Data Science MSc

The leading employers for data scientists tend to be in the finance, retail and ecommerce sectors. Businesses in these sectors are keen to better understand their audience groups to target their focus on relevant products and offerings. However, there are opportunities in an increasingly wide range of jobs: recent adverts include posts in the arts and heritage (including the National Gallery), UNICEF, publishing and the UK Parliament. Jobs are also available with: government departments, NHS, universities and research institutes. The individual can be promoted to more senior data science roles within a given company, which may involve line management of junior data scientists. Promotion from junior to senior data scientist can take between two to five years. The skills acquired are transferable across a range of sectors so it can be relatively easy to move into different companies. Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers' Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.

1-2 years, full-time In this conversion course you will learn how to interrogate existing data sets to solve problems and communicate your solutions with maximum visual impact to a range of audiences. Employers are looking for data scientists with arts and social sciences backgrounds as well as from the sciences. All you need is an interest in basic coding and maths skills., Data Science MSc Data Science MSc, PGDipData Science MSc, PGDip, 1-2 years, full-time In this conversion course you will learn how to interrogate existing data sets to solve problems and communicate your solutions with maximum visual impact to a range of audiences. Employers are looking for data scientists with arts and social sciences backgrounds as well as from the sciences. All you need is an interest in basic coding and maths skills. Start date, The programme will suit you if you are keen to solve interesting real-world problems using a data-focussed approach, have effective communication skills and an interest in computer programming. You don't need to have high level maths or computing skills to enrol on the programme, although if you have a degree in either mathematical sciences or computing you will be able to develop your specialist skills further. The programme requires a willingness to develop your understanding of mathematics and we will provide access to resources and a range of support to develop your skills. You will have access to materials tailored to the maths need of each module, either within the module teaching itself, for from other University resources such as our Centre for Academic Achievement. Similarly, we have resources to give you familiarity with Python and R, the two high-level computer languages used on the course. We will provide you with a suitable laptop to help you on your data journey. The programme will give you the skills to use cutting-edge data science tools to solve important problems in a wide range of areas (science, business, the arts and culture, government). The programme focus is just as much on the skills of creative and ethical problem solving as it is on developing technical skills. We recognise that all of us will need to work with artificial intelligence tools in the future, and for the benefit of humanity data science teams must include experts with a diverse range of skills, experience and background. Also, recent developments in programming tools coupled with intelligent use of AI assistance mean that it is not necessary to have a degree in computer science or mathematics to develop powerful data-driven solutions in a professional and ethical manner., 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in any subject., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard., Course Data Science with a Year in Industry Qualification MSc Duration 2 years, full-time Start Dates September each year, January 2026 Availability Apply Now

Many data science models are already built wholly or partly by artificial intelligence. We'll teach you to use the output of artificial intelligence tools (such as large language models like ChatGPT and modern program development environments) in an effective and professional way, enabling you to quickly design and implement data science workflows appropriate for a wide range of tasks. We place as much emphasis on choosing models that are appropriate for a particular circumstance and validating model outputs and auditing consequences of model use as on the coding for the model. These higher level skills are the ones most in demand by employers. We also recognise that in many applications complex machine learning models are not required: most of the work (and most of the value) is in cleaning, joining, and querying existing data sets, visualising the results, and communicating the information extracted in an impactful way. With this qualification, you could find yourself working in data journalism or museums, environmental NGOs, public services or businesses - there is a need for data scientists in every sector of the economy.

Starting in September 2026

• MSc: £12,400
• PGDip: £8,260
• MSc with Industry: £12,400
An additional fee will be charged if a placement is secured. If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee. Find out more about tuition fees, scholarships and funding.International StudentsStarting in September 2026
• MSc: £24,250
• PGDip: £16,150
• MSc with Industry: £24,250
An additional fee will be charged if a placement is secured. You will need to pay a deposit to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee., Environmental Data Science MSc/PGDip, full-timeGeographical Data Science MSc/PGDip, full-timeSatellite Data Science MSc/PGDip, full-time,
• Placements last between nine and eleven months and are normally paid, full-time roles with a formal contract between you and the employer.
• Placements begin after the taught part of your course finishes. After your placement has finished, you will return to the University to complete your dissertation or individual project.
• You will gain valuable industry experience, helping you develop key skills and enhance your career prospects.
Important information Securing an industrial placement is very competitive. While the University will fully support you in your search for a placement, securing a placement is not guaranteed. You will be responsible for applying to, and securing, an opportunity. You will receive support from:
• The Careers and Employability Service, which provides access to placement opportunities, job search strategies, CV and cover letter advice, and interview preparation.
• A dedicated Placement Tutor, who will guide you during your placement and help you reflect on the skills and experience gained., Gain an understanding of working in a professional setting (industry, commercial, or non-commercial).
• Experience real-world business and technical challenges.
• Develop hands-on experience in project management and working to deadlines.
• Improve your employment prospects through essential transferable skills.
• Gain a clearer understanding of the career path you wish to pursue.
An Industrial Placement still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. You may also be eligible for financial support through Student Finance. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details. The modules listed reflect those currently available to students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.Why Leicester Load the video related to: Study Data Science MSc at University of LeicesterStudy Data Science MSc at University of Leicester This MSc is accessible for students from a wide range of academic disciplines - without the requirement for a strong mathematical background.Teaching and learning Teaching will be a mixture of lectures, tutorials and computer-based practical classes. The emphasis will be on problem-based learning with a significant amount of activity being group work (including the final dissertation). Assessment is a mixture of examinations and project-based coursework (both individual and group).