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Course summary

Data scientists are in high demand because they can interrogate data and use analytics to find patterns, trends and relationships in data sets. This information can then be used in everything from predicting consumer behaviour to accelerating the development of promising new drugs. With our practical BSc (Hons) Data Science degree, we'll help prepare you for a successful career. You'll benefit from our industry links, well-equipped computer labs, smaller class sizes and experienced and supportive staff. Why study this subject? Data science can be described, in simple terms, as the study of data. The information and their assessment of big data can reveal interpretations and insights that can be utilised in many contexts, such as:

  • businesses predicting and capitalising on consumer behaviour
  • banking institutions detecting fraud
  • investors using a combination of big data and artificial intelligence to make more informed investment choices
  • pharmaceutical companies using data analysis to accelerate the development of promising drugs.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? On this degree programme, you'll be able to explore the many contexts and uses of data analysis across different industries, from how it's being used in banking to help with fraud detection, to understanding how investors are able to use a combination of big data and artificial intelligence to make more informed investment choices. At BNU, we always provide our students with opportunities to work on real-life scenarios, business challenges and work-relevant problems whenever we can which is why your experience as a student with us will be so unique. We have a fantastic computing department with a dedicated team of academics and professionals delivering industry-relevant courses in a suite of well-equipped computer labs. You’ll benefit from small class sizes that give you a chance to develop close working relationships with the tutors and other students. You'll also benefit from guest speakers and valuable networking opportunities. This programme isn't just aimed at recent school and college leavers, we also welcome applications from mature candidates who may have aspirations to return to education, perhaps as a springboard towards a significant career change. This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree. What will I study? This programme will provide you with a strong grounding in the technologies and systems that underpin the secure storage, sharing, analysis and presentation of data in various situations for different purposes. This will include a broad education in computer architectures, networks, information security, programming, databases, web technology and software engineering. Data analysis will naturally represent a central theme on the course. Technologies, information systems and different associated components will then be used to transform data into significant information so that stakeholders can report findings and make evidence-based decisions. What are my career prospects? With a data science degree, you could work across a broad range of areas, in a wide range of roles, such as:
  • Ecommerce
  • Finance
  • Government
  • Health
  • Information technology
  • Retail
  • Scientific research
  • Applications Architect
  • Data Architect
  • Data Engineer
  • Data Scientist
  • Enterprise Architect
  • Infrastructure Architect Machine
  • Learning Engineer
  • Machine Learning Scientist.

Modules

Year one Preparing for Success: Knowledge and Creativity Preparing for Success: Self Development and Responsibility Inquiry Based Learning Digital Media Computing Essentials Year two Computer Architectures Programming Concepts Database Design Web Development Networking Application Programming Data Warehousing Digital Technologies and Professional Practice Year three Web Applications Big Data Information Security Business Intelligence Data Presentation and Visualisation Statistical Methods Software Engineering Intro to Intelligent Systems (Team Project) Year four Project Data Science (optional) Database Development Knowledge-Based Systems in A.I. Cloud Computing (optional) Legal Aspects of IT Database Technologies (optional) Learning Machines and Intelligent Agents (optional) Network Security (optional)

Assessment method

A variety of approaches, and good use of the latest technology, will be blended together to engage students in learning in class and beyond, and to encourage full student participation. Lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical sessions will all be appropriately utilised, with a gradual progression from formal teaching towards more student-centred and independent learning, through the levels of the programme. Your course will be fully supported by the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), a digitally based platform that offers many features and resources to support and enhance your learning experience. Different strategies will be adopted to provide real-world contextualisation and engagement, for example, guest lecturers, live briefs, work-related projects and external visits. Work and activities within the modules, including the formal assessments, will have a strong focus on real world scenarios. There'll be a variety of assessments across your course, in part to give you exposure to the variety of situations you'll face in your professional life, but also to direct and focus your learning of many interesting, and career-relevant, topics. Assessments are then designed to help you learn and apply relevant knowledge, concepts and skills whilst developing those competencies and characteristics needed to be successful in education and employment. You'll complete different types of coursework like written assignments, practical exercises, presentations and other individual or group tasks alongside some tests or exams. The Project in your final year represents a major piece of independent research focused on some significant problem, which can be linked to some current business challenge or an idea that will support your own career aspirations. Formal and informal feedback on your work will be regularly provided to support and direct your learning and development.. Course assignments reflect real-life problems because we believe that’s the best way to learn – and it’s more fun! We also encourage you to gain work experience whilst studying and actively look for clients for your project work, which provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills in a work-base setting.


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
DSC4
Institution code:
B94
Campus name:
Buckinghamshire New University
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

For information about applying to Buckinghamshire New University as an International applicant, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/international

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the 3-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a Level 4 course, will be considered for the 4-year programme including a Foundation Year.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks/general-entry-requirements


Unistats information

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
EU £15000* Year 1
International £15000* Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Additional fee information

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Sponsorship information

Buckinghamshire New University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/financial-support-bursaries-and-scholarships

Data Science with Foundation Year at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS