Healthcare is becoming increasingly dependent on technology. Electronic health records, medical imaging, artificial intelligence, wearable devices, health data analytics, laboratory automation and digital health platforms are changing how healthcare is delivered around the world.

This transformation has created growing demand for professionals who understand both healthcare and technology.

For international students, this creates opportunities to study subjects such as Medical Technology, Health Informatics, Biomedical Engineering, Digital Health, Medical Computing, Health Data Science and Healthcare Information Systems.

The World Health Organization’s current Global Strategy on Digital Health has been extended through 2027, reflecting the continuing international focus on using digital technologies to strengthen health systems. WHO also highlights the importance of integrated, interoperable and evidence-informed health information systems.

But where should you study?

The best destination depends on your preferred specialisation, career goals, budget, research interests and the type of healthcare system you want to experience.

What Is Medical Technology and Health Informatics?

Medical technology refers broadly to technologies, devices, systems and techniques used to support the prevention, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease.

It can include:

• Medical imaging
• Diagnostic equipment
• Laboratory technology
• Medical devices
• Biomedical instrumentation
• Rehabilitation technology
• Wearable health devices
• Artificial intelligence in healthcare
• Healthcare robotics
• Clinical technologies

Health informatics, on the other hand, focuses more specifically on using information, data and technology to improve healthcare.

It can involve:

• Electronic health records
• Clinical information systems
• Health data analytics
• Digital health
• Health information management
• Clinical decision support
• Health information governance
• Healthcare cybersecurity
• Artificial intelligence
• Interoperability
• Telemedicine

The two fields overlap, but they are not identical.

A student interested in designing medical devices may be better suited to Biomedical Engineering or Medical Technology, while someone interested in healthcare data, electronic records and digital systems may prefer Health Informatics or Digital Health.

Why Study Medical Technology or Health Informatics Abroad?

Studying abroad can expose students to healthcare systems that are investing heavily in technology, research and digital transformation.

International study can provide opportunities to:

• Work with advanced laboratory and medical technologies.
• Learn from researchers and healthcare professionals.
• Gain experience with real healthcare datasets.
• Participate in research projects.
• Complete industry placements.
• Develop interdisciplinary skills.
• Build an international professional network.
• Explore healthcare technology markets in different countries.

The WHO describes digital health as a means of improving the efficiency, sustainability, accessibility and quality of healthcare systems.

For students, this means the field is not limited to hospitals. Career opportunities can also exist in technology companies, research organisations, pharmaceutical companies, medical-device companies, government agencies and healthcare consulting.

Best Countries to Study Medical Technology and Health Informatics

1. United States

The United States is one of the major destinations for students interested in the intersection of healthcare, technology, data science and biomedical research.

American universities offer programmes across areas such as:

• Health Informatics
• Biomedical Informatics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Technology
• Health Data Science
• Digital Health
• Healthcare Information Systems

The country also has a large healthcare technology ecosystem, giving students opportunities to explore both academic research and industry applications.

Universities to Consider

• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Northwestern University
• University of California, San Francisco
• Johns Hopkins University

The University of Michigan, for example, offers a Master of Health Informatics jointly through its School of Information, School of Public Health and Medical School. The programme combines healthcare, information and technology and can be completed in approximately two years.

Best For

The US can be particularly relevant for students interested in:

• Health informatics
• Biomedical informatics
• AI in healthcare
• Health data science
• Medical devices
• Healthcare technology entrepreneurship
• Advanced biomedical research

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of health information technologists and medical registrars to grow 16% between 2025 and 2035, substantially faster than the average for all occupations.

2. United Kingdom

The UK is another major destination for Medical Technology, Health Informatics and Digital Health.

Its healthcare environment provides opportunities to study the relationship between technology, clinical practice, health systems and patient care.

UK universities offer programmes in:

• Health Informatics
• Digital Health
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Technology
• Health Data Science
• Bioinformatics
• Healthcare Technology

The NHS also has established academic and professional pathways in health informatics, including programmes covering health informatics, data analytics, bioinformatics and digital health.

Universities to Consider

• University College London
• University of Manchester
• Imperial College London
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• King’s College London

UCL and the University of Manchester jointly offer an MSc in Health Informatics. For 2026/27, the programme is available as a one-year full-time master’s route, with the UCL page describing its focus on using information and technology to transform healthcare delivery.

Best For

The UK can be particularly suitable for students interested in:

• Health Informatics
• Digital Health
• Healthcare data
• AI in healthcare
• Biomedical engineering
• Health systems
• Clinical information technology

A major advantage is the availability of specialised postgraduate programmes, allowing students with backgrounds in health sciences, computing, engineering and related subjects to enter the digital health sector.

3. Canada

Canada has developed a strong academic environment around health informatics, health data, healthcare management and digital transformation.

Canadian programmes often combine:

• Healthcare
• Information technology
• Data analytics
• Policy
• Management
• Research
• Health systems

Universities to Consider

• University of Toronto
• University of Waterloo
• McGill University
• University of British Columbia
• McMaster University

The University of Toronto’s Master of Health Informatics is designed for students from healthcare, business and technology backgrounds. The curriculum includes areas such as information governance, interoperability, cybersecurity, data analytics and healthcare systems.

The programme also includes practical experience. The 2026–27 MHI structure includes a four-month practicum, giving students an opportunity to apply their learning to real healthcare problems.

Best For

Canada can be particularly attractive for students interested in:

• Health Informatics
• Digital health
• Health policy
• Healthcare analytics
• Healthcare management
• AI and health information systems
• Health system transformation

4. Australia

Australia has a strong healthcare research environment and a growing focus on digital health.

Australian universities offer programmes connected to:

• Health Informatics
• Digital Health
• Health Data Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Technology
• Health Information Management

Research published in 2026 examining Australian university digital-health education found strong emphasis on data science, while also identifying areas for further development including AI, cybersecurity and ethics. It also found that graduate-level programmes dominate the current Australian digital-health education landscape.

Universities to Consider

• University of Melbourne
• Monash University
• University of Sydney
• University of Queensland
• UNSW Sydney
• Australian National University

The University of Melbourne, Monash and the University of Sydney are among Australia’s highly ranked universities for medicine in the 2026 Times Higher Education subject rankings.

Best For

Australia can be a strong option for students interested in:

• Digital health
• Biomedical science
• Health data
• Medical research
• Biomedical engineering
• Healthcare innovation

5. Germany

Germany is particularly relevant for students interested in the technical side of medical technology.

The country’s strengths in engineering, manufacturing and applied research create opportunities at the intersection of:

Engineering + Healthcare + Technology

Potential areas of study include:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Engineering
• Medical Technology
• Health Informatics
• Digital Health
• Medical Imaging
• Healthcare AI

Universities to Consider

• Technical University of Munich
• RWTH Aachen University
• Heidelberg University
• University of Freiburg
• Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Germany can be especially interesting for students who want to combine healthcare with engineering and technological development.

Best For

Germany is particularly relevant to students interested in:

• Medical devices
• Biomedical engineering
• Medical imaging
• Healthcare technology
• Robotics
• Research
• Digital healthcare systems

Students should pay close attention to whether their preferred programme is taught in English or German.

6. Netherlands

The Netherlands has a strong reputation for technology, healthcare research and interdisciplinary education.

Dutch universities combine areas such as:

• Computer science
• Artificial intelligence
• Medicine
• Data science
• Biomedical engineering
• Health sciences

This makes the country relevant to students interested in digital health and health informatics.

Universities to Consider

• Delft University of Technology
• University of Amsterdam
• Eindhoven University of Technology
• Maastricht University
• Erasmus University Rotterdam

The Netherlands’ 2026 university landscape includes strong institutions in technology and health-related research. Times Higher Education’s 2026 rankings place Delft University of Technology and the University of Amsterdam among the country’s leading universities.

Best For

The Netherlands can suit students interested in:

• Digital health
• Health data
• Artificial intelligence
• Biomedical engineering
• Medical technology
• Health systems research

The country’s interdisciplinary approach can be particularly useful for students who do not want to study healthcare and technology as completely separate subjects.

7. Singapore

Singapore has developed a highly technology-oriented healthcare environment and is an attractive option for students interested in digital transformation in Asia.

The country combines:

• Advanced healthcare infrastructure
• Technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Data science
• Biomedical research
• Smart-city development

Universities to Consider

• National University of Singapore
• Nanyang Technological University
• Singapore Management University

Best For

Singapore can be particularly relevant for students interested in:

• Health technology
• Biomedical engineering
• AI
• Data analytics
• Digital health
• Biomedical research
• Healthcare innovation

Its location also provides exposure to the wider Asian healthcare and technology ecosystem.

8. Switzerland

Switzerland is known for high-level research, engineering and life sciences.

Students interested in the technical side of medical technology may benefit from the country’s combination of:

• Engineering
• Life sciences
• Computer science
• Biotechnology
• Medical research

Universities to Consider

• ETH Zurich
• EPFL
• University of Zurich
• University of Basel

ETH Zurich and EPFL are Switzerland’s two highest-ranked institutions in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, at #11 and #35 respectively.

Best For

Switzerland can be particularly relevant for students interested in:

• Biomedical engineering
• Medical devices
• Biotechnology
• AI
• Robotics
• Medical research
• Life sciences

9. Sweden

Sweden has a strong research and innovation environment and is well suited to students interested in technology-driven healthcare.

Potential study areas include:

• Health Informatics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Technology
• Digital Health
• Biotechnology
• Health Data Science

Universities to Consider

• Karolinska Institutet
• KTH Royal Institute of Technology
• Lund University
• Uppsala University
• Chalmers University of Technology

Best For

Sweden can be a good environment for students interested in:

• Medical research
• Biomedical engineering
• Digital healthcare
• Healthcare innovation
• Biotechnology
• Data-driven healthcare

10. Ireland

Ireland is another destination worth considering, particularly for students who want to combine healthcare with computing, data and technology.

Ireland’s wider technology ecosystem creates opportunities for interdisciplinary study in areas such as:

• Health Informatics
• Digital Health
• Biomedical Engineering
• Data Analytics
• Computer Science
• Health Data

Universities to Consider

• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Dublin
• University College Cork
• University of Galway
• University of Limerick

Best For

Ireland can be particularly relevant to students interested in:

• Digital health
• Health data
• Medical technology
• Healthcare IT
• Biomedical research
• Technology-driven healthcare

Comparison of the Best Countries

Country	Major Strength	Suitable Fields	Example Universities
USA	Healthcare technology and research	Health Informatics, AI, Biomedical Informatics	Michigan, Johns Hopkins, UNC
UK	Digital health and health systems	Health Informatics, Digital Health, Biomedical Engineering	UCL, Manchester, Imperial
Canada	Health informatics and healthcare systems	Health Informatics, Data, Digital Health	Toronto, McGill, UBC
Australia	Healthcare research and digital health	Digital Health, Biomedical Science, Health Data	Melbourne, Monash, Sydney
Germany	Engineering and medical technology	Medical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering	TUM, RWTH, Heidelberg
Netherlands	Interdisciplinary technology	Digital Health, AI, Biomedical Engineering	TU Delft, Amsterdam, TU/e
Singapore	Technology and biomedical innovation	AI, Health Technology, Biomedical Engineering	NUS, NTU
Switzerland	Engineering and life sciences	Biomedical Engineering, Medical Technology	ETH Zurich, EPFL
Sweden	Research and healthcare innovation	Digital Health, Biomedical Engineering	Karolinska, KTH
Ireland	Technology and health data	Health Informatics, Digital Health	Trinity, UCD

Medical Technology vs Health Informatics

Before choosing a programme, understand the difference between the two areas.

Medical Technology	Health Informatics
Medical devices	Electronic health records
Diagnostic equipment	Health information systems
Medical imaging	Health data analytics
Laboratory technology	Clinical information systems
Biomedical instrumentation	Digital health
Healthcare robotics	Healthcare AI
Prosthetics	Health information governance
Medical engineering	Clinical decision support

There is some overlap.

For example, artificial intelligence can be used to analyse medical images, while health informatics can use AI to analyse patient data or support clinical decision-making.

Which Degree Should You Study?

The best degree depends on the type of work you want to do.

If you want to design medical devices

Consider:

Biomedical Engineering / Medical Engineering / Medical Technology

If you want to work with healthcare data

Consider:

Health Informatics / Health Data Science / Healthcare Analytics

If you want to develop healthcare software

Consider:

Health Informatics / Computer Science / Digital Health

If you are interested in AI in healthcare

Consider:

Health Informatics / Biomedical Informatics / AI / Data Science

If you want to work in medical imaging

Consider:

Medical Imaging / Biomedical Engineering / Medical Physics

If you want to work with electronic health records

Consider:

Health Informatics / Health Information Management

Career Opportunities

Graduates can potentially work in a range of healthcare, technology and research positions.

Potential career paths include:

• Health Informatics Specialist
• Clinical Informatics Specialist
• Health Data Analyst
• Healthcare Data Scientist
• Digital Health Specialist
• Health Information Manager
• Clinical Systems Analyst
• Healthcare IT Consultant
• Biomedical Engineer
• Medical Technology Specialist
• Medical Device Engineer
• Biomedical Data Analyst
• Health Technology Project Manager
• Healthcare AI Specialist
• Digital Health Product Manager
• Clinical Data Manager
• Healthcare Systems Analyst

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that health information technologists and medical registrars analyse clinical data and advise organisations on computerised healthcare systems. The occupation is projected to grow 16% from 2025 to 2035 in the United States.

However, job titles and professional requirements differ between countries, so students should investigate the specific occupation and regulatory environment where they intend to work.

Skills You Should Develop

A strong Medical Technology or Health Informatics student should consider developing a combination of healthcare and technical skills.

Technical Skills

Depending on your specialisation, these can include:

• Data analysis
• Statistics
• Programming
• Database management
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Health information systems
• Medical imaging
• Biomedical instrumentation
• Cybersecurity
• Data visualisation

Healthcare Knowledge

You may also need knowledge of:

• Clinical workflows
• Healthcare systems
• Medical terminology
• Patient safety
• Health policy
• Public health
• Clinical research
• Health data governance

Professional Skills

Employers may also value:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Project management
• Teamwork
• Critical thinking
• Ethical decision-making
• Research skills

What Should International Students Look for in a Programme?

Don’t choose a course based only on the title.

Check the curriculum carefully.

Look for modules covering:

• Health information systems
• Healthcare data analytics
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Digital health
• Electronic health records
• Clinical decision support
• Data governance
• Cybersecurity
• Interoperability
• Research methods
• Healthcare management

Also investigate whether the programme offers:

• Industry placements
• Research projects
• Clinical partnerships
• Laboratory facilities
• Internship opportunities
• Practical projects
• Access to healthcare datasets
• Links with technology companies

For example, the University of Toronto’s MHI includes practical experience through a professional practicum, while the University of Michigan’s programme brings together expertise from information, public health and medicine.

How to Choose the Right Country

Consider these seven factors before making a decision.

1. Your Academic Background

Some programmes accept students from health sciences, while others may expect computing, engineering, mathematics or another technical background.

Always check the specific entry requirements.

2. Your Career Goal

Decide whether you want to work primarily in:

• Healthcare
• Technology
• Research
• Data
• Medical devices
• Healthcare management
• AI

This can help determine which programme is appropriate.

3. Course Content

Two programmes with similar names can have completely different curricula.

Compare modules before applying.

4. Practical Experience

Look for internships, placements, laboratory work and research projects.

Practical experience can help you connect classroom knowledge with real healthcare problems.

5. Cost

Compare:

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Food
• Transport
• Health insurance
• Visa costs
• Study materials
• Other living expenses

Don’t assume that the country with the lowest tuition will automatically have the lowest total cost.

6. Language

Some countries offer many English-taught programmes, while others may have more limited English options at undergraduate level.

Check the actual language of instruction for your chosen programme.

7. Post-Study Opportunities

Research the current immigration and employment rules of your destination before applying.

Policies can change, so use official government sources when planning your study and post-graduation route.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing a programme because it sounds medical

A programme with “health” or “medical” in its title may actually be heavily focused on administration, computing or management.

Read the modules.

Ignoring the technical content

If you want to work in health informatics, make sure the programme provides enough exposure to data, information systems and technology.

Ignoring practical experience

A programme with internships, placements or applied projects can provide valuable experience.

Choosing based only on rankings

University rankings can help you create a shortlist, but they should not replace programme-level research.

Forgetting accreditation and professional requirements

Some healthcare occupations are regulated. Check whether your intended career requires registration, certification or a specific accredited degree.

Assuming all health informatics degrees require a computer science background

Entry requirements vary significantly.

For example, the University of Toronto accepts applicants from health sciences, social sciences, regulated health professions, computer science and information science backgrounds for its MHI, subject to its stated requirements.

A Simple Checklist for International Students

Before submitting your application, check:

• Course title
• Course modules
• Entry requirements
• Academic background requirements
• English-language requirements
• Tuition fees
• Living costs
• Scholarships
• Programme duration
• Practical placements
• Research opportunities
• Laboratory facilities
• Industry partnerships
• Professional accreditation
• Graduate career options
• Visa requirements
• Post-study work rules

FAQ