Course summary
The programme covers machine learning, big data analytics, data visualisation, and data management, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for careers in data science. We welcome graduates from a wide range of academic backgrounds who are looking to take advantage of the growing demand for data scientists across almost every industry sector today including finance, health, government, retail and manufacturing. Recent advances in data science, such as big data, predictive analytics, and AI technologies including ChatGPT and Bard AI are revolutionising the way organisations automate their processes, predict future trends, and engage with customers. However, as the volume, diversity and complexity of data being gathered continue to increase, the key challenge facing organisations today is how to make sense of data, and more importantly, how to use data to inform business decisions. To solve this problem, companies need data scientists who are not only highly skilled in a wide range of statistical and data analysis tools but who can go beyond statistics to gain real insights from data. The MSc Data Science programme is specifically designed to address this challenge. We go beyond classical statistics and data analysis to teach you how to apply logical thinking, machine learning and computer algorithms to come up with solutions to problems faced across many academic disciplines and industry sectors. The multidisciplinary and multisector focus of the MSc Data Science also means we welcome applications from a wide range of academic or professional backgrounds, including science, technology, engineering and medicine as well as the humanities, business and social sciences. This programme has been designed in collaboration with industry partners, including Wolfram Research, to ensure that the algorithms, tools and workflows required by the industry are covered. You will gain proficiency in the use of Wolfram Mathematica and learn the programming fundamentals that underpin languages such as Python and R. By the end of this programme, you will have developed the mathematical, computational and communication skills needed to produce meaningful insights that organisations can use to improve their performance.
Modules
A variety of modules including Introduction to Programming; Introduction to Data Science; Statistical and Time Series Analysis; Machine Learning.
Assessment method
View the programme page to find out more about how you will be assessed. You can be assessed by coursework, written or oral examination, essays, your dissertation and other methods of assessment relevant to your subject.
How to apply
International applicants
When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. In addition, it is important to check all immigration requirements regularly and before travelling, as they can change. Students without the necessary visa will be refused entry to the UK. You should allow plenty of time to organise your visa and ensure you are aware of all your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa. Please note that the advice provided via the University is the Student Visa category of the UK's Points Based Immigration Scheme. For further information, please visit the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
Entry requirements
A UK 2:2 (lower second class) Honours degree or equivalent in any subject will be considered.
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted |
Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for one year) Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Standard requirements are used by the Schools of Biological Sciences; Engineering; Geosciences; Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Natural and Computing Sciences; and Psychology. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
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
Sponsorship information
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/. The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX