Course options
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Qualification
MSc - Master of Science
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Location
UCL (University College London)
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Study mode
Distance / Online
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Start date
01-SEP-25
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Duration
1 year
Course summary
Statistics is a fundamental discipline in clinical trials. Statisticians ensure that study designs are statistically robust so that research questions can be answered. They carry out statistical tests, and assess uncertainty in the results, to determine whether the data support the research hypotheses.
The field of clinical trials itself is expanding given the constant progress in biomedical research, including molecularly targeted therapies in cancer, and messenger RNA technologies in vaccines, to cite two exciting examples of recent years.
About this degree
Statistics is a key tool in clinical trials, which are essential in discovering whether new healthcare interventions improve the lives of patients. Statistics is used at the design stage to compare possible designs, calculate the sample size, and at all stages of the trial until the final analysis and reporting of results.
This online programme will provide an excellent grounding in statistics for clinical trials. Frequentist as well as Bayesian statistics will be covered. You will learn about all types of trials, from early to late phase trials, and from simple to complex interventions. This will be both from a design and analysis perspective. In addition, you will learn to code in R and STATA.
Graduates of this programme will be prepared to pursue careers in academic or industry sectors, or further study to PhD level. Clinicians taking this programme will be equipped to be involved in clinical trials and fully engage with statisticians.
Who this course is for
The programme is accessible to graduates with UK degrees, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a related quantitative discipline (e.g. mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, genetics, computational biology) and health professionals (e.g. clinicians). Clinicians and other allied health professionals are required to have a degree (for example, an MBBS) and evidence of having completed quantitative modules. The MSc is also aimed at professionals working in the field of clinical trials who wish to develop their statistical knowledge and skills further.
What this course will give you
The Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology (ICTM) at UCL is a global leader in the field with over 450 researchers (including statisticians, clinicians, trials managers) working within it. Students will meet and be taught by many of these statisticians and researchers.
The foundation of your career
Clinical trials, and statistics in clinical trials in particular, is an expanding and highly competitive field of research yet employers find it challenging to recruit people with the appropriate skills and knowledge. It is a regulatory requirement that every trial receives the input from a qualified statistician.
Teaching and learning
You will be assessed by a variety of methods including unseen written examinations, oral presentations, written assignments and statistical coding tasks. Assessments are based on real world examples and activities that you would perform or need to be aware of if you work in clinical trials as statisticians. Most of the taught modules are based on one summative assessment, while some have two summative assessments worth 50% each.
Employability
Potential career opportunities include clinical trial statistics in academic trials units, the pharmaceutical industry, contract research organisations, hospitals and government organisations.
Modules
Tuition fees
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Information not available
Please check with the institution for most up to date details.
University information
University College London
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University League Table
9th
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Campus address
UCL (University College London), Gower Street, London, Camden, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
Subject rankings
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Subject ranking
6th out of 65 2
8th out of 45 1
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Entry standards
/ Max 234210 90%8th
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Graduate prospects
/ Max 10087.0 87%12th
3 -
Student satisfaction
/ Max 43.09 77%35th
12 -
Entry standards
/ Max 228166 73%10th
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Graduate prospects
/ Max 10089.0 89%20th
10 -
Student satisfaction
/ Max 43.28 82%4th
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