MSc in Health Data Science

The MSc in Health Data Science explores the principles and practice of digital health as well as applied skills commonly needed for digital health careers.

Course details

Healthcare is being transformed by digital technologies and big data analytics. On the MSc in Health Data Science, you will explore the principles and practices of digital health implementation.

Highlights

• Aimed at students intending to follow a career in data science and digital health
• Interdisciplinary character helps you to develop a more rounded understanding of digital health questions and concepts
• Applied components provide practical skills in medical data analysis and the use of digital technologies to address healthcare challenges
• Links with the Sir James Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis bring you into contact with current digital health research across different disciplines
• We are introducing a fully-funded PhD in 2024, which is available exclusively for our Health Data Science students to apply for.

The MSc in Health Data Science is distinguished by its interdisciplinary character and emphasis on applied skills that will be of particular value if you are looking to follow a career in digital health.

Digital technology is transforming healthcare. It enables faster diagnosis and better treatment of illnesses, supporting improvements in patient care, and making healthcare settings more efficient. That transformation is creating a need for professionals who understand existing medical technologies and who have the skills and expertise to develop new technologies, analyze medical data, and inform policy on medical data analytics. Students from the MSc in Health Data Science will be able to fill those roles.

On the MSc, you will learn about the theoretical underpinnings of digital health. You will look at different forms of health data, the technology that generates them, methods used for processing and analysis, and how digital data is integrated into clinical decision-making. In particular, you will develop an appreciation of the challenges in handling, storing, and analyzing big data in healthcare contexts.

An understanding of these principles provides a basis for studying the practical applications of digital health and developing your understanding of how digital health concepts can be applied to solve real-world medical problems. You will learn practical skills in medical data analysis and the use of digital technologies to address healthcare challenges. You will develop your understanding of techniques for programmatically processing medical data such as genetic data, medical images, and patient vital signs. You will also learn about digital health governance and the ethical considerations that can arise when designing and executing medical data analysis studies.

Particular attention is paid to training in medical image analysis, bioinformatics, and modeling and analysis of medical data such as patient records. Theoretical learning is applied to real-world case studies, and you will develop an understanding of practitioner and industry perspectives and the work that is needed across academia and other sectors to advance digital health. More broadly, you will develop practical skills in explaining digital health concepts to different audiences and translating academic thinking on digital into recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.

Digital health is inherently interdisciplinary. This MSc brings together academic staff, National Health Service (NHS) colleagues and industrial partners providing a greater breadth of learning that encompasses real clinical problems as well as the solutions that digital health can provide.

In this way, you will engage with critical perspectives on digital health principles and practice. You will be encouraged to develop a more rounded, interdisciplinary understanding of digital health questions and concepts. Through research-led teaching from scholars working in subjects including computer science, medicine, and statistics you will gain an appreciation of the technical, clinical, and analytical aspects of digital health and learn how to critically discuss digital health solutions from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Optional modules allow you to explore topics such as knowledge discovery and data mining that will broaden your learning in key areas and further develop the interdisciplinary character of your studies.

The MSc in Health Data Science has close links with the Sir James Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis. The Institute brings together researchers from a range of disciplines and builds on St Andrews’ international reputation in digital diagnosis, health data research, and biophotonics. These links will bring you into contact with current digital health research, giving your studies a remarkable richness and depth.

The University of St Andrews has a world-class reputation and offers a wider student experience with a diverse range of social activities, including over 150 student societies and 50 sports clubs. Historic buildings are juxtaposed against the modern facilities, and the many student traditions truly make studying at St Andrews an unforgettable experience.

St Andrews is a unique and captivating place, and the University is a key part of its charm. Seven centuries of history link the students with the town, leading to the ancient and yet modern institution apparent today.

Why St Andrews

St Andrews is a unique place to study and live. Nestled on the east coast of Scotland, students may find themselves crossing golf courses on their way to class, or jogging along the beach after dinner. Not only does the University have a world-class reputation, but it also offers a diverse range of social activities, including over 140 student societies and 50 sports clubs. Historic buildings are juxtaposed against the modern facilities, and the many student traditions truly make studying at St Andrews an unforgettable experience.