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Health data analytics involves extracting insights from health data, either to shape national policy, manage local organisations or inform the care of an individual. As more and more data becomes available electronically, the demand for skilled and trained individuals to take advantage of it becomes increasingly urgent.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
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. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
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.
Select your country:
About this degree
As a student on the MSc Health Data Analytics, you will learn about mathematical and statistical approaches to understanding health data, including operational research, machine learning and health economics. You will also learn the fundamentals of how health data is collected, represented, stored and processed, as well as how to analyse it effectively and how best to present analyses to have an impact on decisions.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of three compulsory modules (45 credits), five optional modules (75 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma, three compulsory modules (45 credits), five optional modules (75 credits), part-time two years or flexible study up to five years, is offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate, three compulsory modules (45 credits), one optional module (15 credits), part-time two years or flexible study up to five years, is offered.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Health Data Analytics. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Health Data Analytics. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Health Data Analytics.
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 is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Health Analysis Principles
- Research Methods in Healthcare
- Statistical Methods for Health Data Analytics
Optional modules
Students choose five of the following:
- Advanced Statistical Analysis
- Economic Evaluation in Health Care
- Essentials of Informatics for Healthcare Systems
- Key Principles of Health Economics
- Learning Health Systems
- Machine Learning in Health Care (Blended Learning)
- Patient Safety and Clinical Risk
- Public Health Data Science
Please note that the optional modules listed here may be subject to change.
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project, normally based at their place of work, which culminates in a piece of work written in the style of a journal article.
Teaching and learning
The programme is taught by 'blended learning', and therefore combines interactive online teaching and face-to-face lectures, seminars and workshops including substantial use of examples of real clinical systems. Assessment is through examination, critical evaluations, technical tasks, coursework and project reports, compulsory programming and database assignments, and the dissertation.
Additional costs
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
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 & Wellbeing team.
Funding
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Health data analysts are employed by NHS England in a variety of roles, notably within NHS Improvement, assessing policy proposals and evaluating the economic or financial suitability of initatives. They are employed in acute trusts and in public health, mental health and other community-focused organisations to assist in the planning of services and the assessment of demand and to identify improvements in the organisation and management of services. Consultancy organisations providing services to the health sector also employ analysts, as do data and IT organisations. There are also roles in pharmaceutical companies.
Employability
On graduation, you will be skilled in the use of mathematical and statistical techniques for the manipulation and analysis of data. You will be familiar with state-of-the-art statistical packages, but also have detailed practical experience of working with health data and the specific challenges and responsibilities that it entails. You will understand the processes by which data is collected and have insights into how that impacts its significance. These experiences will equip you to work in the NHS and also in a range of commercial and other organisations dealing with healthcare data.
Why study this degree at UCL?
Health data analysts are employed in interesting and challenging roles in healthcare organisations, government agencies and commercial organisations, including IT suppliers, consultancy organisations and pharmaceutical companies. The demand for skilled analysts is growing and graduates with the right skills and training can choose from a range of exciting and rewarding opportunities.
This programme has been designed in conjunction with the NHS to meet an identified shortage in skilled analysts. The aim is to provide a unique educational experience which not only prepares you for a technical role in analysis but equips you to take on senior roles in NHS organisations. The NHS needs not only more analytics staff, but also managers and decision makers who understand the importance of data and the role that analytics should be playing in shaping policy.
Our programme is delivered by a unique team, including mathematicians, computer scientists and statisticians with expertise in the analysis of health data in a variety of forms and for a variety of purposes. The team are highly experienced not just in teaching and research but in the practical application of data analytics to the problems of health and healthcare organisations. We work closely with the NHS and with other commercial organisations to ensure our work is relevant and up-to-date.
Department: Institute of Health Informatics
Application and next steps
Applications
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.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is no application fee for this programme.
Who can apply?
The programme is open to graduates of disciplines which include a substantial mathematical or statistical component. Students with a clinical or biological sciences qualification may be accepted if they can demonstrate sufficient mathematical training.
Application deadlines
- Visa nationals
- 31 May 2021
- Non-visa nationals
- 30 July 2021
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Health Data Analytics at graduate level
- what particularly attracts you to the programme at UCL
- how your academic and professional background and interests meet the demands of this challenging programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree and how it fits with your career goals
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.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 28 August 2021
