Key information
The MSc Applied Data Science programme is designed to transform students from a wide range of backgrounds into proficient data scientists. The programme will develop your data science skills, enabling you to enhance your career in data science or pursue further data science specialisation.
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
If you have a degree in science, the social sciences, biological sciences, or engineering then this is the programme for you. Unlike many other programmes, university study in mathematics, statistics or computing is not required for entry to this programme. All we require is that students have passed a post-16 qualification in mathematics, our lecturers will support you to develop the necessary skills. Our teaching staff have experience in developing the necessary mathematical skills on which a Data Science career can be built.
If you do have an undergraduate degree in mathematics or computer science, then you may consider our MSc Data Science as an alternative.
Across business sectors, there is an exploding demand for data scientists, and this programme seeks to develop your skills and take advantage of these opportunities. You’ll gain hands-on experience in data mining, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics to ensure you are highly employable upon graduation.
On our programme, you will develop the skills necessary to manage and analyse extensive and complex datasets. Using the latest algorithms and techniques, you’ll gain experience in data modelling, storing, processing and visualising data. Our optional modules allow you to customise your learning, and study specialist topics, further enriching your journey towards a successful career as a data scientist.
The MSc Applied Data Science programme will develop your skills, so that you can apply your knowledge to industry and scientific data analysis. In your final semester, you will apply the skills you obtained in a final project. In some cases, the MSc project can also be done in collaboration with an external industrial or academic organisation.
Your student experience
Heriot-Watt University boasts a distinguished history of over five decades dedicated to the research and teaching of computer science, computer systems, software engineering, information systems, and data science.
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active data science and artificial intelligence academics. The Research Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems and the on-campus National Robotarium carry our world-class research, contributing to the development of new techniques, tools and strategies to combat emerging threats.
You will be taught by passionate and engaging experts, who will provide you with insights into emerging topics in data science, by relating taught material to their own research. Many of our academics have many years of experience working in industry and understand the role of a Data Scientist.
The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain cutting-edge and industry focused.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Mandatory September Semester
- Practical Data Science
- Software Fundamentals for Data Science
Optional September Semester
- Mathematical Tools for Data Science
- Modelling and Tools
- Databases and Information Systems
- Probability and Statistics for Data Science
Mandatory January Semester
- Data Storytelling
- Data Mining
Optional January Semester
- Project Management
- Data Assimilation
- Artificial Intelligence
- Digital and Knowledge Economy
Mandatory May Semester
- Applied Data Science Dissertation
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time |
|---|---|
| UK | £10,528 |
| International | £19,816 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent in any academic subject.
This programme is designed for students who do not hold a degree in mathematics or computer science. However, students will need to have evidence of studying mathematics at A Level grade C or above, or international equivalent.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Student life
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