MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care Systematic Reviews

The MSc in EBHC Systematic Reviews is a part-time course. There are four compulsory modules, two option modules and a dissertation, which will take the form of a systematic review.

Compulsory Modules

• The Practice of Evidence-Based Health Care
• Systematic Reviews
• Complex Reviews
• Meta-analysis

Option Modules (two must be chosen)

• Introduction to Study Design and Research Methods
• Realist Reviews and Realist Evaluation
• Essential Medical Statistics
• Economics of Health Care

*Please note that not all option modules are guaranteed to run every year.

The majority of modules are run over either an eight, or a fifteen-week learning cycle. Most modules are either delivered fully online or in a blended format, however, some modules are only delivered with a blended format that includes a 5 day attendance in Oxford, and some are only run entirely online. In any given year, not all delivery formats for a module may be available.

Blended format: an initial period of self-directed study is spent on introductory activities using a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This is followed by a week spent in Oxford for supported face-to-face teaching, and then a further period of Post-Oxford activities (a mixture of self-directed and supported distance learning also delivered through the VLE). The final week of each module is for self-directed personal study, shortly followed by the assignment submission.

Fully online format: These are delivered through the VLE, with the first week allocated to self-directed introductory activities. There is then either:

– a number of units to work through, which are released week by week. Each unit includes a mixture of supported and self-directed learning with discussion forums, tasks and activities. Students then have five weeks of self-directed personal study with use of a revision forum and the requirement to submit an assignment electronically the following week. Courses usually run over 15 weeks.

Or

– an intensive week of 5 consecutive days of synchronous and asynchronous teaching sessions, and then a further period of activities (a mixture of self-directed and supported distance learning also delivered through the VLE). The final week of each module is for self-directed personal study, shortly followed by the assignment submission. Courses usually run over 8 weeks.

Part-time attendance details

As a part-time student, you will be required to attend a minimum of two modules (one of which must be a compulsory module) ‘in person’ in Oxford. Each ‘in-person’ module requires you to attend a week (5 days) in Oxford for supported face-to-face teaching. Your other 4 modules can be made up of a mix of ‘in-person’, or fully online modules. For additional note: All students are required to attend a minimum of one module in each academic year on course. This can either be ‘in person’ or fully online.

The course will enable students to do the following:

• To introduce the basic concepts and skills of evidence-based health care, including how to formulate a clinical research question, search for evidence; critically appraise evidence for sources of bias, and apply evidence to health care settings.
• To describe in detail different types of research methods and identify the strengths and weaknesses of different study designs.
• To learn how to design a systematic review research protocol.
• To gain a more detailed understanding of the process involved in conducting a systematic review.
• To develop the skills to conduct, report, and update a systematic review.
• To gain a familiarity with basic and advanced techniques for the analysis of quantitative systematic review data: meta-analysis, meta-regression, network meta-analysis, diagnostic meta-analysis, and individual patient data meta-analysis.
• To gain an understanding of and reasons for more complex systematic reviews in health care, such as realist reviews, reviews of clinical study reports, prognostic reviews, and meta-synthesis.
• To explore new paradigms in systematic reviews and evidence synthesis.
• To gain sufficient training to conduct systematic reviews independently.

This course is designed for health care professionals and researchers seeking to consolidate their understanding and ability in contextualising, carrying out, and applying systematic reviews appropriately in health care settings. Core modules will introduce the students to the principles of evidence-based health care, as well as the core skills and methods needed for research design and conduct. Further modules will provide students with specific skills in conducting basic systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and more complex reviews, such as realist reviews, reviews of clinical study reports and diagnostic accuracy reviews. The course also includes a series of optional methodology clinics with members of the faculty.

Teaching is tailored to those with minimal prior knowledge of systematic reviews and delivered by an experienced team of tutors from the University of Oxford, who actively work to advance the practice of evidence-based health care through the conduct and dissemination of systematic reviews.

This programme supports students through a training programme that includes core teaching modules and a dissertation, leading to an MSc qualification in EBHC Systematic Reviews.

Compared with the MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care, this degree will suit those with a particular interest in and requirement for training in the conduct of systematic reviews relevant to evidence-based health care.

The Programme is delivered in partnership with Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, one of the world’s most important academic centres for primary care, and leaders in world-class research and training for over 20 years. It is also supported by the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Find out more about the history of the centre and the Evidence-Based Health Care Programme here.

Students will be provided with training in the fundamental principles of evidence-based health care and research design as well as more specific training in the conduct of basic and more complex systematic reviews.

Oxford College affiliation

As a matriculated postgraduate degree student, you will become a member of one of the University’s multidisciplinary colleges, enabling you to encounter new perspectives in your field or learn more about many other subjects from fellow college members.

The collegiate system makes studying at Oxford a truly special experience. Oxford colleges are friendly and diverse communities, where you could find yourself absorbed in fascinating conversations with students and academics from a variety of disciplines at college seminars, dinners, and informal occasions.

To find out more about Oxford University colleges, please consult the University’s Graduate Admissions website.

Assessment for each module will be based on a written assignment, which shall not be of more than 4,000 words. Students for the MSc will also be required to complete a dissertation on a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor and the Course Director. The dissertation should not normally exceed 15,000 words.

To complete the MSc students must:

• Attend and complete the 4 compulsory modules and 2 option modules
• Complete a dissertation on a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor and the Course Director. The dissertation should normally not exceed 15,000 words.
• Attend a viva voce examination at the end of the course of studies at the discretion of the examiners

To be eligible for the course, you should:

• be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
• have professional work experience in the health service or a health-related field
• be able to combine intensive classroom learning with the application of the principles and practices of evidence-based health care within the workplace
• have a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing and Windows applications (for communications with course members, course team and administration)
• show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and an employer’s commitment to make time available to study, complete course work and attend courses and university events and modules.

For the full Selection Criteria please refer to the Graduate Admissions website.

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject.

Successful completion of a professional training course or professional work experience in the health service or a health-related field may also be considered.

For applicants with a bachelor’s degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. Further information on English language requirements can be found here.

Please visit the MSc in EBHC Systematic Reviews page on the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website for details of course fees and costs.

Please see our funding page for help and information with regard to funding postgraduate studies. We further recommend that applicants search for funding opportunities via the online Fees, Funding and Scholarship search tool.

In order to be considered for many scholarships, applicants are required to apply by the January deadline. However, applicants should note that some scholarships require additional application materials and may have different deadlines, so applicants should make sure they check the application process for each scholarship carefully.

We strongly recommend that you apply by the January or March deadlines. After the March deadline, the course will only stay open for that year’s entry if places are still available.

Remember that it can take a number of weeks to obtain all of the documents you need and prepare a competitive application. You should also allow your referees plenty of time to submit your references. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible.

Applications for this course should be made via the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website. This website includes further information about this course and a guide to applying.

Early application for the programme is advised. Applications which have not been fully completed before the application deadline cannot be considered, so please ensure any applications are received by us in good time so that we may advise of missing or incorrectly completed elements. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a telephone interview, and asked to provide evidence of their funding for the programme.

To see if this course is still open for applications for admission, please visit the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website. Courses with a green admission status are open for applications, amber means the course will be closing at 12 noon on the following Friday and red means it has closed to new applications.

For further information on applying, please refer to the Application Guide. Please read our Terms and Conditions before submitting your application. If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying, please contact:

Tel: +44 (0)1865 270453 – Email: cpdhealth@conted.ox.ac.uk