University of Leicester

Population Health Data Science MSc

University of LeicesterLeicester, Campus-based

Course overview

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.

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.

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 y

Key highlights

  • Analytic skills developed on real medical datasets using R and Python
  • Covers cutting-edge machine learning and AI methods for clinical questions
  • Computing skills for managing and exploring big health datasets
  • Mini-project analysing real data with a written findings report
  • Introduction to consultancy and wider professional communication skills
  • Independent Health Data Science project

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2nd class — to include subject; or above

Scholarships

  • Alumni Discount

    You are entitled to a discount of 20% of the new course fee.

    Up to 20% of fees
  • Chancellor's International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship

    This scholarship, worth £3,000 per year, reflects the University’s commitment to attracting talented students from around the world.

    Up to £3,000
  • Chevening Scholarship

  • Chevening-Leicester Partner Scholarship

  • Distance Learning (DL) Sanctuary Awards

  • Distance Learning Merit Scholarship

    The awards available are: MA: £800, PGDip: £500, PGCert: £300

  • International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

    International Merit Scholarship worth a tuition fee discount of £5,000.

  • Leicester Postgraduate Partnership Scholarship

    Enjoy a 20% fee discount on a selection of postgraduate taught courses at either University of Leicester or De Montfort University.

    Up to 20% of fees

Careers this course leads to

  • Health data scientist
  • Medical statistician
  • Healthcare data analyst
  • Clinical data scientist
  • Health research analyst
  • Machine learning scientist (healthcare)

Cost of study

UK/Home: £11,200 | International: £20,750

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Leicester, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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