Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This unique, interdisciplinary programme will teach students how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can have a transformative effect on biomedicine and healthcare. This MSc enables you to develop complex technical skills and use them to craft forward-thinking biomedical and healthcare solutions powered by AI. Taught at UCL, an international home of AI breakthroughs and medical excellence, graduates of this programme will be equipped with sought-after specialist skills, ideal for a rapidly growing sector.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£19,300
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
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 UK Bachelor's degree (or an international qualification of an equivalent standard) in a highly quantitative subject such as computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or the physical sciences. Relevant work experience may also be considered. Additionally, applicants must be comfortable with undergraduate mathematics in areas such as linear algebra and calculus. Evidence should be included within the application to demonstrate suitable mathematical skills (to at least A level Mathematics standard), analytical skills and programming experience in a procedural language.

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


This MSc programme provides foundational AI training with a focus on the biomedical and healthcare applications of AI, enabling you to become a rigorous AI practitioner. The degree will give you fundamental skills and knowledge to make a difference within interdisciplinary biomedical and healthcare environments.

UCL Computer Science is renowned for its role in AI breakthroughs. It was part of the development of AlphaGo – the first computer programme to defeat a professional human Go player. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme gives you opportunities to interact with experts from the biomedical and clinical sciences, as well as the social sciences and the humanities. Delivered in the heart of London, this programme also enables you to study in the AI Growth Capital of Europe.

Our one-of-a-kind learning environment brings possibilities of future employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in AI within the biomedicine and healthcare sectors. From accurate diagnosis and treatment of diseases to drug discovery and healthcare resource allocation, AI is transforming the delivery of curative and preventative medicine worldwide.

By joining us, you have the opportunity to become part of the next generation of AI practitioners, with the ability to use technology to find creative solutions for biomedicine and healthcare. You will also have the opportunity to work with an industry partner through your dissertation, applying your skills and knowledge to solve a real-world problem in this field.

Who this course is for

This is a programme for new or recent graduates of computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, and physical sciences. As well as equipping you with foundational and technical training in AI, the programme will show you how to apply it to biomedicine and healthcare, making it particularly suitable for those who want to contribute solutions to the biomedical and healthcare sectors.

This MSc would appeal to applicants who enjoy problem-solving with an interest in designing and deploying new AI solutions aimed at transforming medical care and improving patient lives.

What this course will give you

UCL is ranked 9th globally in the latest QS World University Rankings (2024), giving you an exciting opportunity to study at one of the world’s best universities.   

Run by UCL Computer Science, a department recognised as a world leader in teaching and research and with noteworthy reputation in the AI world, the Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare MSc offers an unparalleled education in this field.

The department was ranked first in England and second in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics in the UK's most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) You will learn from leading experts at the forefront of computer science innovation.

UCL Computer Science also has links with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the NHS, Google, and small technology firms and innovative start-ups. Not only will you learn from leaders in a variety of disciplines, you will also have the opportunity to work on a dissertation with an industry partner on a real problem in the medical world.

You will learn about the technical side of AI and how to apply it in real-life contexts, and become part of the growing conversation on the ethics and social responsibility of AI. This burgeoning element of AI is critical to technological outlook and, as a future AI expert, you will help to shape and implement it.

The foundation of your career

As this is the second year the programme has run, alumni information is not yet available. We expect focus on biomedicine and healthcare in this degree will make you particularly suitable for roles in public sector and private sector big-pharma, biotech, and healthcare, as well as entrepreneurial roles in the world of biomedical and healthcare start-ups.

AI is becoming progressively more mainstream, opening up an emerging spectrum of niche opportunities. According to the UK Government National AI Strategy, the gap between the demand and supply of AI skills is significant and growing. Figures from 2020 show there was a 16% increase in online AI and data science job vacancies, yet 69% of those jobs were hard to fill. As a graduate of this MSc, you will have core skills in AI that will enable you to enter a broad range of employment.

The different lecturers and tutors that you can speak to and you can have teaching from is very varied and everyone has a very strong academic background. So having been taught by some of the leading specialists in specific areas is always incredibly interesting.

UCL Portico building with welcome sign between columns.

Eden Ruffell

MSc Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare

Employability

As graduate of the Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare MSc, you will bring a range of relevant skills and knowledge to future employers, with the ability to work as a high-level AI practitioner within multi-skilled teams.

You will have gained a strong foundational knowledge of the technical aspects of AI that is critically needed by employers, from big tech companies to small start-ups. Building on this, you will have developed a creative mindset when it comes to these technologies and will have applied AI to a range of opportunities and challenges in biomedicine and healthcare. Through your dissertation, you will have demonstrated your solution-focused technical abilities and competence in communicating effectively with clinical and non-clinical stakeholders.

With the ability to blend foundational technological know-how with a critical mindset and apply it to the complexities of the medical world, you will graduate with a set of skills that are essential to maintaining the health and wellbeing of the population.

Networking

UCL is proud to support innovation and link our students and research directly to real-world business applications. From internships to solving complex problems with commercial partners, UCL Engineering has a collaborative, innovative spirit at its core.

As a student and later as a graduate, you will have access to a UCL Engineering careers events programme, connecting you with employers and alumni. This programme provides invaluable insight into the reality of different roles, sectors, and current application processes. Entrepreneurial minds thrive at UCL.

For example, UCL’s IDEALondon was the first innovation centre led by a university in London, and incubates companies post-seed to reach technical and business milestones. Our academic and industrial networks provide a safe and supportive environment to grow a company.

Teaching and learning

The programme’s core curriculum is delivered through lectures, tutorials, and practical classes, with hands-on work on the application of AI. This is supplemented by self-directed learning to build up knowledge and skills, as well as individual and group projects to put learning into real-world practice. You will also be given the opportunity to work on real projects in the physical environment, plus benefit from learning directly from guest speakers and academics renowned in their fields. Each module employs a teaching strategy that aligns with and supports its intended learning outcomes.

You will be assessed through various methods across the programme, including individual and group projects, written research reports, other coursework, programming tests, and a final research project/dissertation. The dissertation is an opportunity for you to work on a specific topic that is of particular interest to you, supported by an academic supervisor. Many of our MSc dissertations are run in collaboration with our industry partners, which gives you the opportunity to work on an AI-powered solution to a real-world problem in biomedicine or healthcare.

Contact time takes a variety of forms, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervisions, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, visits, placements, office hours (where staff are available for consultation), email, videoconferencing, or other media, and situations where feedback on assessed work is given (one-to-one or group).

Each module has a credit value that indicates the total notional learning hours a learner will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is considered equal to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

The contact time for each of your 15 credit taught modules will typically include 22-30 hours of teaching activity over the term of its delivery, with the balance then comprised of self-directed learning and working on your assessments. You will have ongoing contact with teaching staff via each module’s online discussion forum, which is used to clarify concepts or assessment matters, and you will have the opportunity to access additional support via regular office hours with module leaders and programme directors.

Your research project/dissertation module is 60 credits and will include regular contact with your project supervisor(s), who will guide and support you throughout your project. You will dedicate most of your time on this module to carrying out research in connection with your project and writing up your final report.

Modules

The Artificial Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare MSc is a one-year programme.

In term 1, you will learn the theoretical foundations of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence and develop an understanding of their application in biomedicine and healthcare.

In term 2, you will take hands-on modules where you will learn to apply the skills acquired in term 1 and begin preparation for your final research project/ dissertation.

In term 3, you will focus on any examinations that take place in the main examination period and undertake your final research project/dissertation.

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 for Biomedicine and Healthcare.

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.

Where you'll study

Two small wheeled remote control vehicles on floor with group of students in background

UCL Computer Science boasts state-of-the-art facilities that are designed to enhance your learning experience. Our recently renovated labs, with 55 high-performance PCs, ample laptop space, and versatile power options, create an optimal study environment. UCL East is home to our Intelligent Robotics Lab, a hub of innovation and cutting-edge technology. Facilities include the new Innovation Lab, which combines a computer cluster, advanced manufacturing equipment (such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and power tools), and an electronics manufacturing and testing area, all within a single space. The lab also features a motion capture system for conducting experiments on robot and human movement. Additionally, UCL boasts an award-winning Student Centre and 18 specialist libraries, ensuring you have access to top-tier resources and study spaces.

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Graduate Open Events: Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you - Alumni Perspectives

Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you? Join us for a panel and Q&A event with UCL Engineering alumni. You'll learn what you can expect from postgraduate study at UCL Engineering and get application advice from previous students! This is an opportunity for all applicants to hear personal experiences of studying with us, but may be most relevant to those applying from the USA, Latin and South America.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you - Alumni Perspectives

Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you? Join us for a panel and Q&A event with UCL Engineering alumni. You'll learn what you can expect from postgraduate study at UCL Engineering and get application advice from previous students! This is an opportunity for all applicants to hear personal experiences of studying with us, but may be most relevant to those applying from the USA, Latin and South America.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £19,300
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500

Additional costs

Students will require a modern computer (PC or Mac) with minimum specifications 8GB RAM and 500GB SSD storage. A computer with the stated specifications is estimated to cost £500 or greater.

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 more information about funding opportunities for UCL Computer Science taught postgraduate programmes, please see the department's scholarships webpage.

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

UCL East London Scholarship

NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

UCL Friends & Alumni Association scholarship for Machine Learning

Deadline: 3 June 2024
Value: $20,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

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 Artifical Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare at graduate level
  • why you want to study Artifical Intelligence for Biomedicine and Healthcare at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally on completion of your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to elaborate on your reasons for applying to this programme and how your interests 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.

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