Postgraduate courses
We provide a range of Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 11 credit-bearing courses.
Find out more about the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and its levels
Masters level courses
Our Masters programmes are fully online. After each successfully completed year you have the option to exit with a qualification and will have gained 60 SCQF level 11 credits. The full Masters degree carries 180 credits. You will be a fully matriculated student of the University of Edinburgh and join a global network of students from many countries and disciplines.
MSc Data Science for Health and Social Care
The MSc Data Science for Health and Social Care aims to equip learners with a range of skills, tools and understanding to use the transformational power of data to improve health and wellbeing, and the management of care systems, locally and globally.
This is a part-time online programme taught over 3 years. It is designed for professionals at different career stages with varying exposures to data science or for those at the beginning of shaping their careers in this area. We accept applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. The programme is 100% online. We estimate you will need to commit to 10-12 study hours per week.
The programme is suitable for:
- professionals working in Health and Social Care delivery
- health professionals seeking to develop skills in data science, epidemiology and statistics
- those working with a computing background who wish to acquire advanced data science skills in health/social care context
- those seeking to develop skills in digital health
MSc Epidemiology
The MSc Epidemiology programme aims to equip students with the theoretical understanding and practical skills to interpret evidence and conduct research in epidemiology.
This is a part-time online programme taught over 3 years. The programme is 100% online. We estimate you will need to commit to 10-15 study hours per week.
Epidemiology is the foundational discipline for understanding and improving population health. There is increasing recognition of the important role of epidemiology, which has accelerated as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our online programme will help prepare you to take on leading roles in epidemiology, by developing the skills you will need to address contemporary population health problems. It will allow you to benefit from a strong focus on research and inter-disciplinary opportunities. In an era of data-intensive research and data-driven innovation, this will help position you at the forefront of this exciting and evolving field.
Postgraduate Professional Development - stand-alone credit-bearing courses (PPD)
We offer a wide range of 10 and 20 credit SCQF level 11 courses and modules which you can take as stand-alone courses, or use to build up a personal portfolio contributing towards future study or career opportunities. You will be a registered student of the University of Edinburgh and benefit from access to the library and other study support systems.
The listing includes courses from the MSc Data Science for Health and Social Care which can be taken as stand-alone courses under the University of Edinburgh's Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme.
Find out more about the PPD scheme and other learning options
How to apply for stand-alone courses
To apply for our Postgraduate Courses, please navigate to our PG Professional Development in Data Science for Health and Social Care (Online Learning) (ICL) - 2 Years (Part-time Intermittent Study) in the right-hand column of the application page. We deliver learning at various points in the year. Please see the list below to choose a starting month and course length that suits you.
Some of our courses are covered by the Workforce Development funding for those who are eligible. Please check the Data Upskilling Short Courses page to determine these.
Link to Workforce Development page
Watch this short video to help you navigate the application page:
- Video: Guide to applying for PPD courses
- Screen cast by Michelle Evans on applying for PPD courses
Managing and leading Data Driven Innovation
This course introduces the main theories and methods from the management and organisational sciences relevant to health, social and care services. It explores management and effective leadership in data-driven innovation drawing on examples from the health, social and care sectors.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: Course lead welcome to Managing and Leading Data-Driven Innovation
- Heather Strachan intro to course
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - April
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments and reflective learning
Outcome - 10 credits
Health data science
This online credit-bearing course aims to equip healthcare professionals with the key foundations and data skills that are needed for data-driven innovation.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: An overview of Health Data Science
- This online credit-bearing course aims to equip healthcare professionals with the key foundations and data skills that are needed for data-driven innovation. Read more on our website: https://edin.ac/3JJFCjG
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - We deliver this course three times a year in September, January, and April
Duration - 10 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits - Certificate
Data Ethics in Health and Social Care
Through a combination of independent learning, online activities, guest seminars and written assessments, this course will introduce learners to some of the key principles, concepts and debates relating to data ethics in health social and care contexts.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: Data Ethics in Health and Social Care – Dr Nayha Sethi
- Data Ethics and Ownership – Dr Nayha Sethi
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - January
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments and reflective learning
Outcome - 10 credits
Data visualisation: knowledge transfer
The course will introduce the value of data visualisation in the health, social and care services context. Next, the course will focus on the data visualisation design process and data visualisation tools and techniques. Finally, effective communication and reporting using data visualisation will be covered.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: Data visualisation and knowledge transfer – Dr Shane Sheehan
- Data visualisation and knowledge transfer – Dr Shane Sheehan
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - February
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Introduction to software development in health and social care
This course provides an introduction to software development in the health, social and care services context. The course will provide students hands-on practical experience of programming in Python, one of the main languages used in software development, as well as the tools and frameworks that are used in the health and social care sector
Link to read more about the course
- Video: Orzechowski intro to software development course
- Introduction to course on software development for website
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - February
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Data security and protection in health and social care
The course aims to highlight the critical aspects of secure processing and use of data and how they relate to health, social and care services. The course will introduce students to the legislation regarding data security and provide essential training on collecting, processing and storing sensitive service user data, and good data security practice within health, social and care service organisations.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: An overview of Data Security and Protection in Health and Social Care
- The course aims to highlight the critical aspects of secure processing and use of data and how they relate to health, social and care services. The course will introduce students to the legislation regarding data security and provide essential training on collecting, processing and storing sensitive service user data, and good data security practice within health, social and care service organisations. Read more on our website: https://edin.ac/3JJFCjG
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - April
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Introduction to statistics in health and social care
The course provides an introduction to statistics on a theoretical and practical level. It will include in-depth coverage of topics relevant to data science, leaving students well prepared for further study as practitioners in the health, social and care services sector.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: Kasia Banas intro to stats
- Intro to stats Kasia Banas
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - January
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Digital technologies in health and social care
Digital technologies are increasingly seen as a potential solution to many of the current challenges facing the health, social and care service sectors. This course aims to provide students with an understanding of how digital technologies can be used to improve service user wellbeing and support effective and efficient person-centred health, social and care services.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: An overview of Digital Technologies in Health and Social Care
- Digital technologies are increasingly seen as a potential solution to many of the current challenges facing the health, social and care service sectors. This course aims to provide students with an understanding of how digital technologies can be used to improve service user wellbeing and support effective and efficient person-centred health, social and care services. Read more on our website: https://edin.ac/3JJFCjG
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - April
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Working with data types and structures in Python and R
This course provides an introduction to data types and structures in health, social and care service settings. It is designed to equip students with the skills required to handle, analyse and create tools to manage different data types and structures.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: Working with Data Types and Structures in Python and R
- This course provides an introduction to data types and structures in health, social and care service settings. It is designed to equip students with the skills required to handle, analyse and create tools to manage different data types and structures. Read more on our website: https://edin.ac/3JJFCjG
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - May
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Introduction to databases and information systems
This course introduces students to the practical application of current databases and information systems for dealing with data from the health information exchanges, health insurers, and other stakeholders in the health, social and care services sector. The course will focus on the practical application, database and information systems regarding underlying design limitations and assesses their implications on the management and organisation of health and social care service delivery.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: Introduction to databases and information systems
- This course introduces students to the practical application of current databases and information systems for dealing with data from the health information exchanges, health insurers, and other stakeholders in the health, social and care services sector. The course will focus on the practical application, database and information systems regarding underlying design limitations and assesses their implications on the management and organisation of health and social care service delivery.
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - TBC
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Introduction to data science in health and social care
This unique postgraduate course brings together a wide range of learners with a passion for data-driven innovation across health, social and care services. Students will gain a critical understanding of the current and emerging issues, key concepts and methods in data science used to improve health and wellbeing, and the management of systems in healthcare and social services.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: Introduction to data science in health and social care
- This unique postgraduate course brings together a wide range of learners with a passion for data-driven innovation across health, social and care services. Students will gain a critical understanding of the current and emerging issues, key concepts and methods in data science used to improve health and wellbeing, and the management of systems in healthcare and social services. Read more on our website: https://edin.ac/3JJFCjG
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - February
Duration - 10 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 20 credits
User-driven service design in health and social care
Health, social, and care service design is a relatively emerging interdisciplinary research area bringing together fields such as design, health, social and care services, service management, computing, engineering, ergonomics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social research. This course highlights the importance of user-driven design in value creation, driving innovation and improvement in health, social and care service delivery and planning and delivering service user care and support.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: User-Driven Service Design in Health and Social Care
- Health, social, and care service design is a relatively emerging interdisciplinary research area bringing together fields such as design, health, social and care services, service management, computing, engineering, ergonomics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social research. This course highlights the importance of user-driven design in value creation, driving innovation and improvement in health, social and care service delivery and planning and delivering service user care and support. Read more on our website: https://edin.ac/3JJFCjG
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - TBC
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Introduction to Systems Thinking in Health and Social Care
This course aims to equip students with the tools and frameworks to analyse health and social care systems, enabling them to deliver effective solutions for integrated care.
Link to read more about the course
- Video: Systems Thinking in HSC
- This course aims to equip students with the tools and frameworks to analyse health and social care systems, enabling them to deliver effective solutions for integrated care. Read more on our website: https://edin.ac/3JJFCjG
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - September
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Health and social care delivery and organisation
The course provides an introduction to health, social and care services delivery, and the systems used to manage and exchange service user data within and across health and social care institutions.
Link to read more about the course
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - February
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Data standards and core technologies in health and social care
Records from health, social and care services are increasingly becoming digitised. As some service users move through the health, social and care services system, their service records must be accessible, linked, shared, and understandable across disparate systems. This course aims to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the existing data standards and technologies used in data standardisation activities to design, evaluate and promote integration across health, social and care service information systems.
Link to read more about the course
Cost -Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - TBC
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Entrepreneurship and data-driven innovation
The course will introduce students using real-world examples from health and social care to the theory and practice of entrepreneurship, why some ventures are successful and others are not, the entrepreneur's role, with specific reference to data-driven innovation in the health, social and care services context. It aims to equip students with the entrepreneurial mindset, cutting-edge knowledge, skills, and confidence to initiate and develop data-driven business ventures and improve care service delivery and organisation.
Link to read more about the course
Cost - Please see the guidance above for details on University fees
Start - TBC
Duration - 5 weeks
Study time required - 10-12 hours per week
Assessment - Continuous assessment, includes written assignments
Outcome - 10 credits
Fees
Programme and course fees for 2022/23
-
10 credit - £1,010
-
20 credit - £2,015
-
60 credits - £6,035
Course fees vary each year and usually rise by around 5% each academic year starting in September.
Follow the link and search for Data science for Health and Social Care for a full list of our course and programme fees.