ll also be embarking on an exciting new adventure, experiencing a different culture, and making lifelong connections.


Clinical research program structure
Clinical research is most widely offered as a master's program, however it is possible to study it as a bachelor’s program in the USA. Here you’ll study for four years, and have the opportunity to take a range of ‘minor’ subjects in your first two years. In the final half of your program you’ll focus on clinical research modules.
You can study a master’s in clinical research if you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Most postgraduate programs last between one and two years, and are offered at a range of qualifications including MSc, PgDip (Postgraduate Diploma), PgCert (Postgraduate Certificate), and MClinRes (Master of Clinical Research).
PgDip and PgCert qualifications are shorter than a master’s qualification, and in the UK can be completed in a year. MClinRes tend to be purely research based programs, whereas most MSc degrees will include taught modules.
When studying a clinical research program, you can expect to take part in some lectures, seminars, and tutorials. A lot of your time will be used conducting your own research and working on a dissertation.
The modules and subject areas you’ll study will differ depending on where you choose to study, however some of the most common include:
- Introduction to research methods
- Foundations in clinical research
- Health economics
- Statistical methods in health research
- Implementation and improvement science
- Data analysis
- Research project
Alternative healthcare degrees
Best countries to study clinical research
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Clinical research study abroad programs
Clinical research undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in clinical research
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Health Sciences - BSc University of Vermont, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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41,280 USD
Fee in university's local currency 41,280 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
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Health Sciences: General Health Sciences - BSc Southeast Missouri State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,155 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,155 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Health Science & Physical Activity - BSc (Hons) (with foundation) Institute of Technology Sligo, Ireland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 5 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,635 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
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Exercise and Health Sciences - BSc University of Massachusetts, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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34,649 USD
Fee in university's local currency 34,649 USD
- Start date
- January, May, September
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Health Sciences - BSc Concord University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,185 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,185 USD
- Start date
- January, September
Associate in clinical research
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Health Sciences - ASc Merritt College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
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Health Sciences - AA RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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23,084 USD
Fee in university's local currency 29,760 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
Pathway in clinical research
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Health Sciences - UGP Flinders University, Australia
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 8 months
- Annual tuition fee
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23,038 USD
Fee in university's local currency 29,700 AUD
- Start date
- June, October
Clinical research graduate programs
Master's in clinical research
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Integrative Health Science - MSc Kristianstad University, Sweden
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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7,111 USD
Fee in university's local currency 60,000 SEK
- Start date
- September
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Health Science - MSc Linnaeus University, Sweden
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,767 USD
Fee in university's local currency 158,350 SEK
- Start date
- September
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Health Sciences (Social-Ecological Systems, Sustainability and Health) - MHSc Lakehead University, Canada
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,692 USD
Fee in university's local currency 22,406 CAD
- Start date
- September
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Health Science : Community Health - MPH California State University, Long Beach, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,604 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,604 USD
- Start date
- August, January
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Clinical Research - MSc Bournemouth University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,165 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,500 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Doctorate in clinical research
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Clinical Doctorates - PhD University of Stirling, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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39,636 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,500 GBP
- Start date
- September
Diploma in clinical research
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Medical Research - PGDip University of Tasmania, Australia
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
25,650 USD
Fee in university's local currency 33,068 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
Certificate in clinical research
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Health Science - PGCert University of Newcastle, Australia
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 6 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,031 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,800 AUD
- Start date
- February, July, September
Future clinical research careers
As a clinical research graduate, your skills will be in high demand in a range of healthcare roles. Some of the career paths you could consider include:
- Clinical researcher
- Biostatistician
- Clinical research scientist
- Clinical research associate
- Clinical research coordinator
- Clinical trial manager
If you don’t know which role is right for you, you can speak to your university’s career services. They can help you find work after graduation or advice which modules best match your aspirations.
