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Health Data Science MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This programme covers computational and statistical methods applied to large and complex biomedical data in order to improve health and healthcare through medical research. As part of this programme, you will gain an understanding of techniques that are transforming medical research and creating exciting new commercial opportunities.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
5 academic years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in a clinical or a scientific discipline with a significant computational or mathematical element. Students are expected to understand the basic concepts of statistics, such as sampling and variation and to be familiar with simple statistical tests, such as those used in the medical literature for hypothesis testing. A self-paced online programme is available for students who want to revise this material at the start of the academic year.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


You will learn how to link, characterise, and analyse large complex datasets, such as electronic health records. You will also learn how to design and carry out complex and innovative health research studies that take advantage of the increasing amount of available biomedical data about the health, behaviour, and genetic makeup of small and large populations. The programme draws on a range of areas, including health informatics, health data science, clinical epidemiology, computer science, biomedical statistics, and other fields, such as genetics.

  • UCL is rated No.1 for research power and impact in medicine, health, and life sciences (REF 2021).
  • UCL is ranked 6th in the world for public health (ShanghaiRanking's 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects).
  • UCL is ranked 9th in the world as a university (QS World Rankings 2024).

Who this course is for

The programme provides a good grounding in biomedical statistics and scientific programming for data management and analysis, and no prior knowledge is assumed. However, applicants should ensure that evidence of their readiness for this kind of training is clearly presented either through their educational history or in their personal statement. Applicants whose first degree has little, or no quantitative content are unlikely to be accepted.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Data science is an exciting area with a dynamic job market, including in healthcare. Our graduates have gone on to work for a range of companies, including large research organisations and small start-ups, while others are working in health care or pursuing their interests in universities, working towards PhDs.

The programme is delivered by health informaticians, clinicians, statisticians, and computer scientists from UCL, including world-leading researchers in data science and biomedical informatics. You will learn about cutting-edge research projects. Programme content is aligned with the Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), the UK's national institute for health and biomedical informatics research. This MSc will draw on that collaboration, giving students access to the most advanced research in the field.

We work closely with a range of employing organisations - hospitals, data science companies, pharmaceuticals, and other SMEs - to ensure that our graduates have the best possible preparation for a career in data science. This includes offering industry-sponsored dissertations for selected students, giving scientific seminars, or providing internships.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

The programme is designed to meet a need, identified by the funders of health research and by a number of industrial organisations and healthcare agencies, for training in the creation, management and analysis of large datasets. This programme is practical, cross-disciplinary and closely linked to cutting-edge research and practice at UCL and UCL's partner organisations. Data science is a rapidly growing field of employment at the moment and employers recruiting in health data science include government agencies, technology companies, consulting, and research firms as well as scientific organisations.

Employability

Today, some of the most exciting, stimulating and productive research is carried out using large collections of data acquired in big collaborative endeavours or major public or private initiatives. As a student on this programme, we will work with you to develop your passion and interest in this area of research. You will gain skills for a career as an entrepreneur, scientist or manager, working in industry, academia or healthcare.

Networking

A number of employers - IQVIA, Roche, AstraZeneca and Public Health England (now called the UK Health Security Agency) - are supporting the programme in different ways, including providing paid internships to selected students.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, group tutorials, practical classes, and seminars. There is considerable independent study expected through the module delivery period.

The types of assessment on this programme may include coursework, examinations, presentations, and a research project.

Each 15-credit module equates to around 150 learning hours. This is spread out over the whole period of the module which typically runs over 10 weeks. This includes the time you spend in taught sessions, independent study, group work, and assessment.

Modules

You will be taking five compulsory taught modules and three optional modules and completing a compulsory dissertation. 

Taught modules are mostly delivered face-to-face, although some blended learning modules are available as options. 

You will be taking five compulsory taught modules and three optional modules and completing a compulsory dissertation over two years.

Taught modules are mostly delivered face-to-face, although some blended learning modules are available as options.

You will be taking five compulsory taught modules and three optional modules and completing a compulsory dissertation over two to five years.

Taught modules are mostly delivered face-to-face, although some blended learning modules are available as options.

Compulsory modules








Optional modules









Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Health Data Science.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Health Data Science at graduate level
  • why you want to study Health Data Science at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Institute of Health Informatics
Institute of Health Informatics

ihi.education@ucl.ac.uk

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