ABOUT
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have been driving a revolution in healthcare. The convergence of ICT with health, healthcare, living and society offer real opportunities to improve medical outcomes and enhance efficiency. The fast-moving digital health tools (such as wearable devices, telehealth, telemedicine and mobile health) have the potential to improve physicians and patients relationships. The tools help to accelerate the diagnostic process and permit Artificial Intelligence (AI) to be used to provide accurate treatment recommendations – such options empowering patients to be more engaged with and proactive about their health besides encouraging preventive care through an increased focus on nutrition, exercise and wellness via digital health tools help to better manage chronic conditions outside of traditional care settings.
Digital Health Degree
IMU aims to equip students with essential digital health skills related to ICT and data analytics to be applied to healthcare. Students undergo a robust curriculum that involves project-based learning activities and coursework, which offer a well-grounded and theoretically-informed training for the development in digital health.
What makes this programme unique is the fact that it is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experts from the field of computing and health sciences. Also, the programme is designed for the students from science and non-science to embark on health-related careers. The prerequisite to join the programme is to have the required pre-university qualifications together with a credit in Mathematics at the SPM level or equivalent.
Key Facts
first degree in Malaysia that integrates ICT, Data Analytics and Healthcare
As of 15 April 2022, as listed in the Malaysian Qualifications Agency’s (MQA) portal on provisional accreditation, the IMU’s Bachelor in Digital Health is the first degree in Malaysia that integrates ICT, Data Analytics and Healthcare.
Possible Progression
Eligible graduates from the Bachelor in Digital Health (Hons) (IMU) programme are able to enrol into Master in Health Informatics at Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA.
Why Study Digital Health at IMU?
An Established Private Healthcare University
IMU is Malaysia’s first and most established private medical and healthcare university with over 30 years of dedicated focus in healthcare education.
IMU achieved the SETARA-2018/2019 Tier 6 status (Outstanding) under the Mature University category.
Build Your Future Healthcare Professional Network
As IMU offers the widest range of healthcare programmes, our students are fully immersed in a vibrant community of students and practitioners from all healthcare fields. This allows for the development of strong friendship amongst peers that will be the foundation of an extensive healthcare professional network upon graduation.
Be a Digital Health Professional
Digital health is recognised as one of the fastest growing economic sectors globally with the high demand for healthcare professionals in this area. The IMU Digital Health programme is the first degree in Malaysia that blends Computing, Data Analytics and Health Sciences components in its curriculum where our graduates will be equipped with an in-depth understanding and know-how of the healthcare field including the healthcare systems, regulations, governance and more, preparing them to be work-ready in this field.
Strong Industry Partnerships in Malaysia and Overseas
As Malaysia’s first private medical and health sciences university, IMU has a well-established and strong industry partnerships in the field of healthcare in Malaysia and overseas. This is extended to the digital health area where IMU is bringing in industrial experts in their respective IT fields to be part of the programme’s teaching force. The partnership with the digital experts in the United States and United Kingdom is part of the student’s knowledge and skills development in and to expand their network for career network and professional development
Innovative and Agile Curriculum in Digital Health
Digital health is one of the fastest growing economic sectors globally, hence the Digital Health curriculum is embedded with research-led teaching to deliver evidence-based knowledge and practice in the industry. Also, the curriculum structure will be updated to meet the ever-changing IT and healthcare industries’ needs so that our graduates will remain work-ready and employable upon graduation.
Programme Structure
Semester Contents
| Short Semester | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
Malaysian Students
International Students
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| Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Short Semester 1 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
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| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | |
|---|---|---|
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| COMPONENT | SEMESTER | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Digital Health (DH) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Data Analytics (DA) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
The table above shows the sharing of Information & Communication Technologies, Digital Health and Data Analytics components.
Entry Requirement
| Examinations | Requirements |
|---|---|
| A- Levels | CDD AND Credit in Mathematics at SPM level or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| STPM | CC AND Credit in Mathematics at SPM level or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| Australian Matriculation | ATAR 60 AND Credit in Mathematics at SPM level or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| NCEA Level 3 | 50% aggregate AND Credit in Mathematics at SPM level or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| Canadian Grade 12/13 | 60% aggregate in 6 subjects AND Credit in Mathematics at SPM level or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) | B in 5 subjects AND Credit in Mathematics at SPM level or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| Australian University Foundation Programmes | 50% aggregate or ATAR 60 AND Credit in Mathematics in SPM or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| Indian Pre-University | Average of 50% AND Credit in Mathematics in SPM or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| Ministry of Education Matriculation # | cGPA of 2.00 AND Credit in Mathematics in SPM or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | 24 points AND Credit in Mathematics in SPM or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| American High School Diploma with Advanced Placement (AP) | cGPA 2.00 AND Credit in Mathematics in SPM or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| Foundation Studies # | IMU Foundation in Science / Foundation in Arts / equivalent cGPA of 2.00 AND Credit in Mathematics in SPM or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| Degree | BSc in related field: cGPA 2.00 AND a credit in Mathematics in SPM or its equivalent (This can be exempted if achieved the same result at Pre-University level) |
| Diploma |
|
# The duration of this programme must be a minimum of 1 year in the same accredited institution and foundation in other disciplines are accepted.
English Language Requirement
| English Test | Malaysian Student | International Student |
|---|---|---|
| MUET | Band score of 3; or | – |
| IELTS | Overall band score of 5.5; or | Overall band score of 5.5; or |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 46; or | Overall score of 46; or |
| Cambridge English : Advanced (CAE) | Overall score of 162; or | Advanced (CAE) : Overall score of 162; or |
| Cambridge English : Proficiency (CPE) | Overall score of 162; or | Overall score of 162; or |
| Cambridge Linguaskill | Overall score of 160; or | Overall score of 160; or |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) | Overall score of 51; or | Overall score of 51; or |
| Credit Transfer | IELTS Overall band score of 7.0 | IELTS Overall band score of 7.0 |
Additional Information:
Candidates with cGPA below 2.50 but above 2.0 with a credit in Mathematics at SPM level or its equivalent may be admitted, subject to a rigorous internal assessment process. Candidate with a credit in computing related subject at SPM or STPM level or its equivalent may be given preferential consideration (Based on MQA programme standards for computing).
The following categories of students* are exempted from the above requirements:
Students who graduated from other institutions where the curriculum is delivered in English Language for example:
- Advanced Levels
- Australian Matriculation
- Australian University Foundation Year
- Canadian Matriculation
- International Baccalaureate
- Foundation in Science
- Other Pre-University Programmes from Local Higher Education Institutions
* ONLY applicable for those who are completing the entire degree at IMU, Malaysia
Note
Please note that achieving the minimum Entry and English requirements as stated does not guarantee you admission into any of IMU’s programmes.
Please refer to our Student Admissions Policy for more information.
Application and Registration Fees
| Fee | Malaysian Student (RM) | International Student (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | 150 | 500 |
| Registration Fee | 850 | 2,000 |
| Refundable Caution Deposit | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Fee Structure
malaysian student
| Total Duration (years) | At IMU University | At Partner University (PU) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Total Semesters | Tuition Fee (RM) | Estimated Tuition Fees at Partner University | |||||
| Per Semester | Per Year | Years | Semesters | Tuition Fee Per Year * | ||||
| Bachelor of Digital Health (Hons) ** | 3 | 3 | 6 long semesters | 16,500 | 33,000 | – | – | – |
| 1 short semester *** | 6,300 | 6,300 | ||||||
International Student
| Total Duration (years) | At IMU University | At Partner University (PU) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Total Semesters | Tuition Fee (RM) | Estimated Tuition Fees at Partner University | |||||
| Per Semester | Per Year | Years | Semesters | Tuition Fee Per Year * | ||||
| Bachelor of Digital Health (Hons) ** | 3 | 3 | 6 long semesters | 17,500 | 35,000 | – | – | – |
| 1 short semester *** | 8,400 | 8,400 | ||||||
| Country | Estimated Living Costs (Per Year) |
Exchange Rate (As of Dec 2023) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Living Cost (Per Year) | Australia | AUD 21,000 – AUD 30,000 ≈ RM 65,900 – RM 94,200 | AUD 1 ≈ RM3.14 |
| Canada | CAD 28,000 ≈ RM 98,000 | CAD 1 ≈ RM3.50 | |
| China | RMB 85,000 ≈ RM 56,100 | RMB 1 ≈ RM0.66 | |
| Ireland | EUR 12,000 ≈ RM 62,000 | EUR 1 ≈ RM5.17 | |
| New Zealand | NZD 22,000 – NZD 26,000 ≈ RM 64,500 – RM 76,200 | NZD 1 ≈ RM2.93 | |
| United Kingdom | GBP 10,000 – 22,700 ≈ RM60,000 – RM 136,200 | GBP 1 ≈ RM6.00 | |
| United States of America | USD 16,000 ≈ RM 75,800 | USD 1 ≈ RM4.74 | |
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | RM36,000 | RM36,000 |
Partner Universities
As an assurance of a total commitment towards quality education, the IMU maintains its relationship with partner universities. Eligible graduates from IMU’s digital health programme can enrol into King’s MSc in MedTech Innovation & Entrepreneurship at King’s College London, United Kingdom.
United Kingdom
United States
Our Team
Prof Dr Gerard George
Group Managing Director at IMU Health
Honorary Doctorate, Economics (University of St. Gallen), PhD, Management (Virginia Commonwealth University), Executive Certificate in Directorship (SMU), MSc (Hon.), MMS (Birla Institute of Technology and Science)
Prof Saravanan A/L Muthaiyah
Dean, School of Business and Technology, IMU
BA in Finance and Accounting, MSc Information Technology, PhD Computer Science
Dr Tan Ee Xion
Senior Lecturer
PhD (Monash University), MSc IT (Monash University), BCompSc (Monash University)
Prof Zaharin Bin Yusoff
Professor
BSc (Hons) Pure Maths (UKC), MSc Pure Maths (UKC), PhD Comp Sci (USM/UJF)
Dr Yam Wai Keat
Senior Lecturer
BSc (Hons) Bioinformatics (UM), PhD in Structural Bioinformatics (USM)
Dr Chuah Tong Kuan
Senior Lecturer
PhD BME (Nan. Tech), BEng (Nan. Tech)
Prof Patrice François Boursier
Adjunct Professor
PhD Comp Sci (UPMC), MSc Comp Sci (UPMC), BSc Comp Sci (UPMC)
Dr Khairani Abd. Majid
Senior Lecturer
PhD in Computer Science (UPNM), MSc in Operations Research (Connecticut, USA), BSc in Statistics (New York, USA), Assoc. of Arts in Mathematics (New York, USA)
Dr Fong Pui Kwan
Senior Lecturer
PhD Cogn Sci (UNIMAS), BS Cogn Sci (UNIMAS)
Dr Gunasekar Thangarasu
Senior Lecturer
PhD in IT (UTP), Master of Computer Applications (India), Certified in Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity
Industrial Partners
The curriculum structure is constantly updated to meet the ever-changing industries’ needs and includes research-led teaching to deliver evidence-based knowledge and practice in the industry. Students will have the opportunity to undergo industrial training in the related sectors in their final semester. They will also be able to collaborate with industry or/and researcher in related project in their final year. The organisations involved in these internships are:
Views from Our Community
Elliott
First Year Student, Digital Health
While the Digital Health programme kicked off with theory-heavy IT fundamentals, it quickly transitioned into engaging projects and a rewarding programming course that allowed us to apply theoretical concepts through hands-on projects. Guest lectures from digital health experts added another layer – real-world insights into the exciting career paths that lie ahead.
Balqis
First Year Student, Digital Health
Despite a knee injury hindering my option to continue with a medical career, my passion for healthcare led me to the Digital Health programme at IMU. The programme exceeded expectations, equipping me with practical skills and the opportunity to network with experts at events like Digital Health Week. This experience solidified my desire for a career in digital health services.
Lim Xin Tze
Student of Digital Health
One aspect of the Digital Health course I value highly is the opportunity for early exposure to industry professionals. For instance, my class had the privilege of having speakers from the National Institutes of Health Malaysia share their knowledge and experiences. These lectures provided valuable insights into the potential opportunities that await us upon completing the Digital Health programme. The exposure to industry professionals in the early stages has been invaluable in helping us better understand the practical applications of Digital Health. We have gained a deeper appreciation for the scope of the field and the potential impact it can have on the healthcare industry.
Latest News & Stories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Digital Health (DH)?
- DH refers to the use of information and communications technologies (ICT) in healthcare. Synonyms are digital healthcare, health/healthcare informatics, health/healthcare information technology.
- DH technologies use computing platforms, connectivity, software, and sensors for health care and related uses.
- DH refers to the application of computer science and information technology to healthcare with the objective of improving patient care by increasing the effectiveness of treatment and the efficiency of its delivery.
- It is a broad and growing sector. It can cover everything from wearable gadgets to ingestible sensors, from mobile health apps to artificial intelligence, from robotic carers to electronic health records.
- Another objective is to help reducing the number of doctor’s appointments and hospital admissions.
What kinds of jobs will be created by DH?
- many of DH jobs are hybrids, requiring skill sets from different disciplines and which therefore are not typically trained together. For example, a Clinical Analyst would assists clinical staff with IT systems, interpret data and manage patient records. That requires some of the skills both of a healthcare and IT person.
- a DH specialist is usually not on the front lines of healthcare. DH specialists develop the information systems that all sectors of the medical establishment count on to guide their efforts to provide effective, top-quality care as efficiently as possible. They work with other healthcare professionals to design, develop and assess ways to collect, share, standardize and integrate health data and the information systems used to manage it.
- DH specialists also look beyond the collection and maintenance of data. Their jobs may require them to analyse the data to uncover more effective ways to deliver care or to examine the system itself to pinpoint better ways to get the information doctors and nurses rely on to them more efficiently.
What are the biggest challenges for the development of DH?
- interoperability of electronic health records (EHRs),
- concerns over data privacy and security (-> blockchain technology),
- need to equip staff with the information and training needed to adopt the technologies effectively,
- For digital health to be as useful as it possibly can, it needs to be used by the widest range of people possible: any age, any gender, any ethnic or genetic background, with any income, with medication condition or without. However, at the moment, those that use digital health tools, particularly wearables, tend to be fitter, wealthier, and more likely to be in their 20s to 40s (though manufacturers are increasingly targeting older consumers, so that’s likely to change with time). At the moment, the data that’s been gathered by digital health tools is focusing on a small section of the population.
DH Careers
Over the next few years, studies have projected that the demand for various job roles in this field will grow by more than 10%. Digital Health informatics professionals are particularly in high demand in industries like:
- Healthcare facilities and hospitals,
- Government agencies,
- Insurance companies,
- Digital Health start-ups, such as those offering telemedicine services
A few examples of a career pathway for digital health graduates are listed here. Besides, employment opportunities are also available abroad in neighbouring Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Europe, and the United States of America.
Health focused
- Health Informatics Consultant, Health Informatics Analyst, Health Data Analyst, Health Data Engineer, Health Information Manager
IT focused
- Software developer, data scientist and machine learning engineer, mobile / wearables app developer, augmented/virtual reality developer, robotics engineer
DH Market
What is the importance of the DH market in the world?
Putting a definitive number on the size of market is difficult, given researchers often have different views on which technologies can be brought under the digital health umbrella, though most researchers agree it’s in the region of hundreds of billions of dollars worldwide.
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A Word from the Programme Director
DR FONG PUI KWAN
Senior Lecturer and Programme Director
Bachelor of Science (Cognitive Science) (Hons) (First Class)
Doctor of Philosophy (Cognitive Science – Intelligent System)
SAS Certified Professional: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
“With the help of digital health technologies, physicians are able to access the right information at the right time, and provide timely treatment options and emergency help to the individual. The IMU Digital Health programme is the first degree in Malaysia that blends Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Data Analytics and Healthcare components in its curriculum where our graduates will be equipped with an in-depth understanding and know-how of the healthcare field.”