Heriot-Watt University

The course

Delivery
Full-time
Course type
Taught
Location
Edinburgh
Entry date
September

A new conversion programme being taught at Heriot-Watt University for the academic year 2019/20

Find out how to apply More about this subject area

Contact

Overview

The MSc Data Science (2 years) is a new programme available to graduates looking to enrol from September 2019.

Data Scientist has been dubbed the 'sexiest job title' (Harvard Business Review, 2012) with IBM predicting a 28% growth of jobs by 2020. The UK government has set out their strategy for the UK to be a world leader in data science to enable the growth of the UK economy. Data Scientists require a combination of statistical analytical skills, the ability to process large volumes of data efficiently, c.f. Big Data, and then to generate visualisations to explain the results.

This two year programme offers an opportunity for graduates looking to transition to a new career path in Data Science, yet coming from a background outside Computing. Whether your experience lies in Science, Technology, Mathematics or the Arts, this pathway programme is a rare opportunity to become well-versed in the advanced, challenging field of Data Science.

Detailed course information

Course content

Detailed course guide

The two year MSc in Data Science is a full-time postgraduate programme comprising two stages in two successive years.

Year 1

4 courses are taken in each of 2 semesters in year 1 and normally include all core courses.

Core courses:

  • Advanced Software Engineering
  • Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
  • Databases and Information Systems
  • Network Applications
  • Software Engineering Foundations

Optional courses:

  • Advanced Interaction Design
  • Data Communications and Networking
  • Knowledge Management
  • Operating Systems and Concurrency
  • Research Preparation in English I and II
  • Sociotechnical and Soft Systems

Year 2

4 courses are taken in each of 2 semesters in year 2 and normally include all core courses.

Core courses:

  • Big Data Management
  • Data Mining and Machine Learning
  • Research Methods and Project Planning
  • Statistical Modelling and Analysis

Optional courses:

  • Biologically Inspired Computation
  • Computer Network Security
  • Conversational Agents and Spoken Language Processing
  • Data Visualisation and Analytics
  • Digital and Knowledge Economy
  • Distributed and Parallel Technologies
  • Industrial Programming

After semester 2, students continue full-time on the MSc project from May until August. It is assessed by a 15000 word dissertation on a challenging practical problem in this subject area.

Further details of these courses are available here.

Entry requirements

Admission requires a good honours degree at UK 2:2 level (minimum), with evidence of numeracy and familiarity with a programming language.

This programme is designed for students with a non-Computer Science background who would benefit from a foundational year to help them to make a successful transition into Data Science. Therefore students will only be recruited into Year 1 of this programme. There is no direct entry into Year 2 of this programme.

English requirements

Important: If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we’ll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.0 (with no component under 5.5), we also accept TOEFL (score of 90).

Students, who have an IELTS level less than 6.5, will be required to take the two research preparation English courses in Year 1 in order to bring their English up to the normal postgraduate level.

Fees

Additional fees information

Year 1 - Tuition fees for 2020 entry (by residency status)
Status* Full-time
Scotland / Non-UK EU £7,400
England / Northern Ireland / Wales £7,400
Overseas £19,800

Please note that fees are payable for each year of this two year MSc.

Year 2 - Tuition fees for 2020 entry (by residency status)
Status* Full-time
Scotland / Non-UK EU £7,400
England / Northern Ireland / Wales £7,400
Overseas £15,400

* If you are unsure which category you fall in to, you should complete a fee status enquiry form, which allows us to assess your fees.

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.

View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.