Qualitative Research Methods

Course status:

Applications being accepted

Location:

Online

Dates:

02/11/2026 - 06/11/2026

Study format:

Short intensive

Fees:

From £2,905.00 to £3,520.00

Introducing qualitative research This module will provide an introductory overview of the principles and practice of qualitative research. Students will explore how people make sense of their lives, and recognise ways in which qualitative research bridges the gap between scientific evidence and clinical practice by examining the attitudes, beliefs, and preferences of both patients and practitioners. Participants will be introduced to the concepts underpinning qualitative research, learn to collect data using fundamental methods, including observation, interview and focus groups and become familiar with the techniques of thematic qualitative data analysis. The last date for receipt of complete applications is 5pm Thursday 8th October 2026. Regrettably, late applications cannot be accepted. The overall aims of this module are to enable students to:

Use qualitative research in evidence based practice;
Understand commonly used qualitative methodologies in health care;
Understand the ways in which qualitative and quantitative approaches can be combined;
Discuss the issues involved in systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research;
Describe steps to design, data collection and analysis for a qualitative project;
Use qualitative methods, including observation, interviews and focus groups;
Conduct thematic qualitative data analysis;
Write up qualitative research results.

Comments from previous participants: "All tutors had both solid theoretical understanding of their topic and wide practical knowledge of the application of the approach being taught in practice. This course was a good mix of theory, opportunities to practice new skills, and application of theory into (one's own) practice."

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Selection criteria

Admissions Criteria:
To apply 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 work place
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 course and university events and modules.
Be able to demonstrate English Language proficiency at the University’s higher level.

IT requirements

Please ensure that you have access to a computer that meets the specifications detailed on our technical support page.

Programme details

This module is run over an eight week cycle where the first week is spent working on introductory activities using a Virtual Learning Environment, the second week is a full week of online teaching (this takes place on the dates advertised), there are then four Post-Oxford activities (delivered through the VLE) which are designed to help you write your assignment. You then have a week of personal study and you will be required to submit your assignment electronically the following week (usually on a Tuesday at 14:00 UK Local Time).

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on submission of a written assignment which should not exceed 4,000 words.

Academic Credit

Applicants may take this course for academic credit. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for this course. Participants attending at least 80% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification. If you wish to discuss this possibility, please ensure you contact the Programme team at cpdheath@conted.ox.ac.uk prior to applying for the course.

Applicants can choose not to take the course for academic credit and will therefore not be eligible to undertake the academic assignment offered to students taking the course for credit. Applicants cannot receive CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points or equivalence. Credit cannot be attributed retrospectively. CATS accreditation is required if you wish for the course to count towards a further qualification in the future.

A Certificate of Completion is issued at the end of the course.

Applicants registered to attend ‘not for credit’ who subsequently wish to register for academic credit and complete the assignment are required to submit additional information, which must be received one calendar month in advance of the course start date. Please contact us for more details.

Please contact cpdhealth@conted.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Anne-Marie Boylan – Module Co-ordinator

Anne-Marie Boylan is a Departmental Lecturer and Senior Research Fellow based in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.

Fees

Description	Costs
Short Course in Health Sciences	£3520.00
Students enrolled on the MSc EBHC	£2905.00

Funding

Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.

Discounts

If you are an employee of the University of Oxford and have a valid University staff card you may be eligible to receive a 10% discount on the full stand-alone fee. To take advantage of this offer please submit a scan/photocopy of your staff card along with your application. Your card should be valid for a further six months after attending the course.

If you are a current employee of the NHS, you may be eligible for our new NHS Short Course Bursary (or “NHS Bursary”), which offers a limited number of places at a 20% fee reduction. Please click on the link here to find out more.