Master of Biostatistics

Apply your expertise in health

Have a knack for numbers? Interested in statistics and health science?

Biostatisticians collect, interrogate, interpret and communicate data. They provide the specialised skills needed to draw useful conclusions from health-related research.

What will you do?

Our Master of Biostatistics is offered in conjunction with the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA) and delivered mostly online. You will:

  • learn from leading teachers and biostatisticians Australia-wide
  • study statistical theory and methods
  • apply your learning to problems in professional practice
  • build career skills through workplace research placements.

Where could it take you?

You’ll emerge fully qualified for registration. You could work for a pharmaceutical or biotech company. You’ll be in high demand in medical and epidemiological research, and government departments and agencies. Perhaps you’ll help design and execute world-changing clinical trials while sharing your knowledge as a university teacher.

 To find out more about the BCA program, visit the BCA website.


  • Top 25 emerging occupations in 2021^
  • Accredited by the Statistical Society of Australia
  • Flexible study options

^nationalskillscommision.gov.au

Entry Requirements

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Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3CM028
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake

February and July

Additional Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to meet an acceptable standard in Maths Proficiency. The selection process also considers qualifications/experience in a relevant field and includes an interview with the Program Coordinator. Applicants must contact the School of Public Health on bca@adelaide.edu.au to arrange an appointment with the program co-ordinator.

Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study

A completed four-year degree or equivalent.


  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    International students N/A N/A
    All students 4 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Apply

Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Australian Full-fee place: $33,000

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

FEE-HELP
This is an Australian full-fee program. As a domestic student you may be eligible to:

  • receive a zero interest government assistance package to cover your course fees and
  • use over $100,000 in HELP assistance over your lifetime
Check your eligibility today at Study Assist

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

The Master of Biostatistics will allow you to develop a specialist career role in health-related research or health services. Biostatistical expertise is in very high demand in many areas. Possible job settings include:

  • Medical and epidemiological research
  • The pharmaceutical industry
  • Government departments and agencies

The Masters degree also provides a great grounding for PhD and other higher degree research programs.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Medical Research;  Epidemiologist;  Bioinformatics;  Biomedical Scientist;  Biotechnology;  Biotechnology Engineer;  Statistician;  Biostatistician

Degree Structure

To qualify for the degree of Master of Biostatistics, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 36 units, comprising:

1.  Core courses to the value of 15 units
2.  Elective courses to the value of 12 units
3.  Research courses to the value of 9 units comprising the capstone for this program

Please note: While a full time load of four courses per semester is technically possible, BCA recommends a load of two courses:

  • Four courses per semester: 1.5 years
  • Two courses per semester: 3 years

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan
Year level 1
Core Courses BIOSTATS 6000 Epidemiology
BIOSTATS 6002EX Data management and Statistical Computing
BIOSTATS 6005EX Principles of Statistical Inference
BIOSTATS 6020EX Regression Modelling for Biostatistics l
BIOSTATS 6019EX Mathematical Foundations for Biostatistics
Year level 2
Core Courses BIOSTATS 6021EX Regression Modelling for Biostatistics ll
BIOSTATS 6009 Biostatistics Research Project A
BIOSTATS 6010 Biostatistics Research Project B
Electives To satisfy the requirements for Elective Courses students must complete courses to the value of 12 units.

Courses to the value of at least 9 units from the following:

BIOSTATS 6004EX Design of Randomised Controlled Trials (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6011EX Statistical Genomics (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6012EX Longitudinal & Correlated Data (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6014EX Bayesian Statistical Methods (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6015EX Health Indicators & Health Surveys (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6016EX Clinical Biostatistics (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6017EX Machine Learning (3 units)
BIOSTATS 6018EX Causal Inference (3 units)

and/or

Courses to the value of up to 3 units that are available to them from the following:

PUB HLTH 7028 Infectious Disease Epidemiology
PUB HLTH 7091 Public Health Evaluation and Economics
PUB HLTH 7147OL Health Technology Assessment
 
Or other postgraduate coursework courses available to them, as deemed eligible by the Program Coordinator.

Assessment

Project work, written assignments and practical work.

Testimonial

The most exciting thing about the Master of Biostatistics is learning specialised skills from top biostatisticians in Australia which help us advise investigators on planning medical research effectively, from the early stages to implementation.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Thursday, 22 Feb 2024