Program Overview

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Health Data Science PhD / MPhil / MD

The Department of Health Data Science, within the Institute of Population Health, produces cutting-edge data science research. Undertake research in cutting edge data science methods and learn how these can be used in a wide variety of health-related applications on this research degree in health data science. Projects range from state-of-the-art algorithm development through to applying machine learning, artificial intelligence or statistical methods in groundbreaking biomedical research.

Introduction

The Institute has strong links with civic health collaborators through Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL), an interdisciplinary research centre. This provides our postgraduate researchers with excellent access to policy makers, ensuring a dynamic experience of using data science methods to inform policy decisions.

The Department of Health Data Science undertakes high-impact research in statistical genetics, pharmacogenetics, joint modelling of longitudinal and time-to-event data, multivariate data analysis, stereology, multi-source evidence synthesis and clinical trials.

The department also boasts a sustained track record of research funded by the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Horizon 2020 and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and is committed to excellence in methodological and applied research.

This provides an ideal environment for postgraduate researchers to develop cutting-edge machine learning, statistical and data science skills. You'll have the opportunities to apply these skills in tackling important health challenges such as stratified medicine, infections, regenerative medicine and public health.

Research Topics

We welcome proposals from potential postgraduate researchers with their own topic ideas. We have expertise in supervising projects across a range of topics including:

• Machine learning
• Artificial intelligence
• Clinical trials
• Multivariate and multilevel data analysis
• Bayesian modelling
• Methods for evaluating biomarkers
• Statistical pharmacogenetic
• Joint modelling of longitudinal and time-to-event data
• Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacodynamics personalised dosing algorithms
• Prediction modelling
• Causal Inference

Research Culture

The Department of Health Data Science undertakes high-impact research in statistical genetics, pharmacogenetics, joint modelling of longitudinal and time-to-event data, multivariate data analysis, stereology, multi-source evidence synthesis and clinical trials.

The department also boasts a sustained track record of research funded by the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, Horizon 2020 and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and is committed to excellence in methodological and applied research.

This provides an ideal environment for postgraduate researchers to develop cutting-edge machine learning, statistical and data science skills. You'll have the opportunities to apply these skills in tackling important health challenges such as stratified medicine, infections, regenerative medicine and public health.

How to Apply

To apply for the Health Data Science PhD / MPhil / MD program, follow these steps:

1. Identify potential supervisors: Explore our staff lists for the Institute of Population Health for details of potential supervisors.
2. Prepare your application documents: You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

• A research proposal (this should cover the research you'd like to undertake)
• University transcripts and degree certificates to date
• Passport details (international applicants only)
• English language certificates (international applicants only)
• A personal statement
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• Contact details for two proposed supervisors
• Names and contact details of two referees

3. Apply: Register and apply online.

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK fees: Full-time place, per year - £5,238; Part-time place, per year - £2,619
• International fees: Full-time place, per year - £32,200; Part-time place, per year - £16,100

Additional Costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Funding Your PhD

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There's also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.

• Duncan Norman Research Scholarship: If you're awarded this prestigious scholarship, you'll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £23,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
• John Lennon Memorial Scholarship: If you're a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).

Facilities and Resources

The Institute of Population Health is situated in several buildings across the University campus, including the Waterhouse Building, Whelan Building, Thompson-Yates Building, and Eleanor Rathbone Building. Postgraduate researchers have access to dedicated research facilities, applicable to their specific PhD projects, along with a range of meeting and social spaces.

Careers and Employability

Career Support

Once you graduate after completing your PhD, you'll gain access to career development and support designed specifically for postdocs.

Expert Careers Advice

Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in planning for your future career.

Meet Our PhD Researchers

Our postgraduate researchers are shaping their future, and the future of the world we live in, advancing knowledge with each discovery.

Entry Requirements

You'll normally be expected to hold both:

• A UK honours degree, or overseas equivalent, at 2:1 or above, in a relevant subject
• A UK master's degree, or overseas equivalent, in a relevant subject

English Language Requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you're from a majority English speaking country.

• IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no component below 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 21, writing 21, reading 21 and speaking 23
• Pearson PTE Academic: 69 overall, with no component below 61

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course? The length of Pre-sessional English course you'll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.