Medical Statistics and Health Data Science

Entry requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Computing, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Operational Research, Physics, Statistics, or Systems Engineering.

OR

If your degree subject is not listed above, you will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Maths subject, or a Social Science subject. You will also need:

• three quantitative modules at 60% or above (or an international equivalent), including: Algebra, Calculus, Financial Maths, Maths, Pure Maths, Business Mathematics, Business Statistics, Econometrics, Financial Modelling, Probability, Quantitative Methods, Quantitative Research Methods, Statistics/Statistical Methods/Statistical Analysis, Cost Analysis, Decision Analysis and Simulation, Economics, Financial Analysis, Game Theory, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, or Engineering Maths; and
• A-level Mathematics (or international equivalent) at grade C or above.

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

• evidence of relevant work experience such as a statistician or quantitative analyst/researcher (university or industry), statistical programmer, data scientist or accounting, finance, actuarial science, computer programmer etc.
• a postgraduate qualification in Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Computing, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Operational Research, Physics, Statistics, or Systems Engineering.

Specific module requirements would still apply.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MSc in Medical Statistics and Health Data Science will enable you to engage with the complex statistical and data science healthcare challenges facing the global community, providing high-quality training in statistical and computational methods that are applicable to low-, middle- and high-income settings.

As a medical statistician or health data scientist you will play a vital role in improving the health of populations by conducting statistical research (such as designing clinical trials and epidemiological studies, analysing data and interpreting results) to advance medical knowledge, track or prevent diseases, and improve medications and treatments.

Challenges have arisen over the last decade in the increasing availability of enormous datasets related to human health and healthcare. Health data science combines expertise in epidemiology and statistics with programming skills to enable analysis of these very large and diverse datasets.

You will be trained in the theory and practice of cutting-edge methods in medical statistics and health data science (for example: causal inference, advanced regression models, infectious disease data analysis and machine learning). Teaching will focus on building strong quantitative and computational skills, and effective interpretation and communication of research findings. Concepts, skills and tools are illustrated using real-life case studies and health-related data. You will gain professional skills such as teamwork, presentation skills, and writing for publication – essential for a successful medical statistician and health data scientist.

Population Health Sciences is a leading centre for research, with numerous opportunities for PhD study and employment on research projects. Internationally recognised for excellence in the development and dissemination of research methodology such as methods for randomised trials and causal inference. You will benefit from this established expertise as a student on the MSc.

This MSc has Royal Statistical Society (RSS) accreditation reflecting the high-quality teaching, learning and assessment within the programme.

Information for international students

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and funding

HDR UK offer scholarships for home students. Find more information on the HDR UK website.

The University of Bristol Opportunity Bristol scheme offers scholarships (fees and living costs) for UK nationals with home fee status from Black backgrounds.

NIHR pre-doctoral fellowships offer up to two years funding including salary and tuition fees.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.