Overview

The future of health is digital. We urgently need new technologies for understanding, preventing, diagnosing, and managing illnesses that affect millions of people, such as diabetes, depression and dementia. The digital health industry is expected to grow six times in size over the next five years, at a rate of nearly 30% a year. Driven by the risk of future pandemics and the health needs of ageing populations in countries worldwide, this growth is expected to continue for decades to come.

The demand for graduates in this area is therefore unprecedented. If you have a first degree in a health science, computer science, life science, mathematics or engineering subject, we want to help you develop as a leader in this area.

Our MSc in Digital Health provides you with the necessary technological expertise and understanding of the health landscape to forge a career in this innovative and vital field. You will learn about novel sensing technologies to detect and monitor diseases, artificial intelligence, epidemiology, statistics and more. You will also learn to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new products, assessing the ethical principles that guide the development of new health technologies, all alongside graduates from different disciplines. Finally, the Digital Health Project will provide you with a unique group experience to solve a real-world digital health challenge: from market research, to public involvement, data analysis to regulatory submission, you'll have the opportunity to exercise creativity and problem solving in your own disciplinary area. You will be equipped with the necessary skills to work in multidisciplinary health sectors.

Programme structure

The MSc provides you with the necessary interdisciplinary skills needed to become a leader in the field of digital health.

If you are entering with a degree in computer science or engineering, you will take a bespoke unit in the Foundations of Health and Wellbeing looking at a 'cradle to grave' view of the illnesses that affect the population at all stages of life.

If you have a degree in health sciences or life sciences, you will complete an introductory programming unit using the Python programming language and a Data Analytics and Modelling in Health unit.

You will then have the opportunity to work together in groups in a case study unit, which is a problem-based approach to draw together learning from the other units.

The programme also includes other core units taken by both health and engineering specialists.

Finally, you will undertake the MSc's unique Digital Health Project, which is closely modelled on the process of product development, including market analysis, analysing data, co-design with a real patient group, designing a clinical trial of your product and understanding the regulations it has to meet before it can be sold. This project has been designed with industry partners, ranging from corporates to SMEs, with the intention to prepare students for careers in industry, the healthcare sector and academia.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc Digital Health.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in a STEM discipline or a health-related discipline. Unfortunately applicants with a degree in Civil Engineering or Aerospace Engineering will not be considered suitable for this programme.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following:

  • evidence of significant, relevant work experience;
  • a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£15,100 per year
Overseas: full-time
£32,900 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the digitisation of healthcare. Not only do we need technologies for the management of long-term conditions, but we need technologies that can do that without bringing patients into clinical facilities and hospitals. This move online brings many other opportunities too, such as putting data into the hands of patients and increasing access to healthcare in remote communities.

Many exciting career opportunities to develop new digitally enabled, personalised health solutions exist within academia, the charitable sector, and health providers in many different countries (for example the UK's NHS). Opportunities also abound in companies with active health research and development programs (Apple, Google, Amazon, Sony, Microsoft, Samsung, Huawei, Arm, among others).