Data Science for Health and Social Care (Online Learning) MSc, PgCert, PgDip, PgProfDev
Online
DURATION
1 up to 3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 6,370 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* estimated tuition for data science for health and social care (MSc, PgCert, PgDip, PgProfDev)
Introduction
Data is revolutionising the way health and social care is delivered.
The demand for health and social care professionals with data science skills is unprecedented.
This flexible online programme is aimed at:
- people currently working in health and social care or computational roles who wish to develop expertise in the field of data science
- those interested in starting a career in data science in the context of health and social care
- graduates who are seeking to develop data science skills that can be applied to health, social and care services
What you will learn
By studying the degree you will:
- gain knowledge of the fundamentals of data science
- develop expertise in accessing, interpreting and integrating data-intensive research into practice
- build the knowledge and skills to engage effectively with data-driven approaches to health and social care
- learn a range of skills, tools and understanding to use the transformational power of data to improve health and well-being and the management of care systems locally and globally
Why Edinburgh
By choosing to study with us you will:
- be joining one of the top 20 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023)
- benefit from our strong track record of Data-Driven Innovation (DDI)
- become a student of the prestigious Usher Institute (part of the University), which is a world leader in DDI and one of five DDI hubs in Edinburgh and South East Scotland
- be able to customise your learning experience by selecting optional courses delivered by our world-renowned experts and leaders across the University
- have access to modern, intuitive fully accessible and responsive technology tools and systems
- join our vibrant, evidence-led cross-disciplinary community of academics and researchers
- be part of a cohort of international students focused on shaping the future of health and social care
About the Usher Institute and the DDI programme
At The Usher Institute public, private and third sectors collaborate to enable data-driven advances in health and social care.
Our DDI programme develops innovative and financially sustainable models of health and social care that improve lives, through the application of data science.
The Institute draws on:
- Scotland’s world-leading health data assets
- well-established governance and data-sharing protocols developed in partnership with the National Health Service and the Scottish Government
The Usher Institute has also become well-recognised for its contribution to the COVID-19 response, which includes:
- conducting research
- advising the Scottish and UK governments
- providing global public health advice and data
You can read more details on the Usher Institute and DDI programme websites.
Online learning
Online learning is a way for you to study an internationally recognised qualification without needing to attend classes on campus.
This is an ideal option if you wish to study for a postgraduate qualification alongside work or other commitments.
Online programmes are of equal value to on-campus programmes. The only difference is that the programme is delivered online, rather than on campus.
As an online student you have access to the University's excellent resources. We use the latest in educational technology tools and systems.
Our online learning platform enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace, making this an ideal option for our many international students.
The platform has a modern, intuitive, fully accessible and responsive interface. It delivers a powerful teaching and learning experience on any device with an internet connection, anytime, anywhere.
Studying online at Edinburgh
The programme is delivered fully online with a study commitment of 10-12 hours per week.
It has been designed to embrace the role that technology can play to enhance teaching, learning and assessment. We offer a flexible approach that caters to different ways of learning.
Each student will be supported as an active member of a vibrant global online community where the learning is facilitated by tutors, tasks and materials that foster active, relevant and collaborative learning.
Rankings
The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked 15th in the World in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Gallery
Program Outcome
After completing the MSc Data Science for Health and Social Care programme you will be able to:
- demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles and methods, governance and implications of data science in health and social care
- create, identify and evaluate data-driven solutions to solve complex problems in healthcare and social services contexts
- demonstrate the skills and capacity to analyse facts and situations and apply creative and inventive thinking to develop appropriate solutions
- articulate and effectively explain information and adapt communication styles for different people, situations and audiences
- work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment to deliver data-driven solutions
You will also develop:
- observational, analytical, evaluation and synthesis skills that will provide you with a critical understanding of the principles methods, governance and implications of data science in health and social care
- research and inquiry skills that will allow you to create, identify and evaluate data-driven solutions to solve complex problems in health and social care contexts
- personal skills and intellectual autonomy that will give you the capacity to analyse facts and situations and apply creative and inventive thinking to develop appropriate solutions
- communication skills that will allow you to articulate and effectively explain information and to adapt your communication style for different people, situations and audiences
- leadership and time management skills, and emotional intelligence that will allow you to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment to deliver data-driven solutions
- technical skills that will allow you to proactively extract knowledge and insights from data in new ways to drive innovation in health and social care
Career Opportunities
Our suite of data-driven courses will:
- equip you with the data skills, capabilities, and competencies that will allow you to realise the value of data in your current role
- open opportunities new career paths and promotion opportunities as they arise across the health and social care sector
Graduates from health and social care backgrounds
If your background is in health and social care you will be highly competitive for postgraduate training schemes in health service research and practitioner training positions. You will also be highly competitive for leadership positions in your area of health or social care.
Graduates from computational backgrounds
If your background is computational work or study you will be highly competitive for postgraduate training schemes in data science, data scientist roles and advanced practitioner training positions within the health and social care sector.
Entrepreneurial opportunities
Entrepreneurial graduates will have the commercial awareness and venture creation skills needed to take up opportunities to work for or grow the next generation of data-driven health and social care companies.
Examples of job roles
Some examples of job roles include:
- health and social care data scientists and knowledge engineers
- health and social care data management
- management information system developer
- software developer
- information security manager
- data analysts
- senior clinical positions
- civil service, government
- social care, health policy and leadership
- health and social care positions
- Data Science in health and Social care entrepreneurs
- health economists
Curriculum
The MSc in Data Science for Health and Social Care is a part-time, online programme taught for over 3 years.
You can exit the programme after:
- Year 1 with a Certificate award
- Year 2 with a Diploma, or
- Year 3 with an MSc degree
Alternatively, you can also study stand-alone courses as postgraduate professional development (PPD).
All teaching is delivered online and you will be expected to use self-directed learning, peer-discussion boards, tutorials, peer presentations and other similar online learning activities to help engage with and get the most from the course materials.
Year 1
This year you’ll study 60 credits worth of classes.
You will take one compulsory course: Introduction to Data Science in Health and Social Care. This is worth 20 credits and is taught over 10 weeks.
You will also take 40 credits worth of courses. See the table below for details of all compulsory and optional courses.
Year 2
You will study for 60 credits of courses. See the table below for details of all compulsory and optional courses.
Please note Research Design in Data Science for Health and Social Care is a compulsory element if students wish to complete the dissertation year.
Year 3
To complete the MSc programme, you must select and complete one of the following course options:
- Dissertation (60 credits)
- Work-based placement with industry or public sector organisation (60 credits)
- Student-Led Individually Created Course (20 credits) plus 40 credits of elective courses
See the table below for details of all compulsory and optional courses.
Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) option
PPD is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course(s), without the time or financial commitment of a full master's Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.
You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years through our PPD scheme. These lead to a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.
Alternatively, after one year of taking courses, you can choose to transfer your credits and continue to study towards a higher award on a master's Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.
Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout the year, you may only start a master's Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme in September.
Any time spent studying PPD will be deducted from the amount of time you will have left to complete a master's Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.