- Data Science
MSc — 2025 entry Data Science
There is a rapidly growing demand for skilled data scientists who can extract insights, make predictions, and drive decision-making using data-driven approaches. Our Data Science MSc degree will give you the comprehensive training in the theory, methods, and applications you’ll need to work in this dynamic field.
Why choose
this course?
Collecting, managing and analysing data is essential across many sectors – from finance to politics, and advertising to healthcare. This course will give you the advanced computation and mathematics skills you’ll need to work in the growing field of data science.
Designed in collaboration with industry and drawing on leading research, our Data Science MSc will prepare you for a career as a data scientist, data analyst, data engineer, data architect or a business analyst.
This programme uniquely addresses the fundamentals of data as well as the technical considerations needed to handle data with increasing scale and complexity.
Statistics
96%
of our computer science postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
What you will study
This course combines in-depth study of the theory and practice of data science with an optional year-long work placement, where you’ll get the chance to apply your knowledge to industry-relevant challenges. A placement also allows you to discover the business value of data-oriented research and development.
You’ll acquire solid technical knowledge of data science principles and practices, machine learning and data mining, practical business analytics, database systems and cloud computing. You can also customise this MSc with optional modules in information security, natural language processing and advanced artificial intelligence.
You’ll complete a dissertation where you can further explore an area that interests you. Our dissertation projects involve topical real-world problems, often linked into cutting-edge research.
Facilities
Students on this course benefit from a range of advanced facilities, including:
- £1.7m multi-purpose Computer Science Laboratory with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. View a video tour
- Six open access PC labs and four dedicated specialist labs
- Specialist desktop solutions, including development software, research packages and dedicated printing.
If you’re studying this course full-time, you’ll study eight modules across the year – four in each semester.
Students starting in September will take the Semester 1 modules first, whereas students starting in February will take a mixture of Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules in their first semester, and Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules in September.
You will work on your project full-time during the summer period for approximately two-and-a-half months, and prior to that, during semester time, you will work on the initial stages of the project part-time and complete an interim report. This means that if you begin your course in February, you will complete your project in between the two semesters, and if you begin your course in September, you will complete your project after the two semesters.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Modules are subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff, meaning all modules are comprised of multiples of 15 credits, up to a maximum of 120 credits.
Course options
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
A key aspect of business operations today, across sectors almost, has to do with gathering the right type of data and storing it in a way that it can be readily available to the right person at the right time. This course looks into the techniques that allow us nowadays to define and operate on large volumes of data as and when it is created. This paves the way for making more intelligent uses of data, whether this has to do with correctness (reliability and consistency) or informing more strategic decisions of the business so it can better prepare itself for the future.
View full module detailsIn today’s world where companies can amass more and more fine-grained data, it is crucial for a business to understand how this data can be used to effectively drive the business forward. Business Analytics is a set of methods and tools that can transform data into useful insights for decision-making. For example machine learning algorithms can be used to discover interesting patterns in the current market data or to predict customer behaviour (e.g. customer churn) from past data.
View full module detailsThe module provides for coverage of a variety of statistical methods, including descriptive statistics and validating formulated hypotheses, as well as predictive analytics. The computational foundations and methods of importance to data science are also covered, along with consideration for relevant supporting software and tools, and the need for data science governance.
View full module detailsMachine Learning and Data Mining incorporate a large number of ways in which datasets with a variety of characteristics can be processed in order to provide for new insights and understanding. Through treatment of the principles and fundamental requirements for ML/DM, example applications, and related exercises, this module will offer coverage of a range of contemporarily important and emergent data treatments and algorithms. The module will provide for the means to critically evaluate, extend, and apply, appropriate techniques to datasets exemplifying specific characteristics in order to derive suitable and defensible results.
View full module detailsOptional
Security is probably the greatest challenge for computer and information system in the near future. Many users have lost data due to viruses, both on home and business computers. Most of us have seen a range of emails messages attempting different kinds of fraud. Vulnerabilities are everywhere. Some are obvious or well-known; others are obscure and harder to spot. Security is not limited to secrecy and confidentiality, but also involves problems like integrity, availability, and effectiveness of information. Moreover, security issues can potentially affect all of us, from innocent home users to companies and even governments. Security is not just a technical problem but needs to be embedded throughout an organisation to be effective. As such good security solutions build on a complete understanding of the values at stake, and the supporting business processes and requirements. This includes people as well as information systems and physical resources. Consequently, raising security awareness and embedding security within roles and policies is as important, if not more, as secure software. In short, secure solutions can only be implemented with both good technical skills and a good understanding of cultures and people skills. This module aims at raising the awareness for the wide range of security issues present in today’s connected world and the managerial and organisational challenges a business must face when building a secure solution.
View full module detailsThis module gives an introductory yet up-to-date description of the fundamental technologies of computational Intelligence, including evolutionary computation, neural computing and their applications. Main streams of evolutionary algorithms and meta-heuristics, including genetic algorithms, evolution strategies, genetic programming, particle swarm optimization will be taught. Basic neural network models and learning algorithms will be introduced. Interactions between evolution and learning, real-world applications to optimization and robotics, and recent advances will also be discussed. Good skill in Python programming, good knowledge in mathematics (calculus) are required.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
The need for computational power and data storage continues to drive demand for more highly capable systems. Highly data intensive applications demand fast access to terabytes, petabytes, even exabytes of storage; processor intensive applications demand access to various types of processors in various configurations. Such applications are increasingly being developed in both scientific and industrial contexts and need to be variously scalable and supportable for large numbers of geographically distributed users. This module will provide insights into how Cloud Computing attempts to meet the varying needs of such applications.
View full module detailsThe module provides for coverage of a variety of statistical methods, including descriptive statistics and validating formulated hypotheses, as well as predictive analytics. The computational foundations and methods of importance to data science are also covered, along with consideration for relevant supporting software and tools, and the need for data science governance.
View full module detailsMachine Learning and Data Mining incorporate a large number of ways in which datasets with a variety of characteristics can be processed in order to provide for new insights and understanding. Through treatment of the principles and fundamental requirements for ML/DM, example applications, and related exercises, this module will offer coverage of a range of contemporarily important and emergent data treatments and algorithms. The module will provide for the means to critically evaluate, extend, and apply, appropriate techniques to datasets exemplifying specific characteristics in order to derive suitable and defensible results.
View full module detailsOptional
Key to modern business operation is Risk Management, and a modern entrant on any Risk Register maintained by the executive of an organisation is the risk posed from falling victim to cybercrime and civil litigation resulting from, for example, data breaches. In order to understand how best to shape and evolve an organisation’s response to the cyber security threat, the module will cover what the more detailed operations in cyber security involve. The module will introduce the key disciplines that we are likely to encounter in the real-world. It will provide an industry perspective on the common practices, latest innovations, technologies and the problems and concerns associated with information security. The module will show that cyber security is not just technical subject, but is a truly multidisciplinary function. The module looks broadly at the implications of regulations on the cyber crime landscape. It also brings together the issues of cyber from a high-level perspective. It will also equip students with an awareness of what is very current out there in terms of leading-edge applications of information security. The module uniquely accesses leading international speakers in their field, draws on the significant expertise of leading industrialists and through shaping the module into distinct learning blocks we are also able to ensure that our students will be directed to key industry reports, regulations and best practice guidance that shapes current industry thinking in information security for business and government.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to some of the basic ideas and concepts that underlie the development of artificially intelligent machine systems. Teaches core AI materials for problem solving (search, logic, probabilistic methods, Perceptrons as the building block for ANNs) Focuses on core understanding and problem solving: suitable tools/methods for a problem using problem classes Provides a clear understanding of neural networks, back-propagation, RBFs, ANN learning and optimisation Provides a clear understanding of intelligent agents via search methods and introducing cost functions Provides a clear understanding of Bayes’ Rule, conditional probability and uncertainty reasoning Provides a clear understanding of knowledge capture, symbolic knowledge representation and logical reasoning from antiquity to Boule to first order predicate rules and representations. Provides opportunity to implement concepts during coursework.
View full module detailsThis module will demonstrate fundamental concepts from the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computational Linguistics. It will also discuss some of the latest advances in NLP and Generative Artificial Intelligence with a focus on Language Models like BERT, T5, and GPT, and get student up to speed with current research. It will provide the necessary skills to enable students to build computational models for solving a range of problems, such as text classification, sequence classification, machine translation and building conversation agents. The students will learn how to build NLP pipelines for preparing training data and choosing appropriate algorithms and techniques to build such models. The module also focuses on aspects of ethical and trustworthy artificial intelligence with discussion on rigorous model evaluation and ethical considerations for computational modeling. Although traditional linguistic approaches will be mentioned, majority emphasis will be put on the state-of-the-art Deep Learning algorithms and Transfer Learning methods for building efficient and trustworthy NLP solutions.
View full module detailsThis module examines the architectural/design needs and challenges encountered when developing and deploying secure, resilient and scalable web applications using the latest technology. It also provides an introduction to approaches used in modern Internet-scale web applications, covering technologies used in and/or developed by familiar companies such as Twitter, Amazon, Netflix and Google.
View full module detailsAcross academic years
Core
The dissertation consists of a substantial written report. This report is based on a major piece of work that involves applying material encountered in the taught component of the degree, and extending that knowledge with the student's contribution, under the guidance of a supervisor. The dissertation usually involves a substantial literature survey on a specific topic, followed by the identification of a problem to tackle, and thereafter the development of a technical solution, and experimental or theoretical evaluation of the achievement.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
A key aspect of business operations today, across sectors almost, has to do with gathering the right type of data and storing it in a way that it can be readily available to the right person at the right time. This course looks into the techniques that allow us nowadays to define and operate on large volumes of data as and when it is created. This paves the way for making more intelligent uses of data, whether this has to do with correctness (reliability and consistency) or informing more strategic decisions of the business so it can better prepare itself for the future.
View full module detailsIn today’s world where companies can amass more and more fine-grained data, it is crucial for a business to understand how this data can be used to effectively drive the business forward. Business Analytics is a set of methods and tools that can transform data into useful insights for decision-making. For example machine learning algorithms can be used to discover interesting patterns in the current market data or to predict customer behaviour (e.g. customer churn) from past data.
View full module detailsThe module provides for coverage of a variety of statistical methods, including descriptive statistics and validating formulated hypotheses, as well as predictive analytics. The computational foundations and methods of importance to data science are also covered, along with consideration for relevant supporting software and tools, and the need for data science governance.
View full module detailsMachine Learning and Data Mining incorporate a large number of ways in which datasets with a variety of characteristics can be processed in order to provide for new insights and understanding. Through treatment of the principles and fundamental requirements for ML/DM, example applications, and related exercises, this module will offer coverage of a range of contemporarily important and emergent data treatments and algorithms. The module will provide for the means to critically evaluate, extend, and apply, appropriate techniques to datasets exemplifying specific characteristics in order to derive suitable and defensible results.
View full module detailsOptional
Security is probably the greatest challenge for computer and information system in the near future. Many users have lost data due to viruses, both on home and business computers. Most of us have seen a range of emails messages attempting different kinds of fraud. Vulnerabilities are everywhere. Some are obvious or well-known; others are obscure and harder to spot. Security is not limited to secrecy and confidentiality, but also involves problems like integrity, availability, and effectiveness of information. Moreover, security issues can potentially affect all of us, from innocent home users to companies and even governments. Security is not just a technical problem but needs to be embedded throughout an organisation to be effective. As such good security solutions build on a complete understanding of the values at stake, and the supporting business processes and requirements. This includes people as well as information systems and physical resources. Consequently, raising security awareness and embedding security within roles and policies is as important, if not more, as secure software. In short, secure solutions can only be implemented with both good technical skills and a good understanding of cultures and people skills. This module aims at raising the awareness for the wide range of security issues present in today’s connected world and the managerial and organisational challenges a business must face when building a secure solution.
View full module detailsThis module gives an introductory yet up-to-date description of the fundamental technologies of computational Intelligence, including evolutionary computation, neural computing and their applications. Main streams of evolutionary algorithms and meta-heuristics, including genetic algorithms, evolution strategies, genetic programming, particle swarm optimization will be taught. Basic neural network models and learning algorithms will be introduced. Interactions between evolution and learning, real-world applications to optimization and robotics, and recent advances will also be discussed. Good skill in Python programming, good knowledge in mathematics (calculus) are required.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
The need for computational power and data storage continues to drive demand for more highly capable systems. Highly data intensive applications demand fast access to terabytes, petabytes, even exabytes of storage; processor intensive applications demand access to various types of processors in various configurations. Such applications are increasingly being developed in both scientific and industrial contexts and need to be variously scalable and supportable for large numbers of geographically distributed users. This module will provide insights into how Cloud Computing attempts to meet the varying needs of such applications.
View full module detailsThe module provides for coverage of a variety of statistical methods, including descriptive statistics and validating formulated hypotheses, as well as predictive analytics. The computational foundations and methods of importance to data science are also covered, along with consideration for relevant supporting software and tools, and the need for data science governance.
View full module detailsMachine Learning and Data Mining incorporate a large number of ways in which datasets with a variety of characteristics can be processed in order to provide for new insights and understanding. Through treatment of the principles and fundamental requirements for ML/DM, example applications, and related exercises, this module will offer coverage of a range of contemporarily important and emergent data treatments and algorithms. The module will provide for the means to critically evaluate, extend, and apply, appropriate techniques to datasets exemplifying specific characteristics in order to derive suitable and defensible results.
View full module detailsOptional
Key to modern business operation is Risk Management, and a modern entrant on any Risk Register maintained by the executive of an organisation is the risk posed from falling victim to cybercrime and civil litigation resulting from, for example, data breaches. In order to understand how best to shape and evolve an organisation’s response to the cyber security threat, the module will cover what the more detailed operations in cyber security involve. The module will introduce the key disciplines that we are likely to encounter in the real-world. It will provide an industry perspective on the common practices, latest innovations, technologies and the problems and concerns associated with information security. The module will show that cyber security is not just technical subject, but is a truly multidisciplinary function. The module looks broadly at the implications of regulations on the cyber crime landscape. It also brings together the issues of cyber from a high-level perspective. It will also equip students with an awareness of what is very current out there in terms of leading-edge applications of information security. The module uniquely accesses leading international speakers in their field, draws on the significant expertise of leading industrialists and through shaping the module into distinct learning blocks we are also able to ensure that our students will be directed to key industry reports, regulations and best practice guidance that shapes current industry thinking in information security for business and government.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to some of the basic ideas and concepts that underlie the development of artificially intelligent machine systems. Teaches core AI materials for problem solving (search, logic, probabilistic methods, Perceptrons as the building block for ANNs) Focuses on core understanding and problem solving: suitable tools/methods for a problem using problem classes Provides a clear understanding of neural networks, back-propagation, RBFs, ANN learning and optimisation Provides a clear understanding of intelligent agents via search methods and introducing cost functions Provides a clear understanding of Bayes’ Rule, conditional probability and uncertainty reasoning Provides a clear understanding of knowledge capture, symbolic knowledge representation and logical reasoning from antiquity to Boule to first order predicate rules and representations. Provides opportunity to implement concepts during coursework.
View full module detailsThis module will demonstrate fundamental concepts from the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computational Linguistics. It will also discuss some of the latest advances in NLP and Generative Artificial Intelligence with a focus on Language Models like BERT, T5, and GPT, and get student up to speed with current research. It will provide the necessary skills to enable students to build computational models for solving a range of problems, such as text classification, sequence classification, machine translation and building conversation agents. The students will learn how to build NLP pipelines for preparing training data and choosing appropriate algorithms and techniques to build such models. The module also focuses on aspects of ethical and trustworthy artificial intelligence with discussion on rigorous model evaluation and ethical considerations for computational modeling. Although traditional linguistic approaches will be mentioned, majority emphasis will be put on the state-of-the-art Deep Learning algorithms and Transfer Learning methods for building efficient and trustworthy NLP solutions.
View full module detailsThis module examines the architectural/design needs and challenges encountered when developing and deploying secure, resilient and scalable web applications using the latest technology. It also provides an introduction to approaches used in modern Internet-scale web applications, covering technologies used in and/or developed by familiar companies such as Twitter, Amazon, Netflix and Google.
View full module detailsAcross academic years
Core
The dissertation consists of a substantial written report. This report is based on a major piece of work that involves applying material encountered in the taught component of the degree, and extending that knowledge with the student's contribution, under the guidance of a supervisor. The dissertation usually involves a substantial literature survey on a specific topic, followed by the identification of a problem to tackle, and thereafter the development of a technical solution, and experimental or theoretical evaluation of the achievement.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
Year 1
Semester 1
Compulsory
In today’s world where companies can amass more and more fine-grained data, it is crucial for a business to understand how this data can be used to effectively drive the business forward. Business Analytics is a set of methods and tools that can transform data into useful insights for decision-making. For example machine learning algorithms can be used to discover interesting patterns in the current market data or to predict customer behaviour (e.g. customer churn) from past data.
View full module detailsA key aspect of business operations today, across sectors almost, has to do with gathering the right type of data and storing it in a way that it can be readily available to the right person at the right time. This course looks into the techniques that allow us nowadays to define and operate on large volumes of data as and when it is created. This paves the way for making more intelligent uses of data, whether this has to do with correctness (reliability and consistency) or informing more strategic decisions of the business so it can better prepare itself for the future.
View full module detailsThe module provides for coverage of a variety of statistical methods, including descriptive statistics and validating formulated hypotheses, as well as predictive analytics. The computational foundations and methods of importance to data science are also covered, along with consideration for relevant supporting software and tools, and the need for data science governance.
View full module detailsOptional
Security is probably the greatest challenge for computer and information system in the near future. Many users have lost data due to viruses, both on home and business computers. Most of us have seen a range of emails messages attempting different kinds of fraud. Vulnerabilities are everywhere. Some are obvious or well-known; others are obscure and harder to spot. Security is not limited to secrecy and confidentiality, but also involves problems like integrity, availability, and effectiveness of information. Moreover, security issues can potentially affect all of us, from innocent home users to companies and even governments. Security is not just a technical problem but needs to be embedded throughout an organisation to be effective. As such good security solutions build on a complete understanding of the values at stake, and the supporting business processes and requirements. This includes people as well as information systems and physical resources. Consequently, raising security awareness and embedding security within roles and policies is as important, if not more, as secure software. In short, secure solutions can only be implemented with both good technical skills and a good understanding of cultures and people skills. This module aims at raising the awareness for the wide range of security issues present in today’s connected world and the managerial and organisational challenges a business must face when building a secure solution.
View full module detailsThis module gives an introductory yet up-to-date description of the fundamental technologies of computational Intelligence, including evolutionary computation, neural computing and their applications. Main streams of evolutionary algorithms and meta-heuristics, including genetic algorithms, evolution strategies, genetic programming, particle swarm optimization will be taught. Basic neural network models and learning algorithms will be introduced. Interactions between evolution and learning, real-world applications to optimization and robotics, and recent advances will also be discussed. Good skill in Python programming, good knowledge in mathematics (calculus) are required.
View full module detailsSemester 2
Compulsory
The need for computational power and data storage continues to drive demand for more highly capable systems. Highly data intensive applications demand fast access to terabytes, petabytes, even exabytes of storage; processor intensive applications demand access to various types of processors in various configurations. Such applications are increasingly being developed in both scientific and industrial contexts and need to be variously scalable and supportable for large numbers of geographically distributed users. This module will provide insights into how Cloud Computing attempts to meet the varying needs of such applications.
View full module detailsMachine Learning and Data Mining incorporate a large number of ways in which datasets with a variety of characteristics can be processed in order to provide for new insights and understanding. Through treatment of the principles and fundamental requirements for ML/DM, example applications, and related exercises, this module will offer coverage of a range of contemporarily important and emergent data treatments and algorithms. The module will provide for the means to critically evaluate, extend, and apply, appropriate techniques to datasets exemplifying specific characteristics in order to derive suitable and defensible results.
View full module detailsOptional
Key to modern business operation is Risk Management, and a modern entrant on any Risk Register maintained by the executive of an organisation is the risk posed from falling victim to cybercrime and civil litigation resulting from, for example, data breaches. In order to understand how best to shape and evolve an organisation’s response to the cyber security threat, the module will cover what the more detailed operations in cyber security involve. The module will introduce the key disciplines that we are likely to encounter in the real-world. It will provide an industry perspective on the common practices, latest innovations, technologies and the problems and concerns associated with information security. The module will show that cyber security is not just technical subject, but is a truly multidisciplinary function. The module looks broadly at the implications of regulations on the cyber crime landscape. It also brings together the issues of cyber from a high-level perspective. It will also equip students with an awareness of what is very current out there in terms of leading-edge applications of information security. The module uniquely accesses leading international speakers in their field, draws on the significant expertise of leading industrialists and through shaping the module into distinct learning blocks we are also able to ensure that our students will be directed to key industry reports, regulations and best practice guidance that shapes current industry thinking in information security for business and government.
View full module detailsThis module introduces students to some of the basic ideas and concepts that underlie the development of artificially intelligent machine systems. Teaches core AI materials for problem solving (search, logic, probabilistic methods, Perceptrons as the building block for ANNs) Focuses on core understanding and problem solving: suitable tools/methods for a problem using problem classes Provides a clear understanding of neural networks, back-propagation, RBFs, ANN learning and optimisation Provides a clear understanding of intelligent agents via search methods and introducing cost functions Provides a clear understanding of Bayes’ Rule, conditional probability and uncertainty reasoning Provides a clear understanding of knowledge capture, symbolic knowledge representation and logical reasoning from antiquity to Boule to first order predicate rules and representations. Provides opportunity to implement concepts during coursework.
View full module detailsThis module will demonstrate fundamental concepts from the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Computational Linguistics. It will also discuss some of the latest advances in NLP and Generative Artificial Intelligence with a focus on Language Models like BERT, T5, and GPT, and get student up to speed with current research. It will provide the necessary skills to enable students to build computational models for solving a range of problems, such as text classification, sequence classification, machine translation and building conversation agents. The students will learn how to build NLP pipelines for preparing training data and choosing appropriate algorithms and techniques to build such models. The module also focuses on aspects of ethical and trustworthy artificial intelligence with discussion on rigorous model evaluation and ethical considerations for computational modeling. Although traditional linguistic approaches will be mentioned, majority emphasis will be put on the state-of-the-art Deep Learning algorithms and Transfer Learning methods for building efficient and trustworthy NLP solutions.
View full module detailsThis module examines the architectural/design needs and challenges encountered when developing and deploying secure, resilient and scalable web applications using the latest technology. It also provides an introduction to approaches used in modern Internet-scale web applications, covering technologies used in and/or developed by familiar companies such as Twitter, Amazon, Netflix and Google.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 1 (full-time with placement - 2 years) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
For further information regarding programme structure and module selection, please refer to the course catalogue.
Year 2
Semester 1 & 2
Core
This module supports students' development of personal and professional attitudes and abilities appropriate to a Professional Training placement. It supports and facilitates self-reflection and transfer of learning from their Professional Training placement experiences to their dissertation and their future employment. The module is concerned with Personal and Professional Development towards holistic academic and non-academic learning. Development and learning may occur before and during the placement. However, the graded assessment takes place primarily towards the end of, or after, the placement. Additionally, the module aims to enable students to evidence and evaluate their placement experiences and transfer that learning to other situations through written skills. Through the professional placement students will refine both their subject specific and general soft skills as a Data Scientist, and gain practical experience of the use of Data Analytics and domain knowledge in the application of Data Science methods in a business or research context. The assessment is aligned with the Edison Data Science Competence Framework and includes a technical component describing the work undertaken, as relates to Data Science competence group Data Analytics (DSDA). Further it encourages students to reflect both on their ability to think and act like a Data Scientist (Edison skill DSPS) and their 21st Century Workplace skills (Edison skill SK21C), and on the experience of Business Process or Scientific Research gained during the placement (Edison competence DSBPM). This includes but is not limited to: Effective use of a variety of data analytics techniques, such as Machine Learning (including supervised, unsupervised, semi- supervised learning), Data Mining, Prescriptive and Predictive Analytics, for complex data analysis through the whole data lifecycle (DSDA01). Understand and use different performance and accuracy metrics for model validation in analytics projects, hypothesis testing, and information retrieval (DSDA04). Visualise results of data analysis, design dashboard and use storytelling methods (DSDA06). Being aware of the power and limitations of the main machine learning and data analytics algorithms and tools (DSPS08). Working in a multi-disciplinary team, with the ability to communicate with domain and subject matter experts (DSPS11). Being aware of ethical issues around the use of data and insight delivered (DSPS15). Critical Thinking: Demonstrating the ability to apply critical thinking skills to solve problems and make effective decisions (SK21C01). Collaboration: Working with others, appreciation of multicultural differences (SK21C03). Planning & Organizing: Planning and prioritizing work to manage time effectively and accomplish assigned tasks (SK21C05). Dynamic (self-) re-skilling: Continuously monitor individual knowledge and skills as shared responsibility between employer and employee, ability to adopt to changes (SK21C09). Translating unstructured business problems into an abstract mathematical framework (DSBPM01). Using data to improve existing services or develop new services (DSBPM02). Providing scientific, technical, and analytic support services to other organizational roles (DSBPM04).
View full module detailsAcross academic years
Core
The dissertation consists of a substantial written report. This report is based on a major piece of work that involves applying material encountered in the taught component of the degree, and extending that knowledge with the student's contribution, under the guidance of a supervisor. The dissertation usually involves a substantial literature survey on a specific topic, followed by the identification of a problem to tackle, and thereafter the development of a technical solution, and experimental or theoretical evaluation of the achievement.
View full module detailsOptional modules for Year 2 (full-time with placement - 2 years) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
COMM063 - Professional Postgraduate Year (Data Science)
COMM070 - MSC DATA SCIENCE DISSERTATION
Teaching and learning
Our teaching is influenced by current research in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) and driven by the tools and techniques that both employers and academic researchers are using daily.
You will be taught by lecturers who are experts in their fields and are members of the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI. These may include:
- Professor Ferrante Neri is head of the Nature Inspired Computing and Engineering research group in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering. His research is in optimisation, explainable AI, and machine learning. He is the author of a book on linear algebra for computational sciences and is on the editorial board of several academic journals.
- Dr Tom Thorne is programme lead of the MSc Data Science. His research is in the analysis of complex biological systems using methods from computational statistics, including the statistical analysis of networks, and parameter inference in mechanistic models.
- Dr Frank Guerin is a researcher in AI, and has published in robotics, vision, language processing, and machine learning. His work focuses on importing ideas from psychology research to AI areas such as developmental robotics.
- Dr Diptesh Kanojia works in the intersection of natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning, focussing on machine translation, and the NLP sub-areas of cognitive NLP, distributional and lexical semantics, multimodality/multilingualism in NLP, and sentiment/emotion analysis.
- Dr Sotiris Moschoyiannis researches learning and control in complex networks, using mathematical methods combined with computational methods such as deep reinforcement learning to learn when and where to intervene in a network in order to steer it to a desirable outcome.
- Dr Alireza Tamaddoni-Nezhad researches the theory, implementations, and real-world applications of relational and logic-based machine learning. He is the currently the lead for the trustworthy AI and sustainable AI research themes at the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester.
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester.
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from Academic Administration.
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Graduates of this course are in high demand across many sectors, and go on to roles such as data scientist, data analyst, data engineer, data architect or business analyst.
Surrey graduates have joined companies such as:
- Allianz Partners
- Bank of America
- Fluro
- Healthera
- IBM
- KPMG
- NBCUniversal
- Rolls-Royce
- S&P Global.
96 per cent of our computer science postgraduate students go on to employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA).
Vikas Unnikkannan
Student - Data Science MSc
"For my placement I am going to CityMaaS, a start-up which aims to make travel easier for people with disability needs."
Bhavyasree Sasindra
Student - Data Science MSc
"I’ve had so many amazing experiences... winning the Autumn Star Employability Award 2022 has been one of my greatest moments and made me recognise how far I’ve come."
UK qualifications
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in computer science, electrical or electronic engineering, mathematics, physics, related disciplines with demonstrable exposure to programming and mathematics, or other alternative subjects related to data analysis, data science or informatics, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
We'll also consider relevant work experience if you don't meet these requirements.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other component.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Scholarships and bursaries
Discover what scholarships and bursaries are available to support your studies.
Fees per year
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate courses.
September 2025 - Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £12,400
- Overseas
- £24,900
September 2025 - Full-time (with placement) - 2 years
- UK
- £12,400
- Overseas
- £24,900
- For the two-year full-time with placement course, the fee stated above will be charged in Year 1 of the programme and a fee of £1,850 is payable in Year 2 of the programme
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2025-26 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule (students on an unstructured self-paced part-time course are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan).
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be October/November of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
- Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis: cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Apply online
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
Select your course
Choose the course option you wish to apply for.
Sign in
Create an account and sign into our application portal.
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyPlease note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready.
ApplyAdmissions information
Once you apply, you can expect to hear back from us within 14 days. This might be with a decision on your application or with a request for further information.
Our code of practice for postgraduate admissions policy explains how the Admissions team considers applications and admits students. Read our postgraduate applicant guidance for more information on applying.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.