Health Data Science UCL

Overview

The field of Health Data Science is rapidly evolving, presenting numerous career opportunities for qualified professionals. UCL’s MSc in Health Data Science is designed to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and skills, enabling them to excel in this dynamic landscape. The programme focuses on advanced computational methodologies, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning, tailored for the analysis of extensive biomedical datasets. Students will learn to harness these techniques to drive improvements in healthcare and medical research.

UCL is ranked 9th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025 and holds the 6th position globally for public health (ShanghaiRankings 2023). The university is renowned for its research power and impact in medicine, health, and life sciences, as recognised by the REF 2021. The programme benefits from UCL’s strong partnerships with hospitals, health data science firms, and pharmaceutical companies, providing students with ample opportunities for practical experience and networking.

The tuition fees for the MSc in Health Data Science are as follows:

• International Students: £36,500 per year
• UK Students: £16,000 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

The MSc programme comprises both compulsory and optional modules, ensuring a well-rounded education:

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Data Methods for Health Research
  • Dissertation in Health Data Science
  • Data Science and Statistics
  • Principles of Health Data Science
  • Programming with Python for Health Research
• Optional Modules:
  • Advanced Methods in Data Science and Statistics
  • Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
  • Essentials of Informatics for Healthcare Systems
  • Applied Computational Genomics
  • Advanced Machine Learning for Healthcare
  • Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Group Project

Each module is designed to provide around 150 learning hours, combining taught sessions, independent study, and assessments. The programme structure allows for flexibility, catering to full-time, part-time, and modular study options.

The demand for health data scientists is increasing as organisations seek professionals capable of managing and analysing large datasets. Graduates from this programme have found employment in various sectors, including government agencies, technology firms, consulting companies, and academic institutions. Many have secured roles in multinational corporations, national health services, and innovative health start-ups.