Progress your career in health research with this flexible online regression analysis course.

Become confident in using multivariable regression techniques to analyse a wide variety of health research data and answer specific research questions.

In this intermediate-level statistics course, you’ll learn key concepts in generalised linear modelling and how to apply them to a range of health outcome data including numerical, binary, count and time-to-event data.

With guidance from expert statisticians, you’ll cover the theory behind different regression models, then take a practical approach to learn how to investigate data in different contexts.

You’ll also learn how to:

  • use statistical software to apply different multivariable regression models
  • analyse a variety of data sets
  • communicate the rationale for choosing a particular statistical method, and
  • interpret and communicate the results of regression analysis for a scientific audience.

Who can join this online regression analysis course?

This course is ideal for healthcare professionals who want to take their regression skills to a more advanced level, beyond simple linear and logistic regression.

Build credits towards a Masters degree

This online course is part of:

You can use the credits you earn on this short course towards any of these qualifications.

What you’ll study

In this course, you’ll study the application, interpretation and communication of common regression models.

Regression models you’ll cover include:

  • general linear models
  • log-linear models
  • logistic regression, and
  • survival analysis.

You’ll work through the following six main topics:

  • Introduction to multivariable analysis
  • Forms of general linear models
  • Diagnosing and building general linear models
  • Logistic regression
  • Poisson regression
  • Survival analysis.

You’ll learn to use SPSS, a statistical software package, to apply different multivariable regression models. You’ll learn how to check model assumptions, adjust for confounding, and assess model suitability.

You’ll analyse a variety of data sets to build your knowledge and experience. You’ll also practise communicating the rationale for choice of statistical method and interpretation of results for a scientific audience.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to…

  • Understand and describe the rationale for using generalised linear models.
  • Check a model’s assumptions, adjust for confounding, and use strategies to assess a model’s suitability and fit.
  • Select and apply an appropriate regression model and interpret its results.
  • Employ a statistical package to analyse data using generalised linear models.
  • Communicate the process and results of regression models using written, tabular and graphical displays as appropriate for a scientific audience.

Choose the University of Aberdeen for online regression analysis courses

Earn as you learn

We fit around full-time work, so you can earn qualifications while you keep earning a salary.

Award-winning research

We’re proud winners of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the highest national honour for a UK university, for sustained excellence in health research over the last 40 years.

Why we were awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize

NHS and alumni discounts

NHS staff get 10% off this online course. University of Aberdeen alumni get 20% off.

How you’ll study

Online learning

This distance-learning regression analysis course is delivered flexibly, 100% online.

You can learn with us anywhere, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.

Your teaching

This course is taught at Masters level.

Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.

You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources available, including:

  • online tutorials
  • podcasts
  • practical worksheets and factsheets
  • quizzes
  • reading materials
  • discussion boards with your tutors and peers
  • the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.

Live online tutorials

You’ll have a live online tutorial session each week throughout the course. These sessions will be recorded, so you can access them after they’ve taken place.

Your tutors

This course is delivered by our School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.

You’ll learn from experienced statisticians who are involved in lecturing as well as leading and supporting health research.

This course is assessed entirely online.

You’ll be assessed online via:

  • multiple-choice questions, and
  • project coursework.

Live online tutorials

This course features weekly online tutorials. Each tutorial is live and scheduled to last for around one hour.

Tutorial times will be organised flexibly at the start of the course. Your course coordinator will consider everyone’s circumstances and time zones before setting up tutorial times.

Study hours

The course totals approximately 150 hours of study and assessment time. That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week.

This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.

You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.

Activities at fixed times

You’ll have live online tutorials at fixed times, plus assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through your course at your convenience.

Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.

We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:

Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.

Your course coordinators

Dr David McLernon

David is a Senior Research Fellow in Medical Statistics. David works as lead researcher and statistician on observational studies in different clinical areas but mainly reproductive medicine. He is particularly interested in survival analysis and prediction modelling. David lectures students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

View David’s profile

Dr Rute Vieira

Rute is a Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics. Her primary research interests relate to the development and application of statistical methodologies to evaluate treatment effects in personalised medicine (including N-of-1 studies) and epidemiology of congenital conditions. Rute is also a statistical consultant for Public Health Scotland.

View Rute’s profile

Where this will take you

Towards a Masters

You’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this distance-learning course. You can use these credits towards our:

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Join an online Master of Public Health (MPH) you can tailor to your career. Study with experts and choose from a wide range of courses to focus your training. 10% discount for NHS staff.

View Master of Public Health (MPH)

Masters in Applied Health Sciences

Fast-track your career in healthcare with our uniquely flexible MSc Applied Health Sciences. Study 100% online or combine with on-campus courses at our Foresterhill Health Campus. 10% discount for NHS staff.

View MSc Applied Health Sciences

Masters in Global Health and Management (on campus)

Learn to address complex and multidimensional global health issues, so you can make professional contributions towards positive health and social change.

View MSc Global Health and Management

Masters in Health Data Science

Develop your skills in health data science, whether your background’s in healthcare or computing, with this flexible online MSc.

View MSc Health Data Science

Careers

You’ll gain a strong career advantage as a health-related researcher with this course.

Clinical students will gain the skills they need to be able to consider the relative benefits of different drugs and therapies.

The statistical skills you’ll develop can help you:

  • pursue a career in research
  • apply for research funding
  • critically appraise the medical literature, and
  • understand the results of health research studies.

Continuing professional development (CPD)

Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world.

This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.

But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.

If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.

Visa requirements

You do not need a student visa to study online with us.

English language requirements

Teaching is delivered in English.

You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.

Recommended level of English

This course uses our Postgraduate Higher level of English language proficiency.

These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements, and these are minimum scores.

IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)

  • 6.5 overall
  • 5.5 for listening and speaking
  • 6.0 for reading and writing

TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition

  • 90 overall
  • 17 for listening
  • 21 for reading
  • 20 for speaking
  • 21 for writing
  • TOEFL DI code is 0818

Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency

  • 176 overall
  • 162 for listening and speaking
  • 169 for reading and writing

LanguageCert Academic/LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • 70 overall
  • 60 for listening and speaking
  • 65 for reading and writing

LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken) – Online / In-centre

  • Overall High Pass
  • 33 for listening, reading and speaking
  • 38 for writing

Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online

  • 7.0 overall
  • 5.0 for listening and speaking
  • 6.0 for reading and writing

PTE Academic (online test not accepted)

  • 62 overall
  • 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing

Duolingo tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward

  • 120 overall
  • 95 for listening and speaking
  • 105 for reading and writing

University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)

  • Pass
  • Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date

Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities

  • Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
  • B2 in all four skills
  • Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course

For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.

When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.

But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.

Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.

Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:

  • Be realistic
  • Create a weekly schedule as a guide

If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.

You will need access to:

A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:

  • Windows 10 or later
  • macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.

Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.

Reliable internet access

We recommend:

  • a wired connection
  • a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.

Speakers or headphones

  • We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
  • A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.

Software

We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.

If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.

See our detailed IT requirements for more information.

Fee payment

Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.

We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.

Ways to save

You may be able to get help funding this course via:

  • discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
  • employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.

Find out more about funding options.

Student card

All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.

Learning resources

Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.

Printing

You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.

The course is delivered at Masters level. For this course, you’d usually have at least:

  • a 2:2 (lower-second-class) degree, or
  • relevant experience that supports this level of training, and
  • formal training in statistics.

We strongly recommend signing up for this course only if you have solid knowledge and experience of basic statistical concepts and methodologies used for descriptive statistics (e.g. mean, standard deviation and other measures on central tendency and dispersion) and statistical inference (e.g. standard error, confidence intervals, hypothesis tests such as t-test and ANOVA).

Knowledge or experience of simple linear regression is preferable but not essential.

You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications to join this course. You decide if it’s suitable for you.

Apply for this course

Start date
27 January 2025
Cost
£1,290
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