Course summary
There is an increasing demand for data scientists across all industry sectors, from healthcare and tech to finance, retail and beyond. This programme enables graduates of various disciplines to take advantage of the growing career opportunities in this field, by teaching the essential Computational Thinking (CT) and data analysis skills needed by employers today. Over the last 5 years, there has been an enormous increase in demand for Data Scientists across almost every industry sector, from tech and finance to energy, retail, healthcare and cybersecurity. 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 not only are highly skilled in a wide range of statistical and data analysis tools, but who can go far beyond classical statistics and machine learning to gain real insights from data. The MSc Data Science programme is specifically designed to address this challenge. Unlike many other data science programmes, this MSc goes beyond statistics and big data, to use a Computational Thinking (CT) approach to data science, one that applies logical thinking, sequencing and algorithms to create solutions to problems across many disciplines and industries. The multidisciplinary focus of the programme also means that it is open to qualified applicants from across a wide range of academic backgrounds, including science, technology, engineering and medicine (STEM), but also 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 industry are covered. You will also gain proficiency in the use of Wolfram Mathematica programme.
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
Students who need a visa to live or study in the UK must apply for ATAS clearance. The ATAS clearance certificate must be valid when you apply for a visa to enter the UK. You can apply for an ATAS certificate with a Conditional offer and up to 6 months before your programme start date. To find out if you need to apply for ATAS clearance, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme. The CAH3 code for this degree is CAH07-01-01. 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.
This course has a subject classification which requires students whose nationality is outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to have an ATAS certificate, irrespective of country of residence at the point of application.
Further information can be found on the UK Government's website: www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme
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
| Republic of Ireland | £12154 | Year 1 |
| EU | £27000 | Year 1 |
| England | £12154 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £12154 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £12154 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £12154 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £27000 | Year 1 |
| International | £27000 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Tuition fees given are at the full-time rate. The part-time fee rate for taught postgraduate programmes is 50% of the relevant full-time fee rate.
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