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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 £10,700
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 listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2024
- MSc: £10,700
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 2024
- 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.
From 2022 onwards, EU nationals will pay the International fee. If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
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
Modules
Modules
- Fundamentals of Medical Statistics
- Foundations of Health Data Science
- Statistical Modelling (Full-time)
- Statistical Modelling (Part-time)
- Statistical Computing and Inference
- Computationally Intensive Methods
- Advanced Statistical Modelling (Full-time)
- Advanced Statistical Modelling (Part-time)
- Epidemiology
- Further Topics in Health Data Science
Taught modules will be followed by the Health Data Science Project.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
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 2024 | Availability Apply Now |
Course Population Health Data Science | Qualification MSc | Duration 2 years, part-time | Start Dates September 2024 | Availability Apply Now |