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Data Science and Analytics at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

Course options

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course. Overview The World Economic Forum estimated there to be 40 times more data in the world than observable stars in the universe in 2020. Global businesses, social media companies, financial institutions, the healthcare sector and governments all rely on this data, and those who analyse it, to inform business-critical decisions at the highest level. On this BSc (Hons) Data Science and Analytics degree course, you’ll learn to confidently analyse the vast amounts of data available – a highly desired skill in all sectors. You'll learn to use databases, systems and analytical tools, such as the Relational Model and structured query language (SQL), to identify insights and trends to benefit businesses, like targeting new products or increasing sales. You'll find out how the same systems can be used to identify patterns in medical data, to predict disease or recovery, or in the fight against climate change. You'll develop a deep understanding of modern big data, machine learning and data mining methods, preparing you for key roles such as data analyst, data scientist, systems developer and systems analyst. Course highlights

  • Apply your analytical skills to practical problems and real-world datasets collected from our extensive research in areas such as cosmology, health information and cyber security
  • Develop commercial skills alongside technical data analysis, such as how to present and visualise your findings
  • Choose specialist modules that match your interests and career ambitions, such as ethical hacking, 3D computer graphics and animation, malware forensics, robotics and cryptography
  • Apply your skills through our work with charities and organisations such as Code Club, where you'll help 9-13-year-olds with their Scratch, HTML/CSS, and Python projects
  • Benefit from our Student Union clubs and societies, such as the IT Society, AI and Robotics Club and Gaming Society
Accreditation This course is accredited by the British Computer Society, partially meeting the educational requirement for CITP. Careers and opportunities Data scientist was identified as the 7th top emerging job role in the UK in LinkedIn's emerging jobs report 2020 and The Royal Society revealed a 231% growth in demand for data scientists and engineers between 2014 and 2019. The Government have also reported that UK companies are recruiting for 178,000 to 234,000 roles that require 'hard' data skills, including data ethics, programming, database management, data processing and visualisation. When you finish this course, you'll be equipped for a career in the data analytics and deep learning industry. With the high demand for data scientists, you can expect a starting salary from £25,000–£30,000, with the opportunity to earn up to £60,000 once you're experienced in the field. What jobs can you do with a data science and analytics degree? Previous students have gone on to work as:
  • data analysts
  • data engineers
  • data architects
  • information analysts
Other graduates have continued their studies at postgraduate level or set up successful businesses with help and support from the University. After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career. "Data Warehousing and Mining were my favourite subjects – learning how big data is stored and utilised was deeply interesting and engaging. The staff here are friendly and knowledgeable and my course provided a me with the skills I needed to land my dream job." Azdean Smith, BSc (Hons) Computing Student

Modules

Year 1 Core modules in this year include:

  • Architecture and Operating Systems (20 credits)
  • Core Computing Concepts (20 credits)
  • Database Systems Development (20 credits)
  • Practical Data Science (20 credits)
  • Programming (40 credits)
There are no optional modules in this year. Year 2 Core modules in this year include:
  • Applied Machine Learning and Data Mining (20 credits)
  • Big Data (20 credits)
  • Data Structures and Algorithms (20 credits)
  • Database Principles (20 credits)
  • Software Engineering Theory and Practice (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year currently include:
  • 3D Computer Graphics and Animation (20 credits)
  • Computing Undergraduate Ambassador (20 credits)
  • Ethical Hacking (20 credits)
  • Exchange Study Abroad (40 credits)
  • Web Programming (20 credits)
Year 3 Core modules in this year include:
  • Business Analytics (20 credits)
  • Individual Project (Engineering) (40 credits)
  • Open Innovations in Data Science (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year currently include:
  • Advanced Database Concepts (20 credits)
  • Artificial Intelligence (20 credits)
  • Complex Problem Solving (20 credits)
  • Digital Enterprise and Innovation (20 credits)
  • Graphics and Computer Vision (20 credits)
  • Internet of Things (20 credits)
  • Malware Forensics (20 credits)
  • Robotics (20 credits)
  • Security and Cryptography (20 credits)
  • Security Management (20 credits)
Exchange study abroad or placement year (optional) After your second or third year, you can do an optional study abroad or work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Previous students have completed work placements at well-known companies, such as IBM, UKCloud and Intel. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year. We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed through:

  • written assignments
  • presentations
  • group and individual lab-based assessments
  • projects
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future. The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:
  • Year 1 students: 33% by written exams and 67% by coursework
  • Year 2 students: 58% by written exams, 3% by practical exams and 39% by coursework
- Year 3 students: 22% by written exams and 78% by coursework

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • British Computer Society

How to apply

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
83%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
96%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £9535 Year 1
England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
International £19200 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship Placement Year and Year abroad (at the time of publishing for 2025/26): UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,430 EU – £1,430 International (Non-EU) – £2,875. Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Please check the course page on our website for the most up to date fee information. All fees are subject to annual increase. For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
Data Science and Analytics at University of Portsmouth - UCAS