Advanced Data Science with Health MSc

Overview

The healthcare sector produces a large amount of data, from patient records and clinical trials to treatment outcomes and genetic information. Using this data effectively can improve patient care, streamline operations, and strengthen public health strategies.

This Master’s degree will equip you with the skills to analyse complex datasets, and use them to tackle real-world challenges in the health and medical sectors. By strengthening your data science skills, you’ll be able to:

• improve how a hospital operates
• help scientists understand their data
• forecast patient outcomes

This programme offers great flexibility, allowing you to design a degree to match your interests and career goals. You can personalise your studies by choosing from a broad range of modules and you’ll benefit from our diverse research expertise.

You can explore topics such as:

• decision modelling for health data science
• medical statistics and health data science
• experimental design
• clinical trials
• survival analysis
• time series analysis

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

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.

 

Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

MSc - Master of Science

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.

What you'll learn

Semester 1

In Semester 1, you’ll build a solid foundation in data science, statistics, machine learning and image informatics.

Semester 2

You’ll begin to customise your degree in Semester 2. You'll choose two optional modules to suit your interests and aspirations. These can include topics such as:

• experimental design
• survival analysis
• extreme value theory
• time series
• stochastic financial modelling

You’ll also have compulsory modules in:

• clinical trials
• decision modelling for health data science
• medical statistics and health data science

Semester 3

In Semester 3, you’ll choose one of these dissertation modules:  

• industrial dissertation
• individual research project

The industrial dissertation is perfect if you want to focus on strengthening your employability. You’ll work with a business to solve a real-world data problem.

During the individual research project, you'll work with an academic from the Faculty of Medical Science on a research project.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

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.

 

Advanced Data Science with Health MSc modules

Compulsory modules

• Computing Foundations of Data Science (10 credits)
• Image Informatics (10 credits)
• Machine Learning with Project (10 credits)
• Graduate Foundations of Statistics and Data Science (30 credits)
• Statistical Foundations of Machine Learning with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Clinical Trials with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Decision Modelling for Health Data Science with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Advanced Topics in Medical Statistics and Health Data Science (10 credits)

You must choose one of the following modules:

• Dissertation In Health Data Science (60 credits)
• Industrial Dissertation in Statistics and Data Science (60 credits)

Optional modules

You must choose 20 credits from the following list of optional modules:

• Clinical Trials with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Decision Modelling for Health Data Science with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Advanced Topics in Medical Statistics and Health Data Science (10 credits)
• Experimental Design with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Extreme Value Theory with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Sports Modelling with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Survival Analysis with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Time Series with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Stochastic Financial Modelling with Advanced Topics (10 credits)
• Advanced Topics in Statistics and Data Science (10 credits)

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

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

• lectures
• seminars
• practical labs
• workshop sessions
• group work

Assessment methods

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

• Case study
• Dissertation
• Oral presentation
• Report
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

Over the summer semester, you’ll carry out an industrial dissertation or individual research project.

The research project is a substantial piece of independent work supervised by an academic in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, or an industrial partner from the medical sector. In your project, you'll use data science techniques to address a medical application.

You'll be assessed through a:

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

Support

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 the 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. 

Student support

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.

Our staff

The Advanced Data Science with Health MSc is delivered by the: 

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

The degree is delivered by experts working at the frontier of a wide range of statistical, computer science 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.
• Genetic Epidemiology: Led by Professor Heather Cordell, the group develops statistical methodology to detect and characterise genetic variants contributing to disease.
• Scalable Computing: Internationally renowned for tackling research challenges in high performance systems, data science, machine learning and data visualisation.

You’ll also have access to the Newcastle University Population Health Sciences Institute which aims to improve health and care, and reduce health inequalities.

We're home to the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD). This gives you unique opportunities to collaborate with industry partners across multiple sectors.

Your development

Professional skills

You'll enhance your professional skills by writing reports and delivering presentations to both experts and non-experts. Working on projects will improve your teamwork and communication skills. If you choose the industrial dissertation, you'll also gain valuable experience working with a business to meet deadlines.

Research skills

You'll build your research skills by:

• sourcing and analysing datasets
• assessing data to answer research questions
• critically evaluating your work and others

You'll also reflect on your research process to identify areas for improvement.

Practical skills

You'll develop advanced practical skills for data science, including programming, data manipulation, and effective visualisation.

You'll learn to:

• source, clean, and process data
• apply statistical techniques
• evaluate model performance

You'll also draw predictions while creating reports that integrate your analyses and insights.

Your future

Your career  

This Advanced Data Science with Health MSc can provide a pathway to various careers across a broad range of industries. Job roles might include:

• AI Modeller
• Biostatistician
• Health Data Scientist
• Healthcare Analyst
• Public Health Analyst

Further study

This degree provides a route into PhD level study in a wide range of fields, depending on your choice of optional modules.

As a Data Science graduate, you can focus on advanced research in data science and statistical methods and their applications in the medical and healthcare sector. Your research could include:

• health data science
• biostatistics
• epidemiology
• health informatics
• bioinformatics
• machine learning for healthcare
• health data science and clinical trials
• decision modelling in healthcare

Links with industry

You’ll benefit from our connections with industry leaders, gaining access to valuable networking opportunities, career prospects, and insights into real-world applications of data science in healthcare.

Our academics have connections with:

• National Health Service (NHS)
• National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Advanz Pharma
• Boehringer-Ingelheim
• GSK
• UCB

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

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.

Facilities

Urban Sciences Building

The School of Computing is based in the £58 million Urban Sciences Building (USB), a flagship development located on the £350 million Newcastle Helix regeneration site in the heart of Newcastle. It brings together:

• academia
• the public sector
• communities
• business and industry

Postgraduate student facilities

As a Master's student, you'll have access to specialist teaching spaces and facilities in the USB. These are only available to postgraduate students.

Wellbeing and inclusivity are at the heart of our School. The USB has several wellbeing spaces for students, including:

• The Retreat: A sensory space with relaxing stimuli to distract from busy student life.
• Wellbeing room: Designed for relaxation and quiet time. Here you can take a moment to breathe and unwind. It can also be used by students with special medical requirements.
• Prayer room: For all faiths and none, this space can be used for prayer or quiet reflection.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

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.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

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. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

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.

Funding deadlines

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.

Search for funding

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How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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