Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research
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Prepared by Docthub Courses Team ∣
Last updated on 28 Aug 2025
Overview
An Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research is an advanced program that combines a master's and doctoral degree in a single course. It specializes in the field of clinical research, focusing on the study of medical treatments, interventions, and patient care practices. The course typically spans five to seven years, allowing students to progress directly from a master's level to a PhD.
Table of Content
What is an Integrated MSc and PhD in Clinical Research?
Integrated MSc and PhD in Clinical Research is an advanced degree program that can involve both postgraduate and doctoral levels in one curriculum. It also equips students to be competent scholars and professionals in clinical trials with the ability to design, implement, and analyze medical research that is done on human subjects.
The program combines the major elements of the core medical science, pharmacological science, the methodology of research, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, and project management. It perfectly suits people interested in careers in clinical trials, pharma R&D, academia research, and at regulatory bodies in India and other countries.
Highlights:
| Particulars | Integrated MSc and PhD in Clinical Research |
| Course Type | Integrated Postgraduate + Doctoral Degree |
| Duration | 5 to 6 years
|
| Eligibility | BSc in Life Sciences / MBBS / BDS / BPharm
|
| Admission Process | Entrance Test + Interview |
| Fees | ₹2,00,000 – ₹3,50,000 per year |
| Colleges in India | JSS Academy Manipal ICT Mumbai Amity University PHFI D Y Patil Vidyapeeth Goenka University ICRI Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research JNU |
| Job Roles | Clinical Research Scientist Medical Writer / Regulatory Writer Clinical Trial Coordinator / Manager Clinical Research Physician Pharmacovigilance Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Data Safety Monitor / Ethics Committee Member Quality Assurance Specialist Biostatistician Regulatory Affairs Manager |
Eligibility:
Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, MBBS, BDS, or equivalent
Minimum 55% – 60% aggregate marks
Preference to candidates with research interest or work experience in healthcare
Admission through institute-level entrance exams or merit + interview
Duration:
Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research training lasts for 5–6 years in total, which includes a 2-year MSc Coursework and 3–4 years PhD Research and Dissertation.
Fees:
Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research fees are ₹2,00,000 – ₹3,50,000 per year
Scholarships and assistantships are available at some universities
The PhD phase may offer a stipend under fellowship schemes or projects
Who Should Do This Course?
Pharmacy and Science graduates want to pursue their careers in clinical trials and medical research.
Doctors want to gain knowledge in research and pursue careers as scientists or clinical research managers.
Learners who are interested in the fields of drug development, epidemiology, or evidence-based medicine
Those seeking an academic or regulatory role in global healthcare systems
Why Study This Course?
Integrates the MSc and PhD schedules into a smooth research career path
The increasing need for trained individuals in the areas of clinical trials, CROs, and pharma R&D
Opens new horizons in India and outside the country in the field of clinical operations and pharmacovigilance
High regulatory writing and ethics committees’ scope, medical affairs
Entrance Exam
Institute-specific entrance test (e.g., Amity JRF, Manipal MET)
Personal interview with research proposal presentation
Some accept GATE/CSIR-NET scores (for PhD stage)
Admission Process
Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research admission processes are:
Application submission through the university portal
Written test + Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Personal Interview / Research Aptitude Assessment
Merit list and admission confirmation
Syllabus:
| Years | Topics Covered |
| Year 1 | Basics of Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, GCP
|
| Year 2 | Biostatistics, Clinical Trial Design, ICH-GCP, Ethics, Writing
|
| Clinical/Hands-on training | PhD Phase Research Project, Thesis, Publications, Data Management, Lab sessions, internships, and hands-on training with clinical trial software tools like CTMS, EDC, and MedDRA are included.
|
Top Colleges / Institutes:
Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research Institute are:
- JSS Academy
- Manipal
- ICT Mumbai
- Amity University
- PHFI
- D Y Patil Vidyapeeth
- Goenka University
- ICRI
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research
- JNU
- Symbiosis University
Scope
Clinical Research Organizations
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms
Hospitals and research labs
WHO, ICMR, CDSCO, DCGI, and global health bodies
Academic institutes and regulatory consultancies
Further Study Options
Post-Doctoral Research in Public Health, Epidemiology, or Translational Medicine
Fellowship in Regulatory Affairs, Drug Safety, or Clinical Data Management
MBA in Healthcare Management (for leadership roles)
Career Opportunities after This Course
Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research career opportunities are:
- Clinical Research Scientist
- Medical Writer / Regulatory Writer
- Clinical Trial Coordinator / Manager
- Clinical Research Physician
- Pharmacovigilance Associate
- Principal Investigator (PI)
- Data Safety Monitor / Ethics Committee Member
- Quality Assurance Specialist
- Biostatistician
- Regulatory Affairs Manager
Salary
| Designation | Salary Range |
| Clinical Research Associate (CRA) | ₹5–8 LPA |
| Regulatory / Medical Writer | ₹6–12 LPA |
| Project Manager / PI | ₹12–20 LPA |
| Global Firms (Pfizer, Novartis) | ₹25+ LPA or $70,000+ abroad |
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FAQS
What is the Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research?
Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research is an integrated course program offered to students willing to study advanced research in medical sciences, drug development, clinical trials, and healthcare data. It fuses the master's and doctoral work, thus providing a smooth transition to students who intend to turn out to become research scientists, clinical investigators, and academicians. The course focuses on scientific methodology, biostatistics, ethical conduct, and practical research work, thereby representing the best choice for anyone interested in being a part of evidence-based medicine and other healthcare advancements in long-term organized training in both theoretical and applied clinical research.
How long does the Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research take to complete?
Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research programme requires a duration of 5 to 6 years. The first two years are devoted to the master's part, and include theory, research methodology, regulations, and hands-on practical skills in clinical research. The other three to four years are those of unique research performance under a supervisor, and it ends with the submission of a doctoral thesis. This can remain different with respect to the duration, depending on the structure of the institution as well as the progress of the research by the student.
What are the benefits of pursuing an Integrated MSc & PhD in Clinical Research?
The following are some of the advantages of this course: it saves time because two degrees are obtained in a shorter period, it provides consistency in learning and researching, and establishes a solid background in theory and practice. The students develop advanced competency in the field of clinical trials, research designs, and data analysis, along with an excellent academic record. It maximizes their pharma, CROs, hospitals, and academic employment. The program also provides quality mentorship experience and includes stipends at the PhD level quite frequently, making it an affordable and career-oriented approach to long-term research in healthcare and clinical development for individuals who are dedicated to research.
How to apply for Integrated MSc (Clinical Research & PhD)?
To apply, this individual must have a completion of an undergraduate degree in life sciences, pharmacy, medicine, or allied health sciences with a good academic background. Universities or research institutes will conduct entrance tests, academic merit, and interviews as the basis of admission. A statement of purpose or research proposal may also be needed by some reputed institutions. The university portal has applications that are submitted online.
How does this program compare to a standalone MSc or PhD in Clinical Research?
The combination of the MSc & PhD provides a single academic journey that is sleeker, unlike the individual ones. The integrated model eliminates the space between the coursework and research, unlike doing an MSc and then applying to do a PhD separately. It will give the students an early exposure to research, regular mentorship, and just do away with re-admissions. This means that there is time and cost saving, increased learning concentration, and an easy movement to independent research.
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Qualifications
MBBS
BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)
BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery)
BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy)
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
BSc Nursing
BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery)
BUMS (Bachelor In Unani Medicine & Surgery)
BVSc (Bachelor Of Veterinary Science)
BPharm (Bachelor Of Pharmacy)
Related Specialty
Pharmaceutical Research
Translational Research
Clinical Research Nursing
Medical Research