Health Data Science

Entry requirements

Open to graduates from degree courses with a substantial quantitative methods content (for example, statistics, computer science ). We also encourage applications from health-related professions or those with non-standard qualifications, who will be considered on their individual merits.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Offering specialist training for current and aspiring health data scientists, this MSc combines research-focused teaching, training and development in an emerging discipline.

Whether you’re an experienced professional, recent graduate or intercalating medical student, you’ll benefit from our collaborative team-based approach. We’ll tackle important health research questions and work with new forms of health data, you’ll discover how health data science can enhance our understanding of disease and health care.

Training is grounded in the team science approach to addressing important health research questions, including theory alongside practical application, and introducing you to new forms of health data. Team science communication skills development will be an essential component of each module of the programme.

Developed by internationally excellent research groups in biostatistics, public health, and computer science, combined with a number of world-leading centres in strategic areas of health, the programme offers a rigorous curriculum with research-focused teaching, training, and development in health data science.

The programme will expose you to core health research, statistics and computer science modules, with the opportunity to obtain specialised knowledge along a statistics track, computer science track, or a combination.

We’ll also reveal the exciting potential of digital technology for enhancing health care interventions. This includes focusing on actionable analytics, thinking about how to transform data from information into actions that drive real-world improvements in health care settings. Further specialisation in advanced biostatistics, artificial intelligence and data mining is possible. Supported by Health Data Research UK – the national institute for health data science, this MSc has strong links to Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL), which has built an internationally recognised, multi and trans-disciplinary research centre tackling global health challenges with civic data and technology. CHIL provides dissertation research projects for students, focusing on areas such as healthcare data analytics, digital health solutions, public health informatics, and the application of technology in community health initiatives. These projects offer students the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research, contributing to meaningful advancements in global health.

The programme is in a blended format using both online and campus based delivery. It is available on both a full-time and part-time basis.

The Department of Health Data Science (previously known as Department of Biostatistics) is committed to high quality applied research and teaching. The Department has a number of methodological research interests and our members are engaged in a broad range of collaborative projects. The main research areas are:

· Clinical trials methodology

· Statistical modelling

· Health informatics

· Statistical pharmacogenetics

· Evidence synthesis.

Career prospects

Gaining skills to enhance employability is embedded in the curriculum. Potential employers are involved in the programme delivery, providing opportunities for you to engage with employers. You will have access to careers events (as networking meetings) with representation from academia, the NHS, industry and government agencies. Whenever possible, the dissertation projects will be linked with external partner organisations, exposing you to potential employment and career progression opportunities.

Information for international students

Applicants must have reached a minimum required standard of English language (IELTS 7 or equivalent, with no band less than 6.5).

Fees and funding