Course overview

Data scientists are responsible for the handling of raw data, analysing it, identifying patterns and presenting insights in a manner that is useful for forecasting and predicting business problems. The data science field uses mathematics, statistics, machine learning, a range of computer science disciplines and a common toolset such as Python, SQL, and R.

Data scientists are in high demand as government departments and leading companies realise the importance of big data and its applications to developing successful strategies in their decision making or business relations.

You gain technical and critical thinking skills in applying knowledge of data science to real-world problems, and learn fundamentals of software for digital innovation, applied machine learning, big data and business intelligence, interactive visualisation of data, and applications. You explore professional, ethical, security and social implications of future data science technologies, and gain a range of transferable skills to progress into industry. Progressing from almost any first degree discipline, you gain leading-edge skills, solid programming experience, research expertise and optional industry experience to enter this field and rapidly expanding job market. You work closely with our AI and Machine Learning research groups, and have the opportunity to undertake an internship. You can choose from three routes:

• One year full-time – a great option to gain a traditional MSc qualification.
• Two years full-time (including Advanced Practice) – enhances the qualification by adding a vocational or research-based internship to the one-year programme. This is a great way to gain work experience and give your CV a competitive edge. A research internship provides the opportunity to develop analytical, team-working, research and academic skills by working alongside a research team in an academic setting. We guarantee a research internship, but cannot guarantee a vocational internship. We provide practical support and advice on how to find and secure vocational internship positions.

How you are assessed

You are assessed on your subject-specific knowledge, cognitive and intellectual skills and transferable skills applicable to the workplace. The assessments include assignments, tests, case studies, presentations, research proposal and literature review, and a dissertation. The assessments may include individual or group essays or reports. The assessment criteria, where appropriate, includes assessment of presentation skills and report writing.

Career opportunities

The increasing need to leverage big data has motivated many industries to hire data scientists to predict the outcomes and provide meaningful interpretations. Companies hiring data science professionals include American Express, AstraZeneca, BBC, IBM, Mastercard, Rolls Royce, Space Ape Games, Warner Bros. Entertainment, WhatsApp, plus many more.

Graduates can expect to find employment in one of the increasing number of sectors needing specialists equipped with the cutting-edge expertise in financial and digital technologies.

According to , the median salary in the UK for data science professionals is £65k but the top 10% can earn upwards of £100k.

We prepare you for a career in industry. In addition to your taught classes, we create opportunities for you to meet and network with our industry partners through events such as our ExpoSeries, which showcases student work to industry. ExpoTees is the pinnacle of the ExpoSeries with over 100 businesses from across the UK coming to the campus to meet our exceptional students, with a view to recruitment.