Artificial Intelligence and Medical Imaging MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Artificial Intelligence and Medical Imaging MSc teaches the underlying concepts of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how these technologies can be deployed in clinical environments, to help improve detection of disease and diagnosis from imaging data with the aim to enhance patient care. 

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£17,300
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024

Applications closed

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or related fields from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Undergraduate level knowledge in programming languages (such as Python or C++) is essential, demonstrated, e.g., by relevant courses or by an individual project they worked on during their UG. Undergraduate level knowledge of mathematics is also required, in algebra, analysis and probability. Applicants must show an interest in developing thinking and problem-solving skills.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2
Overall score of 7.0 and a minimum of 6.5 in each component.

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


This MSc Programme covers the core technology, applications and state-of-the-art medical imaging technology and its computational analysis.

You will undertake a series of compulsory modules, designed to teach the core methods and techniques in both AI and Medical Imaging: 

  • Programming foundations 
  • Machine learning 
  • Medical Imaging 
  • Image processing 

You will also undertake a research dissertation in these areas, giving the opportunity to put these skills into practice and gain exposure to clinically relevant problem domains.

You will further benefit from a range of optional and enrichment activities, enabling further study on: 

  • Computing in medical physics and computer science departments 
  •  AI and computational modelling in surgery 
  • Entrepreneurship in med-tech areas

Who this course is for

Suitable applicants will have a background in computer science, engineering or a related field, looking to deepen their knowledge and specialise in applying it to healthcare. This MSc is fitting for applicants who enjoy problem-solving or innovating and are interested in redefining what is possible in healthcare with the goal of improving patient lives through artificial intelligence and medical imaging.

What this course will give you

The MSc programme is offered by UCL's Department of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering: a hub for interdisciplinary research and collaborations between computer scientists, physicists, mechanical engineers, biomedical scientists and medical practitioners across UCL and its affiliated teaching hospitals. In joining this Department, you will benefit from our network of internationally leading research, learning directly from the research staff in this close-knit community.


This programme will provide you with a strong appreciation of how engineering drives technological, clinical and economic progress via developing, providing and maintaining infrastructure, products and services rooted on solid principles and realisation. It will provide you with the skills to devise systematic, pragmatic and creative engineering solutions to real-world problems and challenges. Not only will this programme prepare you for a successful career within the fields of engineering, healthcare and technology, but also careers in related fields such as entrepreneurship.

The foundation of your career

Globally, the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare settings is on the rise. Diagnostic workflows in the clinic and other healthcare settings rely on an ever-increasing amount of imaging data (x-ray, MRI, ultrasound, etc.) and their analysis puts time pressure on consultations. AI technologies are well-placed to ease the burden and provide faster and more accurate diagnoses. High-tech start-ups and established healthcare providers will need to recruit engineers with such skills to drive research and innovation in this emerging field.

Employability

Upon completion of this programme, you will be ideally placed to pursue a range of careers and opportunities from academic research to careers in industry and contribute to emerging technologies such as the use of AI in healthcare. This MSc is an excellent starting point for further doctoral studies, as you will learn from world-leading UCL researchers at the cutting edge of their fields. The healthcare sector also includes a field of medical technology (MedTech) start-ups and global companies, providing opportunities in industry or public healthcare.  

Networking

As a global leader in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering research, our academics are at the forefront of healthcare innovations, with national and international collaborations across clinical, industrial and academic sectors. This provides natural opportunities to network with a variety of external partners and showcase output at international conferences, private industry events and clinical centres to audiences of potential employers. Moreover, the department holds close working relationships with a number of charities, research councils and international organisations, for example, in new projects involving radiotherapy and infant optical brain imaging in Africa.

Teaching and learning

Module topics covered include computer programming using Python and core programming tools for processing and analysing medical images, machine learning, deep learning, medical imaging physics and medical image analysis.

The modules of this MSc programme will be assessed by a series of methods including exams, coursework, group work, lab sessions and a research project.

This time is made up of formal learning and teaching events such as lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as independent study.

Each module typically consists of around 36-40 lectures over a ten-week term (excluding reading week). During each week, including problem classes, you should therefore expect about 20 contact hours. This time is made up of formal learning and teaching events such as lectures and problem classes. You will need to spend your own time in addition to the timetabled hours reviewing the material and completing coursework. You should expect to be spending at least 40 hours per week on your studies as a full-time student. A pro-rata rate should be used as a guide for part-time or flexi-time students. Lectures are timetabled between 9am and 6pm apart from Wednesday afternoon when there are no lectures.

Finally, the students are expected to allocate a significant amount of that time to their research project (an average of up to 8 hours per week for the MSc Full Time students and 16 hours per week for the MRes Full Time students). The time allocation to the research project will need to be adjusted between Terms 1 and 2, and the summer term (following the exams) where the expectation is for the students to work exclusively on their research projects.

Modules

The programme will be delivered through a combination of formal lectures, seminars, laboratories, workshop sessions and independent or group project work.

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 Artificial Intelligence and Medical Imaging.

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 Services team.

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £17,300
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400

Additional costs

It is expected that students will provide their own laptop. For example, machine learning modules require a modern laptop that can run basic Python and MATLAB computing environments. with an internet connection, e.g. a laptop with a minimum of 2GHz dual core processor, 4GB RAM, 100 GB of hard-drive space is approximately £700 (as of September 2023).


Students will be required to pay for their travel costs to teaching or project locations if they are off campus (e.g. at 90 High Holborn or Charles Bell House). Project locations and teaching are based in London. As of September 2023, the anytime 18+ Student Oyster (Zone 1 - 5) pay as you go cap is £13.90.

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.

Next steps

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 Artificial Intelligence and Medical Imaging at graduate level
  • why you want to study Artificial Intelligence and Medical Imaging at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this 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.

Successful applicants should show an interest in developing thinking and problem-solving skills.

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.

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