MSc Data Science (online)

Entry year: 2024/25
Course code: INE112
Application: University
Level: Postgraduate
School: School of Computing and Creative Technologies
Campus: Online
Duration: Two years
Delivery: Online; part-time

Introduction

Advance your data science career with this online flexible, industry-relevant distance learning MSc course.

Why study data science?

Bringing together skills in data management, analytics and artificial intelligence, data scientists work with organisations to draw competitive or efficiency-related insights from their data.

It's a field that's expected to soon make up at least a quarter of all digital jobs, and has been highlighted as a major skills gap in the government's recent industrial strategy.

Why UWE Bristol?

The MSc Data Science (online) is a flexible, industry-relevant, distance learning course which allows you to balance your studies with professional and personal commitments. You’ll network and collaborate with a diverse cohort of students and industry experts, building connections that extend beyond geographic boundaries.

If you're looking to specialise or upskill in this field, this master's will equip you to apply data science techniques in your current role and organisation, or to progress onto new work opportunities.

Looking at the full data science pipeline, you'll learn to understand organisational requirements and ethical conduct; design research studies; and employ data engineering skills to gather, transform and clean small and large-scale data.

Gain the skills and tools to design and implement data science projects and programmes to solve real business and societal issues.

Undertake exploratory analysis, using statistics, machine learning and predictive modelling.

Present and communicate results to stakeholders, and become adept at implementing production workflows and solutions.

You'll work on live data science projects, using data and issues from your own company (if applicable) and those of our industrial partners.

Flexible online learning

The course’s online format and part-time structure offer maximum flexibility. You can study from anywhere in the world while balancing your studies with existing commitments.

Where can it take me?

The course has been developed as part of the Institute of Coding's University Learners employability initiative, to ensure it equips data scientists with the skills needed by industry.

Your newly-acquired skills will set you up well for work as a data scientist, business analyst, data engineer or chief data officer.

Structure

Content

The order in which you study the modules will depend on your intake month.

Year one

You'll study:

Programming for Data Science
Statistical Inference
Data Management Fundamentals
Process and Practice in Data Science.

Years one and two

You’ll study:

Business Intelligence and Data Visualisation
Cloud Computing
Big Data
Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics.

Year two

You'll study:

CCT Masters Project.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.

Learning and Teaching

You’ll study in your own time with no timetabled lectures allowing you to balance your personal and professional commitments. Content will be delivered through a mixture of online videos and activities as well as independent reading. You’ll have opportunities to collaborate and network with working professionals across the globe alongside a curriculum informed by the latest advancements and best practices in data science.

With an emphasis on real-world applications of data science techniques and tools with case studies and knowledge from industry practitioners.

Studying the role of a data scientist, you'll become familiar with areas such as ethical practice and data for sustainable development; research methods, data gathering and exploratory data analysis; and programming principles (including R, Python, Tableau and MySQL).

Learn to use statistical inference, modelling and analysis, machine learning and predictive analytics.

Understand how to store, process and analyse big data.

Build skills in evidence-based communication, argumentation and data visualisation.

Implement data science projects from end to end, using real data to address business, health and sustainability problems.

Gain exposure to a range of current data science methods and tools.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Study time

You'll complete the course over two years. This involves self-directed study and participation in online activities (12-18 hours per week) with the support of an online tutor.

Assessment

Assessment will be through practical coursework, exams, vivas, presentations and portfolios.

Learn more about our assessments.

Careers

Careers / Further study

Your knowledge of the latest data science methods and tools will put you in a strong position to secure work as a data scientist, business analyst, data engineer or develop a career path toward chief data officer.

Learn more about our graduate destinations.

Fees

There is currently no published fee data for this course.

Supplementary fee information

The tuition fee for this course is £7,950.

Students pay on a modular basis.

Domestic UK students may be eligible for UK postgraduate student loan assistance. Students in receipt of this funding need to remain on track to complete the course within 2 years otherwise payments will be interrupted or stopped.

Further information

Entry

Entry requirements

We normally require an honours degree at 2:2 or equivalent in a relevant subject. Experience with quantitative methods and/or coding is highly recommended.

Relevant subjects include: Computer Science, IT or other computing subjects, Maths, Statistics, any Engineering subject, any quantitative subject such as Physics, Chemistry, Business, Marketing, Economics, Psychology and Social Sciences.

If you don't meet the above grade requirements but have at least 12 months relevant professional experience and/ or equivalent qualifications, we'll consider you on an individual basis.

International applicants

We welcome international students onto this course.

For country specific entry requirements, please find your country on the country information pages.

English Language Requirement

International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you'll need, in our English Language section.

How to apply

Personal statement requirements

We want to ensure that the course will suit your needs, so we pay especially close attention to the personal statement which forms part of your application to the University. Please take particular care over this statement.

You personal statement should cover the following aspects of your career aspirations in data science, computing or specialist IT. It should say in around 300–500 words:

Why you're interested in a career in those areas and, if possible, which aspects of each are of particular interest to you.
What personal attributes and experience you have which make you suited to a career in those areas.
An overview of your intended career path.

Wherever possible, your statement should draw on relevant personal experience. When describing the personal attributes and qualities which you believe equip you for this career path, try to give actual brief examples from your experience where you displayed them.

For further information

Email: Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333