The Actionable Healthcare Data Analytics module equips you with the knowledge and skills to generate insights from health data that drive real change in healthcare policy, clinical practice, and system performance—what we call actionable analytics. You will explore the emerging concept of the Learning Health System, where data and evidence feed continuously into healthcare improvement.
Taught through a mix of interactive lectures, computer labs, and talks from national and local health informatics experts, the module bridges theory with practical application. You will examine real-world case studies, explore cutting-edge technologies like simulation modelling, and build data-driven interventions using open-source tools like R Shiny, R Simmer and R Plumber.
A key feature is a six-week collaborative project where you will take on roles such as data scientist, patient advocate, or policy lead, to design and evaluate a health informatics solution. You will then produce an individually written report reflecting your contribution and critical thinking (70% of the final mark). In addition, you will deliver an oral presentation (30% of final mark) where you analyse a synthetic but realistic health dataset and present your findings in an accessible way—suitable for non-specialist stakeholders such as clinicians or decision-makers.
By the end of the module, you will be confident in evaluating data-driven healthcare interventions, applying statistical and machine learning methods in context, and communicating complex insights to diverse audiences. This is an ideal option for students looking to apply their data science skills to real-world healthcare challenges and make a measurable difference.