Data Science MSc
Study level: Postgraduate
Data is everywhere. As the volume and complexity of data collected continues to grow, there is increasing demand for expertise in data science to support the analysis and visualisation of all this information.
Year of entry
2023-24
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Course code
EECT109
Start date
September 2023
January 2024
May 2024
Course overview
The MSc Data Science is a conversion course for graduates from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds looking to pursue a career, or upskill, in this new and rapidly developing field. Data Scientists are in short supply and there is high demand for data science skills across sectors including business, government, healthcare, science, finance, and marketing.
The aim of the MSc in Data Science is to support students with little previous experience of data analysis or computer programming and to help them to gain new skills such as working with databases; statistical thinking; programming in high-level languages; modelling; applying data science tools and packages; machine learning; data visualisation and addressing the challenges of big data.
Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
If you are curious about applying data to interesting questions, have an eye for data visualisation, are talented at communicating with experts or the public, or take logical approach to solving problems, then you could make a great member of a data science team in any organisation.
- This course has been designed specifically for graduates from a diverse range of disciplines to give them an opportunity to gain expertise from across the broad field of data science to help complement their existing skills and knowledge.
- The course aims to develop foundational skills in computer programming, data analysis, and mathematics, for those with little previous experience. These skills are developed in context alongside hands-on use of data science software tools across a range of common applications.
- The skills gained upon successful completion of this conversion course should complement existing knowledge and skills from your undergraduate study or work experience, such as formulating questions, building arguments, writing reports, delivering presentations, creative problem solving, and a curiosity about data.
- Features of the course include working with other students with different experiences and perspectives and having the opportunity to gain broad experience of working with a variety of types of data to address diverse and interesting questions.
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:
Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2023-24 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.
Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems. Whilst Coventry University anticipates that these reviews will continue to be successful, if they were to be unsuccessful, the relevant module in this course would no longer be accredited and we would notify applicants and students of this change as soon as possible.
CWLEP chair upskills with data science course
Technology entrepreneur Sarah Windrum believes Coventry University’s Data Science MSc course will help her business and aid her role as Chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).
Discover how the course is helping Sarah
What you'll study
Data Science is a broad multidisciplinary field encompassing everything from cleaning and managing data to data visualisation and deploying predictive models.
The course supports students from diverse backgrounds to develop the necessary foundations of data science in computer programming, data analysis and statistical thinking, before building more specialised knowledge and skills in data management, machine learning, and the technological challenge of dealing with big data. Throughout the course there are many opportunities for you to build on your existing knowledge and experience from your undergraduate degree or workplace, and gain experience in the analysis of data of a variety of kinds and sizes.
The course maintains a balance between hands-on technology-dependent practical skills using modern software, knowledge and understanding of specialist methods and algorithms in learning from data, mathematical language and foundations, and broader issues around data ethics, data protection and communication with stakeholders of all kinds. In particular, the course covers: programming and software development in a high-level programming languages such as Python and R; data analytics, statistical modelling and programming with data; mathematical foundations of data science such as modelling, linear algebra, and probability; data management systems for structured and unstructured data; big data management, distributed databases and data visualisation; machine learning algorithms for learning from data; and a range of data science applications, tools, projects and current issues.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Taught modules will be delivered in a block teaching style. This means that all teaching for each module will be consolidated into a condensed number of weeks.
Teaching methods may include a combination of:
- Lectures
- Problem-solving workshops
- Supervised computer laboratory sessions
- In-class discussions and presentations
- Directed reading
- Formative assessments
This course can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. While we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please request information about studying this course part-time.
Teaching contact hours
A 15-credit module will typically have approximately 30 hours of contact time associated with it, while a 30-credit module will have approximately 60 hours of contact time. This may include a combination of, but may not be limited to, lectures, group sessions, laboratory sessions and support sessions. In addition, you will be expected to undertake significant self-study of around 25-35 hours each week depending on the demands of individual modules.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include coursework, tests, reports, projects, group work, presentations, and formal examinations.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
| Student | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £11,200 | Request fee information |
| International | £20,050 | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
-
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities4:
Cisco lab
The Cisco lab is used for working with general networking and towards accreditation by Cisco. Optional modules allow students to work in the lab to develop skills in preparation for the Cisco certification exam.
Virtual labs
Our virtual labs provide a cutting-edge environment to create entire virtual networks, complete with services, users and even attackers. Students can access this environment from anywhere on or off campus.
Games Technology lab
This lab contains high-end gaming PCs with the capacity to run industry standard games engines and programming environments. It also supports Virtual Reality (VR) game development.
Careers and opportunities
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate systematic knowledge and critical understanding of core and advanced topics in data science and its theoretical foundations.
- Design and evaluate computer systems for the storage, organisation, management, retrieval and processing of different types of information and sizes of datasets, including distributed systems.
- Use an analytical approach, statistical thinking and a comprehensive understanding of appropriate models, methods, algorithms and software tools to analyse data of a variety of types, and identify the limitations of any analysis.
- Demonstrate practical skills and capabilities related to employment, including working effectively and constructively as part of a team, leading a team, motivating and communicating complex ideas accurately to experts and non-experts, and technical expertise with modern data science tools and technologies.
- Identify and apply appropriate practices within a professional, legal, social, cultural and ethical framework, including complex, inter-related, multi-faceted issues that can be found in a variety of organisations and professional contexts.
- Apply research skills such as planning research, and critical analysis of information from appropriate sources, demonstrate awareness of current issues and show originality in the application of knowledge where appropriate.
Data Scientists are in short supply and there is high demand for data science skills across business, government, healthcare, science, finance, and marketing (to name a few).
Successful graduates of this course should be well prepared to join a team in an organisation related to their undergraduate discipline (contributing data analytics skills alongside their subject knowledge) or a specialist data science team in a more general organisation or consultancy.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
How to apply
-
UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
-
International students
Full-time international students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
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