MSc Health Data Science

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) offers a Master of Science (MSc) in Health Data Science, a program designed to train the next generation of experts in managing, analyzing, and communicating health data to improve global health outcomes. This program combines a passion for healthcare with essential technical knowledge, supported by Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), the national institute for health data science. LSHTM is internationally recognized for its significant contributions to public health, tropical medicine, epidemiology, and global health research, making its degrees highly prestigious. The mission of LSHTM is to improve health equity worldwide through impactful research, education, and the translation of evidence into policy and practice.

While there isn't one single "MSc Health Data Science scholarship" name, students applying to this program are eligible for various LSHTM-wide scholarships, such as the LSHTM Fund Scholarship, GSK Scholarships for Future Health Leaders, and the NIHR Predoctoral Award, which specifically mentions MSc Health Data Science. These scholarships are made possible by generous donors, including alumni and friends of LSHTM, and industry partners like GSK, all committed to fostering global health leadership. They aim to support excellent candidates who would otherwise be unable to pursue their studies, ensuring a diverse and talented cohort of future health data scientists.

Eligibility for scholarships at LSHTM, including those applicable to the MSc Health Data Science program, often varies but generally includes several key criteria:

• Nationality and Residency: Many scholarships, like the LSHTM Fund Scholarship and GSK Scholarships, are open to nationals of, and residents in, low to middle-income countries as defined by the World Bank. Some may also prioritize candidates intending to return to a low to middle-income country upon completion of their MSc. The HDR UK MSc Health Data Science Studentship, however, is specifically for applicants with "Home" fee status.
• Academic Level: Applicants typically need to hold a first or upper second-class honours undergraduate degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Alternatively, a degree in medicine recognized by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) for practicing medicine in the UK is accepted.
• GPA: While a specific GPA is not always stated, the requirement for a "first or upper second-class honours" or "Second Class Honours (2:2) standard" or above indicates a strong academic record is necessary.
• Age Limits: No explicit age limits are generally specified for these scholarships.
• Language Requirements: Applicants must meet LSHTM's minimum English language requirements. For some scholarships, evidence of meeting these requirements must be provided by a specific date, such as June 15, 2026, for the 2026-27 LSHTM Fund Scholarship.
• Field Restrictions: The scholarships discussed are generally for one-year, full-time, London-based MSc programs at LSHTM, with the MSc Health Data Science being an eligible program. Some joint programs (e.g., MSc Global Mental Health, MSc One Health, MSc Veterinary Epidemiology) may be excluded from certain scholarships. For the MSc Health Data Science itself, applicants are expected to have a solid foundation in mathematics, including probability and statistics, calculus, linear algebra, logarithms, and exponents, typically gained at an undergraduate level. Familiarity with programming logic and prior experience in computer programming are beneficial but not prerequisite. Significant relevant professional experience (2-3 years) in health data science or a related field with substantial quantitative methods may also be considered in place of a degree.
• Financial Need: Many scholarships, such as the LSHTM Fund Scholarship and GSK Scholarships, require applicants to confirm in writing that they would not otherwise be able to pay for the proposed program of study.
• Offer of Admission: For most scholarships, applicants must hold an offer of admission for the MSc Health Data Science program before or by the scholarship application deadline.

Scholarships applicable to the MSc Health Data Science program at LSHTM typically offer comprehensive benefits:

• Tuition Fees: Full awards generally cover 100% of the tuition fees, often at the overseas fee rate for international students or the home fee rate for UK students. This usually includes any mandatory field trip fees.
• Monthly Stipend: A tax-free stipend (living allowance) is provided to cover living costs. For example, the 2026-27 LSHTM Fund Scholarship offers a stipend of GBP 22,000.00. Similarly, GSK Scholarships for Future Health Leaders also provide a tax-free stipend of GBP 22,000.00. The 2026-27 NIHR Predoctoral Award also includes a salary as part of its funding.
• Housing: While not always explicitly detailed for all scholarships, some general LSHTM scholarships (like one mentioned for a different program in The Gambia) can include accommodation. However, for London-based programs, the stipend is primarily intended to cover living expenses, including housing.
• Flights: International flight costs may be covered up to a pre-agreed limit by some scholarships, with participants expected to book and pay for their own flight and then seek reimbursement upon arrival.
• Insurance: Travel and health insurance can also be included in some scholarship packages.
• Books and Other Perks: While not always explicitly itemized, the stipend is generally expected to cover books and other incidental costs. The NIHR Predoctoral Award for MSc Health Data Science also includes a second year working on a research project as a member of staff in the Medical Statistics Department.

The application process for scholarships at LSHTM, including those for the MSc Health Data Science, typically involves two main steps:

1. Apply for the MSc Health Data Science Program:

   • Application Portal: All applications must be submitted online through the LSHTM Applicant Portal.
   • Required Documents for Course Application:
     • Valid passport copy (photo page) (mandatory).
     • Personal Statement (mandatory): This is a crucial part of your application, as interviews are generally not conducted for this program. You should detail your experiences in relevant fields, reasons for applying to the program, what you hope to gain, and how you plan to use the acquired knowledge and skills to further your career and contribute to improving health.
     • Curriculum Vitae/Resumé (mandatory).
     • Transcripts (mandatory) for your highest achieved qualification.
     • Degree certificates.
     • Relevant professional qualifications.
     • Evidence of English language ability (if available).
     • Referees' details: You will need to provide contact details for your referees, and LSHTM will contact them directly.
   • Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of £50 applies to all Master's degree programs and is payable upon submission.
   • Tips for Course Application:
     • Apply early to allow sufficient time for the application fee to be processed.
     • You can apply for up to two master's programs, listing them in order of preference.
     • Carefully review the program webpage and module specifications to tailor your personal statement, highlighting specific modules or areas of interest.
     • Discuss relevant academic, extra-curricular, or work experiences and how they have prepared you for the course. Even experiences not directly in public health can be relevant if you highlight transferable skills.
     • After submitting your application, the Programme Director for MSc Health Data Science will email a pre-entry assessment to evaluate your quantitative and programming knowledge, which must be completed to proceed.

2. Apply for the Scholarship:

   • Once you have submitted your application to study (and for some scholarships, received an offer of admission), you will typically receive an automated email from the Scholarships team with a link to the online scholarships application portal.
   • You must then apply for each eligible scholarship separately through this portal, answering all questions and submitting any additional required documents specific to that scholarship.
   • For the NIHR Predoctoral Award, all MSc Health Data Science applications received by a specific deadline (e.g., February 19, 2026) are reviewed for the Fellowship.

Scholarship deadlines at LSHTM vary significantly, and applicants are strongly advised to check individual scholarship advertisements. However, based on historical data and current announcements for the 2026-27 academic year:

• NIHR Predoctoral Award: Applications for the MSc Health Data Science program to be considered for this award typically close around February 19, 2026.
• LSHTM Fund Scholarship: The application deadline for the 2026-27 LSHTM Fund Scholarship is typically around Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 16:00 (GMT). Decisions are usually notified from the week beginning June 1, 2026.
• GSK Scholarships for Future Health Leaders: For the 2026-27 academic year, the deadline for these scholarships is typically around March 4, 2026.
• General MSc Programme Application Deadlines (for 2026/27 entry):
  • For students requiring a Student visa: Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 23:59 UK time.
  • For UK, Irish, and non-Student visa students: Monday, August 31, 2026, at 23:59 UK time.
• English Language Requirement Deadline: For some scholarships, such as the LSHTM Fund Scholarship, applicants must meet the English language requirements by Monday, June 15, 2026.

Applicants in receipt of a full scholarship will not be required to pay the tuition fee deposit. Those awaiting scholarship outcomes should inform the Admissions team to extend their deposit deadline.

Scholarship selection panels at LSHTM review applications holistically, looking for candidates who demonstrate significant potential and alignment with the School's mission. The selection criteria generally include:

• Academic Merit and Qualifications: Reviewers consider applicants' academic experience and qualifications, looking for a strong undergraduate degree (first or upper second-class honours, or equivalent).
• Experience and Potential: Emphasis is placed on the applicant's experience and their potential to accelerate in their career. For the MSc Health Data Science, this includes demonstrating a solid foundation in mathematics and an understanding of probability, statistics, calculus, linear algebra, logarithms, and exponents. Prior programming experience is beneficial.
• Contribution to Global Health: A key criterion is the applicant's potential to make significant contributions to public and global health, and/or health-related research, particularly in low to middle-income countries for some international scholarships.
• Motivation and Career Objectives: The personal statement is crucial, where applicants articulate their motivations for choosing the specific program, what they hope to gain, and how they intend to use the knowledge and skills to further their career and contribute to improving health.
• Financial Need: For many scholarships, confirming that the applicant would not otherwise be able to afford the program is an essential criterion.
• Selection Process: The application process has two steps: applying for the MSc program and then separately applying for relevant scholarships. All complete and eligible applications submitted by the deadline are considered equally, regardless of the submission date. Scholarship panels make final decisions, and there is no provision for appeal.
• Number of Awards per Year: The number of scholarships varies by specific award. For instance, the 2026-27 LSHTM Fund Scholarship typically offers one award. GSK Scholarships have offered three fully funded scholarships in previous years. The NIHR Predoctoral Award funds Fellowships for up to two years.