Master in Deliveringclinicaltrialsfromprotocoltopatientclosingdate26October2026

Queen's University Belfast is a historic and research-led university located in the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Founded as Queen's College Belfast in 1845 and established as an independent university in 1908, Queen's combines a long heritage with modern ambitions. The campus sits within a designated conservation area and serves a diverse community of around 24,915 students, including roughly 3,500 international students, creating a lively and inclusive environment for study and social life.

Academically, Queen's is a Russell Group member with strong disciplinary strengths and a clear focus on employability. The university hosts four flagship Global Research Institutes addressing Global Peace, Security and Justice; Cyber Security; Health Sciences; and Food Safety, offering students opportunities to engage with impactful research. Career-facing initiatives such as Degree Plus and targeted employer workshops enhance internships, placements and graduate prospects, while sustained investment in campus infrastructure has delivered new teaching facilities, a student centre and a cutting-edge clinical simulation centre for health-related programmes.

For international students, Belfast offers an affordable and welcoming city experience with rich cultural life and efficient transport links across the UK and Ireland. University support services help with arrival, visas and accommodation, and a variety of clubs, societies and volunteering options make it easy to build networks and gain practical experience. Queen's is a strong choice for students seeking rigorous teaching, active research opportunities and clear pathways into careers in the UK and beyond.

Bridging the gap between the theoretical rigour of a research protocol and the practical realities of patient care requires a sophisticated understanding of regulatory, ethical, and operational frameworks. This programme is designed for professionals looking to master the lifecycle of clinical trials, moving from initial study setup through to patient-centred delivery. It addresses the critical challenges in trial management, including regulatory compliance, data integrity, and participant safety, within the specific context of the UK and Northern Ireland research landscape.

Participants will gain a comprehensive toolkit for facilitating successful trial operations, covering essential competencies such as patient screening, informed consent, randomisation, and laboratory sample management. The course is particularly valuable for those working in biological sciences or healthcare-related roles who need to ensure that their research interventions are not only evidence-informed but also operationally robust. By balancing technical knowledge with real-world application, this course empowers practitioners to take a lead role in the successful delivery of clinical research.

Clinical Research Operational Excellence

The course is structured to provide an immersive learning experience, combining four days of intensive, in-person instruction at the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine with 180 hours of self-directed study. This hybrid approach ensures that students can integrate high-level theory with practical, site-based skills, such as risk management, adverse event reporting, and data governance, ensuring they are fully equipped to navigate the complexities of modern clinical trials.