MSc in Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 21,500 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU and international student
Introduction
The past decade has seen enormous advances in molecular and biomedical technology resulting in an ‘omics’ revolution.
Bioinformatics (health data science) covers the application of mathematics, statistics and computing (including AI and machine learning) to biological and clinical scenarios. Algorithms and software tools are used to understand and interpret patient-derived ‘Big Data’
What's Involved
In this conversion course, you will be using data science tools to analyse clinical, omics and other data to find complex patterns relating to patient response to treatments and prognosis. You will discover results that have the potential to translate to the real world, through clinical trials or commercialisation. Using the skills and tools developed in the course you will derive unique solutions to clinical and biological problems. This is a challenging, cutting-edge, fast-paced course. By the end of the degree, you will be ready to work within a multidisciplinary team alongside bioinformaticians, biologists and clinicians.
You will be taught by active researchers from the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research the Welcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine and the Centre for Public Health.
This is complemented by guest lectures from industrial and clinical collaborators.
Intercalated Medical and Dental Students
Completing an intercalated degree will boost your CV when applying for postgraduate training. Depending on the discipline, selection panels look for completion of an additional degree, or publications or posters. An intercalated degree allows you to improve your chances of future success.
Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2025 for courses which commence in late September. If any program receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.
Please note a deposit will be required to guarantee a place on the course. Due to high demand, applications may not be considered if the course has reached its maximum class size and will be placed on a waiting list. Please see the deposit terms and conditions for more details.
Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics highlights
Global Opportunities
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We offer prestigious, competitive scholarships of up to 50% off tuition fees to new international students. You must have an offer to study a full-time course with us in 2024 to apply for a scholarship.
Curriculum
Year 1
- Genomics and Human Disease
- Systems Medicine: from Molecules to Populations
- Dissertation
- Applied Genomics
- Scientific Programming & Statistical Computing
- Health and Biomedical Informatics and the Exposome
- Biostatistical Informatics
- Analysis of Gene Expression
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:
- Assessment for the modules will be based on 100% coursework/in-class tests/dissertation. There are at least 2 assessments per 20 CATS modules. Assessments may range from data analysis to journal clubs to project presentations.
- Students who pass all of the taught modules but who fail to achieve a mark of at least 50 per cent in the dissertation are eligible for the award of a PG Diploma.
- Students who pass 60 CATS of modules are eligible for the award of PG Certificate
Rankings
The top-ranked candidate in the year will receive a Book Prize and Certificate of Merit.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The rapid production of 'omics' data within medicine and the life sciences has meant that individuals with health data science experience in this field are highly sought after. Recent graduates have gone on to work in the industry in companies such as Almac Diagnostics, Liberty IT and Fios Genomics and some have gone on to further PHD level research.
Employment after the Course
Many of our students go on to pursue further PhD studies in health data science at Queen’s and further afield. Others go on to work in a variety of roles in both the private and public sector industry here in Northern Ireland and internationally, including the following:
- Bioinformatician, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
- Application Scientist, Dotmatics
- Network and Security Engineer, Darktrace
- Senior Data Scientist, Liberty IT
- Graduate Trainee HPC, University of Bristol
- Junior Bioinformatic Scientist, Almac Group
- Bioinformatician, Fios Genomics Ltd
- Biomedical Scientist and Junior Bioinformatician, Biokinetic Europe
- Business/Data Analyst, Diaceutics
- Bioinformatics Data Manager, Institute of Cancer Research
- Bioinformatician Molecular Scientist, Randox
- Associate Consultant, Microsoft
- Health Technology Assessment Analyst, Health Information and Quality Authority Ireland
- Health Data Science Black Internship, East Suffolk
- North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Professional Opportunities
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised by a world-leading university, but you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this the Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
Program delivery
Contact Teaching Hours
Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial
20 (hours maximum)
Approximately 20 hours per week
Teaching Times
Teaching will be scheduled any time between 9.00 am to 5:00 pm
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities associated with the course are outlined below
We provide a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts and develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in an advanced society making use of innovative technologies.
Across a combination of morning and afternoon classes, examples of the opportunities provided for learning in this course are lectures, practical experiences learning technologies and self-directed study to enhance employability.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.