United Arab Emirates University

What you'll study

This MSc combines taught coursework, practical training and a supervised research project. The curriculum typically covers core topics in clinical research methods, epidemiology and biostatistics alongside applied modules in clinical trial management and regulatory and ethical aspects of human research.

• Research Methods and Study Design: study designs, protocol development, sample size and power calculations, bias and confounding.
• Biostatistics and Data Analysis: descriptive and inferential statistics, regression models, survival analysis, use of statistical software for clinical data.
• Clinical Trials and Project Management: phases of clinical trials, monitoring, quality assurance, project planning and budgeting.
• Regulatory Affairs and Good Clinical Practice (GCP): local and international regulatory frameworks, ethics committees, informed consent, pharmacovigilance.
• Epidemiology and Public Health Research: measures of disease frequency and association, screening, outbreak investigation and observational studies.
• Research Integrity and Ethics: human research ethics, data protection, publication ethics and reproducibility.
• Advanced Topics and Electives: medical statistics, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, medical writing, translational research, specialised electives reflecting faculty expertise.
• Practical Placement and Laboratory/Clinical Experience: placements in hospitals, research centres or contract research organisations to gain hands‑on experience in trial conduct and data management.
• Master's Research Project (Dissertation): an original research project carried out under faculty supervision, with thesis submission and oral defence.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, life sciences, public health or a related biomedical field. A record of prior academic achievement at undergraduate level is required, together with evidence of relevant professional or research experience for some applicants.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English through an accepted test or equivalent qualification. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview. Additional application materials commonly include a curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Career prospects

Graduates gain skills valued across the healthcare and life‑sciences sectors. Typical career paths include:

• Clinical research associate or clinical research coordinator in hospitals and contract research organisations (CROs)
• Clinical trial manager or project manager overseeing study delivery and compliance
• Data manager or biostatistician supporting trial analysis and data integrity
• Regulatory affairs officer or quality assurance specialist in pharmaceutical and medical device companies
• Medical writer, research officer or policy analyst in academic, government or non‑profit research settings
• Progression to doctoral research (PhD) or academic/research careers in universities and teaching hospitals

Why study at United Arab Emirates University

United Arab Emirates University is the country’s flagship national university with a strong Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and active research programmes. The university provides access to clinical training sites and collaborative links with regional hospitals and health authorities, enabling practical experience in real clinical research settings.

Students benefit from multidisciplinary supervision, research laboratories and institutional support such as an institutional review board and research governance infrastructure. The programme is designed to meet the needs of the region’s expanding clinical research ecosystem, preparing graduates for roles across healthcare, industry and regulatory bodies in the UAE and beyond.