Population Health Sciences (Data Science) MSci
London, Bloomsbury
On UCL’s Population Health Sciences MSci, you study the factors shaping our health, including the social and physical environment, healthcare systems, our lifestyles and genes. This four-year integrated Master’s degree provides a grounding in the social science disciplines used in population health science, preparing you for research and professional practice in the health sector and beyond.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
Programme starts
September 2026Application deadline
14 Jan 2026UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- ABB
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- English Language at grade C or 4, plus Mathematics or Statistics at grade C or 4.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- BBC more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- No specific subjects. At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.
- GCSEs
- Awaiting confirmation
- Points
- 34
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 30 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction, 12 credits at Merit and 3 credits at Pass, all from Level 3 units.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction.
D3,M1,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
ABB at Advanced Highers (or A,B at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher)
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 2
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
As Population Health Sciences gives you a broad and deep understanding of how global health and disease are measured and analysed, incorporating research methods, demography, infectious and non-communicable disease and life course epidemiology.
World-leading researchers immerse you in the social, economic and demographic distribution of health and disease, and show you how to analyse big data to address health inequalities. You are provided with the opportunity to develop transferable skills including interpretation and communication of complex ideas. These are highly sought after by graduate employers, from international NGOs to start-ups and will also prepare you for postgraduate study should you pursue this.
In years 1 and 2, you gain a thorough understanding of how global health and disease are measured and analysed, incorporating research methods, demography, infectious and non-communicable disease and life course epidemiology. You receive applied data analysis training in all years, bringing UCL's unparalleled data access and understanding of theory together in a hands-on learning environment. As you progress through the degree, you are provided with increased opportunity for specialisation in population health.
In your fourth year, you will study alongside students who are studying for an MSc in Population Health and have a choice of modules that reflect advanced topics in this area.
If students are unsure whether to pick the BSc or MSci, transfer between the BSc or MSci option can take place up to the end of their third year conditional on results.
What this course will give you
As a four-year integrated Master’s degree, upon graduation you will have earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s level qualification. Students in their fourth year will go on to complete modules on UCL’s Population Health MSc.
Our students are closely integrated into our community through research-embedded teaching. As a student within the Faculty of Population Health Sciences you will discover the cutting-edge research and innovations that are delivering real-world benefits.
You will learn new skills in high-level data analysis, interpretation and communication of complex ideas and research methods, as well as highly sought-after skills for the workplace such as problem-solving, collaboration and presenting information and solutions. On the MSci programme you will carry out an independent piece of research in your third and fourth year with expert supervision. You will be able to direct your research towards topics that interest you most and approach research questions with real-world benefit.
You also have the opportunity to join the UCL Population Health Sciences Society. This student-led society aims to build community and support systems for those studying or who are passionate about population health, improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities.
Our central London location gives our students access not only to the best in entertainment and nightlife, but also to cultural and academic resources. We are close to, and have teaching and research links with, numerous leading hospitals, museums, galleries, libraries and professional bodies.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Modules
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. 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.
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In Year 1, you gain a broad knowledge of population health sciences, including research methods, social determinants of health and modules on social data science.
In Year 2, core modules deepen your knowledge and advance your skills. In addition, you begin to shape your degree to your interests, with compulsory modules in life course and demographic analysis and optional modules from epidemiology and health care, and global health.
In Year 3, you will also have optional modules to personalise your degree within population health sciences with optional modules from political sciences, geography and social sciences. One quarter of the final year marks come from the dissertation, a piece of original research, supervised by research and teaching staff within the department. This is your chance to showcase your abilities and focus on an issue that you care about.
In Year 4, you will study alongside students who are studying for an MSc in Population Health and have a choice of modules that reflect advanced topics in this area. You will complete a further piece of original research, supervised by research and teaching staff within the department.
Please note the following module information:- A Life Course Approach to Health is a compulsory module for Data Science students in Year 2.
- Perspectives on Global Health is an optional module for Data Science students in Year 2.
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Your learning
Teaching will be delivered through lectures, problem-based seminars, practical computer classes, group working and through UCL's virtual learning environment. You have access to online learning facilities, where you can interact with world-leading researchers and fellow students.
You would be expected to spend 40 hours a week in full-time study, which is made up of a mixture of contact hours and self-directed study. In a typical week, this would be approximately 8 – 10 contact hours per teaching week in a mixture of lectures, seminars, and tutorials and 30 – 35 hours of self-directed study, although this ratio will vary dependent on what year you are in and which optional modules you select.
During the MSc (fourth year) students will typically spend 15-20 hours per week in face-to-face learning, including lectures, seminars or tutorials.
Assessment
Assessment takes place via various methods including examinations, practical exercises, essays and other coursework, individual and group presentations and a dissertation in the final two years of study. The weight given to each method will vary to ensure manageable workloads throughout the programme. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.
The foundation of your career
Population Health Sciences (Data Science) BSc and Population Health MSc graduates have been successful in gaining employment in a wide range of sectors. Our graduates are working in public health, private health consultancy, the civil service and financial services with employers such as Cancer Research UK, AXA Group, the NHS, UK Health Security Agency, Department of Health and Social Care, Wellcome Trust and Health Lumen.*
*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 cohorts.
Employability
Upon graduation, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to anticipate and address the evolving social, economic, and healthcare needs on both local and global scales.
You will develop advanced research and analytical skills, along with expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies. These skills will enable you to critically assess health data, evaluate population-level health trends, and contribute to evidence-based policy and practice.
Your written and verbal communication skills will be refined to support effective collaboration across healthcare, research, and policy settings. You will be capable of conveying complex concepts clearly and persuasively, making you a valuable asset to employers across various sectors.
Through collaborative group work, you will simulate real-world working environments, tackle public health challenges and hone your communication and leadership skills.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £9,535 |
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £36,500 |
Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
There are no additional costs for this programme.
For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
This course is for those who want to understand population health and apply that knowledge to improve health and health equality. As an interdisciplinary course, it is inclusive to students who have and have not studied any of the related disciplines at A-level. However, it may appeal to those who have studied geography, health science, biology, psychology, politics, social science, maths, statistics or computing.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change from the Population Health Sciences BSc to the MSci?
If you are unsure whether to pick the Population Health Sciences BSc or MSci, transfer between the BSc or MSci option can take place up to the end of your third year conditional on results.
Can I change between the Population Health Sciences BSc/MSci to the Population Health Sciences (Data Science) BSc/MSci?
The Population Health Sciences (Data Science) BSc/MSci will be limited to a certain number of students. It is best to raise any concerns with your degree choice as soon as possible. Please join an open day to learn about the differences between the programmes and to ask any questions you may have.
Got questions? Get in touch
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