EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Healthcare Data Science

This DPhil course starts with a training year, which consists of two terms of intensive training in core data science principles and techniques, followed by a third term where students undertake two ten-week research projects in two of their chosen research areas. One of these projects will usually become the basis of the student’s doctoral research, undertaken in the following three years of the programme.

Students participating in the Centre for Doctoral Training will benefit from:

• Eighteen weeks of modular courses covering core subjects such as computational statistics, machine learning, data engineering, ethics and governance, and health research methodology. These modules typically consist of lectures and practical computational exercises, but may also include written work, group and individual presentations, case studies, and workshops.
• Extensive training in ethics and responsible research & innovation, which are embedded as key vertical themes throughout the four years of the course.
• Two extended, team-based, two-week data challenges where students work in small groups with clinicians and domain experts to address questions using large healthcare datasets. Data challenges are delivered with the CDT’s partners, including the UK Health Security Agency and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
• The opportunity to engage with the CDT faculty and their research before choosing a DPhil research project.
• A choice of a wide range of interdisciplinary, cutting-edge research projects within the scope of the programme, specifically focusing on the development of novel statistical, machine learning, or computational methods with applications to health or healthcare data
• Further training in years 2-4, including academic reading, writing, and presentation skills; ethics; responsible research and innovation; and career development and planning.
• The opportunity to participate in a range of activities, including placements, a four-week external data challenge, a seminar series, and annual CDT retreats/summer schools.

Read more about the course on the University admissions website

Subject to normal EPSRC rules, the majority of applicants who are offered a place on the HDS CDT course will also be offered a fully-funded studentship specific to the course. A fully-funded studentship includes:

• Course fees at the home rate* for the duration of the course (4 years)
• A stipend of at least £21,237 per annum for four years
• Allowances and expenses for travel, conferences, and equipment

*We welcome applications from overseas students (this now includes EU nationals). UKRI permit up to 30% of funded places to be allocated to overseas students. The CDT is able to offer full funding for these students within the limits set by UKRI.