MSc Applied Health Sciences

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Aberdeen

Program Overview

The MSc Applied Health Sciences at University of Aberdeen offers a flexible, tailored curriculum that allows students to specialise in areas such as public health, global health, human nutrition or health economics. It suits graduates and health professionals who wish to develop applied research and policy-oriented skills in health sciences, and to advance into roles in healthcare management, research or public policy.

Curriculum structure:
In the first term, students immerse themselves in foundational modules such as Applied Statistics and Health, Well-Being & Behaviour Change, where they develop essential quantitative skills and begin to analyse how behavioural factors influence health outcomes. In the second term, optional modules like Health Economics and Designing Real-World Trials enable students to delve into economic evaluation of health services and the design of intervention trials in applied settings. The final phase of the programme is the Advanced Research Project (or work-based placement), which requires students to conduct an independent empirical or applied study aligned with their chosen specialisation and to demonstrate competence in research design, data analysis and applied health-science practice.

Focus areas:
"behaviour-change in health, health economics, research design and evaluation in applied health sciences"

Learning outcomes:
"Graduates will be able to design, implement and evaluate health services interventions, apply advanced statistical and economic methods in health contexts, and pursue careers in applied health research, policy or management."

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This programme is not specifically accredited by a chartered professional body in psychology, but aligns strongly with applied health-science research standards and supports progression into doctoral study, health-care research or policy roles.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Aberdeen is consistently ranked among the UK’s top-20 universities in health and life sciences, and this flexible MSc is valued for its emphasis on applied research skills and strong links with clinical and policy-making organisations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students develop practical research skills through applied health projects and engagement with the Health Services Research Unit. They utilise specialist facilities and have access to the Institute of Applied Health Sciences. The programme's experiential components include:

Research Project: A dissertation in applied health sciences
Institute Links: Engagement with the Institute of Applied Health Sciences
Software: Training in statistical software for health data analysis
Research Environment: Access to health sciences research infrastructure
Applied Focus: Development of practical health research and evaluation skills

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Applied Health Sciences at the University of Aberdeen are equipped for careers in public health, healthcare management, health data science, nutrition, and policy. The program’s flexibility allows students to tailor their studies to specific interests, resulting in diverse career outcomes in both public and private health sectors.

Progression and Future Opportunities:

The university’s Careers Service provides personalized career guidance, CV workshops, interview preparation, and access to placement opportunities within NHS Scotland, local government, and industry partners.
Graduate employment stats are strong: median salary is around £21,500 fifteen months post-graduation, rising to £26,500 after five years, with high satisfaction ratings (76%) among alumni.
University-industry partnerships include collaborations with NHS, the Rowett Institute, and policy organizations, enabling valuable networking, practical placements, and research-led impact.
The MSc offers robust training with real-world clinical, public health, and policy impact, recognized by national honors such as the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for excellence in health research.
Typical job roles include Public Health Analyst, Healthcare Manager, Data Scientist, Nutrition Specialist, and Health Policy Advisor.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can progress to research-focused doctorates (PhD) in health sciences, public health, or epidemiology, or pursue additional professional qualifications and specialist MScs in areas such as health economics or global health.