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    Study clinical research abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying clinical research as an international student.

    Find clinical research programs

    Explore clinical research programs abroad

    See other programs in clinical research

    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
    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

    Best universities to study clinical research

    See all universities offering clinical research programs

    How to study clinical research abroad

    1. University & program search

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    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
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    Clinical research study abroad programs

    Clinical research undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in clinical research

    • false

      Applied Health Sciences - BA/BSc University of Wisconsin Parkside, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      15,378 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      February, September
      Show program overview about Applied Health Sciences
    • false

      Biology: Health Science Emphasis - BSc University of Nebraska at Kearney, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,900 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Biology: Health Science Emphasis
    • false

      Applied Health Sciences: Kinesiology and Health Promotion - BASc (Hons) Sheridan College, Canada

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      26,213 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Applied Health Sciences: Kinesiology and Health Promotion
    • false

      Applied Science (Health Sciences), Downtown Phoenix Campus - BASc Arizona State University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      29,834 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      May, January, August
      Show program overview about Applied Science (Health Sciences), Downtown Phoenix Campus
    • false

      Biology (Health Science track) - BSc/BA High Point University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      35,996 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Biology (Health Science track)
    See all bachelor's degrees in clinical research

    Associate in clinical research

    • false

      Health Sciences - ASc Merritt College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      7,950 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, June, January
      Show program overview about Health Sciences
    • false

      Health Sciences - AA RMIT University, Australia

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      29,760 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Health Sciences
    See all associate degrees in clinical research

    Pathway in clinical research

    • false

      Health Sciences - UGP Flinders University, Australia

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      8 months
      Annual tuition fee
      29,700 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      June, October
      Show program overview about Health Sciences
    See all undergraduate pathways in clinical research

    Clinical research graduate programs

    Master's in clinical research

    • false

      Clinical Research - MClin Res Edge Hill University, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      13,250 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Clinical Research
    • false

      Clinical Research - MSc Bournemouth University, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      14,500 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Clinical Research
    • false

      Clinical Research and Product Development - MSc University of North Carolina Wilmington, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,548 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Clinical Research and Product Development
    • false

      Health Science - MSc Linnaeus University, Sweden

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      158,350 SEK

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Health Science
    • false

      Health Science - MHealth Res Central Queensland University, Australia

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      21,552 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, March, November
      Show program overview about Health Science
    See all master's degrees in clinical research

    Doctorate in clinical research

    • false

      Clinical Doctorates - PhD University of Stirling, UK

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      28,500 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Clinical Doctorates
    • false

      Professional Doctorate in Health Science - ProfDoc University of Portsmouth, UK

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      7,150 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      October
      Show program overview about Professional Doctorate in Health Science
    See all doctorates in clinical research

    Diploma in clinical research

    • false

      Medical Research - PGDip University of Tasmania, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      33,068 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Medical Research
    See all postgraduate diplomas in clinical research

    Certificate in clinical research

    • false

      Health Science - PGCert University of Newcastle, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      6 months
      Annual tuition fee
      16,800 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, September, February
      Show program overview about Health Science
    See all postgraduate certificates in clinical research

    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.