Health Data Science

Health Data Science is a rapidly growing discipline, where skilled people are in extremely high demand from industry due to data-led innovations across the sector. Health related data are generated from many sources including observational studies, clinical trials, computational biology, medical records, individual monitoring devices, health care claims, genetic and genomic epidemiology, environmental health, sports science and climate change.



The aim of the programme is to train a new generation of world-leading health data scientists with the essential statistical and computing skills needed to become data science specialists in the health care, biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors.



This conversion MSc can be tailored around your skills, experience and interests to provide flexible opportunities for those with either strong quantitative backgrounds, or those with an interest in Healthcare that wish to develop their data science and data analytics skills. Graduates will develop the key statistical and computing skills needed to design studies, analyse, interpret and translate research findings to evaluate health interventions, services, programmes, and policies.



The modules will be delivered by recognised experts in pure and applied health data science including statisticians, bioinformaticians, clinicians, mathematicians, health economists, epidemiologists and computer scientists and invited speakers from Medtech, Pharma and Data Science.



The programme is tailored to allow a wide range of student backgrounds, but primarily to:

1. focus skills of those with quantitative backgrounds to needs of the health sector and

2. provide biomedical, healthcare and related professionals a path to retrain or upskill in data science.



The courses provide a broad range of skills in statistical modelling, machine learning and clinical research. These skills are brought to fruition in an interdisciplinary capstone research project with either an academic or industry focus.



You will learn about sources of health related data, regulatory environment, ethics, the tools and skills to collate and analyse diverse datasets across various health domains, develop work-ready skills, and understand the varied roles of health data scientists. The wide range of backgrounds and experience of students will create a dynamic learning environment where students can collaborate with peers from different domains to build those work ready skills. On completion you will have the core skills and expertise in the use of statistical data science theory, methods and tools for health and related applications.



Data science skills are in unprecedented demand from many industries, particularly in health care. From precision medicine, to next-generation genomics, to individualised monitoring devices the growth in data collection and data-led decision making is revolutionising health care delivery. If you want to be at the forefront of this revolution in health care in Ireland or globally then this is the MSc for you.

The 90 ECTS programme will have:

(a) 60 ECTS of taught modules (30 are core and 30 from electives) over both semesters; and

(b) a 30 ECTS research project



The core taught modules are Statistics for Health Data Science, Statistical Computing for Biomedical Data, Clinical Research Design, Statistical Modelling in Health Data Science, Predictive Modelling and Statistical Learning and Causal Inference. The elective modules provide for a broad range of interests across statistical data science, mathematics, bioinformatics, computer science, ethics, health and health economics.



Full-time students will complete the taught modules over Semesters 1 and 2, and complete the research project by the end of the term.



A range of assessment styles will be used across the taught modules, including assignments, individual and group projects, presentations and exams. A key focus will be on the development of work-ready skills for the modern workplace, including assessments using dynamic reproducible research documents/presentations. The development of team working skills, integral to this interdisciplinary field, will be achieved through group project work.



Following the semester two exam period, students will work full-time on their individual or group research project. At the end of the term, each student will submit a health data science research dissertation and give an oral presentation.



Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).

Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

The minimum entry requirement is an upper second class (or equivalent) class honours degree from a recognised University, in a relevant subject (e.g. statistics, health, biological/biomedical sciences, engineering, computer science, psychology) or evidence of achievement at postgraduate level. Performance in the last two years of study will be considered.

Closing Date: No set closing date. Offers made on a continuous basis.



Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year, full-time

Next start date September 2025

Career Opportunities

Data science skills are in unprecedented demand from many industries, particularly in Healthcare. From precision medicine, to next generation genomics, to individualised monitoring devices the growth in data collection and data-led decision making is revolutionising service delivery. Graduates of the MSc in Health Data Science will develop the key statistical and computing skills needed to design studies, analyse, interpret and translate research findings to evaluate health care interventions, services, programmes, and policies.



The graduates of this programme will be equipped with a skill set that is in high demand in the Healthcare, Pharma, MedTech, Biomedical, Sport Science and Health Insurance sectors as well as in academia.