MSc in Applied Digital Health
This MSc is a one-year, full-time course, designed to teach the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills needed in the fast-growing area of digital health.
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multidisciplinary and expert led
This applied, interdisciplinary MSc is led by the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (NDPCHS), capitalising on our internationally leading digital health research. In addition, the course draws on the expertise of faculty from across the University to create an interdisciplinary learning experience, spanning medicine, social and behavioural science, economics, engineering, artificial intelligence, and data science.
The course is further enriched by linking to the department's Oxford Institute of Digital Health, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford & Thames Valley Applied Research Collaboration (ARC), which is hosted by NDPCHS (led by Theme Lead John Powell, Academic Co-Director for this MSc), as well as the NIHR Community Healthcare MedTech and IVD Cooperative and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Center.
Who is this course designed for?
Aimed at early or mid-career professionals, entrants to this course will come from a wide range of backgrounds, including clinical medicine, public health, medical sociology, psychology, statistics, computer science and engineering. While no pre-existing knowledge is assumed, you must have an interest in both the social and technical aspects of digital health.
Course outline
This course consists of eight compulsory modules, each spanning a two-week block, and a dissertation. The academic year is split into three terms of eight weeks, however, assignments are not restricted to term time only.
The content will take a broad perspective on digital health, equipping students to be future researchers, policymakers, technology specialists or health practitioners. Wherever their particular interests may lie, we believe course graduates will be well placed to do pioneering work in the digital health sector.
Modules:
- Foundations of Digital Health
- Harnessing Big Data for Clinical Decision Support
- AI for efficient healthcare systems
- Remote Monitoring and Digital Diagnostics
- Supporting Health Behaviour Change Using Digital Tools
- Digital Transformation of Primary Care
- Economics of Digital Health
- User Focused Design and the Lifecycle of Digital Health Innovation
The modules spotlight different ways in which digital health can be used to address the challenges facing twenty-first century healthcare. These solutions include harnessing multimodal health data to support diagnosis and prognosis; improving outcomes via remote patient monitoring and digital diagnostics; using digital tools to facilitate physical and cognitive behaviour change; facilitating more efficient and effective models of care delivery; reducing the cost of care.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- discuss the drivers, enablers, barriers and challenges to digital health innovation, using real-world examples
- summarise the state-of-the-art in digital health tools – including digital therapeutics, digital diagnostics, artificial intelligence, learning health systems and those that facilitate automated care pathways or improved patient (self)management – and both explain and critically evaluate the theories and techniques that underline them
- identify and formulate a response to the ethical, policy, regulatory and practice challenges facing digital health
- explain in detail the need for user-focused development, meaningful evaluation and successful implementation of digital health tools, and propose appropriate methods, actions and processes to meet these requirements
- describe and apply key qualitative and quantitative research methods used study of digital health care, as well as identify the strengths and weaknesses of those research methods
Course delivery
The teaching is delivered via a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, presentations, self- directed learning and study, with all theoretical learning underpinned by real world case-studies.
Admission status
Applications for admission in 2025-26 are now OPEN.
The application window will close on: Tuesday, 3 December 2024
Key facts
First meeting: October
Duration: 12 months full-time (from 2025/2026)
Location: Oxford
Oxford Institute of Digital Health: Seminar Series
The Oxford Institute of Digital Health has developed a seminar series in partnership with the NIHR: Applied Research Collaboration Oxford and Thames Valley and Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.
Places are free and open to anyone interested in the challenges and opportunities in digital health.
Faculty
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John Powell
Professor of Digital Health
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Catherine Pope
Professor of Medical Sociology
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Nadja Leith
Senior Research Fellow
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Judy Irving
Head of Programmes
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Vivian Ansell
Programme Coordinator
Oxford Institute of Digital Health
As members of Oxford Institute of Digital Health, DPhil and MSc students specialising in digital health training and research will be eligible to apply for range of opportunities such as conference places, travel expenses, poster prizes and funded places on short training courses. The opportunities will be advertised internally and highlighted on the Institute's webpages.
Digital Healthcare Research
Digital healthcare is a core research theme across the department, building on digital-first community care, involving people being increasingly cared for in their own homes, monitored by wearable devices and using online consultations and smartphone apps for health advice and to check symptoms.
Funding & Scholarships
Applicants applying by our January deadline will be considered for university-linked funding if they fulfil the eligibility criteria. Visit our dedicated Funding pages for details around internal and external funding.
Supporting documents
View this application guide, which details everything you need to know to make the application process as smooth as possible. We've also highlighted some of the key requirements below.
Official transcript(s)
Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.
You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
Please make sure you contact your institution in good time to provide the documentation required.
Personal statement
Your personal statement must be 750-1000 words.
Your statement should:
- Explain your motivations for applying this course
- Describe how your past studies and work experience are relevant to the course
- Briefly outline your immediate and long-term career goals and how this course may contribute to your career trajectory
CV/résumé
For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document.
References
Three overall, academic preferred
References should usually be academic, though professional references are also acceptable. Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation to work in in digital health and highlight previous relevant experience.
We advise that you begin contacting potential referees well in advance of submitting your application, to ensure that your referees have sufficient time to prepare and submit the documents by the admissions deadline.
Writing samples
Applicants are required to provide two examples of previous written work they have submitted as part of previous academic study, ideally from their most recent qualification. These supporting documents, along with performance at interview, will aid assessment of students’ critical thinking and writing capacity.
Writing samples must be in English.
English Proficiency
In order to take up a place on one of our courses, you must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency at the University's higher level.
You do not need to provide evidence of English language proficiency if you meet one of the following criteria:
A. Your first language is English and you have always been a resident and citizen of a majority English-speaking country recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI); or
B. You are a current Oxford student applying for readmission.
If you have a question about this course or would you like to express your interest, please contact us here and a member of our team will get back to you.