Introduction

From business and finance or health and medicine to infrastructure or education, data science plays a vital role in all aspects of the modern world. Our MSc programme will ensure you have an advanced level of skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve your career aspirations.

Studying for an MSc in Data Science at Lancaster will provide you with the perfect environment to develop an expertise in the discipline. Your study will build upon the fundamentals of data science, and our specialist pathways will allow you to practice and enhance technical skills while gaining professional knowledge that will support and advance your career aspirations.

You will complete five core modules and up to three optional modules spread over two years. Studying the core modules will ensure you have a solid advanced grounding in the subject to support your choice of specialism.

You can choose from two specialisms according to your background and interests:

• Computing
• Statistical Inference

In taking one of these routes, you will gain access to a range of exciting, advanced pathway-specific modules. These modules will allow you either to enhance your understanding of data science technologies; or to gain expertise in the application of data science to business intelligence, bioinformatics, population health, the environment, or the study of society. Our specialist modules will provide you with detailed, expert knowledge and will enhance your employability. This format means that you will be equipped to apply for any data science-related career while providing you with an advantage in many industries.

In addition to these taught modules, you will also have the opportunity to undertake a 12-week placement either within industry or as part of an academic research project at the end of Year 2. This will provide you with a fantastic opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge to real-world situations and challenges, allowing you to gain valuable professional experience and demonstrate a working grasp of the discipline.

The placement project represents a substantial, independent research project. Supervised by an academic, you will develop your ability to gather and analyse data, draw valuable conclusions, and present findings in a professional environment. This research will be an opportunity to bring together everything you have learnt over the year, exercise your ability to solve problems and manage a significant project. This will be a great experience for you to draw upon in an interview and in your career.

Students are expected to be able to attend lectures and practical sessions during term time and to engage in group projects. You are also expected to be able to attend any examinations in the summer.

Assessment

We offer an excellent range of learning environments, which include traditional lectures, laboratories, and workshops. We are also committed to providing timely feedback for all submitted work and projects.

Assessment varies across modules, allowing students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways, including laboratory reports, essays, exercises, literature reviews, short tests, poster sessions, oral presentations, and formal examination.

Community

We have a great relationship with our students and alumni, who have praised the School for its ambition, positivity and friendly atmosphere. By providing a number of support methods, accessible at any stage of your degree, we strive to give our students the best opportunity to fulfil their potential and attract the very best opportunities for a successful career. Our academics are welcoming and helpful, you will be assigned an academic advisor who can offer advice and recommended reading, and our open door policy has been a popular feature among our students. We believe in encouraging and inspiring our computing and communications scientists of the future.