Data can provide insights to shape decision-making, power scientific innovation, improve business operations or inform government policy. But it takes state-of-the-art statistical and computational methods to unlock that power. Our MSc Data Science course lets you master those methods. 

On this data science masters, we’ll equip you with the knowledge and skills to acquire, curate, manage and analyse data for solving real-world problems. You will gain essential, transferable computational and statistical thinking skills to create and deploy data-driven products and knowledge. And you’ll look at ways to solve challenges in a range of potential, data-rich, application domains, such as health, climate, transportation and sales. 

You will have the flexibility to set the direction for your postgraduate studies with a masters project of your own design. While you’ll have the one-to-one support of your supervisor, it’s a solo project – as much about developing computing skills as it is about building confidence and autonomy, vital skills for the workplace.

We’ll help you put the technical skills into a real-world, professional context – helping you communicate your findings in the workplace, and address any of the legal or ethical questions that come with data processing. 

Whether you plan to continue your studies onto PhD level or you’re looking ahead to a career as a data scientist, data architect, database developer or big data analyst, this masters degree in data science can pave the way.

Placement options

Strengthen your skillset by spending time in real-life situations, applying the skills you’ve learned throughout your academic studies in a practical industry environment.

This course is available with an optional placement year, which you’ll commence in your second year after you’ve completed your academic credits. The placement provides an opportunity to develop a professional career development plan. You’ll be able to apply the skills you’ve learned throughout your postgraduate studies in a practical workplace, and tailor your knowledge to suit a specific industry or skillset.

Students are expected to behave in a professional and business like manner when on placement or conducting projects with external partners.

A placement fee of £1,850 applies.

With our regular ‘meet the employer’ events, together with the support of our careers team, we’ll be there to help you make the most of any available workplace or short-term internship opportunities.

According to a report called Dynamics of Data Science Skills published in 2019 by the Royal Society demand for workers with specialist data skills like data scientists and data engineers has more than tripled over five years (+231%).

With the expertise you’ll develop with us, you’ll be well placed to apply for roles such as Data Scientist, Data Architect, Database Developer, Data Governor, Big Data Analyst and Decision Sciences Analyst.

Careers support is available from the moment you join us, throughout your time here, and for up to three years after the completion of your course. We have a range of services available through the Department of Computing and Mathematics and the University Careers Service including dedicated careers and employability advisors.