Artificial intelligence brain and analyzing data

Population Health Data Science MSc

1-2 years, full- or part-time

This postgraduate degree will build on your existing quantitative knowledge to give you the expertise in statistical analysis, computer science and health research that you will need to become a data scientist in the healthcare sector.

Population Health Data Science MSc, 1-2 years, full- or part-time

This postgraduate degree will build on your existing quantitative knowledge to give you the expertise in statistical analysis, computer science and health research that you will need to become a data scientist in the healthcare sector.

Course information

UK fee £10,950

International fee £20,250

Taught by Population Health Sciences

Course description

Course description

This postgraduate degree will build on your existing quantitative knowledge to give you the expertise in statistical analysis, computer science and health research that you will need to become a data scientist in the healthcare sector.

You will develop a thorough grounding in computing and the statistical methods underpinning modern day data science, but with a focus on understanding, applying and adapting it to real life problems in the health domain.

You will develop computing skills required to manage and explore big health datasets, to gain insight into, and inform, health research. Your analytic skills will be developed on real medical data sets, using statistical and computational software such as R and Python.

Alongside this, you will develop your knowledge base of cutting-edge machine learning and artificial intelligence methods, learning how they can be harnessed to answer clinical questions, bringing together the power and potential of computational analytics, statistical thinking, and medical research, to improve health.

An important factor in the success of a practising data scientist is the ability to communicate with others. To develop these skills, you will work on a mini-project and will be introduced to consultancy skills and a wide range of other professional skills throughout the course.

This mini-project will involve managing, exploring and analysing data arising from real problems and data sets and presenting a report on the findings. This will prepare you for the independent Health Data Science project as well as developing important professional and communication skills.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Good undergraduate degree, minimum second-class honours in a subject with a high quantitative component, e.g. Mathematics, Physics, Economics. Equivalent professional experience may be considered in a relevant field.

English Language Requirements

Overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6 in every element or equivalent.

If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK Students

Starting in September 2025

  • MSc: £10,950

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you’re eligible.

International Students

Starting in September 2025

  • MSc: £20,250

You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

The demand for health data scientists is high and careers sessions will support you looking for you ideal role. Graduates may work in the pharmaceutical industry, health services and university medical research groups and there will be opportunities to apply for PhD programmes.

Our Career Development Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.

Course structure

Why Leicester?

The Department of Population Health Sciences is engaged in internationally competitive research across a wide range of topics, including epidemiology, medical statistics, public health, primary care, health services research, and psychiatry. We are also a strong research force locally, with many of our academic staff are affiliated with NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre to lead novel patient-centred research to improve health and healthcare.

Employability prospects are excellent. There is high demand for health focussed statisticians with strong computing skills - the number of roles for Data Scientists are increasing and there is currently a shortage of graduates with these skills.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught on-campus in week-long blocks including lectures, computer lab practicals, group work and directed reading.

Part-time students normally attend about seven teaching weeks over two years and then work on the project.

You will be taught by academic staff engaged in world leading research.

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration Start Dates Availability
Course Population Health Data Science Qualification MSc Duration 1 year, full-time Start Dates September each year Availability Apply Now
Course Population Health Data Science Qualification MSc Duration 2 years, part-time Start Dates September each year Availability Apply Now
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