Heriot-Watt University

The course

Delivery
Full-time, Part-time, Per course
Course type
Taught
Location
Edinburgh
Entry date
September
Find out how to apply More about this subject area

Contact

Overview

Our Data Science masters teaches the theory and skills for managing and analysing large, complex data sets – sometimes called Big Data. You’ll learn how to model, store and process these data sets using the latest algorithms and techniques. Modern methods and tools for visually exploring the data will also be covered. The MSc course offers the key skill set of a data scientist. Optional courses provide an opportunity to explore closely-related areas based on the internationally leading research work of our academics.

The skills you learn through the Data Science masters will be applicable to industrial applications, as well as to scientific data exploration. In some cases, the MSc project can also be carried out in collaboration with an outside industrial or academic organisation

Course duration

  • MSc: 12 months (full-time), 24 months (part-time)
  • PG Diploma: 9 months

The full-time Masters in Data Science course starts in September.

Accreditation

The MSc is accredited by the British Computer Society.

Go Global

Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information

Detailed course information

Course content

Detailed course guide

Full-time students take 4 courses each semester and must normally take all core courses.

Core courses

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

Optional courses

  • Advanced Software Engineering
  • Biologically Inspired Computation
  • Computer Network Security
  • Data Visualisation and Analytics
  • Digital and Knowledge Economy
  • Distributed and Parallel Technologies
  • Industrial Programming
  • Network Applications
  • Software Engineering Foundations

After semester 2 students continue full-time on the MSc project.

Further details are available here

Project

In the third semester (May-August) students undertake a specialist MSc project which is written up as a 15000 word dissertation. This project enables further development and consolidation of skills introduced in the taught courses, applying them to a challenging practical problem in this subject area.

Entry requirements

Admission requires a good honours degree with a substantial academic component of Computing or IT that includes study of databases and programming.

English language 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 6.5 (with no component under 5.5), we also accept TOEFL (scores of 90 and higher).

We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master’s programme:

  • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no more than one skill at 4.5);
  • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills);
  • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

Fees

Tuition fees for 2020 entry (by residency status)
Status* Full-time Part-time Per course
Scotland / Non-UK EU £7400 £3700 £925**
England / Northern Ireland / Wales £7400 £3700 £925**
Overseas £19800 £9900 £2475**

* 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.

** Fee per course (module). Refer to the Course Content to see how many courses comprise the full programme.

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.