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Health Informatics MSc

London, Bloomsbury

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.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
University of Manchester Dual Award

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
University of Manchester Dual Award

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
5 academic years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

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.

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


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.

Who this course is for

The programme is designed for students in full-time work who already have a first degree in a relevant discipline. We accept applications from people with a wide range of qualifications, and we 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.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

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 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' day jobs and many students complete a dissertation in their place of work.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

The programme encourages intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. It teaches transferable skills 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.

Employability

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.

Networking

This programme works closely with NHS organisations in Manchester and London, and with companies that are active in digital health. These well-established relationships provide opportunities for students to build their professional network as well as undertake projects with these organisations.

Teaching and learning

Most of the taught modules are 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 typically be required to spend 3 days per module on campus. The rest of the learning will be delivered online. For half the modules, the face-to-face teaching will be at UCL, for the other half 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.  

The types of assessment on this programme may include coursework, examination, presentations and research project.

Each 15-credit module equates to around 150 learning hours. This is spread out over the whole period of the module which typically runs over 9 weeks. This includes the time you spend in taught sessions, independent study, group work and assessment.

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.

Modules

As a full-time student, you will study 8 taught modules plus a dissertation. 

The modules delivered by the University of Manchester: 

See more module information below. 

As a part-time student, you will study 8 taught modules plus a dissertation over two years.

The modules delivered by the University of Manchester:

See more module information below. 

As a modular/flexible student, you will study 8 taught modules plus a dissertation. These are studied over two to five years.

The modules delivered by the University of Manchester:

See more module information below. 

Compulsory modules




University of Manchester: Health Information Systems and Technologies

University of Manchester: Standards and Interoperability


Optional modules






University of Manchester: Modern Information Engineering

University of Manchester: Usable Systems Design

University of Manchester: Decision Support Systems


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 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.

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 team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

University of Manchester Dual Award

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Additional costs include

  • the cost of travel to and from Manchester or London (depending on the module location)
  • accommodation costs

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.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

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 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.

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.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Institute of Health Informatics
Institute of Health Informatics

ihi.education@ucl.ac.uk

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