Master of Biostatistics

PLEASE NOTE: MID-YEAR INTAKE TO THIS COURSE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The Master of Biostatistics at the University of Melbourne provides an advanced education in biostatistics. It encompasses the design of advanced experiments and the collection, summary, interpretation and communication of data analysis to health professionals.

This degree covers all the necessary statistical theory, and the emphasis throughout is on the application and adaptation of computational analysis using current health datasets.
The compulsory research project ensures that you are able to apply your skills to real-world problems. The wide-ranging elective subjects allow great flexibility in terms of biostatistics career pathways.

On completion of the master’s degree, graduates will have had the opportunity to complete a research-based project under expert biostatistical supervision and will attain the required skills for employment as a professional biostatistician or for continuing to a research higher degree. The Master of Biostatistics at the University of Melbourne allows students to:

• Fast-track your qualification: study full-time and complete in 18 months
• Learn from leading biostatisticians at the University of Melbourne and Australia-wide
• Benefit from a hybrid approach to teaching - subjects offered both face-to-face and online courses.
• Attain skills for employment as a professional biostatistician in medical and public health research centres, universities, hospitals, government departments and the pharmaceutical industry

This degree is accredited by the Statistical Society of Australia Inc. (SSAI) and also provides an excellent grounding for those wishing to undertake a PhD

Course description

Our 18-month full-time (three-year part-time) course offers both on campus and online subjects, meaning you can benefit from interaction with local biostatistics experts and also have access to academic biostatisticians located throughout Australia via our affiliation with the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia.

The Masters program builds on the Graduate Diploma in Biostatistics, with a further 6 months of full time study or 1 year of part time study. Choice of Master subjects is available.

Upcoming information session

Biostatistics Information Session: 2024 Mid Year Intake

When:  Wednesday 1 May 2024, 5.00-6.00pm (Melbourne, Australia Time)

Hear from course coordinator Associate Professor Emily Karahalios and students in this interactive session to learn more about the program, student experience, career opportunities and much more.

Register here

With the use of electronic health records expanding at a rapid rate, biostatistical expertise has never been in more demand. Whether it’s helping to answer key questions around prevention of disease or treatment of patients, a Master of Biostatistics at the University of Melbourne will build your practical skills for working with data and theoretical knowledge of statistics. This degree will set you on a trajectory to be a leader in the field.

Practical and research experience to build your future

During your degree, you will study key areas such as the importance of epidemiology in public health, statistical computing, and bridging the gap between the accumulation of health data and using this data to address important health questions. You’ll gain a strong understanding of how statistics can assist across a wide variety of health industries.

You will undertake your research project under the supervision of teachers from the world-class Melbourne Biomedical Precinct. This will enable you to specialise your biostatistical knowledge and refine your desired career pathway.

World-class education for worldwide careers

Aside from being an ideal stepping stone for further study with a PhD, the Master of Biostatistics opens up a wide range of Australian and international employment opportunities.

While covering the necessary statistical theory throughout your degree, you will move to understand its application to current health problems around the world. Your skills as a professional statistician will prepare you for careers in environments such as:

• Medical and public health research centres
• Universities
• Hospitals
• Government departments
• Pharmaceutical companies.

This Master of Biostatistics is delivered in a blended and flexible structure, and can lead to accreditation with the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA) upon graduation, making you highly employable across the globe.

1.             In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

*              A Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline, such as statistics, mathematics, biomedicine, psychology, science, pharmacy, health sciences, economics, from an approved university, with an average mark over the degree of at least 70% or equivalent; and

*              Successful completion at tertiary level of at least one mathematics subject (result of at least 65%), including elements of multivariable calculus and linear algebra.

Applicants may be required to attend a test to elucidate any of the matters listed above.

2.             In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

*              prior academic performance; and

*              where relevant, performance in an interview or test, and/or referee reports or employer references.

3.             The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4.Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

IELTS: Score: 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

TOEFL: Score: 79+, with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13.

PEARSON: Score: 64+, with no communicative skill below 60.

CAMBRIDGE: Score: 176+, with no skill less than 169.