What can you expect from a new programme aiming to prepare students for innovation in the healthcare sector?

Sponsored by: emlyon business school   

The opportunity to contribute to improving the lives of millions of people makes a career in healthcare an exciting and rewarding choice. 

Even prior to the global pandemic, many healthcare systems across the globe were struggling to implement the scale of transformation needed to enable a more robust and sustainable future. 

Yet the pace of healthcare innovation including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 3D printing is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. 

There has never been a time with more potential for healthcare professionals to effect impactful change which will shape healthcare policy and improve patient care. 

The MSc in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science is a new master’s programme from emlyon business school which aims to prepare future healthcare professionals who can lead and enable transformative change. This programme is an evolution of the current MSc in Health Management & Data Intelligence offered by emlyon business school, which will become the MSc in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science at the start of the 2025 academic year. 

TopUniversities spoke to Programme Director Shaily Malik about what to expect from this exciting new course: 

How is the MSc in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science (HIDS) structured and what are the advantages of a two-year programme? 

The healthcare sector is fascinating because it operates at the intersection of science, data, and well-being. Healthcare systems are complex and challenging because they require strict regulatory standards which must be maintained while handling sensitive data.  

Our MSc in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science is a multidisciplinary programme designed to address the growing need for digital transformation in the healthcare sector. Unlike other industries, the healthcare sector has experienced a slower transformation; however, as digital technologies continue to evolve, the sector is rapidly catching up and progressing at a faster pace.  

Organisations are increasingly recognising the need for skilled professionals who can lead this digital transformation, which has created a critical demand for expertise at the intersection of healthcare, business management, and data science.  

The curriculum of the programme has been designed to impart an essential understanding of the global healthcare systems, major healthcare business ecosystems, and a comprehensive knowledge of analytics, data science and advanced digital technologies, along with the requisite professional skills.  

The aim of the programme is to cultivate a global mindset in our students through practical and academic experiences. Students will develop skills in interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability, while engaging in real-world projects and international learning opportunities.  

It is a two-year programme focusing in Year 1 on Foundations of Health Systems; Fundamentals of Business; Fundamentals of Data Science and Leadership and Team Management and Year 2 on Health Ecosystems & Innovation; Business Processes & Tools; Advanced Data Science and Entre/Intra-preneurship. 

The programme requires the students to undertake a mandatory professional mission at the end of coursework in Year 2, which allows them to put into practice what they have learnt during their courses and projects.  

They also have the opportunity to gain additional work experience during the first year, enhancing their skills and strengthening their career prospects.  

The course concludes with a thesis which is an analytical work on a topic relevant to the healthcare sector. 

This structure allows our students not only to gain and practice their skills in the classroom but to implement these in workplace settings and gain professional experience in the healthcare sector while studying. 

Our students also spend a term at emlyon business school Asia in Shanghai and attend an international seminar in Europe in Year 2. This seminar enables students to gain an understanding of the local health systems in a market which is at the forefront of employing digital health solutions. 

emlyon business school's Shanghai campus hosts the Global Healthcare Industry Center (GHIC), an international think tank dedicated to the healthcare sector.  

Drawing on the expertise of emlyon professors in areas such as marketing, human resources, organisation, and finance, alongside support from the school's Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Management (AIM), GHIC focuses on analysing the commercial ecosystem of the healthcare industry. Its mission is to create a global platform for open research and innovation. 

Find out more about the programme 

What are the key skills the programme aims to develop in students and how does this reflect the needs of employers in the healthcare sector? 

The programme will empower you with expert technical, social, and ethical expertise that are crucial for the data-driven transformation of the healthcare sector.  

Professionals with data science expertise are in growing demand across hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, medical device companies, diagnostic firms, consulting agencies, and healthcare startups.  

Alongside technical skills, the MSc in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset and leadership abilities, empowering graduates to drive change and manage innovation. 

How does the MSc in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science prepare students for the ongoing digital transformation and innovation within the healthcare sector? 

This programme is designed for students aiming to lead, design, and execute complex innovation projects within various healthcare settings. The multidisciplinary approach equips you with essential management skills such as corporate finance, digital marketing, and project management, while also teaching you how to leverage data through coding, analysis, visualisation, and AI in healthcare.  

Rather than focusing on expertise in any one tool or technology, the programme will impart the students with necessary knowledge and expertise to understand the intricacies of the healthcare ecosystem, to understand the social, ethical, and economical constraints linked with the health systems, and to assess the value created by the deployment of digital tools and systems.  

This combination prepares you to develop new products and services, create innovative health solutions, and drive organisational transformation - all with the ultimate goal of improving global healthcare outcomes. 

What makes Lyon the ideal place to study healthcare? 

emlyon business school is a leading international business school, holding the prestigious triple crown accreditation from EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA which is awarded to fewer than 1% of business schools.  

Future healthcare professionals benefit from the school’s focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering the new skills needed to deliver transformative change in the healthcare sector.  

Lyon is a major economic centre in France and is a hub for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector: International Agency for Research on Cancer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi Vaccines, Viatris, the WHO Academy, the healthcare innovation cluster of Lyonbiopole, etc. 

Lyon is in the top 50 of the QS Best Student Cities 2025 and there is much to recommend the city as a study destination: The city is a vibrant, cultural hub with UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is in close proximity to the Alps with opportunities for skiing and hiking. 

What are the career and employability outcomes for healthcare innovation and data science students? 

The World Health Organisation projects a shortfall of 18 million health workers by 2030 to achieve planned goals for universal health coverage and care. Educating health professionals to take data-driven decisions and to embrace AI and digital technology will be crucial to building a sustainable workforce. 

At emlyon business school, we are proud of the successes our graduates go onto achieve. In our MSc in Health Management & Data Intelligence (class of 2023 surveyed in 2024), 91% of students had found work within six months of graduating and 73% of the cohort had secured a job before completing their course. The average salary was €58,800 per year. 

The MSc in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science prepares you for roles such as Medical Affairs Advisor, Healthcare Strategy & Innovation Consultant or Health Data Analyst.  

All students at emlyon business school can access Career Center services during their programmes and for three years after graduation. Each of our students has access to several sessions of individual career coaching and lifelong membership of emlyon business school alumni network of 45,000 graduates in 130 countries. 

What are the qualities of the ideal Master of Science in Healthcare Innovation & Data Science student? 

Diversity is important to us and we welcome excellent students who bring different professional, personal and cultural experiences. The 2024 cohort of our MSc Health Management & Data Intelligence programme welcomed 33 students from 16 nationalities.  

The programme is taught in English. The minimum admissions requirement is a three-year bachelor’s degree. It is possible to gain entry into Year 2 with a four-year bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree.