Data Science for Health and Social Care (Online Learning) MSc, PgCert, PgDip, PgProfDev

How online learning works

• Interactive learning environment: Study fully online with our intuitive online platform.
• Flexible access: Log in when it suits you and access learning content 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

Teaching and assessment

• Teaching: Engage with a rich blend of online course content and interactive tutorials, as well as discussions with your peers. Throughout your learning journey, you are able 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.
• Assessment: Demonstrate your understanding and skills through a mix of individual assignments, online discussions, and projects.

Time commitment

Expect to dedicate 10-12 hours each week to your studies. This part-time programme is designed to fit around your professional life, allowing you to learn at a pace that suits you.

Technical requirements

• Equipment: A reliable internet connection and a computer capable of running the latest browser and software required for data analysis.
• Software: All necessary learning platforms and tools are provided online by the University.

Support for online students

You are never alone in your studies. Our dedicated support includes 24/7 technical assistance, access to the University of Edinburgh’s extensive online library, and personalised support from your student adviser. Additionally, online study skills workshops and career development services are available to enhance your learning and professional growth.

The Data Science for Health and Social Care programme is structured to give you a comprehensive understanding of data science applications within health and social care settings.
You can exit the programme after:

• Year 1 with a Postgraduate Certificate
• Year 2 with a Postgraduate Diploma
• Year 3 with a Master of Science degree

Alternatively, you can also study standalone courses as postgraduate professional development (PPD).

Compulsory course content

• Year 1: Understand the basics of data science and R programming and its applications with our foundational course, ‘Introduction to Data Science in Health and Social Care'.
• Year 2: Focus on the methodologies and frameworks used in designing data science projects in our courses in ‘Foundations of Research Design in Data Science for Health and Social Care’ and ‘Applied Research Design in Data Science for Health and Social Care’. The Foundations of Research Design course is compulsory for all Year 2 students, while the Applied Research Design course is compulsory for all students wishing to progress to the third-year project.
• Year 3: Your MSc dissertation is the culmination of your learning journey. It allows you to apply your new skills and knowledge to a real-world research project under the guidance of experienced supervisors. We have diverse third-year project pathways, including Work-Based Placement with industry and public sector organisations, traditional dissertations, and Student-Led Individually Created Courses.

Optional course content

Tailor your educational experience by choosing from a diverse range of elective courses, such as:

• Data Visualisation: Knowledge Transfer
• Data Security and Protection in Health and Social Care
• Big Data Analytics

These will allow you to specialise according to your career goals.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

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 to 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 and methods, and 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 in order 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 their 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

Graduates of the MSc Data Science for Health and Social Care are well prepared to step into a variety of roles that bridge the gap between data science and healthcare. With the skills to analyse and interpret complex data, you can drive innovation and improvement in healthcare delivery, policy and management.

Sectors and roles

• Public health and epidemiology: Using data to track disease trends and inform public health decisions.
• Hospital and healthcare systems: Enhancing patient care through data-driven management and operational efficiencies.
• Pharmaceuticals and research: Conducting data-intensive studies to develop new drugs and treatments.

• Healthcare consultancy: Advising healthcare organisations on data strategy and implementation.

• More information about career opportunities for Data Science for Health and Social Care graduates

Support for career advancement

The University of Edinburgh’s Careers Service offers extensive support, from CV workshops to personalised career advice, ensuring you are fully equipped to make an impact in your chosen field.

Join our data driven health and social care community. View a recent testimonial from one of our current students.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a health-related degree or in a relevant subject appropriate to the programme of study such as life sciences, social sciences, mathematics, statistics, engineering, computer science or other related discipline.

We may also consider your application if you have a minimum of 3 years' relevant work experience; please contact the programme team to check before you apply. You may be admitted to certificate level only in the first instance.

Students from China

This degree is Band D.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money

  • taking out a loan

  • family support

• personal savings

• income from work

• employer sponsorship

• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

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.

UK government and other external funding

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding