Learning and support

NIHR Learn is a free online learning platform that allows you to enrol on a variety of online and face-to-face training courses.

You can create an account if you’re directly employed by:

• The NHS
• A UK university
• Another publicly funded organisation that conducts or supports clinical research

Courses include Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and eLearning for Research.

eLearning for Research

eLearning for Research is a series of e-learning modules on NIHR Learn.

It’s for those with little or no experience of research.

The modules cover topics that will help you engage with research and research opportunities with confidence.

Access NIHR Learn

Browse courses on NIHR Learn. You need to log in to see them.

NIHR Learn

If you're starting out in your career in health and care research or want to find out more about clinical research, sign up to the courses below.

Starting out in Health and Social Care Research

Get step-by-step guidance on every stage of the research process to kickstart your career in health and social care research.

This course is designed for health and social care professionals in any field who are planning to get involved in research. It's free for NHS and NHS-affiliated staff.

Find out more and register:

Starting Out in Health and Social Care Research on Future Learn website

Improving Healthcare Through Clinical Research

Learn how medical treatments are discovered, tested and evaluated to improve healthcare for all. It’s a free 4-week course for:

• students thinking of a career in healthcare or the life sciences industry
• health and social care practitioners who want to find out how clinical research improves healthcare

Find out more and register:

Improving Healthcare through Clinical Research on Future Learn website

Have you, or someone you know, ever wondered what health research is and what it involves? Do you want to know what the common myths are and explore ways to get involved? Would you like to hear from people who have taken part in health research and learn why they volunteered?

By joining this free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) you will discover how research is improving health care, find out what’s involved in health research, bust the common myths surrounding health research and explore ways to get involved.

The course runs several times a year for three weeks with Lead Educator and Mentor input,  but is available with little to no involvement from Mentors the rest of the time.

To find out more information about the course and to join, please visit the course homepage.

For those wishing to follow a clinical academic pathway the NIHR offers a range of academic training programmes. See how we can support your career as a researcher.

Have you considered rethinking your approach to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?

When we think about learning at work and professional development, we often think about formal, structured activities such as courses, qualifications or formal coaching and supervision arrangements. 

Yet there are so many ways to learn and much is written about training and learning, the influence of learning technologies and the ever increasing pace of change within the workplace. Our series of blogs explores the latest developments and trends. 

Read on: Rethinking your CPD blog series

Are you looking to develop your research delivery skillset?

The NIHR and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) have worked with Higher Education Institutions to develop a national framework of Master’s level qualifications.

These qualifications are made up of a combination of online modules and practical experience, providing healthcare practitioners from any regulated profession with the skills, networks and confidence to lead and support clinical research delivery.

Find out more and apply

This series of e-learning modules is aimed at individuals with little or no experience of research. Created by NIHR, selected Royal Colleges and their partners, the modules cover a variety of topics to provide you with new skills to feel more confident to engage with research and research opportunities.

All the modules are available on NIHR Learn, our online Learning Management System. Log in to NIHR Learn.