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Health informatics is the study of how information and information technology can transform the organisation and delivery of healthcare. This joint programme with the University of Manchester has been designed to develop a health informatics workforce, in the UK and internationally, able to address today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s. We equip our students for leadership roles delivering change in healthcare.
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. University of Manchester Dual Award.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. A relevant Master’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution is desirable.
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
You will learn about healthcare policy and strategy as it relates to informatics and about the design and implementation of the wide variety of digital systems used in delivering healthcare today. You will be able to tackle the technical details behind different approaches to engineering and implementing these systems as well understanding how to engender change. You will also acquire skills in analysing and presenting data.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four compulsory modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits), and a dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma, four compulsory modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits), full-time one year, part-time two years or flexible study up to five years, is offered.
A Postgraduate Certificate, four compulsory modules (60 credits), full-time one year, 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 Informatics. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Health Informatics. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Health Informatics.
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
- Essentials of Informatics for Healthcare Systems
- Principles of Health Data Analytics
- University of Manchester: Health Information Systems and Technologies
- University of Manchester: Standards and Interoperability
Optional modules
- Citizen-Driven Informatics
- Digital Transformation Project
- Learning Health Systems
- Patient Safety and Clinical Risk
- University of Manchester: Decision Support Systems
- University of Manchester: Modern Information Engineering
- University of Manchester: Usable Systems Design
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a report in the form of a journal article of up to 6,000 words (60 credits).
Teaching and learning
Each taught module is delivered largely online over eight or nine weeks with a short block of intensive face to face teaching. The online element includes video lectures, podcasts, written material as well as exercises and discussions. The face to face teaching includes lectures, seminars and experiential learning. Students will be required to spend 3 days per module on campus. The rest of the learning will be delivered online. For half the modules, the 3 day element of face to face teaching will be at UCL, for the other it will be at the University of Manchester. Students will also be asked to attend a separate induction day based at UCL at the start of the year.
Additional costs
To address travel costs associated with this degree, bursaries are available for self-funding students of up to £250 per module, to contribute towards travel/accommodation costs associated with four modules of the programme, as chosen by the student.
The bursaries can be used towards:
- the cost of travel to and from Manchester or London (depending on the module location)
- accommodation costs.
Please note: the bursary does not cover subsistence costs.
To apply for a travel bursary, applicants must email the education admin team at UCL (ihi.education@ucl.ac.uk).
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: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees-and-funding.
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
You will be prepared for technical and management roles leading the digital transformation of healthcare. Graduates of the programme have gone on to leadership roles in the NHS and other healthcare organisations here and overseas. Some of our graduates have moved into roles in industry in pharmaceutical companies or consulting organisations. Others have gone on to further study, taking on PhDs or fellowships while others have launched their own businesses.
Employability
The programme encourages intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. It teaches transferable skills for lifelong learning and cultivates reflective practice. Through the development of these skills, you will rapidly have an impact in your workplace. The content is designed by staff working at the forefront of change and reflects the latest thinking on healthcare. You will develop as an individual and as a team member. We work closely with healthcare organisations and other employers to ensure the informatics knowledge, know-how, skills and understanding we deliver are relevant and valued.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The programme is delivered through a collaboration between UCL and the University of Manchester, the two largest teams in this field in the UK.
The programme is supported by the NHS graduate management training scheme and a wide range of other employers. You will join a cohort with a diverse mix of educational and technical backgrounds, and this shared experience is one of the strengths of the programme.
The programme is delivered through a mix of face to face teaching and online learning, designed to fit into your working life. Assignments are often relevant to students' working lives and many students complete a dissertation in their place of work.
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 an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
The programme is designed for students in full-time work who already have a first degree in a relevant discipline. We do accept applications from people with a wide range of qualifications, and we do consider professional experience if students do not have a relevant first degree. Students who wish to study full time can take the programme in one year, but should be aware that they will be taking modules that are largely delivered online.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 31 May 2021
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 Informatics at graduate level
- why you want to study Health Informatics at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this 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.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 13 April 2021
