Heriot-Watt University
Study Postgraduate

MSc Data Science (2 years)

The course

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

Contact

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Overview

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. Computer Science at Heriot-Watt is ranked 6th in Scotland by The Complete University league tables (2021).

September 2023 entry

The deadline for applications from UK students is 31 August 2023. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 1 August 2023.

Go Global

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

Course content

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
  • 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
  • Data Visualisation and Analytics
  • Research Methods and Project Planning
  • Statistical Modelling and Analysis

Optional courses:

  • Biologically Inspired Computation
  • Computer Network Security
  • Conversational Agents and Spoken Language Processing
  • 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.

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 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 6.0).

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

  • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
  • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

Fees

Tuition fees for entry
Status Full-time
UK £9632
Overseas £22264

Footnotes

  1. 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
  2. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

Additional fees information

Year 2 - Tuition fees
Status Full-time
UK tbc
Overseas tbc

Please note that fees are payable for each year of this two year MSc. Year 2 tuition fees are not yet confirmed.

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.