Joint Master's Programme in Health Informatics

120 credits
2 years
Start of programme: Introductory week late August. Lectures begin 1 September, 2025.
Degree: Master of Science

The Master's Programme in Health Informatics is for students who are interested in information technology and its application to the fields of medicine and healthcare. You will learn methods to make healthcare safer, more efficient and of higher quality through computer based information and knowledge management.

Programme presentation

Students may have their initial training in either health sciences or computer and systems science. The programme is given by Karolinska Institutet jointly with Stockholm University. After completing the programme students will receive one degree, but with two titles, a Master of Medical Science by Karolinska Institutet and a Master of Science by Stockholm University.

During the first semester, students with technical backgrounds take courses in basic medical sciences, health care organisation and management, while students with healthcare backgrounds learn basic computer and systems sciences. The first semester ends with a joint course in health care information systems.

The second semester covers basic health informatics methods for user needs and requirements engineering, methods for evaluating different aspects of health information systems during and after implementation, as well as health informatics standards. Students will also get an introduction into data science methods and have a course on scientific methods at advanced level.

The third semester provides an introduction to project management where previously studied data science methods will be applied in project form. Students also have the choice of either a course in information security or entrepreneurship. They will also get insight into current research topics in health informatics through a course preparing students for own scientific studies. The fourth and final semester consists of a thesis in which students carry out a larger scientific study.

Programme syllabus - read more about the learning objectives, content and structure of the programme

Programme web page - for current students on the programme or if you are interested in learning more

Career opportunities

IT implementation in healthcare requires people with a solid understanding of both the needs of the healthcare sector and the strengths and limitations of technology. As a health informatician your unique interdisciplinary expertise makes you particularly suited to assume a coordinating and bridging role between these two areas. Many health informaticians work as project managers. Other common roles are CMIO (Chief Medical Information Officer) or CCIO (Chief Clinical Information Officer), IT managers, clinical informaticians, application experts, requirements analysts, system specialists, system developers, interaction designers, evaluators and researchers.

Application Autumn 2025

Full time (100%), Lecturing in daytime
Study location: Solna
Language: English
Application deadline: 15 January 2025
Documentation deadline: 3 February 2025
Application code: KI-D1003

Specific entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in healthcare, biomedicine, medical technology, computer and systems sciences, informatics or the equivalent. Check the country specific requirements for information on how to meet the requirement of a degree equivalent to at least 180 credits. Applicants who are in their final year may be conditionally admitted.

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary school course English 6/English B. You must prove that you meet the English language requirement either through an internationally recognised test, previous university studies or upper secondary school studies. Instructions on how to document your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Selection

The selection is based on an overall assessment of the applicant's qualifications such as previous education, relevant work and/or research experience and statement of intent. Letters of recommendation are not required.

Applicants to Karolinska Institutet's global master's programmes are asked to complete a CV form that will be used in the selection process. In the CV form you will find instructions on how to certify your experiences. Only experiences which have been certified according to the instructions in the CV form, will be considered in the selection.

All documents must have reached University Admissions by the deadline for supporting documents 3 February 2025.

Documentation requirements

The application deadline at universityadmissions.se is 15 January 2025. The deadline for the supporting documentation is 3 February 2025.

Applicants with foreign academic credentials should follow the documentation requirements for master's applicants at universityadmissions.se

Applicants with Swedish academic credentials should follow the documentation requirements at antagning.se

All documents must have reached University Admissions by the deadline for supporting documents 3 February 2025.

Application

The application is made through University Admissions in Sweden.
Apply at universityadmissions.se

Fees

If you have citizenship within the EU/EEA, or Switzerland, you are not required to pay application or tuition fees. For further details: universityadmissions.se.