Paediatrics and Child Health Research
Developing the paediatric researchers of the future.
Taught by paediatric researchers from across the University of Bristol, this course is designed to help medical students to engage early in research, increasing their competitiveness for (academic) clinical jobs and a career in paediatrics. This iBSc provides students with the opportunity to develop real world research skills in leadership, time management, ethics, and involving patients and the public in research. We teach students how to write papers and apply for grant funding. We have designed the assessment to mirror the professional development and assessment of practicing clinicians to improve their exam skills.
Is this programme for me?
If you are interested in finding out more about research, like stretching yourself, and enjoy learning new skills - this course is for you. Teaching is delivered in small groups, is highly interactive and delivered by a wide range of lecturers, drawn from many of the world-leading paediatric research groups in Bristol. You will have the opportunity to conduct your own independent research, with projects ranging from neonatology to adolescence, epidemiology to molecular biology. You will be taught and have the opportunity to practice all the skills that you need to do research including how to think critically, analyse papers, perform analyses, present in public, lead groups and write your own paper. At the end of the course, you should be able to develop a publishable paper based on your project which will help your career.
What do previous students say about the iBSc in Child Health Research?
How is the course structured?
The course consists of three taught units and an interwoven research project. The units are:
Teaching block one (TB1)
Unit 1: Starting a Research Project in Child health
This unit will give you an overview of the methods available and the things you need to consider, when starting a research project involving children. You will learn generic and highly transferable research skills and what makes paediatric research different from that focussed on adults, including how to appraise existing evidence, and the advantages and disadvantages of different study designs.
(20 credits)
Unit 2: Conducting Successful Child Health Research
This unit will help you understand how to successfully deliver research; with teaching on the ethics of research in children, how to carry out Public and Patient Involvement, and training on leadership and wellbeing. You will be taught how to write research papers, apply for grant funding, present your work and speak in public.
In this unit we have clinically focused journal clubs, combining teaching paediatric knowledge, evidence interpretation with eating tea and cake.
(20 credits)
Teaching block two (TB2)
Unit 3: How to Analyse Results and Write Up a Project
Running alongside your research project (see below), this unit will teach you in a practical hands-on small weekly seminar format all the statistics you might need to analyse your results. We will also have sessions on how to make a great abstract/poster, how to give great presentations and group writing workshops. This block we also have weekly clinical paediatric problem-solving workshops, teaching you a symptoms-based approach to diagnosis and management of common paediatric presentations.
(20 credits)
Unit 4: Research Project
A core component of this course is a substantial research project based with one of the paediatric researchers in Bristol. This is designed to allow you to apply what you have learned in the previous units and learn more specialist techniques for a specific research area. (60 credits)
Assessment
The course assessment is designed to prepare you for postgraduate training (reflection), exams (multiple choice questions/MCQs) and academic presentation and publication.
In Teaching Block 1, formative assessment will be delivered through a practice MCQ session and reflective note on what you have learnt (on which you will receive feedback). Summative assessment (totalling 33% of the final degree) will be by MCQs on topics from unit 1, as well as by two reflective written pieces what you have learnt from covering unit 2.
In Teaching Block 2, formative assessment will be based on a submitted abstract of your in-progress research project and group poster presentations. Summative assessment will be based on submission of your project write-up in the format of a 'research paper', with appendices demonstrating programme goals and a logbook of your progress during the year.
Mentoring scheme
During the year each student on our course will be paired with a current Academic Foundation Programme Doctor as part of our mentoring scheme. They will provide support and meet with you throughout the year, offering advice on current projects, building your portfolio, or taking the next steps towards an academic medicine career. These meetings are informal and flexible, aiming to provide individualised support, encouragement and a listening ear. We trust your mentor will assist you in maximising what you gain from the course, whilst ensuring you feel well supported throughout!
*My mentor* is amazing! Reassuringly cleared up misconceptions about the AFP programme including different routes available and provided me with practical solutions to improve my position. She also gave me advice on managing the upcoming projects which helped settle me for the term ahead.
*My mentor* was really helpful. She told me all about the academic foundation programme and said she will ask her supervisor if there is anything I can get involved with at Southmead too.
What do previous students say about the iBSc in Child Health Research?
What stood out to me this year is how invested all the tutors are in your goals and career plans. Not only have I been able to explore my own research interests, but I’ve also been able to receive great guidance and advice regarding future career paths which has been invaluable.
I am really glad I did an intercalated year in Child Health Research. This year, I have learned how to successfully conduct medical research including applying for ethics, gaining research grants, leading patient and public involvement groups, conducting a rapid systematic review, and conducting qualitative research. I found the supervisors very supportive and great to work with!
It has been a truly enjoyable and fruitful year at Bristol.
If you are thinking about choosing this course, do it! I have loved my year studying Child Health Research. As someone with previously limited research experience, it has completely transformed my perception of undertaking research. My professors, tutors and supervisors have been so approachable, personable and knowledgeable and there was a real sense of community in the course. I felt empowered to choose a research topic that I was genuinely interested in and working as part of a research team has been an invaluable experience.
Project titles (2025-6)
We can’t predict what projects will be available next year, but this is a list of project titles that was offered this year.
- Health professional perspectives on safer sleep advice
- Towards AI-enabled mental health support in paediatric continence care: A scoping review of current evidence
- Sleep architecture at 3 and 6 months in infants treated for neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy: an EEG study
- Long-term health outcomes of influenza and influenza-like illnesses
- Epidemiology of respiratory tract and other fever-associated infections in children presenting in community and hospital populations in the UK between 2018-2023
- Long COVID vs ME/CFS – similarities and differences
- Can QB testing predict treatment failure in children with ADHD
- Real time predictions of waiting times in the Children’s Emergency Department.
- Formulating a paediatric position statement on e-cigarettes
- What outcome measures are there for trials of airway clearance in children with cystic fibrosis?
- Exploring the therapeutic potential of ZBTB16 in kidney disease
- Gene editing for an inherited kidney stone disease, cystinuria
- Interventions to reduce problematic mobile phone use in adolescents: a scoping review
Student outputs
Whilst we can’t guarantee it, many of our students go on to present their research findings at national and international conferences. We’ve had particular success at the Royal College of Paediatrics Annual conference with students winning the APEM prizes for best poster and best presentation (twice). Some manage to publish their projects, but the realities of the world of publishing mean this will be after the degree has finished – obviously we will keep in touch with you and help with this!
Frequently asked questions
Q - Do I have to have research experience?
A – Not at all, that is the point of the course - we’re going to teach you that!
Q – Can I do my own research project?
A – Yes, in theory you could do your own project – but it would need significant planning to ensure it is going to work and has all the approvals in place. Get in touch and we will see what we can do.
Q – What is the selection process?
A – We have capacity for up to 20 students but usually have 6-10. This makes the groups small, friendly and personal & gives plenty of choice in the projects. We have a good track record of attracting external students both from other universities in the UK as well as abroad. There is no additional selection process other than applying!
Q – Where will lectures be held?
A – Our sessions are usually scheduled in the university buildings around the Whiteladies road area of Bristol.