Medical Statistics MSc

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

An MSc is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of a science-related subject.

You'll usually study an MSc full-time over 12 months.

A Master of Science is typically awarded for the successful completion of 100 credits of taught modules and an 80-credit dissertation or research project.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:   

• lectures
• seminars
• practical computer lab sessions
• group work

This Master’s will be delivered by experts from the:

• School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
• Faculty of Medical Sciences

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Oral presentation
• Poster
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Over the summer semester, you’ll carry out a dissertation project. This is a substantial piece of independent work supervised by an academic in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, or an industrial partner from the medical and health sector.

In your project, you'll use statistical techniques to address a medical application.

You'll be assessed through a:

• written interim project plan
• poster presentation
• final written dissertation

Numbas learning software

You'll have access to a specialist learning software called Numbas. It was developed at Newcastle University and is now used by mathematicians and statisticians worldwide.

This innovative software allows you to work on interactive code worksheets, so you can test and refine your skills during your programme.

Specialist software and tool support

You'll have support from our award-winning Digital Learning Team, who can assist you with the specialised software and tools you need for the programme.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

The Medical Statistics MSc is delivered jointly by the:

• Faculty of Medical Science
• School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics

The degree is delivered by experts working at the frontier of a wide range of statistical and medical research areas.

You'll work alongside academics from the following research groups:

• Statistics: World-class research in modern statistics and data science.
• Biostatistics: Over 30 statisticians working in developing and applying innovative methods in clinical trials and observational studies.
• Health Economics: A large group exploring economic evaluation, complex modelling, and valuation of health outcomes in a variety of settings.

Newcastle University is also home to the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD). This gives you unique opportunities to collaborate with industry partners across multiple sectors.

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.