Health Informatics

The MSc in Health Informatics at University College London (UCL) is a comprehensive postgraduate program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to innovate and improve healthcare through the effective use of information technology and data management. This interdisciplinary course combines elements of computer science, healthcare, and information systems to prepare graduates for careers in health informatics, data analysis, and healthcare technology development. Throughout the programme, students explore key topics such as electronic health records, health data analytics, clinical decision support systems, health information standards, and the ethical and legal aspects of health data management.

The program emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, offering opportunities for students to engage in real-world projects, internships, and collaborations with healthcare providers. Students are encouraged to develop competencies in designing, implementing, and evaluating health information systems, ensuring that they are well-equipped to address current and future technological challenges in healthcare settings. The curriculum also covers emerging trends such as wearable health technologies, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in healthcare.

Students benefit from UCL's strong links with the NHS and other health organizations, providing them with access to cutting-edge research, industry experts, and professional networks. The MSc in Health Informatics aims to produce graduates who can contribute to the digital transformation of healthcare services, improve patient outcomes, and enhance healthcare delivery through innovative technological solutions. Whether aspiring to work in clinical settings, healthcare software development, or health policy, students will gain the critical skills and knowledge necessary to advance in this rapidly evolving field. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to pursue careers as health informaticians, clinical analysts, health IT consultants, or further academic research.

Our graduates are professionals able to effectively engage with clinicians, managers, patients and policymakers, with the necessary skills and tools to harness healthcare information for improving clinical practice and service delivery. They possess the knowledge about healthcare problems, the concepts used to analyse them and the principles that govern the successful engineering, application and evaluation of solutions.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of one core module (15 credits), seven optional modules (105 credits) and a research project (60 credits).

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, flexible study 2-5 years) is offered.

A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, flexible study over a period of two years) is offered.

Core modules

• Principles of Health Informatics

Optional modules

• Research Methods in Healthcare
• Information Systems in Healthcare
• Shared Care and Electronic Health Records
• Patient Safety and Clinical Risk
• Clinical Knowledge and Decision Making
• eHealth: Patients and the Internet
• Information Law and Governance in Clinical Practice
• Healthcare Quality and Evidence Based Practice
• Using Information in Healthcare Management
• Principles of Health Data Science*
• Data Methods for Health Research*
• Machine Learning in Healthcare & Biomedicine*

*Full-time MSc students have option to share Data Science for Research in Health & Biomedicine modules

Dissertation/report

All MSc students undertake an independent research project, normally based at their place of work, which culminates in a piece of work written in the style of a journal article.

Teaching and learning

The programme is taught by 'blended learning', and therefore includes interactive online teaching and face-to-face lectures, seminars and workshops including substantial use of examples of real clinical systems. Assessment is through examination, critical evaluations, technical tasks, coursework and project reports, compulsory programming and database assignments, and the dissertation.

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Students who do not meet these requirements but have appropriate professional experience will also be considered. Students who have previously undertaken CPD may apply for accreditation of prior learning.

The MSc in Health Informatics at University College London offers various financing options to support prospective students in funding their studies. Tuition fees for international students are set annually and are published on the university’s official website, with detailed breakdowns available for domestic and international applicants. Students are encouraged to explore scholarships, bursaries, and grants provided by UCL, which are awarded based on merit, financial need, or specific criteria related to the applicant’s background. The UCL Global Scholarships program offers financial support for outstanding international students, including those enrolling in Health Informatics. Additionally, there are department-specific scholarships and awards that students can apply for, which may cover partial or full tuition fees. Many students choose to apply for external funding sources such as government-sponsored loans, research grants, or private sector scholarships relevant to health technology and informatics. The university also provides guidance through its dedicated financial aid office, helping students to identify suitable funding streams and application procedures. For students from the UK, there are options for student loans through the Student Loans Company, which can cover tuition fees and living expenses throughout the course duration. It is important for prospective applicants to carefully review the eligibility criteria and application deadlines for each funding opportunity. Furthermore, part-time employment opportunities on or near campus may also assist students in managing their finances during their studies. International students should also consider exchange programs and sponsorship arrangements from their home country, which sometimes include coverage of tuition fees or additional study-related expenses. Overall, UCL aims to make postgraduate education accessible by offering an extensive array of financial support options tailored to meet the diverse needs of its student body.

The MSc in Health Informatics at University College London is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve healthcare delivery through information technology. This interdisciplinary course combines aspects of computer science, healthcare management, and information science to prepare graduates for careers in health informatics, digital health, and healthcare technology development. The curriculum covers core topics such as health information systems, data management, clinical coding, healthcare data analysis, decision support systems, and digital health innovations. Students have the opportunity to learn about the design, implementation, and evaluation of health informatics solutions within diverse healthcare settings.

The program is suitable for professionals from healthcare, IT, and related fields who want to enhance their expertise in health informatics. It emphasizes practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge, with modules supplemented by case studies, project work, and hands-on experience with real-world health data and systems. The teaching staff includes leading researchers and practitioners in health informatics, providing students with insights into current challenges and innovations in the field.

Students also benefit from UCL's extensive research facilities and collaborations with healthcare providers and industry. The program prepares graduates for roles such as clinical informatician, health IT project manager, health data analyst, and digital health strategist. The MSc typically takes one year full-time or two years part-time to complete. Entry requirements include a relevant undergraduate degree and proficiency in English. Upon graduation, students gain a critical understanding of the technical, ethical, and organizational aspects of health informatics, positioning them to contribute to the development of smarter, more efficient healthcare systems worldwide.