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Data Literacy for Justice at University of St Andrews - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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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 fully online programme will provide you with skills in critical thinking, statistical modelling, spatial data, data visualisation and science communication to allow you to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges. We’ll teach you how to effectively interpret and use data to drive meaningful change, which we relate to the three pillars set out below:

  • Social justice: to create a fair and just society where all individuals have equal access to opportunities, resources, and rights.
  • Environmental justice: where no group of people should bear an unfair share of negative environmental impacts.
  • Sustainability: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
First, our experts introduce the conceptual foundations of sustainability and the theories underpinning social and environmental justice, which serve as the basis for our practical case studies. Second, you will develop statistical and spatial data science capacities, with an emphasis on generating compelling evidence from data. This includes critical engagement with the use and misuse of data, the inherent biases in big data, and data ethics, alongside training in a range of statistical approaches, from foundational to advanced, for analysing diverse datasets. Finally, the programme draws on science communication and data visualisation techniques, enabling you to present data clearly and effectively for different audiences, including policymakers and the general public. This MSc is designed for students from diverse educational backgrounds, with varying skill levels and interests. Its built-in flexibility allows you to select the pathway that best suits your needs, letting you work with the types of data most relevant to your current or future field of practice. Highlights
  • Develop your understanding of key issues in social and environmental justice and their sociopolitical contexts, and theories of social change.
  • Build your confidence in responsibly collecting quality data, including key concepts for data analysis, spatial data science, data modelling using real datasets, and using open-source platforms.
  • Construct engaging and accessible narratives with data, including data visualisation for lay and expert audiences.
  • Practice effective public engagement strategies, including using journalism outlets and social media for impactful communication.
  • Enjoy the flexibility to start at the beginning if you don't have a background in statistics, or take a more advanced class to enhance your existing skills.
  • Boost your impact potential by diversifying your science communications and data visualisation toolboxes.

Modules

Please see the Modules section for information: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/geography/data-for-justice/

Assessment method

Opportunities to enhance your transferable skills, such as literature reviews, critical data reports, policy briefs, lab reports and science communication and public engagement portfolios.

Entry requirements

For entry onto the MSc: A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in any subject from the UK or the equivalent international qualification. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements. We will also consider applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree. In these circumstances we expect candidates to have at least five years of relevant professional learning. The Admissions team will holistically assess your application and determine the best route of entry for you. In some cases, this may be onto the PGCert in the first instance, from which students who attain a certain level in their modules will have the opportunity to progress to a full Masters degree. The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

English language requirements

For the current English language requirements please visit the English language requirements for postgraduate students webpage on the University of St Andrews website.

English language requirements for postgraduate students

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/entry/language-requirements/postgraduate/

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

For the most current information on course fees please visit: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/geography/data-for-justice/

Sponsorship information

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances. Find out more about the scholarships (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/scholarships/) and postgraduate loans (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees/loans/) available.

Data Literacy for Justice at University of St Andrews - UCAS