Overview
The PhD in Health Data Science provides research training in developing applied informatic and analytic approaches to data within health-related subjects such as medicine and the biomedical, biotechnological, and bioengineering sciences.
You will join the programme with a supervisory panel composed of academics working in health data science more broadly. Throughout the programme, and particularly during your first year, you will be encouraged to engage in training opportunities at Lancaster and elsewhere to develop both your research skills and subject-specific knowledge and abilities. Throughout your studies, you will focus on novel scientific research, developing best practice in interpreting and communicating new scientific methods and findings.
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements
2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
Additional Requirements
As part of your application you will also need to provide a viable research proposal. Guidance for writing a research proposal can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.
English Language Requirements
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 5.5 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.
If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Fees and funding
The tuition fee for students with home fee status is set in line with the standard fee stipend provided by the UK Research Councils. The fee stipend for 2024/25 has not been set. For reference, the fee stipend for 2023/24 was full-time £4,712.
The international fee for new entrants in 2024/25 is full-time £26,490.
Depending on the nature of the research project, an additional programme cost may be charged. This additional fee will contribute towards the costs incurred on specific research projects. These costs could include purchasing specialist consumables, equipment access charges, fieldwork expenses and payments for transcription/translation services. Normally any additional charge will not exceed a maximum of £9,720 but this could be increased in exceptional circumstances.
Applicants will be notified of any specific additional programme cost when the offer of a place is made.
Additional fees and funding information accordion
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and bursaries
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
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Data, Computing and Communications
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Health Studies
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Mathematics and Statistics
- Data Science MSc
- Data Science PgCert
- Data Science PgDip
- Health Data Science MSc
- Mathematics PhD
- Natural Sciences MSc by Research
- Natural Sciences PhD
- Social Statistics PhD
- Statistics MSc
- Statistics PGDip
- Statistics PhD
- Statistics PhD (Integrated)
- Statistics and Epidemiology PhD
- Statistics and Operational Research MRes
- Statistics and Operational Research (STOR-i) PhD
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Medicine
- Anaesthesia and Peri-Operative Sciences PgDip
- Clinical Psychology DClinPsy
- Clinical Research MSc
- Clinical Research PgCert
- Clinical Research PgDip
- Health Data Science MSc
- Medical Education PgCert
- Medical Ethics and Law PhD
- Medical Sciences MSc by Research
- Medicine PhD
- Medicine M.D.
- Social and Behavioural Sciences in Medicine PhD
- Sports and Exercise Sciences PhD
- Statistics and Epidemiology PhD
Important Information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.