Health Data Science

Entry requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant discipline including: Statistics, Epidemiology, Computer Science, Economics, Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences, or similar.

We may also consider non-standard applicants based upon experience and merit, please contact the Programme Director for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Why Lancaster?

• Develop and consolidate foundational skills in the three main areas of Health Data Science: epidemiology, statistics, and computer science.
• Become part of the health informatics team and make a real impact at national and international public health organisations during your project placement.
• Have the opportunity to experience hands-on fieldwork at our summer school on the idyllic Pemba Island in Tanzania.
• Why Health Data Science?

In today’s world data is everything. We’re using it to make better, evidence-based decisions in every walk of life. When it comes to health, good data – and optimal use of that data – has the potential to improve health outcomes on an individual level, at a global scale.

As technology advances and ‘big data’ gets even bigger, and as we look for new ways to address health inequalities, this is an exciting time to join the world of health data science.

Is Health Data Science for me?

Every aspect of healthcare relies on the advanced technical skills of data scientists, trained specifically to combine deep statistical thinking with their expertise in health and computer science. If you want to harness the power of data to transform healthcare treatments and services, a Health Data Science MSc will provide you with the skills required to use data for good.

You’ll cover the fundamentals of Health Data Science and gain a solid understanding of statistics and computer programming, while building your knowledge of applied epidemiology.

Building on this introduction, you will specialise your studies, choosing to follow either the Global Health pathway, focusing on how data can be used to model disease transmission in different communities; or the Health Informatics pathway, giving you the skills to analyse routinely collected data and undertake economic analysis of healthcare.

You’ll apply your new skills and knowledge in a real-life context during your 12-week project placement, working as part of a multidisciplinary team with one of our high-profile partners. In the past, these have included the NHS, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Health Access Initiative and Yale University. Our collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) also means you’ll also have the unique opportunity to apply to attend our summer school hosted by Fondazione Ivo de Carneri at their Public Health Laboratory on the picture-perfect Pemba Island in Tanzania – one of the parts of the world most affected by parasitic disease.

Where will Health Data Science take me?

As the volume and complexity of health data available to us continues to grow, there’s a serious demand for health data scientists across the globe. You could end up working in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical research or development, for technology companies, governments or NGOs – or you could choose to move into academic research with a PhD.

Whether you take the Global Health or Health Informatics pathway, you’ll be ready to lead, with a solid grounding in all aspects of Health Data Science and the skills to interpret, analyse and utilise data to tackle healthcare challenges across a wider variety of sectors.

Information for international students

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Information on fees and funding is available on our website.