MSc Data Science in UK: Top Universities, Eligibility, Fees, Job Prospects & More!

A graduate program in Data science promises high education standards. The degree is valued worldwide. MSc data science in UK can give you high graduate employability. The world-renowned Universities in the United Kingdom deliver specialised master's degree courses via its state-of-the-art infrastructure, quality education, training, and research exposure.

The UK is the melting pot of the world’s best institutes offering global exposure in almost all major subjects, and data science is one of them. Of late, MSc data science, big data, business analytics, management, AI, and ML have developed some of the most popular domains among international students. If you choose the UK for higher study, rest assured you invest in the bright future that brings potential growth and humongous opportunities. 

Why Do You Study MSc Data Science in the United Kingdom?

MSc data science and artificial intelligence degrees from the United Kingdom’s top university will train you to apply high-level data, mathematics, and statistical learning techniques. You will gain a sound knowledge of the underlying standard application of computer, maths, statistics, and probability principles, along with hands-on skills in applied data science. Let’s see what sets MSc data science in UK apart from others.

• Cutting-edge education, training, and research exposure
• Obtain industry support and support from top executives and researchers
• Unlimited career growth
• Flexibility in career and education 
• Bespoke industry-relevant curriculum  and exposure
• Global career prospects

Top Universities to Study MSc in Data Science

According to the QS world’s data science and AI rankings, here are some of the top universities for data science in UK including the University of Oxford and UCL, known for academic excellence and the cost of studying MSc data science given here. 

Normally, the data science fees for master courses in the UK are higher than average in most countries because of high-quality education, training, and research exposure. 

MSc data science and artificial intelligence 

Data Science and AI are very close to each other. These two fields serve different purposes. Data Science interprets, extracts, and analyzes large complex datasets. The field also helps you to uncover patterns and insights. Data Science primarily relies on statistical methods, quantitive analysis, and programming to manipulate and visualize data. Therefore, enabling the business enterprises to make accurate and timely data-driven decisions.

On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence strictly focuses on creating systems that could mimic human intelligence systems. AI uses algorithms and ML models to enable machines to learn from data and help recognize patterns. Artificial intelligence will help you make autonomous decisions. MSc data science and artificial intelligence drive innovation across industries, improving decision-making, automation, and personalization.

Eligibility Criteria

The Eligibility for MSc data science program can vary across Universities. Let’s discuss the eligibility criteria for the data science PG course. It may include:

• A 1st class bachelor’s degree/UG degree in data science, or equivalent, like statistics, engineering, mathematics, CS, AI, ML, or others. 
• The grades depend on the institute you choose for the master course. Normally, it requires a GPA of 2.6–3.0/4.0 or 60–65%
• Require English language proficiency score, i.e. IELTS 6.5 to 7.5. It also depends on the institute you apply for the master's course.

Course Duration 

The data science course time period is 1-2 years. Most top Universities in the United Kingdom offer 1 year MSc in data science program. The course duration may extend up to 2 years whereas the program/course includes a 1-year apprenticeship. 

Syllabus/Course Structure 

Normally, the MSc data science syllabus is vast. Also, the data science course details vary across universities, but more or less 90 percent is the same. The MSc program is divided mainly into two semesters, i.e. 1 year, covering the below-mentioned major subjects:

• Programming
• Machine Learning
• Data Mining
• Risk Analysis
• Probability and Statistics

Documents Required & Admission Process

To study MSc data science in UK, you need to follow the admission process and have the documents before applying. International students require the following prerequisites mentioned here -

• Certificate of Bachelor’s/UG 
• Scorecard of IELTS
• Statement of Purpose
• Letter of Recommendation 
• Passport copy 
• Proof of fund

The admission process is online. You need to visit the university website for which you want to apply for the MSc in data science in the UK, or you can contact a study abroad consultant who can help you from start to finish in your admission process. 

Career Opportunities

There is a huge career opportunity for graduates in data science in the UK. Students can work in diverse fields of data science, AI, and machine learning. Most top universities in the UK provide authentic resources to prepare students for the jobs. They don’t offer campus placements, but 90% and more students get placed after completing their MSc program. The common job roles are - 

Scholarships 

Scholarships for the Masters in Data Science program for international students can be up to 50% of tuition fees though need-based scholarships are less common in the UK for this program. Some of the top scholarships for MSc data science in UK are - 

• Chevening Scholarships
• Commonwealth Scholarships
• GREAT Scholarships
• University-specific Scholarships
• Royal Society Scholarships

ROI

Normally, the annual tuition fees for the MSc program in Data Science in the UK range from GBP 20,000 to GBP 41,000. Some universities also offer discounts for 1 year, a one-time payment option, or allow payment in 2 installments. If the average salary of a data science professional is GBP 34000 per year, then the return on investment would be in 1 to 1 and half years or less time. 

The Bottom Line

Let us close by saying that big data has become a widely discussed subject in IT and core tech areas, due to the surge in demand for Data Science professionals. Many top Universities in the United Kingdom offer MSc in Data Science programs. If you want to be a part of the data science journey, an MSc in Data Science UK from a top University in the world can be the best program of your choice. 

If you have further questions about the MSc in Data Science UK, feel free to contact Education Vibes. Our experts are here to help you!