MSc Medical Statistics and Data Science
This page shows information on the MSc Medical Statistics and Data Science programme.
Medical Statistics is a fundamental scientific component of health research. Medical Statisticians interact with biomedical researchers, epidemiologists and public health professionals and contribute to the effective translation of scientific research into clinical decision-making and patient benefit. As new biomedical problems emerge, there are exciting challenges in the application of existing tools and the development of new superior methods.
The Medical Statistics and Data Science programme provides students with a sound background in statistical theory as well as specialist knowledge in medical statistics and data science skills that are essential to undertake health research studies. The taught component equips students with tools for designing and analysing studies in the fields of drug discovery, epidemiology, public health and disease prevention, in particular to evaluate new treatments, investigate associations between health outcomes and risk factors and develop risk prediction models. The research project provides hands on experience with analysis of real clinical data sets and interpretation of the results.
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Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of a foundation module (non-credit bearing), eight taught modules (120 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
Further information about specific modules, including outline syllabuses and reading lists, is available via the Department's handbook for taught graduate students.
Full time, the degree will last 12 months (including a summer project).
Part time study is also available over two years. Studying the MSc Medical Statistics and Data Science on a part time basis means that the taught modules are split between the first and second years, but within each year the classes for a particular module are the same ones attended by full-time students (i.e. special teaching times are not offered for the part-time programme). It is possible to arrange with the project supervisor to start to work on the research project earlier than after the exams in the second year, but there is no entitlement to a higher overall amount of supervision than full time students.
Teaching is by means of a mixture of live sessions and self-study using videos and other materials prepared by the module leader. Some of the live sessions are dedicated to practical work. There is also the possibility of external organisations delivering technical lectures and seminars. The taught degree programme involves about 200 hours of live sessions altogether.
Students will be assessed on eight taught modules in total. For most modules the overall mark is based on an in-course assessment (given 20% weighting) and a final written examination sat in term three (given 80% weighting). However, some modules are assessed entirely through coursework, e.g. Statistical Computing.
The Research Project is a consolidation of the MSc’s taught component. Students will normally analyse and interpret data from a real, complex problem, offering the chance to produce viable solutions. Workshops, which provide preparation for this project, will run during the teaching terms. These will cover the communications of statistics such as the presentation of statistical graphs and tables.
Project topics can be selected from a departmental list, or students can make their own suggestions. The list usually includes some collaborative projects available with pharmaceutical companies for certain medical statistics/pharmaceutical topics. There may be opportunities for students to undertake other collaborative MSc projects which involve medical researchers within the UCL Medical School and the NHS Trusts, or an industrial partner.
The Royal Statistical Society (RSS) accredits taught degree programmes on the basis of information supplied by the awarding institution. RSS accreditation provides reassurance that a programme produces graduates with the technical skills and subject knowledge required of a statistician.
The MSc Medical Statistics and Data Science programme has been accredited by the RSS. The current period of accreditation covers students who first enrol up until September 2028. All students on an accredited programme will be eligible for e-Student membership of the RSS, with the potential to progress along the professional pathway of RSS membership to Graduate Statistician and Chartered Statistician status.
For more information on the programme please contact:
Ms Agnes Somogyi
stats.pgt-admissions AT ucl.ac.uk
+44 (0)20 7679 5694