Our scholarships

HDR UK is partnering with charities and industry to offer master’s degree scholarships for up to ten talented students to enable them to carry out valuable real-world health data science research.

The scholarships will be jointly funded by HDR UK and partners including Diabetes UK and Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Applications are welcomed from students who have been accepted on relevant UK university master’s courses for 2023. The scholarships will not only pay £10,000 towards their programme, but will allow them to carry out a research project in one of these disease areas.

The scholarships will provide invaluable experience of working in an important area of healthcare research and offer the insights, knowledge and the experience and qualifications students need to enter a field that offers lots of great career opportunities.

“These scholarships are highly flexible, allowing students to carry out valuable real-world research for organisations at the forefront of healthcare research, and making them the ideal launchpad for a fulfilling career and the chance to make a genuine difference to people’s lives and wellbeing,” HDR UK Chief Talent and Training Officer, Tim Frayling

Entry requirements

No previous background in health data science is required but applicants will need:

  • A first degree at 2:1 or above in a quantitative subject (such as maths, physics or engineering)
  • A confirmed place for a health data science (or equivalent) master’s degree at a UK university
  • To be eligible for home fees
  • To demonstrate an interest in the relevant disease areas
  • Basic coding skills in R or Python.

Some previous experience in a life sciences project will be an advantage.

Applications are welcome from returning students, including those who have had a career break or are working in another field, and members of underrepresented groups. These include – care leavers, student carers, students with disabilities, estranged students, students from low income households, mature students, students with mental health support needs, Black and minority ethnic students, asylum seekers and refugees.

Our master’s scholarship partners

Alzheimer’s Research UK

“With almost one million people living with dementia in the UK, and with healthcare increasingly and routinely generating large volumes of data, it’s never been more important to harness the power of data science to advance dementia research. We are excited to welcome the master’s scholars into our network of early career researchers and look forward to working with them on projects that will eventually lead to meaningful impacts on the lives of people affected by dementia,” ARUK Head of Research, Rosa Sancho

Scholars will have the opportunity to be involved in ARUK’s Early Career Researcher programme activities and resources, such as training and networking events, career development and mentoring groups and membership of the ARUK Network.

Diabetes UK

“We are excited to partner with HDR UK on the health data science scholarships for masters’ students. These scholarships will provide financial support and allow students to undertake a data science research project at leading health institutions in the UK. As a scholar supported by Diabetes UK, you will become part of the diabetes research community and have the opportunity to drive forward research that will make a real difference to the lives of people living with, or at risk, of diabetes,” Diabetes UK Head of Research Funding, Kamini Shah  

Scholars will be funded to attend the Diabetes UK Professional Conference.

Timeline for applicants

  • Applications close 30 June
  • Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take computing aptitude tests
  • Final interviews will take place shortly afterwards
  • MSc studies will commence in September.

Apply for a scholarship now

Applications are now open for the new £10,000 HDR UK Master's Scholarships.

Click here

Finding a master’s course

HDR UK helped establish health data science master’s courses at six universities. Other courses are available across the country. If you are looking for an master’s course some are listed here.

Become an HDR UK scholarship partner

Our master’s scholarships will help train the new generation of professionals needed to close the health data science skills gap. We are looking for more charity and industry partners to co-fund students. Partnership gives organisations a cost-effective way to fund a valuable piece of research and access to motivated people who they may wish to recruit to their teams.