Learn to manage and analyse large, diverse datasets and develop quantitative, computational and practical data management and professional skills. Find out more
Master's Degree Scholarships
Applications opening in April 2025
Our scholarships
HDR UK offers master’s degree scholarships – supporting students to kick-start careers in health data research.
The £10,000 scholarships are fully funded by HDR UK and students each carry out their own real-world research project.
The scholarships are offered in partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Data Science Centre and are supported by Kidney Research UK, Asthma + Lung UK, The Stroke Association and Diabetes UK (see below for details about these leading research charities).
Students gain insights and knowledge plus the experience and qualifications to enter a field that offers lots of great career opportunities.
Scholars with relevant skills may be able to carry out their project in the BHF Data Science Centre.
Applications are welcomed from students who have been accepted on relevant UK university master’s courses.
“These highly flexible scholarships allow students to carry out valuable real-world research at the leading edge of healthcare. They are an ideal launchpad for a fulfilling career that makes a genuine difference to people’s lives and wellbeing.” HDR UK Chief Talent and Training Officer, Christopher Yau
The Susannah Bodie Women’s Scholarship
One of our 2024 scholarships was awarded in honour of Susannah Boddie – supporting our ambition to address the under-representation of women in health data science.
According to UNESCO (The UN’s scientific, education and cultural organisation) less than three in 10 of the world’s researchers are female with a similarly low number taking STEM-related fields in higher education.
This needs to change. More women in these fields will yield better scientific and financial outcomes through diversification and the broader perspectives and new ideas it brings.
Susannah was a prime example of the phenomenal female talent we want to nurture. Susannah was a 27-year old senior data scientist in 10 Downing Street’s Data Science team (10DS) who passed away in August 2023.
She was an incredible health data scientist, an inspiring sportswoman, a loved and admired colleague and a friend to those at No 10, and many others within the civil service.
Working closely with colleagues at the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS, Susannah ensured that the Prime Minister received the best available data and evidence for important decisions.
The Susannah Bodie Women’s Scholarship has been awarded to Marina Camacho
Marina said: “I am thrilled to hear that I have been selected for the scholarship and am deeply honored to be awarded the scholarship in honor of Susannah Boddie. It is a privilege to be recognized in this way, and I am excited about the opportunity to further my studies in the health data science field.”
Your MSc research can make a real difference
Matthew Retford’s work is a great example of how our scholarships provide an outstanding chance to carry out a project that advances health research.
His project, at the BHF Data Science Centre, is investigating whether a diabetes medication (SGLT2i) can increase the risk of hospitalisation from a rare but life-threatening complication (diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)).
Recent evidence suggests that SGLT2i might be valuable in improving COVID-19 outcomes for people with diabetes, so being able to balance risks against benefits really matters.
Other scholars include Martha Dinsdale who is based at the University of Exeter and Eleanor Williams, at the University of Cambridge, who have both been carrying out research projects into Alzheimer’s Disease. Find out about other scholars below.
Isaac Tseng is a renal pharmacist who is interested in how the NHS could better use its limited resources. Thanks to a master’s scholarship, jointly awarded by HDR UK and Kidney Research UK, he is developing his skills in this field – and hopes to move on to a PhD, then a research career that could bring real benefits to people living with kidney disease.
Eligibility
- A confirmed place on a relevant course at a UK university for 2025 start
- A first degree at 2:1 or above in a quantitative subject (such as maths, physics or engineering) is desirable
- To demonstrate an interest in the relevant disease areas
- Basic coding skills in R or Python
- No previous background in health data science is required but some previous experience in a life sciences project will be an advantage
- Applications open to full and part-time students
- Please note the scholarship is available for tuition fees only (up to a value of £10,000)
Applications opening soon
We expect to open applications in April 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take computing aptitude tests followed by interviews. MSc studies will commence each September.
Applications are welcome from returning students and members of under-represented groups.
To find out if you meet the entry requirements email Learn@hdruk.ac.uk.
Applicants should not use platforms such as ChatGPT to answer questions. AI generated answers will be detected and rejected accordingly.
Deadline: 2025 TBC
Our charity partners
Kidney Research UK
As the leading kidney research charity in the UK, the charity has an urgent mission to end kidney disease. It is a disease that affects three million people in the UK and the numbers are growing. It ruins and destroys lives and must be stopped. Treatments can be gruelling and currently there is no cure. Only research will end this.
“We understand the importance of exploring health-data to find new approaches to prevent, diagnose and manage kidney disease better. These new awards are a fantastic way to provide masters’ students with the opportunity to carry out data science research and to help improve the care and outcomes of those living with and at risk of kidney disease,” Aisling McMahon, Executive Director of Research
MSc scholars will benefit from:
- Membership of the UK Renal Health Data Research Network
- Invitation to Driving Discoveries – a two-day annual conference bringing together the renal community
- Opportunities linked to the Kidney Data Catalyst which is part of the BHF Data Science Centre.
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is the leading charity for people living with diabetes in the UK. HDR UK is partnering with Diabetes UK to offer master’s degree scholarships to enable them to carry out valuable real-world health data science research.
“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,” Diabetes UK Head of Research Funding, Kamini Shah
The Stroke Association
The Stroke Association wants to support stroke research capacity across all disciplines, and is interested in supporting data scientists to develop a career in stroke research.
- The Stroke Association is looking forward to welcoming an HDR UK Scholarship holder into its research community.
- Scholars will benefit from access to its researcher networks and expertise and will be able to take part in researcher events.
Stroke is the UK’s fourth biggest killer. It is a leading cause of disability, instantly changing the lives of the 281 people who have a stroke every day.
Enabling stroke data science to be conducted at greater pace within the data science catalyst will generate outputs of value for research, health policy, clinical practice and patient care.
Asthma + Lung UK
Asthma + Lung UK
is the only charity in the UK fighting for everyone with a lung condition, aiming for a world where everyone can breathe with healthy lungs. Is funds cutting-edge research, and provides advice and support for the 12 million people who will get a lung condition during their lifetime. It also campaigns for clean air and for better NHS diagnosis and treatment.
Meet our current Master's Scholarship students
Find a master’s course
-
-
An MSc designed to help meet the growing demand for medical statisticians who can analyse health data to solve the biggest challenges in medicine.
From designing clinical studies to identifying the causes of diseases, it develops the specialist skills needed to play a vital role in global health and development.
-
This MSc programme enables students from healthcare and computational backgrounds to develop their health data science skills, supported by an interdisciplinary team of academics, NHS and industrial partners.
-
Become a digital health expert with the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams in industry or the health and care service. Find out more
-
An exciting mix of medical statistics and the latest developments in data science enabling students to engage with complex statistical and health data science challenges. Find out more
-
Gain a broad education in methods from the mathematical, computational and statistical sciences that can be applied to answer scientific questions in biology and medicine. Find out more
-
A gateway to exciting careers in health data – the programme offers a genuinely interdisciplinary experience and an opportunity to gain cutting edge skills in health-related data. Find out more
-
Acquire cutting-edge health data science skills and put them into practice in projects with world-renowned experts in statistical and health sciences. Find out more.
-
A high-quality training in the analysis of genomic big data, from basic statistical and computational analytics, through bioinformatics to clinical trials. Find out more
-
MSc Programme in Health Data Science, University of Liverpool. Find out more here.
-
This MSc in Health Data Science is a full-time on-campus course that gives a broad grounding in data engineering, statistics, machine learning, and healthcare systems. It is delivered by staff across health informatics, biostatistics and machine learning groups. Topics of particular interest for further research include:
- digital epidemiology
- mobile health
- methods for analysis of electronic health records
- clinical prediction modelling
- causal inference
- clinical trials
- omics research
