MSc

Data Science

Elevate your career with our award-winning MSc Data Science programme.

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Key Course Details

  • Start Date

    February

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £10,800*

  • International students

    £16,900*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Pontypridd

  • Campus Code

    A

Fees

  • Home students

    £1,200*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

Recognised as the "Best Academic Programme of the Year" at the FinTech Awards Wales, our course offers a unique opportunity to excel in the dynamic field of data science.

DESIGNED FOR

Designed for aspiring data enthusiasts, recent graduates, and professionals seeking to enhance their analytical skills whether you're from a STEM background or looking to pivot into data-driven roles, this programme equips you with the expertise needed to excel in the evolving field of data science. Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

In Partnership with

  • SAS, Analytics Software & Solutions

Career Paths

  • Data Scientist 
  • Business Intelligence Analyst 
  • Machine Learning Engineer 
  • Data/Cloud Engineer
  • AI Research Scientist 

Skills taught

  • Data Analysis 
  • Machine Learning
  • Programming
  • Cloud Computing
  • Project Management


Course Highlights

SAS Joint Certificate

As part of our program, you'll work towards earning the prestigious SAS Joint Certificate in Applied Statistics and Data Mining. This globally recognized qualification validates your proficiency in utilizing SAS software, giving you a significant advantage in the job market.

Industry Partners

We've partnered with industry giants like Admiral, Talent Intuition, and NHS Wales on groundbreaking MSc Data Science projects. From predicting insurance cancellations to decoding the job market and creating interactive healthcare dashboards, our students are making a tangible impact.

Best Academic Programme of the Year

We are proud to announce that our MSc Data Science course has been honoured with the prestigious title of "Best Academic Programme of the Year" at the FinTech Awards Wales, 2023. This recognition underscores our commitment to delivering top-quality education in the field of data science.

Module Overview

Our MSc in Data Science offers six core modules, thoughtfully divided into two streams for your convenience. Combined with our varying modes of study, this flexibility allows working professionals to seamlessly integrate their studies with their careers.

Stream 1 focuses on statistical analysis, data mining, and statistical forecasting and is taught on Wednesdays.

Applied Statistics for Data Science
This module explores data acquisition and statistical analysis techniques crucial for data
scientists in various industries. It emphasizes the development of soft skills in effectively
communicating results, a vital aspect for business stakeholders. The practical applications span across diverse sectors such as financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing, providing a well-rounded foundation for real-world data science challenges. 

Data Mining and Statistical Forecasting
This module delves into the essential tools and techniques employed for Data Mining and Statistical Modelling. Data mining enables organizations to extract valuable insights from unstructured text data, facilitating informed decision-making based on user feedback and other data sources. Statistical modelling and forecasting play a critical role in predicting future trends, particularly in the financial sector. The module incorporates class case studies, exercises, and assignments that offer valuable context and practical experience in industries reliant on these techniques.

Project Management and Research Methodology
This module equips students with essential skills for independently undertaking and
managing research projects. It focuses on crucial aspects of research, including conducting literature reviews and honing research and writing skills. By mastering these fundamentals, students are well-prepared to embark on their own research projects, fostering a strong foundation in research methodology and project management.

MSc Research Project
In this module, students embark on an independent research project, which may involve
collaborations with companies, staff-proposed research proposals, or student-generated ideas. For full-time students, the project spans a single 12-week block, while part-time students have two 12-week blocks. This module provides students with the opportunity to showcase their research, enabling them to demonstrate their expertise and contribute valuable insights to their chosen field of study.

Stream 2 covers programming, Machine Learning, AI, and Big Data Technologies and is scheduled for Fridays.

Principles of Computing
This module introduces students to the fundamentals of database management systems, including SQL and Oracle, which are highly esteemed in the industry. Additionally, it offers a broader overview of general-purpose programming languages. Through this module, students acquire essential skills and knowledge in database management and programming, setting a strong foundation for their career in Data Science.

Applied Machine Learning and Deep Learning
In this module, students dive into the data-driven analysis of real-world datasets using
supervised and unsupervised modelling techniques. The applications span a wide range of industries, including finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and autonomous vehicles.

Big Data Engineering and its Applications
This module delves into the tools and techniques essential for handling massive volumes of structured and unstructured data. Students gain practical insights into the role of a Data Engineer, with hands-on experience in cloud computing frameworks like Amazon Web Services (AWS) through our affiliation with the AWS Academy program. This prepares students to effectively manage and manipulate data in real-world scenarios, making them valuable assets in the era of big data.

MSc Research Project
In this module, students embark on an independent research project, which may involve
collaborations with companies, staff-proposed research proposals, or student-generated ideas. For full-time students, the project spans a single 12-week block, while part-time students have two 12-week blocks. This module provides students with the opportunity to showcase their research, enabling them to demonstrate their expertise and contribute valuable insights to their chosen field of study.

Course Highlights

How you'll learn

Our program adopts a dynamic blended learning approach, combining face-to-face contact with various online resources to offer a comprehensive learning experience. Each module includes a minimum of three hours of weekly face-to-face contact, excluding the MSc Project module. Lectures, which cover content, methodologies, techniques, and associated issues, are delivered both in-person and asynchronously online. Tutor-supported seminars and tutorials provide flexible classroom time for hands-on learning, discussion, and problem-solving scenarios. Independent study is facilitated through a wealth of resources available via the Virtual Learning Environment, including DataCamp and AWS Educate/Academy, alongside library texts, journal papers, and electronic sources.
All modules are assessed entirely through coursework-based activities ranging from reports, demonstrations, presentations, and coding tasks.

Teaching staff

Ieuan Griffiths, Course Leader for MSc Data Science, brings a wealth of expertise to the
program with his BSc in Mathematics and PhD in Data Science which included industry
collaboration with TATA Steel. Dedicated lecturer Joel Harris brings a strong foundation in mathematics with a BSc degree in the subject. He further honed his skills via research on a master's degree, collaborating with the NHS to apply data science techniques for monitoring patient pathways. Sam Jobbins, a valuable member of our team, pursued a PhD in chemistry followed by a post-doctoral position. There are many more, experienced Lecturers associated with our award-winning
programme.

Facilities

Our MSc Data Science students enjoy exclusive access to state-of-the-art computer
laboratories tailored for handling big data applications and computationally intensive
models like Neural Networks. Additionally, they have the convenience of utilizing student
rooms equipped with identical high-performance hardware, ensuring an immersive and
efficient learning experience.

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

Graduates of the Data Science program at the University of South Wales share inspiring
journeys that showcase the transformative power of this degree. For many, this programme was a catalyst for career growth, instilling confidence and expanding their skill sets.
Graduates transition into diverse career paths, from working with the Welsh Government's International Trade & Investment department to joining innovative companies like Talent Intuition. The programme opened doors to new horizons, fostering a deep appreciation for the boundless possibilities that data science offers. Graduates highlighted the challenging yet fulfilling nature of their academic journeys, driven by a thirst for knowledge and the desire to see the world from a fresh perspective.

Possible careers paths

Data Scientist: Analyse complex datasets to extract insights, build predictive models, and provide data-driven recommendations to guide strategic decision-making.
Machine Learning Engineer: Develop and deploy machine learning algorithms and models to automate processes and enhance product performance.
Business Intelligence Analyst: Transform data into actionable insights, create dashboards, and reports to support informed business decisions.
Data Engineer: Design and manage data infrastructure, ensuring data quality, integration, and accessibility for analysis.

AI Research Scientist: Pursue advanced research in artificial intelligence, contributing to the development of cutting-edge AI technologies and solutions.

Careers support

The University’s Career Services offers a range of advice and guidance to students, and
references to the services available to all listed at southwales.ac.uk/careers will be added to the course website by default.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Suitable for graduates with a minimum 2:2 Honours degree or equivalent in a numerate discipline across any STEM or business subject. Relevant industry experience can also be taken into account.

The course welcomes international applicants and requires an English level of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent.

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£10,800

per year*
UK Full-time Fee

£10,800

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,900

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£16,900

per year*
UK Part-time Fee

£1,200

per 20 credits*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Busaries Alumni Discount

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

There are no specific additional costs associated with the programme, although students should expect to incur occasional incidental expenses, for instance for printing, stationary or transport.  Students may, optionally decide to support their studies by providing additional equipment such as a laptop.  Although recommended this is not required.

Investing in your future

We are investing in the future of STEM at USW with an exciting new Computing, Engineering and Technology building at our Pontypridd Campus.


University Quality Assurance

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

How to apply

There is an online application process for this course. Please choose the application form for your preferred start date and mode of study (i.e. full-time or part-time).

International admissions

Please see our international admissions advice for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.