Join an online MSc Health Data Science you can study flexibly, anywhere.
Learn to use data effectively and efficiently to address challenges in health care.
In this interdisciplinary degree, you’ll study health research, statistics, and computing sciences to develop your health data science skills.
You’ll learn to evaluate, critique, and apply data-intensive analytical methods, and current health and care research methods.
We need health data scientists
In the UK and internationally, there’s a critical shortage of people skilled in the use of data science, including machine learning and AI, for health care.
Help to transform health and care
You’ll learn from academics in our Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science (ACHDS). Right now, they’re creating innovative data science solutions to big health care challenges, to improve health and care for individuals, local communities, and globally. You’ll find out how.
Customise your learning
In this degree, you can build a learning experience that’s tailored to you. Choose from a wide range of specialist elective courses to match your interests and skills, including projects and work-based placements.
Who can join online MSc Health Data Science?
This MSc is for:
- healthcare professionals looking to develop data science skills, and
- professionals with a computing and/or data-intensive science background who want to learn more about health research, or work in the health sector.
It’s designed to help students from both backgrounds transition into health data science careers.
You can also study this degree on campus.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online MSc Health Data Science
1st in the UK for Medicine
Study with a university ranked 1st in the UK for Medicine (Guardian University Guide 2025).
Earn a respected Masters degree
You’ll earn the same globally recognised Masters degree online as you would on campus.
NHS and alumni discounts
NHS staff get 10% off this online degree. University of Aberdeen alumni get 20% off.
What you’ll study
You can choose to study for a:
- Masters (180 credits)
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), or
- start with one of the short courses that make up this degree (15 credits).
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning MSc Health Data Science 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
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:
- lectures and tutorials
- videos
- podcasts
- PowerPoint presentations
- quizzes and self-tests
- computer-based practical sessions
- workshops and seminars
- reading materials
- discussion boards with your colleagues and tutors
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Your tutors
This interdisciplinary degree is delivered by our School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.
You’ll learn from staff in our Institute of Applied Health Sciences and the Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science (ACHDS). The ACHDS has an established global reputation in the health and data sciences harnessing academia, NHS, industry and public partnerships.
You’ll also learn from academics and international experts from our School of Natural and Computing Sciences, our Business School, the NHS, and industry.
This degree is assessed entirely online.
We use a variety of approaches to assess your understanding, progress, and performance throughout your degree. Assessment methods include:
- reflective learning
- writing computer programmes
- written and activity-based assessments
- structured and multiple-choice questions.
Whenever possible, your assessments will use real-life scenarios and/or data, and equip you with transferable skills for subsequent careers.
Hours for taught courses
To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. Students typically take one or two 15-credit short courses per term.
15 credits
- Around 150 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
- You’ll study 10 – 15 hours per week per term.
30 credits
- Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
- You’ll study 20 – 30 hours per week per term.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes.
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
There may be some activities scheduled at a fixed time, such as online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.
Hours for 60-credit project and work-based placement
A 60-credit project or placement is around 600 hours of learning time.
This is around one term of full-time study.
You can dedicate a full term to your project or placement and work on it full-time.
Or you can complete your project or placement part-time, spreading the hours you dedicate to it over two terms.
Hours for 30-credit case study and work-based placement
A 30-credit case study or placement is around 300 hours of learning time.
That’s around 20 – 30 hours per week per term.
You will dedicate a full term to your case study or placement.
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.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your tutors via MyAberdeen and email. 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:
- Careers and Employability Service – including one-to-one advice sessions
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
We’re a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).
Access study spaces, books and journals in your area
The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.
You’ll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.
Your support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.
Dr Caroline Franco
Caroline is the degree coordinator. She’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start, and to help you throughout your studies.
Clare McHattie
Clare is part of the School’s postgraduate teaching support team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.
Get in touch
The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
Ask us a questionWhere this will take you
Your MSc Health Data Science qualification
You’ll graduate with an MSc in Health Data Science from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.
You’ll receive exactly the same degree qualification online as you would on campus. Your degree title will not mention online or distance learning.
Your MSc qualification will be recognised by employers and educational institutions around the world, opening up international career opportunities.
Careers in Health Data Science
Nationally and internationally, there is a critical shortage in data intensive analytic capacity applied to healthcare.
Both the Health Foundation and the Academy for Medical Sciences have identified the significant shortage of skilled workforce in this field.
In-demand skills in health data science
You’ll graduate with the much-needed skills for a range of careers in this rapid growth area of healthcare.
Your degree will prepare you for careers in academia, the NHS, and industry that involve the analysis and interpretation of health data.
Industry links
Enhancing your employability is also a key focus of this degree.
We’ll help you engage with potential employers through our partnerships with companies and public bodies, including the NHS and the Opportunity North East (ONE) business development framework.
Move on to a PhD
By completing this degree with a commendation or above, you’ll also be eligible for consideration to undertake PhD study in this area.
Lifelong career support
Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Fees and funding
The fees quoted above are based on you starting your studies with us in the 2024/25 academic year.
We have confirmed that our fees will rise by 5% for the 2025/26 academic year. Our indicative costs include a 5% fee rise each year.
Pay as you go
This is a pay-as-you-go degree.
You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.
You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.
How it works
- You decide how many credits to study for each term.
- At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
- This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your degree.
Your personalised cost breakdown
Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.
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.
There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:
- Employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors
- Student loans
- Scholarships – search our funding database for scholarships
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.
20% Alumni discount
You’re entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen. View Alumni discount details.
10% NHS discount
NHS staff receive 10% off online postgraduate degrees and short courses offered by our School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; our School of Psychology; and our ILM leadership courses. View NHS discount details.
How discounts work
Discounts are applied during your application process. Only one discount can be used per application. If you are eligible for more than one discount, we will apply the largest discount for you.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for respected online learning
Leaders in health teaching
We’ve been training health professionals for decades and delivering online teaching for over 20 years.
Over 525 years of excellence
You’ll graduate from the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1495.
Fits around full-time work
This degree fits around full-time work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
Entry requirements
MSc, PgDip, PgCert
For entry, you will usually have:
- a 2:1 UK undergraduate degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline, including life sciences, medicine, computing or maths.
Other relevant work experience will also be considered.
Short course route to online MSc Health Data Science
If you do not meet these entry requirements, or are not ready to commit to a full MSc, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into this degree.
Find out about the short course route to entryEntry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.
English language tests and scores
If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept.
These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements.
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.
You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.
What you need to apply for this degree
- Degree transcript
- Personal statement
- Degree certificate
- CV / Resume
Apply now
Start with our step-by-step guide. It explains degree transcripts, what to write in your personal statement and how to use our Applicant Portal.
You can apply to start in either September or January.
Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.
January 2025 intake
For our January 2025 intake, the application deadline is 9 December 2024.
You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 18 December 2024.
Teaching starts on 27 January 2025.
September 2025 intake
Teaching starts on 22 September 2025.
Application deadlines will be announced in due course.
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.
Try our degree scheduler
Choose your courses
See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.
Manage your study schedule
Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.
Save to your wishlist
Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.
Master of Science
180 credits
£16,270
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in January 2025.
Postgraduate Diploma
120 credits
£10,850
This indicative cost is based on 120 credits of study over two years, starting in January 2025.
Postgraduate Certificate
60 credits
£5,290
This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in January 2025.
Apply for this programme
- Start month
- January or September
- INDICATIVE COST
- £16,270
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over two years, starting in January 2025.
Apply via our Applicant Portal