Master’s in Digital Skills for Health

Education

Master’s in Digital Skills for Health

The future of digital health starts with you

The Master’s in Digital Health Skills offers comprehensive training at the intersection of technology and healthcare, equipping students for leadership and innovation through a combination of knowledge in engineering, health sciences, and information technology — key elements for addressing the challenges faced by the sector in the digital age. This Master's degree, part of the European Digital Skills DS4Health programme, is fully funded for both national and European students.

This programme is developed and delivered in collaboration between the NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT), the NOVA Medical School, and the National School of Public Health at NOVA University LisbonIt is also delivered in collaboration with the following universities: UniKlinik RWTH Aachen (Germany), ENSAE – Institut Polytechnique de Paris (France), Medical University of Vienna (Austria), University of Ioannina (Greece), University of Tel Aviv (Israel), and Politehnica University of Bucharest (Romania). Students have the opportunity to benefit from mobility programmes with these institutions, as well as with industrial and technological partners such as BAYER, ITTM (Information Technology for Translational Medicine), JSI (Josef Stefan Institute), and CLINOMIC.

With a practical and forward-looking approach, this Master’s provides specific skills in the health domain, including clinical knowledge, health literacy, integration of technology into clinical practice, telemedicine, and remote care. Graduates will be well prepared to lead the digital transformation of healthcare.

Scholarship “Digital Skills DS4Health”

100% tuition-funded

All national and European students admitted to the Master’s in Digital Skills for Health automatically benefit from the Digital Skills DS4Health Scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition fees.

Although the tuition is formally due, the full amount is covered by this scholarship, granted under the European DS4Health programme.

Why this Master's?

  • Interdisciplinarity: With a strong multidisciplinary focus, this Master’s brings together advanced digital competencies — such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Information Management and Data Analysis, Data Security and Privacy, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, and Social Responsibility — in synergy with the core skills required in the healthcare field.
  • Theoretical and practical approach: The programme adopts applied teaching methodologies, including laboratory classes, group work, and real-world problem solving, encouraging the consolidation of knowledge through practical application in contexts relevant to healthcare digitalisation.
  • Diverse teaching methods: The pedagogical model includes tutorial teaching, laboratory and demonstration sessions, group projects, and access to online platforms with a range of learning resources and active discussion forums. The hybrid format (in-person and online), with schedules defined in consultation with students, allows for the combination of high-quality training with professional activity.
  • International partnerships: Active participation in European projects funded by the European Commission enhances the internationalisation of the programme, supports student mobility, and promotes knowledge exchange with leading universities and institutions across Europe.
  • Ongoing curriculum development: The programme is committed to the continuous update of its curriculum, ensuring that teaching stays aligned with technological advancements and labour market demands.
  • Accessible and impactful education: This Master’s is fully funded for national and European students, providing access to high-quality education with no tuition fees. The high employability rate and competitive salaries for professionals with digital health skills make this programme a choice with immediate return and a promising future.

Applications 2025/26

2nd Phase: 2 JUN. a 18 JUL.

Vacancies: 25

Duration: 2 years (120 ECTS)

Format: Hybrid (Online and On-site), Daytime (the schedule will be adapted to better suit working students)

Language: English

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

Course Coordinator: Ricardo Jardim Gonçalves, rlg@fct.unl.pt

Academic division: mestrados@fct.unl.pt

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Program

This is a unique programme in Portugal, designed to meet the growing demand for qualified professionals in digital health. Recent OECD studies show that professionals with digital skills earn, on average, up to 38% higher salaries, and benefit from high international employability rates.

As the healthcare sector becomes increasingly reliant on technology and digital innovation, the curriculum of this Master’s is fully aligned with current market demands, where such competencies are increasingly valued and sought after.

The programme includes two areas of specialisationTechnologies for Digital Health and Health Data — and features a practical, hands-on approach, offering access to real-world projects and international networks.

Curriculum

For whom

The Master’s in Digital Health Skills is intended for:

  1. Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Health Sciences, or related fields.
  2. Applicants with similar academic backgrounds will also be considered, based on the assessment of their academic record and professional experience.

All candidates are subject to evaluation by the Scientific Committee of the programme and may be invited for a selection interview to assess their motivation, preparedness, and suitability for the programme’s profile.

Candidate Profile

  • Healthcare Professionals: doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other clinical professionals;

  • Technology Professionals: electrical and computer engineers, data scientists, systems specialists, and experts in technological innovation;

  • Health Managers: hospital managers, system administrators, and professionals in strategic health management;

  • Researchers and Academics: researchers and lecturers in the fields of health, engineering, computer science, biomedical sciences, and related areas;

  • Entrepreneurs, Trainers, and Innovators in the fields of health and technology;

  • Consultants and Analysts: professionals providing services to healthcare organisations, tech companies, or public organisations.

Career opportunities

These are some of the areas where students of the Master’s in Digital Health Skills can find significant and impactful opportunities in the international job market:

  • Leadership and Technological Strategy in Healthcare;

  • Management and Coordination of Digital Health Projects;

  • Coordination and Direction of Digital Health Services;

  • Management and Optimisation of Medical Information Systems;

  • Analysis and Interpretation of Health Data;

  • Development of Digital Health Applications and Solutions;

  • Cybersecurity in Healthcare;

  • Telemedicine and Remote Healthcare;

  • Research in Digital Health;

  • Education and Training in Digital Health;

  • Quality and Safety Management in Health Information;

  • Regulation of Digital Medical Devices;

  • Consultancy in Ethics and Regulation in Digital Health;

  • Consultancy in Health Information Technologies;

  • Leadership of Multidisciplinary Teams in Digital Health;

  • Ethics and Data Protection in Digital Health;

  • Entrepreneurship in Digital Health.

Partnerships

The Master’s in Digital Health Skills has collaboration agreements with companies, healthcare institutions, technology centres, and leading universities both nationally and internationally. These partnerships provide students with direct access to real innovation environments, supporting the development of their Master’s thesis as well as professional internships and applied projects.

Partners include advanced clinical simulation centres, hospital units, research institutes, and leading technology companies. Students can participate in activities at institutions such as the Medical University of Vienna Clinical Simulation Centre, the Centre for Teaching and Training in Surgery at RWTH Aachen, the Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Sciences de l’Action (LIRSA) at Institut Polytechnique de Paris, the Center for Digital Innovation in Health at Tel Aviv University, as well as the Madeira Clinical Simulation Centre.

On the corporate and institutional side, the programme also collaborates with organisations such as BAYER, ITTM (Information Technology for Translational Medicine), the Josef Stefan Institute (JSI), and CLINOMIC, facilitating contact with cutting-edge projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, medical robotics, telemedicine, health data analysis, and cybersecurity.

About the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Founded in 1993, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (DEEC) is a teaching and research unit of NOVA FCT dedicated to advancement, research, quality education, and providing the community with specialized services in the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

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