Data Science and Artificial Intelligence BSc (Hons)

This course integrates two key areas of computing: data science and artificial intelligence. It tackles the growing demand for professionals in both fields. 

With an acute shortage of qualified experts predicted by the European Union, this course will equip you for high-paying roles in the tech industry, particularly in data science and data intelligence.

Supported by cutting-edge research contributions from leading academics and practitioners.
Combines statistical techniques from data science and algorithmic approaches from artificial intelligence. 
The curriculum covers cyber security and mobile app development. Your work placements will ensure you are industry-ready for the global digital revolution and ready to compete for data science roles.

What makes this course different

• Leading academics- Our leading academics and practitioners contribute to UK parliamentary reports, public sector and policy-making departments. They are widely covered by various media for their state-of-the-art research on AI, data science, dark web and cybersecurity.

1st in London

• Our Artificial Intelligence courses ranked 1st in London in 9 categories including “Teaching on my course” & “Learning Opportunities” in the 2024 National Student Survey
• (National Student Survey 2024, Results published 10 July 2024)

Work placements

• A range of modules focus on in-demand computing skills such as cyber security, mobile app development and AI. There is an embedded work-placement which ensures you will be industry-ready upon graduation and ready to meet the demands of the global digital revolution.

Foundation Year

Your data science foundation year will give you a good grounding in maths, computing and business systems, preparing you for the three year degree.

• Key Skills Core Module
• Mental Wealth; Professional Life (Group Project) Core Module
• Level 4 Primers Core Module
• Applied Maths Core Module
• Introduction to Computing Core Module
• Business Information Systems Core Module

Year 1
Your first year deep dives into various areas of data science, strengthening your maths, software and IT skills.

• Information Systems Modelling and Design Core Module
• Software Development Core Module
• Web Technologies Core Module
• Maths for Computing Core Module
• Computer Systems and Networks Core Module
• Mental Wealth; Professional Life 1 (IT Project Pitching) Core Module

Year 2
Your second year develops your skills in databases, AI, and programming.

• Database Systems Core Module
• Data Structures & Algorithms Core Module
• Artificial Intelligence Core Module
• Mental Wealth; Professional Life 2 (Computing in Practice) Core Module
• Business Intelligence Analysis Core Module
• Programming for Data Science Core Module

Year 3
In your final year you focus on advanced topics in data science and AI, and undertake an individual academic project.

• Big Data Infrastructure & Manipulation Core Module
• Project Management Core Module
• Mental Wealth; Professional Life 3 (Project) Core Module
• Enterprise Architecture and Cloud Computing Core Module
• Advanced Topics in Data Science and AI Core Module

Your future career

• For those interested in a blend of data science and AI, our data science degree offers a practical, hands-on approach that can give you practical skills for your future career. We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our course has been created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure it accurately reflects the real-life practices of your future career and provides you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

Industry links

• We have links with Microsoft IT and CompTIA Academy, Cisco and AWS, which means you can make connections during your data science degree.

Graduate employers

• Graduates have gone into employment at TFL, the Bank of England, and Johnson Care PLC.
• Other alumni range from information security architects working at the New York Stock Exchange to entrepreneurs running a successful award-winning game design company (DinoByte labs).

Job roles

• With a data science and AI degree you could focus on the emerging AI industry and become an AI engineer, developing algorithms, or use your data analysis skills to work in any industry as a data scientist or analyst.
• Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.

Further study
We have a range of postgraduate courses you could go on to study, including:

• MSc Data Science
• MSc AI and Data Science
• MSc Artificial Intelligence
• MSc Cloud Computing

Doing a masters in the field of data science or AI will give you in-depth training in mathematics, statistics, and computer science. This could help you advance to higher-level positions such as machine learning or artificial intelligence engineer, data architect, enterprise architect, or applications architect.

Recently one of our AI lecturers used artificial intelligence to predict dog personality types, showing how fascinating this new field is.

How we support your career ambitions

• We offer dedicated career support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone
This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including: 

• Jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work 
• Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts 
• 1-2-1 career coaching services
• Careers workshops and employer events 
• Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

We are careers first
Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top:

• Work-based projects
• Networking and visits to leading organisations
• Support in starting a new business
• London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

• You will learn through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, practical and lab sessions, and independent study. We also use a virtual learning environment (Moodle) to supplement your learning journey.
• This programme also incorporates a major project in the final year. This allows you to demonstrate your ability to organise and carry out a substantial piece of work linked to data science and artificial intelligence.

Guided independent study

• When not attending timetabled lectures you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and Moodle.

Academic support

• If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths or statistics, our Academic Tutors offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses. 
• Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater to your every need. UEL provides support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).

Dedicated personal tutor

• Students are supported with any academic or subject-related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, and former and current UEL students.

Workload

• Your overall workload consists of class and online tutor-led sessions, individual learning, and practical activities.

Your timetable

• Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

• The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year depending on your course.

How you'll be assessed
Assessments will be via: 

• Examinations (in-class and at end of year)
• Case study analysis 
• Portfolio collation
• Individual/group reports 
• Group assessments 
• Presentations