MSc Data Science

The course

Delivery
Full-time, Part-time, Per course
Course type
Taught
Location
Edinburgh
Entry date
January, September
Podcast series: A Future Made

Gender Stereotyping in Artificial Intelligence

In this episode we explore how new research in ‘Gender Stereotyping in Artificial Intelligence' is helping to overcome wider gender inequality in our society. We meet the university’s Verena Rieser, Professor in Computer Science and co-founder of the Conversational AI company Alana AI, and Kate Sang, Professor of Gender and Employment

Contact

Got questions about this programme?

Contact our enquiries team.

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

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.

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.

Accreditation

The MSc is accredited by the British Computer Society.

Course content

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
  • Data Visualisation and Analytics
  • Masters project and dissertation

Optional courses

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

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

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 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 Part-time Per course
UK £10600 £5300 £1325
Overseas £24496 £12248 £3062
Tuition fees for entry
Status Full-time Part-time Per course
UK £10600 £5300 £1325
Overseas £24496 £12248 £3062

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. Fee per course (module). Refer to the Course Content to see how many courses comprise the full programme.
  3. 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.

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.