Spinal Pain MRes

Our research orientated training approach, will enhance your practical, theoretical and applied knowledge of spinal pain and rehabilitation. You’ll be part of a vibrant research community, developing your skills for future research or employment in a diverse range of careers.

Course Structure

Learn in a highly interactive teaching and research environment. Tailor your degree with a variety of optional modules and have the unique opportunity to undertake a six-month research project in your chosen field. You may also be eligible to receive funding to study MRes Spinal Pain. This will be available to dynamic, self-motivated physiotherapists who are striving to develop in the field of spinal pain and rehabilitation.

• Cross-university collaboration with access to leading facilities
• Dedicated Centre of Precision Rehabilitation in Spinal Pain
• Tailor your degree to follow your interests

• Assessment Methods: A variety of assessments will be used through the course, including presentation, problem based assessments, portfolio and extended writing.
• Teaching methods: the courses have a taught component, and an extended period of research to produce a dissertation. The methods in which the course is delivered will depend on the optional modules you choose. This will vary from lecture based modules/practical based modules to self managed modules.
• Laboratory: There will be ample of opportunties for laboratory time as you propose a research project and conduct your research.

If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded, although scholarships are available.

Why Choose Birmingham?

• Become an expert researcher at one of the UK’s leading research departments — ranked 6th in the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021.
• Gain hands-on experience at the Centre of Precision Rehabilitation in Spinal Pain (CPR Spine).
• Collaborate with leading researchers in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Birmingham Medical School.

Find a supervisor

If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.

When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.

Find an Advertised PhD

Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.

Research proposal

If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use. The broader importance of this project for society, policymakers and businesses should also be covered.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.

Funding options

Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached

These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship

You devise your own PhD topic, find and consult with a potential supervisor, explore funding opportunities, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would strongly encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Careers Support

At Birmingham, we prepare our researchers to make an impact across every sector of society. Our PhD graduates are global change-makers: advancing knowledge, shaping policy, leading industries, and educating future generations.

You'll benefit from dedicated careers support tailored to your unique paths. Our expert team of Careers Advisers, including a dedicated postgraduate research adviser, offer one-to-one guidance to help researchers navigate career decisions both within and beyond academia.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.