Big Data has become a highly discussed subject in the realm of technology and, with a surge in demand for Data Scientists, increasing number of universities in the UK are providing specialized Masters degrees in Data Science. MS in Data Science is one of the highly specialised degree programs offered as part-time and full-time courses at top UK universities. The course combines a range of mathematics, computing, and statistical concepts to equip students with the skills necessary for a successful career in data science.
Data scientists are in massive demand in the UK, which gives another reason to students to pursue MS in Data Science in the country.
There’s a massive increase in demand for data scientists everywhere in the world, and the UK is no exception. Universities in the United Kingdom pride themselves on having world-class infrastructure and research facilities to support course instruction. Here’re some more reasons why international students want to study Data Science Master’s in the UK:
Entry-level Data Scientists in the UK are offered attractive salary packages upon completing the course from a UK institute.
The job market in the country has been consistently witnessing a rising demand for Data Science graduates.
The presence of renowned employers such as Benevolent AI, FiveAI, DeepMind, Oxbotica, and similar others makes the UK a preferred study destination for students.
The country invests a considerable amount in funding MS and research courses in Data Science and AI-related domains.
MS in Data Science course is a 2-year advanced study degree in the UK. Depending on the university, the course may cover topics such as machine learning, data mining, data visualisation, programming, data warehousing, predictive analytics, natural language processing, and distributed systems.
Given the various universities that offer Masters in Data Science in the UK, each institution has its own unique set of eligibility requirements for prospective students. Nevertheless, there are generally accepted standards that most colleges and universities follow. Below, you can find a list of these requirements for your reference.
A Bachelor's or Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or any related to field
English language proficiency score of a minimum of 7.5 in IELTS test
Prior professional work experience (if applicable)
In addition to satisfying the above requirements, you would also need to submit the following documents to complete your admission application for Master’s in Data Science in the UK:
Statement of Purpose or SOP
Updated Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Transcripts of the Bachelor’s degree
Valid references of previous work experience (if applicable)
Test scores of proof of English language proficiency, such as IELTS
MS in Data Science at most UK universities is generally offered in two formats:
Online for a total duration of 6-12 months
Offline (on the campus) for a total duration of 2 years
You can choose to study the program in any of the above formats as per your convenience and the availability of the course at the university you apply to.
The two-year course for MSc in Data Science is divided into 4 semesters. In addition, a few elective subjects are also taught besides the core ones. The table below lists the primary subjects taught in the MS Data Science curriculum at most leading universities. This should give you a fair idea of the MSc Data Science Syllabus in the UK.
Major Subjects Covered in 1st Semester (Year 1) Introduction to Geospatial Technology Integrated Disaster Management Mathematics / Spatial Sciences Cyber Security Applied Statistics | Subjects Taught in 2nd Semester (Year 1) Advanced Python Programming for Spatial Analysis Flexi-Credit Courses Spatial Big Data & Storage Analysis Spatial Database Management Data Mining & Algorithms |
Subjects Covered in 2nd Year (Semester 3) Web Analysis Predictive Analytics & Development Spatial Modelling AI Summer Project | Subjects Taught in 2nd Year (Semester 4) Research Industry Project |
Elective Subjects for the Course Exploratory Data Analysis Internet of Things IoT Spatial Analytics Geonomics Image & Video Analytics |
The average annual MSc Data Science UK fees range between approximately 25,000 GBP to 35,000 GBP for Indian and international students. You must check the individual tuition fee for the university you are applying to.
Check the overall estimated cost of living in the United Kingdom using our cost calculator tool.
The UK is home to several top universities for MS in Data Science course, these institutions offer world-class programs and research opportunities in the field of Data Science.
University | QS World University | THE World University | Next Intake |
University of Oxford | 4 | 1 | Sep |
Imperial College London | 6 | 10 | Oct |
UCL | 8 | 22 | Mar |
The University of Edinburgh | 15 | 29 | Jul |
King’s College London | 37 | 35 | Sep |
The University of Manchester | 28 | 54 | Mar |
The University of Warwick | 64 | 104 | Sep |
University of Bristol | 61 | 76 | Sep |
The London School of Economics | 56 | 37 | Sep |
Queen Mary University of London | 125 | 124 | Sep |
Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking#!/page/1/length/25/locations/GBR/sort_by/stats_pc_intl_students/sort_order/desc/cols/stats
Indian students who desire to study MSc in Data Science in the UK can apply for scholarships to fund their study program. This greatly supports the students financially and encourages prospective students to pursue their dream career in their chosen destination.
Here are some popular MS in Data Science Scholarships for international students in the UK-
University | Scholarship Offered to International Students |
University of Essex | Academic Excellence Senior Status Law Scholarship |
University of Surrey | Full Surrey Award; Surrey International Master's Scholarship |
Queen Mary University of London | Associate Alumni Bursary |
Royal Halloway University of London | Royal Halloway Principal's Master's Scholarship |
Most universities offer Masters in Data Science in the UK with placement programs that assist students in finding jobs easily after completing the two-year course. The popular career prospects that may open up for an MS graduate in Data Science are as follows:
Data Administrator
Statistician
Data Analyst
Data Architect
Some more job opportunities for MS graduates in Data Science are also possible with an increase in the number of years of experience and an upgrade in skill set.
The average salary of a Data Scientist in the UK is somewhere between 25,000 GBP and 75,000 GBP (approx), depending on the candidate's experience and academic and professional skills.
Need help finding the right university to pursue Masters in Data Science in the UK? Allow us to help you! Get in touch with one of IDP's professional experts today for all the guidance and assistance in this matter.
1. Can a Commerce student pursue Data Science Masters in the UK?
Pursuing Data Science works in favor of students from the Commerce and Finance domains. The course amplifies their comprehension of Statistics and adds to their quantitative abilities.
2. What is the average Data Scientist salary in the UK?
The average pay scale of a Data Scientist in the UK is somewhere around 116,000 GBP per year. This may vary from one employer to another, candidate’s skills and the location of the company in the UK.
3. Is a Masters in Data Science difficult?
Similar to any program, pursuing MSc in Data Science requires the exact skills and aptitude related to this domain. It is a challenging field, especially for students who are not familiar with programming and statistical analysis. However, with dedication and hard work, it is possible to successfully complete the program and pursue a rewarding career in Data Science.
4. What is the eligibility to study Master’s in Data Science in the UK for Indian students?
The commonly acceptable eligibility requirements for the course are:
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science or any other relevant subject
Previous work experience in the related field (preferred but not mandatory)
IELTS score between 6.5 and 7.5
5. Can I get a job after completing a Master’s in Data Science in the UK?
Yes, Data Science is a rapidly evolving field, and the UK is one of the fastest-growing job sectors in this area. Furthermore, the ever-growing demand for Data Scientists in the country is one of the top reasons most international students prefer the UK to study the subject.