Master of Science in Digital Health

at University of St Andrews

Modules
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of modules offered at St Andrews, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2021–2022 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2022 entry.

Compulsory

Semester 1
The MSc is structured around a mixture of compulsory and optional modules:

• Digital Health Principles: explores the theoretical underpinnings of digital health; students consider different forms of health data, technologies and methods for processing and analysis, and the integration of digital data in clinical decision making.
• Students will normally be required to complete the following modules unless they have significant experience in statistics and programming:
• Introductory Data Analysis: covers essential statistical concepts and analysis methods relevant for commercial analysis.
• and one of the following:
• Object-Oriented Modelling, Design and Programming: introduces and reinforces object-oriented modelling, design and implementation to provide a common basis of skills, allowing students to complete programming assignments within other MSc modules.
• Programming Principles and Practice: introduces computational thinking and problem-solving skills to students who have no or little previous programming experience.

Semester 2

• Digital Health Practice: looks at the practical applications of digital health; students learn practical skills in medical data analysis and the use of digital technologies to address healthcare challenges.
• Biomedical imaging and sensing: covers the fundamentals of image and signal processing, with how the different types of medical imaging modalities work (such as MRI, CT, PET, ultrasound and optical imaging) along with their uses and limitations in a clinical setting. Finally convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are introduced as a way to classify medical images. 

• A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• You should some have experience in statistical data analysis and some familiarity with methods such as sampling and regression. This might be through one of the following:
• an advanced secondary school or high school level qualification in statistics or another quantitative scientific subject
• undergraduate-level modules in a quantitative scientific subject
• relevant professional experience.
• Experience in computer programming is useful but is not essential.
• English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

Tuition fees

• Home: £10,395
• Overseas: £25,450

The University of St Andrews’ global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. The MSc in Digital Health is aimed at students intending to follow a career in digital health, and you will develop skills commonly needed for digital health related careers in healthcare settings, pharmaceutical companies, medical technology industries, and government.

In addition to broadening your subject knowledge and applying established techniques of research and enquiry, you will develop and demonstrate essential skills including:

• critical thinking and creativity
• analysis and appraisal
• problem solving and decision making
• personal leadership and project management
• interpersonal communication and team working