In today’s digital age, data has great value, which has given birth to several promising careers like Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and Data Engineer. UK Universities are going with the trend by providing a variety of courses at the postgraduate level for students to specialise in Data Analytics. According to a report, the number of data scientist jobs has increased by 231% in the UK in the past five years. A Master’s in Data Science in UK will help you gain in-depth knowledge about the field and increase your chances of securing well-paid data scientist jobs. This blog explains the benefits of studying MS in data science in the UK, the application process of universities, and the cost of studying.
Master’s In Data Science In UK- Overview
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The United Kingdom is home to some popular institutes offering an MS in Data Science program as a postgraduate degree. The full-time MS in Data Science program is one year, and few universities offer this program as a part-time with a duration of up to 2 years. It is a one-year full-time course during which you will learn data science research methods, mathematics, computational methods, and machine learning, among other important topics.
Scope of Studying Master’s In Data Science In UK
Before we explore in-depth details about Master’s in Data Science in UK, let’s first understand why you should consider the UK to study the course. So here is the scope of data science in the UK.
- Quality Education– The UK education system is strict in terms of quality. Several government-recognised bodies in the UK provide accreditations to universities based on the standards of teaching, making it easier for students to filter out the best universities.
- Innovative Teaching– The universities in the UK use the latest tools and techniques to impart education along with traditional methods. They focus on enhancing problem-solving skills in students and also encourage independent thinking.
- Research Opportunities– The UK has been ranked the second-best country in the world for research. They have a high citation impact in different fields, and over 50% of their research is world-class.
- Advanced Facilities- UK universities have the most advanced laboratories to enhance the learning experience that this course offers.
- Employment Opportunities- Students with a Master’s degree in Data Science have around a 96% employment rate. The job opportunities are high due to the increasing demand for this course.
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Top Colleges for Data Science Courses in UK
Let’s explore the best data science master’s in the UK. Here is the list of the top five universities that offer a master’s in data science in the UK, along with the cost of studying in those institutions.
1. Imperial College of London
The Imperial College of London is considered one of the best colleges in the UK for studying data science. The institution partnered with Le Wagon, an ed-tech platform that organises data science boot camps. This partnership aims to equip students with practical data science skills. The Imperial College London offers a one-year full-time program with training in theoretical and applied statistics and focuses on Data Science. The modules will focus on the scientific handling of data at scale, data transformation and representation, data visualisation, etc.
| QS World Ranking | 6 |
| Programme offered | MSc Statistics (Data Science) |
| Average tuition fees | £ 30,365 |
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2. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is a world-renowned institute for teaching and research, making it one of the oldest universities in the UK. The cross-disciplinary culture of the University attracts students from different parts of the world. The University of Edinburgh offers both full-time and part-time Data Science courses. The course covers all essential skills required to pursue a career in Data Science, including research, programming, technical background, etc. Students will have two semesters of project work, lectures and assignments.
| QS World Ranking | 15 |
| Programme offered | MSc Data Science |
| Average tuition fees | £ 39,800 |
3. University College London (UCL)
UCL is a leading multi-disciplinary university in London, consistently ranking among the top 20 universities in the world. UCL provides a 1-year study duration for this course, helping students to develop problem-solving skills. The program mainly focuses on training in two categories, statistics and machine learning, with a range of optional modules providing you with some extra skills and knowledge in data science.
| QS World Ranking | 8 |
|---|---|
| Programme offered | MSc Data Science |
| Average tuition fees | £35,100 |
4. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
LSE is a leading university in the UK known for imparting knowledge on real-world issues, from economics, politics and law to sociology, anthropology, accounting and finance.MS in Data Science at LSE helps you learn a wide range of technical and practical skills. All training will be provided via the advanced Data Science methodology. Students will get the best learning experiences, from advanced computer lab sessions to the latest teaching and learning methods. MSc in Data Science from LSE has the following two core modules:
- Fundamental aspects of data
- Computational techniques and statistical analysis
Optional modules include AI and Deep Learning, Computational Data Science, Financial Statistics, and more.
| QS World Ranking | 56 |
|---|---|
| Programme offered | MSc Data ScienceMSc Health Data Science |
| Average tuition fees | £32,200 |
5. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the most prestigious universities known for its quality of teaching and research. The University of Leeds focuses on training students to develop four sets of skills: analysing unstructured data and large datasets, gathering insights from data and then evaluating the results. The university offers modern facilities like study rooms and problem-solving spaces for students. Through the Master’s course in Advanced Computer Science (Data Analytics) at the University of Leeds, candidates create a base in diverse subjects like machine learning, programming, and algorithms.
| QS World Ranking | 86 |
|---|---|
| Programme offered | MSc Data Analytics |
| Average tuition fees | £26,500 |
Scholarships for Studying a Data Science Course in UK
Following are the scholarships for Master’s in Data Science in UK:
| Name of the scholarship | Offered by | Scholarship amount |
| King’s International Scholarship | King’s College London | £25,000 |
| Birmingham Master’s Scholarship Scheme | University of Birmingham | £2,354 |
| Chancellor’s International Scholarship | University of Sussex | 50% fee waiver |
| College of Science and Engineering Scholarship | University of Glasgow | £10,000 towards tuition fees |
| GREAT Scholarship | British Council | £10,000 waiver on tuition fees |
Finding the best scholarships based on your interests and skills is a challenge. Start your scholarship search just by choosing your preferred country and degree. Leap Scholar’s scholarship finder provides a free, up-to-date, comprehensive list of scholarships, grants and other awards that are available to international students from different parts of the world.
Eligibility Criteria & Documents required
Some of the common requirements for getting admitted to the best Data Science universities in UK:
Bachelor’s Degree– International students will have to clear their bachelor’s degree with first-class or an upper second-class (minimum 60%) in Computer Science, Data Science or a relevant discipline.
Work Experience- Most UK universities don’t require work experience. However, work experience can be an added advantage if you have lower scores.
Language Requirements-International applicants must also provide their English proficiency. The average IELTS and TOEFL score requirements are 7.0 and 100, respectively.
Documents – Universities might also require specific documents like personal statements, letters of recommendation, an updated CV, portfolio and degree transcripts.
Admission process: Master’s in Data Science in UK
The admission process for MS in Data Science in UK is common for all students. You are required to apply online on the college’s official website along with your transcripts and documents. You also provide your IELTS or TOEFL score. Some colleges also conduct interviews and essay submissions. The application process that needs to be followed is as follows:
- Shortlist the best universities in UK with MS in Data Science courses.
- Visit the official website to apply.
- Verify all the eligibility criteria and requirements.
- Fill out and submit the online application form along with the necessary documents.
- Pay the application fees
- Wait for the university to revert back
- Finally, accept the offer and apply for a UK student visa.
Career Opportunities after Master’s in Data Science in UK
Master’s in Data Science in the UK is in high demand. There are multiple data science jobs in the UK for international students to consider. We have covered some of the top job titles here:
| Job title | Average Salary in pounds |
| Big Data Analyst | 51,550 |
| Qualitative Analyst | 75,550 |
| Data Architect | 75,150 |
| Statistician | 40,590 |
| Data Scientist | 61,450 |
Also Read: Top 10 Universities For Masters In Data Science In Canada: Eligibility & Process
Also Read: MS in Data Science in USA: Universities & Course Details
Data science offers promising careers in the twenty-first century, with high pay and growth opportunities. As the use of data will continue to increase in the next few decades, so will the demand for data scientists. Pursuing a master’s degree in data science in the UK will help enhance your research skills. You will also get a chance to learn from industry leaders and learn practical insights about the data science career.
If you wish to pursue Master’s In Data Science In UK, Leap Scholar can help you figure out the best college and guide you through the admission process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the career opportunities in Data Science in the UK?
Once you complete your master’s in data science from the UK, you can pursue a research career in data science or join as a junior data scientist in any company. You can become a senior data scientist after five years of professional experience. You can also apply to over 14,000 data scientist jobs in the UK on LinkedIn.
Is an online Master’s In Data Science In UK universities worth it?
If you are a working professional and wish to acquire data science skills that will help you in your current job or enhance your CV, an online master’s degree in data science from the top universities in the UK will be worth it. However, if you want a career specifically in data science, it is best to pursue a full-time master’s degree in the UK.
What are the most important skills required for data science?
Some of the most common skills required for data science are statistics, computational techniques, data mining, data analysis, data engineering, data visualisation, data management, programming, data modelling, cyber security, and machine learning. You can acquire these skills while pursuing MS in data science in the UK, as a lot of universities have core modules in these areas.
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