Key information
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
The MSc Data Science is a 1-year programme that equips you with the expertise to extract, analyse, and communicate meaningful insights from vast and complex datasets—making you an invaluable asset across a wide range of industries. Designed for those with a background in computing or related disciplines, the programme blends rigorous theoretical foundations with practical, hands-on skills essential for managing and analysing large-scale data.
Data Science is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary field that draws upon programming, data engineering, statistics, machine learning, and data visualisation. This programme offers comprehensive training across all these domains, enabling you to model, store, and process substantial datasets using advanced algorithms and technologies. You will also explore cutting-edge tools and methods for visualising and interpreting information—turning raw data into actionable knowledge.
A diverse range of optional modules allows you to tailor your learning to suit your interests and career goals, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, statistical modelling, or software engineering.
The skills developed throughout the programme are highly transferable and applicable across both industrial and scientific sectors. Your learning culminates in an MSc project, giving you the opportunity to apply your expertise to a significant, real-world data challenge. In many cases, this project can be conducted in collaboration with an external academic or industry partner, enhancing your professional experience and industry readiness.
Enhancements for Your Success
At Heriot-Watt University, our MSc in Data Science programme empowers you with the most cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills required for a thriving career in data science. Here's what sets us apart:
- Excellence in Rankings: We take pride in our ranking as the 1st in Scotland and 6th in the UK for Artificial Intelligence, according to Daily Mail University League Table 2025
- Industry-Driven Employability: To ensure your success, we've actively collaborated with industry experts to understand precisely what employers are seeking in data scientists. We've meticulously integrated these insights into our programme, giving you a competitive edge during job interviews and setting you up for success from day one.
- Mastery of Essential Tools: In today's competitive job market, proficiency in key software tools like Python, R, SQL, and data visualisation is essential for data scientists. Our programme will equip you with mastery of these indispensable tools.
- Streamlined Synergy: Our revamped course structure promotes greater synergy between different subject areas like statistics, machine learning, and big data engineering. This holistic understanding will empower you to tackle complex data challenges with ease, enhancing your problem-solving capabilities.
Global Research Institutes (GRIs)
Heriot-Watt University is home to four world-leading Global Research Institutes (GRIs), designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and tackle some of the most pressing global challenges of our time. These dynamic hubs bring together leading researchers, industry partners, policymakers, and stakeholders from across academia, government, and business—creating vibrant ecosystems that drive innovation, inform policy, and deliver real-world impact. The GRIs are closely integrated with teaching and learning, ensuring that students benefit directly from cutting-edge research and develop the skills and experience needed to become future leaders in their fields.
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The National Robotarium is a world-leading centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, creating innovative solutions to global challenges by accelerating research from lab to market.
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Health and Care Technologies transforms cutting-edge research into impactful solutions that enhance lives, improve healthcare systems, and support global health innovation.
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iNetZ+ (Net Zero and Beyond) pioneers transformative technologies and strategies to address the climate crisis and lead the transition to a carbon-neutral future.
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The Lyell Centre is a global leader in earth and marine science, using advanced technologies to tackle environmental and sustainability challenges through both fundamental and applied research.
Together, these Global Research Institutes position Heriot-Watt at the forefront of innovation and knowledge exchange—advancing science, technology, and society.
Your student experience
- Heriot-Watt University boasts a distinguished history of over five decades dedicated to the research and teaching of Computer Science.
- World-Leading Faculty: Heriot-Watt University is known for its strong academic reputation, and this extends to its data science programmes. In fact, many of our academics are qualified data scientists, with many years of experience working in this field.
- State-of-the-Art Labs: To facilitate hands-on learning, we have created state-of-the-art labs based in the Robotarium as well as at the GRID; including the Games & Design studio and the universities first VR labs. These resources are instrumental in providing students with a practical, real-world experience when working with authentic datasets and AI models.
- Cutting-Edge Research: The university is actively involved in data science research, contributing to the development of new techniques, tools, and strategies to combat emerging threats. This research informs the curriculum and keeps it up to date.
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
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- Statistical Modelling and Analysis
Optional September
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Computer Network Security
- Industrial Programming
- Software Engineering Foundations
- Databases and Information Systems
- Introduction to Natural Language Processing
Mandatory January
- Big Data Management
- Data Visualisation and Analytics
- Research Methods and Project Planning
Optional January
- Advanced Software Engineering
- Digital and Knowledge Economy
- Data Engineering Pipelines
- Distributed & Parallel Technologies
Mandatory May
- Masters Project and Dissertation
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory January
- Big Data Management
- Data Visualisation and Analytics
Optional January
- Advanced Software Engineering
- Digital and Knowledge Economy
- Data Engineering Pipelines
- Distributed & Parallel Technologies
Mandatory September
- Research Methods and Project Planning
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- Statistical Modelling and Analysis
Optional September
- Biologically Inspired Computation
- Computer Network Security
- Software Engineering Foundations
- Industrial Programming
- Introduction to Natural Language Processing
Mandatory Second January
- Masters Project and Dissertation
Programme Video
Computer Science subject video (PG progs)
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,192 | £6,096 |
| International | £25,480 | £12,740 |
- 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.
Year 1
Admission requires a second class honours degree or non-UK equivalent that includes substantial components of computer science and programming.
Applicants that do not meet the computer science or programming requirements for the one year programme may be eligible for entry onto the 2 year programme. Please note: entry onto the 2 year programme is only available for the September intake.
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.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
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
Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students
