Data Science (MSc)

This data science masters programme enables you to learn new data science techniques and be part of exciting current industry developments. You’ll learn specialist skills to help you progress in your career. 

Modules:

• 8 (plus dissertation) in total
• Core modules: 6
• Elective modules: 2

This course is also offered as an 'MSc with Placement,' which includes an additional 120 credit module and extends the study period by an extra 12 months.

Modules

• Alongside modules we also recommend students start learning Python as it is the programming language they will use at the start of the programme.

Full-time

• Full-time students attend all taught modules during Term 1 and 2, three to four days a week. Teaching is generally during the day (09:00 to 18:00), but some elective modules may be taught in the evening. When you have passed all the modules, you will proceed to your individual project in Term 3.

Core modules

Through all core modules you will develop the Graduate Attributes, five core skillsets that will help you launch a successful, fulfilling career. Find out more about the Graduate Attributes.

• Principles of Data Science (15 credits)
• Machine Learning (15 credits)
• Big Data (15 credits)
• Visual Analytics (15 credits)
• Neural Computing (15 credits)
• Research Methods and Professional Issues (15 credits)

Elective modules

• Advanced Databases (15 credits)
• Information Retrieval (15 credits)
• Data Visualization (15 credits)
• Digital Signal Processing and Audio Programming (15 credits)
• Deep Reinforcement Learning (15 credits)
• Computer Vision (15 credits)
• Semantic Web Technologies and Knowledge Graphs (15 credits)
• Natural Language Processing (15 credits)
• Entrepreneurship in Practice (15 credits)

Dissertation
Individual Project (60 credits)

• This module is a self-directed study, which offers you the opportunity to clearly identify a problem or requirement, justify why it is worth exploring or implementing, develop a method suitable for the work, apply this method, analyse the results and evaluate their implications.

Placement route
Industrial Placement and Professional Development (120 credits)

• This module is a self-directed study, which offers you the opportunity to clearly identify a problem or requirement, justify why it is worth exploring or implementing, develop a method suitable for the work, apply this method, analyse the results and evaluate their implications.

Teaching and assessment

• You will learn through a series of lectures, tutorials and many practical sessions helping you to increase your specialist knowledge and autonomy.
• Alongside these sessions you will also study independently completing coursework for each module.
• Practical sessions will give you the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques using state-of-the-art software.
• Working alongside our research-active lecturers, with their cutting- edge knowledge in machine learning and data visualisation, you’ll be exposed to the latest industry developments and be given the opportunity to do projects across these areas.
• You will have the opportunity to specialise, so once you graduate, you can apply data science to any sector from health to retail. And by engaging with researchers and industrial partners throughout your course you can develop your knowledge and skills within a real-world context.

Internship

• You can participate in our professional internships programme supported by the Corporate Relations & Employability Unit. You can undertake your MSc project in an industrial or research internship over an extended period compared to regular projects.

Career

• The amount of data in the world is growing exponentially and as a Data Science MSc graduate you will be in high demand.
• From analysing tyre performance to detecting problem gamblers, wherever data exists, there are opportunities to apply it.
• You will graduate with specialist skills in data acquisition, information extraction, aggregation and representation, data analysis, knowledge extraction and explanation, all sought after skills by many employers across sectors such as retail, IT and government giving you a step up the career ladder.
• Graduates starting a new business can benefit from City's London City Incubator and City's links with Tech City, providing support for start-up businesses.
• Postgraduate students in our Department of Computer Science are offered an unrivalled opportunity to complete up to six months of professional experience as part of their Masters’ degree.
• An internship enables you stand out in a competitive job market, develop your business knowledge and to learn about the different career paths open to you.