MSc Data Science
Course overview
Start date
September 2018
Subject area
Computing
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Learning
On campus
Course summary
The MSc in Data Science is aimed at providing opportunities for students who wish to establish expertise and employment in data-centric, largely quantitative areas within a broad range of professional disciplines and areas of employment. A cross-disciplinary approach is therefore central to the delivery of the programme.
According to Hal Varian, Google Chief Economist, “The ability to take data - to be able to understand it, to process it, to extract value from it, to visualize it, to communicate it - that’s going to be a hugely important skill in the next decades.” It is these skills and the knowledge that underpins them that are the focus of this programme.
Contact us
If you have any questions, talk to a member of our Applicant Enquiries team on +44 (0) 20 8223 3333 or email study@uel.ac.uk.
Get in touchFlexible
This programme is very popular for both home and international students. The taught components are delivered in block mode, allowing working professional at home and abroad to more easily take the course and fit it in with their busy schedules.
Student focused
Integration of concepts, techniques and applications to enhance students’ knowledge and skills in the analytics pipeline.
Expert software
Open Source software tools which are widely used in the field of Data Science to extract value from data.
What we're researching
Data analysis, data mining and modelling, Geocomputation and mapping, data management.
Professor Brimicombe is Head of the Centre for Geo-Information Studies at UEL. He is a Chartered Geographer, an Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences, a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, a fellow of Royal Geographical Society, deputy chair of the National Statistician’s Crime Statistics Advisory Committee, non-executive committee member of the British Society of Criminology. He has been a Specialist Advisor to the House of Lords.
Allan's expertise focuses around cross-disciplinary applications of Geo-Information Science and Data Science. Allan pioneered the use of geo-information systems and environmental simulation modelling. His other research interests include data quality issues, spatial data mining and analysis, predictive analytics and location-based services (LBS). These have been applied to crime, health, education, natural hazards, utilities and business.
Allan’s recent projects include Olympic Games Impact Studies and Smart City studies.
Dr Yang Li is a senior research fellow at UEL. He is a fellow of Royal Geographical Society and a member of Association of Geographic Information.
Yang has rich experiences in both applications and research of Data Science and Geo-Information Science. He has expertise in data integration, data mining and data modelling. Particularly, he is a specialist in geocomputational analysis including data quality modelling and sensitivity analysis.
Yang’s recent projects include Olympic Games Impact Studies, the Prevent Project of the Home Office and TURaS.
Making a difference
UEL is one of the UK’s leading modern research universities. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 17 per cent of our overall research submission was classified as ‘world-leading’ for its quality and impact – almost double our previous REF score. A further 45 per cent of our work was considered ‘internationally excellent’.
Maddie King
MSc Data Science
This course has helped me to develop my data analysis skills and in understanding the use of data in society, and guess what….I can now programme open-source software, which will give me confidence in my future career.
Fees and funding
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,280 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses.
To see our full eligibility criteria and how to apply click here
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below are some the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount - 15% fee waiver
- Early Payment Discount - 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seeker scholarship - 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement - £1,000
- Harship bursary - up tp £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
- Team UEL - £1,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• Online payment facilities
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer Full information on making payments can be found here
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time
- Look at Research Council Awards
- Check out the Professional and Career Development Loans
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,280 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses.
To see our full eligibility criteria and how to apply click here
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below are some the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount - 15% fee waiver
- Early Payment Discount - 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seeker scholarship - 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement - £1,000
- Harship bursary - up tp £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
- Team UEL - £1,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• Online payment facilities
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer Full information on making payments can be found here
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time
- Look at Research Council Awards
- Check out the Professional and Career Development Loans
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Per 30 credit module
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082234444 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages (www.uel.ac.uk/isa) for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and Maths.
INTERNATIONAL
(Including European Union)
We accept a range of qualifications from across the world. Please see our country pages for information on specific entry requirements for your country.
As an inclusive university we recognise that applicants who have been out of education for some time may not have the formal qualifications usually required for entry to a course. We welcome applications from those who can demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to study and have relevant life/work experience that equips them to succeed on the course. We will assess this from the information provided in your application (particularly your personal statement) and may ask you to attend an interview or submit a piece of work to help us decide on your eligibility for the course. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll study
- Data Ecology (core)
- Quantitative Data Analysis (core)
- Advanced Decision Making - Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning (core)
- Spatial Data Analysis (option)
- Qualitative Data Analysis (option)
- Research Dissertation (core)
How you'll be assessed
All the learning outcomes of the programme are assessed through:
• Laboratory session portfolios
• Coursework
• Research dissertation
How you'll learn
This programme includes four taught modules and a Research Dissertation, and is available in full-time and part-time modes. Delivery of taught modules is by block and blended learning.
Each taught module is based on one week's intensive attendance at the UEL Docklands campus, according to an advertised calendar, usually at the beginning of each semester. Students are expected to have a laptop computer for in-class practical sessions. During the remainder of the semester, students can work on their reading, practical components (from a workbook) and coursework. Students will be supported on campus or online by tutorials. The taught modules on this programme are available to be taken as credit bearing short courses by suitably qualified individuals.
What you'll learn
This course gives you the opportunity to look at data across a wide range of subjects and sources, including finance, crime, the environment, housing, education, demographics and social media.
You will gain hands-on experience of handling data through your course work, projects and analysis. Recent students have been analysing crime data, drawing on material similar to that used for research undertaken by our course leaders for the Metropolitan Police and Essex Police.
They have also conducted data projects for companies such as KPMG and Thames Water as well as for the Department of Department of Health and NHS Foundation Trusts.
Course modules include Data Ecology, Quantitative Data Analysis, Spatial Data Analysis and Advanced Decision Making, as well as your research dissertation.
The specialisms of our academic team include data cleansing, data integration, data mining, spatial analysis and predictive analytics and their research engages them in a variety of data from crime statistics to natural hazards and from public health to business. It keeps them at the forefront of new developments in the field.
The cross-disciplinary approach to the subject at the University of East London means you can follow your own area of interest, enhancing your knowledge and skills under the expert guidance of your researchers.
“Our definition of Data Science is the science, engineering and practice of extracting value from data that impacts business, governance and society,” says Course Leader, Professor Allan Brimicombe.
“We strive to maximise the potential of all our students so they can make valuable to contributions to, and enhance their careers in this new fast-growing and vibrant sector.”
Your future career
The advantage of studying this programme is that it will uniquely qualify students in a field that is increasingly recognised as being central to most professional areas and for which job opportunities have been rising exponentially. Holders of an MSc in Data Science will have an advanced qualification in this area and it will prepare them for a professional or research career. Holders of this qualification will be eligible to apply for membership of the Royal Statistical Society.
Our students are professionals and graduates from a diverse range of disciplines. All are improving their career options and general expertise in this expanding market. They include data analysts from local councils, an IT teacher, an accountant, a chief software architect from Bermuda, a business manager with EDF Energy, a systems analyst, a system design analyst with Microsoft, a psychologist. Other students have graduated from IT, sports science, neuroscience, microbiology, mathematics, physics, business, economics, law, civil engineering and international management.
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