Masters
1 year
On campus - Full-time
90 ECTS
September 2025
About
As a biological data scientist, you’ll be involved in the cutting-edge field of precision medicine. This exciting new discipline involves optimising therapeutic benefits by personalising treatment for patients through genetic profiling and in parallel enhancing diagnosis across various disease types.
The health sector is facing into a new era as it looks to incorporate the areas of data science, omics, bioinformatics, computational biology, artificial intelligence and machine-learning to create a future of ‘connected healthcare’.
This programme from the RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences has a core focus on precision medicine and data analytics, and how to analyse healthcare data.
Check out a recent article in The Irish Times about this exciting programme.
Develop advanced knowledge in the areas of genetics/genomics and precision medicine
Learn how to code and use programming language including R and Python to analyse big data generated from a healthcare setting
Understand how cutting edge connected health technologies and data are improving health care
Consider applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare
Explore contemporary societal issues and assess innovative and leadership solutions
Apply theory to practice and undertake an original research project
Suitable for
This programme is designed for those who hold an undergraduate healthcare degree (pharmacy or medicine) or a primary degree in biological, chemical or mathematical/statistical science, including computer science.
What you will learn
What our students say
Watch our introduction webinar
Find out more about the origin and structure of this programme with this introduction from RCSI faculty.
HCI Pillar 3 programme overview
Discover the human capital initiative (HCI), designed to bring higher education and enterprise closer together.
Register your interest
For more information about this course, please email mtapm@rcsi.ie.
Course information
- Develop advanced knowledge in the areas of genetics/genomics and precision medicine.
- Develop core skills in innovation and leadership.
- Understand how cutting-edge connected health technologies and data are improving healthcare.
- Learn how to use programming languages including R and Python to analyse big data generated from a healthcare setting.
Block 1: Genetics, Genomics and Precision Medicine
- Human Genetics and Genomics/Omics Technologies
- Concepts of Precision Medicine
- Applications of Precision Medicine
Block 2: Data Analytics and Computational Biology
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics
- Computational Biology 1
- Computational Biology 2
- Advanced Statistical methods
Block 3: Connected Healthcare
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the Healthcare Setting
- Connected Healthcare
- Internet of Medical Things
Block 4: Innovation and Leadership
- Innovation and Leadership
- Contemporary Issues in Society
Block 5: Research Project
This project has been supported by the Higher Education Authority under the Human Capital Initiative, Pillar 3. Grant agreement: 17796884 'Enabling Future Pharma’. We have collaborated with industry partners Congenica Ltd, Novartis Ireland, Aerogen, S3 Connected Health, Inflection Biosciences, Phion Therapeutics and Almac in the development of the grant application that has led to this programme.Upon graduation you will be in a position to apply for roles such as, but not limited to, biological data scientist, computational biologists, bioinformatician/bioinformatics scientist across the bio-pharmaceutical industry. In addition, this programme will further enhance your academic profile and therefore make you highly competitive for PhD applications across both national and international research/universities.
We are proud to be a recognised University of the National University of Ireland (NUI).
Recognition by Ministries and bodies in other jurisdictions must be determined by the individual applicants.
Admissions
You should have successfully completed an undergraduate healthcare (pharmacy or medicine) degree or a primary degree programme (minimum of a 2.1 honours or equivalent) in a biological, chemical or mathematical/statistical science (including computer science).
In addition, if you hold a primary degree, with a second-class grade (H2.2) in a biological, chemical or mathematical/statistical science (including computer science) and with industrial experience you will be considered.
Suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend a short online interview prior to any offer of a place on the programme. The purpose of the interview is to determine your suitability and motivation for undertaking the programme and to provide you with an opportunity to ask questions in relation to the course.
If you successfully secure a place on the programme you can apply for a student visa. RCSI can provide a visa letter to support an application for a student visa.
Please note:
- You must liaise with immigration services independently to secure your own visa and ensure you undertake this in a timely manner so your visa is secured for commencement of the programme.
- You can be in full-time employment while completing the one-year full-time or the two-year part-time programme as part of the flexible and blended learning approach.
If English is not your native language, an English language qualification is required. English language qualifications include a minimum overall score of 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), as per RCSI requirements.
More information about English language requirements for Postgraduate study at RCSI is available here.
EU fees: €9,000
Non-EU fees: €25,000 (if student is self-funded there is a €7,000 competitive scholarship available)
Please note:
- Fees are subject to annual review.
- Your annual fees include the €45 NUI fee.
- There is a non-refundable online application fee of €50.
- Fees can be paid by bank transfer, cheque (made payable to ‘RCSI’) or bank giro. Full details on fee payment will be emailed to you shortly before the commencement of your programme.
- You can pay your fees in two instalments – one payment of 50% is due before you commence the programme, while the remaining payment can be paid midway through your year of study.
If you meet the criteria for a non-EU student please contact us for more information on fee payments.
How to apply
Applications for the academic year 2025/26 are now open.
Applications will close on Friday, 15 August 2025 for the September 2025 intake.
Apply now
For any queries, please email mtapm@rcsi.ie.