The Master of Data Science (Social Analytics) shares a common core with the other Master of Data Science programmes. Social analytics will create a new cohort of social scientists with the necessary skills to apply new computational methods to inform policy, examine social phenomena and gain insight about the interactions between people and their social environment. It will also equip social scientists to work with social media and other new sources of data. While generic data science skills are useful for social scientists, interpreting social data comes with particular challenges. This programme includes modules about specialised methods and also the theoretical foundations to understand how to use them effectively.

Shared core modules with the suite of Data Science Master courses will ensure that you get equipped with the wider quantitative and computational skills required for your career. You will be carrying out team building activities, presenting case studies and carrying out both formative and summative assessments with students from all four faculties of Durham University, ensuring that you learn how to represent not just your own discipline but to also listen and integrate views and skills from other disciplines. An additional contribution to the academic environment will be provided by the Durham Research Methods Centre which will also help with the allocation of project topics through partnerships with local authorities, neighbouring NHS Trusts or other collaborators in the health and social care sectors.

The Master of Data Science suite of programmes is a conversion course with a hard-core of data science, intended to provide Masters-level education rich in the substance of data science for students who hold a first degree that is not highly quantitative, including those in social sciences, the arts and humanities. Introductory modules are designed to bring students with non-technical degrees up to speed with the background necessary for data science. This is done on a need-to-know basis, focusing on understanding in practice rather than abstract theory. Core modules then introduce students to the full range of data science methods, building from elementary techniques to advanced modern methods such as neural networks and deep learning. Optional modules allow students to focus on an area of interest.