MRes Engaged Research
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 12 months
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
Why study this course with LJMU?
- Develop deep expertise in engaged and relational research, co‑production and collaborative inquiry
- Work directly with a client organisation or public service partner on a live research project
- Gain experience of qualitative, quantitative, participatory, arts‑based, AI‑enabled and relational research approaches
- Benefit from LJMU’s dual supervision model, including an academic supervisor and a client‑based mentor
- Build a professional research identity with a focus on impact, ethics, governance and real‑world relevance
- Produce both academic and applied outputs tailored to organisational needs
- Blended learning delivery, with a mix of online and on-campus sessions
About this course
The MRes in Engaged Research develops critically reflective, impact‑driven researchers who work collaboratively with organisations and public service partners to address societal, organisational and policy challenges.
Rooted in engaged scholarship and relational research traditions, this programme equips you with the skills to design, conduct and lead co‑produced research that generates meaningful public value.
Across 12 months (full‑time), you will undertake a live, client‑based Independent Research Project, supported through dual supervision and a structured engagement model. You will explore your role and responsibilities as an engaged researcher, learn to navigate complex ethical environments, and develop the methodological expertise needed to deliver high‑quality applied research in organisational and public service contexts.
This programme is ideal for early‑career researchers, practitioners seeking to develop research capability, and those aiming to progress into applied research roles in higher education, public services, consultancy, or policy environments.
Programme Aim
The MRes in Engaged Research aims to:
- Provide a pathway for engaged and relational research in organisations and public services, grounded in Boyer, Van de Ven and relational inquiry models
- Establish a client‑focused engagement model supported by a tripartite Client Engagement Agreement
- Equip students with advanced skills in research design and methods, including qualitative, quantitative, participatory, arts-based, AI-enabled, and relational approaches
- Align research projects with both academic expectations and applied outputs for use in client organisations
- Enable students to understand and critically reflect on their positionality, ethics, and identity as engaged researchers
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Engaged Research – Values, Principles and Approaches
30 credits
30 credits
The module, Engaged Research - Values, Principles, and Approaches (30 credits), covers the foundational concepts of engaged scholarship, relational research, and co-produced inquiry. Students examine the role and context of research within practice-based settings, considering how language, power, and positionality affect research relationships and results. This module begins with early-scoping activities, during which students identify and secure a suitable client organisation or public service partner.
Engaged Research Methods and Collaborative Design
30 credits
30 credits
Engaged Research Methods and Collaborative Design (30 credits) expands on Module 1 by enhancing students' methodological and technical skills. They examine various approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, participatory, arts-based, AI-enabled, and other relational methods suitable for collaborative inquiry. Students co-develop their Independent Research Project with a client organisation or public service partner, negotiate data access, submit ethics applications, and plan data management. When appropriate, they use software such as Python, R, NVivo, or Power BI to support analysis and presentation.
Independent Research Project
120 credits
120 credits
This module enables students to complete a substantial, original research project in collaboration with a client organisation or public service partner. Building on the co-designed research protocol developed in earlier modules, students will implement and adapt their methodology in real-world conditions, undertake systematic data collection and analysis, and produce both academic and applied outputs. Projects must adhere to ethical and governance requirements and reflect the principles of engaged, impact-driven research.
Students are expected to demonstrate critical reflexivity, methodological rigour, and the ability to integrate theory, stakeholder insight, and empirical evidence to generate findings of practical and scholarly value. The final submission includes an academic dissertation (15,000–20,000 words), at least one applied deliverable for the client, and a reflective analysis of the research process.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
How you will learn
Your learning journey progresses from research design (Module 1) to methodological development (Module 2) and full project execution (Module 3).
Teaching includes:
- Face‑to‑face workshops
- Online asynchronous materials
- Action learning sets
- Guided independent study
- Peer collaboration and reflective practice
Workshops cover research design, ethics, client engagement, and a range of methodological approaches including qualitative, quantitative, participatory, arts‑based, AI‑enabled and relational methods.
Dual Supervision Model
Each student receives:
- An academic supervisor – offering conceptual and methodological guidance
- A client‑based mentor – supporting access, context and practical application
A Tripartite Client Engagement Agreement sets out project scope, responsibilities, ethics, governance, data access and expected outputs.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Assessment is 100% coursework and mirrors the staged development of your Independent Research Project.
Assessments may include:
- Research focus and project plan
- Literature‑informed and ethically grounded research proposal
- Methods and data analysis plan
- Academic dissertation
- Applied output for the client organisation (e.g., report, briefing, toolkit)
- Reflective portfolio documenting decisions, development and reflexive practice
- Presentation to academic or practitioner audiences
Formative feedback is embedded through supervision, learning sets, peer discussions and review sessions.
Course tutors
Postgraduate research opportunities
At LJMU, you can take the next step in your academic journey with a PhD or MPhil, available on a full-time or part-time basis. International students also have the option to study remotely.
- PhD duration: Up to 4 years full-time, or up to 7 years part-time
- Funding options: Choose between funded projects (with supervisors already in place) or self-funded study
Our Doctoral Academy is here to support you every step of the way—from your first enquiry through to successful completion—working closely with Schools, Faculties, and Professional Services.
For more details on postgraduate research and full details on how to apply, visit the Doctoral Academy website.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 97% of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Work‑related learning is central to the MRes Engaged Research.
You will:
- Undertake a live research project with a client partner
- Apply programme content directly to organisational or service needs
- Negotiate access, refine research questions and define project relevance
- Produce insights and outputs used directly by stakeholders
The dual supervision model and Client Engagement Agreement ensure clarity around roles, governance, ethics and deliverables.
Tuition fees and funding
- Fee:
- £8,500
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
- Fee:
- £17,600
International Scholarships and payment plans
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of postgraduate scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations such as the British Council and Chevening.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
1. Honours degree (2:2) or an equivalent professional qualification or substantial relevant work experience.
2. Non-standard entry and Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning [RP(E)L]
In line with LJMU’s Admissions Policy and RP(E)L regulations, applications are welcomed from experienced professionals who do not meet the standard academic entry requirements, including those who do not hold a first degree, where they can demonstrate:
§ Substantial and relevant professional experience in applied/engaged research, evaluation, organisational development, or related practice; and
§ Evidence of ability to work at Level 7 (for example, through reports, publications, project documentation, or other analytical writing).
Such applicants will be considered under LJMU’s Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning procedures. They may be asked to:
§ Submit a portfolio of evidence mapping their experiential learning to the knowledge and skills typically obtained through an honour’s degree,
§ Attend an interview to discuss their experience, research interests, and readiness for an MRes in Engaged Research.
All non-standard/RP(E)L admissions decisions will be made on an individual basis, in accordance with University policy on postgraduate admissions and RP(E)L.
English language requirements
Where English is not the applicant’s first language, they must demonstrate proficiency in English at a level equivalent to IELTS 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each component) or another LJMU-approved qualification.
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
All applicants will be required to attend an interview as part of the entry requirements.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
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