Curious about studying Data Science - BSc (Hons)at Bucks New University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
High Wycombe Campus
Full Time
Oct 2026
3 Year
Do you want to learn how to work with data and use it to make decisions? Looking for a degree with opportunities to work on real-life scenarios, business challenges and career-relevant problems?BSc (Hons) Data Science teaches you the skills and knowledge to collect, store, analyse, and present data for different purposes and industries. It gives you the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable academics and industry experts.
Why study data science at BNU?Professional standard software and toolsOur computing facilities are regularly upgraded, ensuring you have access to the best hardware, software, and technology. This means you'll be well-versed in the technologies used by professionals, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. From Python and R to advanced data visualisation tools, you'll become proficient in the essential software. This practical knowledge will make you a valuable asset to any data-driven organisation.
Learn from expertsLearn from knowledgeable academics and industry experts who bring their real-world experience into the classroom. Their insights and guidance will help you understand the current trends and demands in the data science field. You'll benefit from their mentorship and networking connections, opening doors to internships and job opportunities.
Focus on employabilityWe put a strong emphasis on employability, aiming to provide you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in your career. You'll benefit from career services, networking opportunities, and support to help you land your dream job. Our dedicated career advisors will help you craft a standout CV and prepare for interviews.
Industry linksThroughout your course, you'll have opportunities to collaborate and network with industry professionals. These connections could lead to mentoring, internships and potential job prospects after graduation. Industry partnerships and our alumni network will help you build a strong professional network. You'll also have the chance to attend conferences and workshops, staying connected with the latest industry trends.
Committed to student successBNU is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals, offering personalized support and resources to ensure you thrive both academically and professionally in the cyber security realm. Whether you need study support, career advice, or mental health services, we’re here for you every step of the way. Your success is our priority, and we’re committed to helping you build a bright future.
What will I study?The BSc(Hons) Data Science course teaches you how to work with data in a variety of different ways. You will learn how to collect, store, analyse, and present data for different purposes and industries. You will also learn how to use different tools and software to handle data. This degree will help you acquire a range of transferable skills that are essential for academic and professional success, such as curiosity, critical thinking, adaptability, and research skills. You will also learn how to solve problems and find insights from data. You will learn elements of data visualisation, storytelling and its ethical use, as well as data automation with AI. This will help you understand the role that data-based computing can have in a range of business and industry contexts. The course gives a balance of theory and practice, with opportunities to apply your knowledge to real or simulated projects and scenarios. You will focus on technical data analysis applications and services for industries that require expertise in data-focused computing sectors, using database development technologies.This course is also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.
You will master foundational programming principles—variables, data types, conditionals, functions, data structures and object orientation—while honing your critical thinking, problem-solving, team-working and presentation skills through a project that simulates an authentic working environment.
You will investigate how businesses collect, store and use data within legal and ethical frameworks, learning data standards, regulatory requirements and best practices to safeguard individual rights, avoid breaches and design compliant, secure data processes.
You will explore data-warehousing concepts and business intelligence principles, practising how to model and structure data for pattern discovery, assess data quality, and perform analysis and querying to inform decision-making and support knowledge-based discovery.
You will learn the mathematical language of computing, sets, relations, functions, recursion, counting principles, finite probability, and logic, to develop rigorous problem-solving and proof skills essential for computer science.
You will examine descriptive, exploratory, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive analysis techniques, learning how to collect, sort, model and transform data to answer the “why, what and how” questions that drive effective, data-informed business decisions.
You will gain practical know-how in collecting, storing, and managing data, compare database design approaches (relational versus scalable solutions), and learn how to select and justify the right data architecture and interface for real-world applications.
You will extend beyond arrays and lists to study alternative data structures and core algorithms (sort, search, insert, delete), learn to evaluate performance using Big O notation, and select the most suitable storage structures and algorithms for given requirements.
You will explore supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning; learn data preprocessing, model selection, training, evaluation, and result interpretation using modern libraries; and build versatile skills in predictive modelling, classification, clustering, and dimensionality reduction.
You will apply programming to perform mathematical data analysis, mastering the mathematical and coding techniques that underpin data analytics, so that you can derive and communicate insights by combining mathematical theory with practical programming skills.
You will develop the ability to establish and maintain governance, policies, standards and cost-effective security solutions within organisations, understanding both technical and broader organisational contexts, and ensuring compliance and awareness to manage information security effectively.
You will learn to design and implement impactful visualisations that reveal patterns and support storytelling, critically evaluate a range of methods, and use practical tools to create presentations that enhance decision-making and communicate actionable insights.
You will investigate what defines big data and its lifecycle challenges, storage, processing, integrity and quality, then explore how big data underpins AI, studying the techniques and tools that automate data preparation, visualisation and analytics to generate actionable insights.
You will learn to apply descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, using tools such as R and Python, to summarise data, draw conclusions about wider populations, and provide an evidence base for decision-making across domains like business, health, policy and research.
This module gives you the opportunity to carry out an individual, in-depth investigation into a topic of your choice, helping you to develop skills in research, problem-solving, and critical analysis. Working with a supervisor, and possibly in collaboration with a local company, you will undertake the project throughout the year, producing a final report and presenting your work in an oral defence. Your project proposal must be approved and moderated by the course team before you begin.
4.4Bucks New University (BNU) is a student-focused university based in High Wycombe, with over 130 years of educational his...
