MSc in Clinical Trials
Provided by University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division
About the course
By the end of the course, students should have the knowledge and skills required to design and undertake a clinical trial. By running a fully integrated course covering all key aspects of clinical trials, you will acquire a good understanding of the theoretical underpinning as well as the practical aspects of randomised clinical trials and have an in-depth training in trials methodology. The course will cover different types of trials and clinical conditions, with a focus on large, streamlined clinical outcome trials in cardiovascular disease.
The specific aims are to provide:
- in-depth training in, and understanding of, the principles and practice of conducting randomised clinical trials
- a forum for the nurturing of future global leaders in clinical trials in cardiovascular medicine and beyond.
Teaching is delivered virtually (via online lectures, tutorials and group work) during the first year, and for the first two whole terms and part of the third term in the second year. You will receive around three hours of supported study per week and will be expected to complete twelve to seventeen hours per week of self-directed study. The curriculum comprises eight compulsory modules of varying length and intensity across six terms:
- Introduction to the principles of randomised trials
- Design to implementation
- Data management and analysis
- Regulatory and ethical framework and participant involvement
- Routine health care data, Big Data and new technologies
- Health economics for clinical trials and patient reported outcomes
- Meta-analyses and trial reporting
- Different types of trials and populations.
The course will include two residential periods. The first will be a one-week residential period in the Long Vacation at the end of year one. A shorter residential period will take place in Hilary term in year two.
The aim of the first residential period is to allow you to meet the tutors and course teaching team and to provide face-to-face teaching, discussion time and leadership training. The second residential period aims to allow discussion about dissertation content, practical guidance on statistical content and an opportunity for face-to-face discussion with your academic advisor.
You will have access to recordings of weekly seminars held on the Old Road Campus and will be made aware of any other online seminars taking place across the Medical Sciences Division. You are encouraged to make use of any online courses offered by the Medical Sciences Skills Training programme.
Attendance
This course is part-time and teaching is delivered virtually with two residential periods in Oxford. You must attend at least one residential period during the course.
You will receive full access to the virtual learning environment (Canvas) where lectures, seminars and tutorials will occur.
Resources to support your study
As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.
The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.
The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.
You will have access to the online University library services and online reading lists.
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Population Health and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. A supervisor may be found outside the Nuffield Department of Population Health.
Each student will be assigned an academic supervisor who will support them through the duration of the course. Students may also be assigned a dissertation supervisor related to their chosen dissertation topic.
Most students have the opportunity to meet with their supervisor once every three to four weeks.
Assessment
During all six terms of the course there will be a series of formative assessments designed to enable teaching staff and the students to monitor progress. These assessments are compulsory but the marks do not contribute to the final degree. All students are provided with detailed feedback that will enable them to improve their learning by helping them identify their strengths and weaknesses.
There are five summative assessments in total. In Hilary term of year one, a written assignment is submitted. The examination will be held at the end of the year one Long Vacation period. During Michaelmas term of year two a written assignment will be submitted. During Trinity term of year two students will give a presentation and finally you will write a dissertation that will be submitted in the Long Vacation of year two.
Graduate destinations
It is expected that MSc in Clinical Trials graduates will return to their full-time roles, but may include more clinical trials/studies in their duties. Some students may wish to progress to DPhil study.
Changes to this course and your supervision
The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.
Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.
For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.
College preference
Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs).
If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief introduction to the college system at Oxford and our advice about expressing a college preference .
If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide.
The following colleges accept students on the MSc in Clinical Trials:
- Green Templeton College
- Lady Margaret Hall
- Reuben College
- St Hilda's College
- Wolfson College
- Wycliffe Hall
Enquire
| Start date | Venue | |
|---|---|---|
| 06 Oct 2025 | Distance learning | Book now |