It has been reported that the employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). However this growth will not just be in the US, but worldwide as more and more businesses plan to embrace digital transformation.
Data Scientists carry out applied research to create innovative data-driven solutions to business problems. Usually, they work with large, complex, varied, and unstructured data sets that are not suitable for using traditional data analysis approaches and techniques. This programme is specifically designed to enable you to develop this in-depth technical knowledge that will allow you to discover new data-driven solutions.
To accelerate your learning, you will be exposed to theories, methods, tools, and technologies (including SPSS and Tableau software packages; MySQL, Python, R language or similar) relating to the design, development and testing of data science applications for business intelligence.
You will train and deploy distributed machine learning models using a cloud-based platform such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure or AWS or similar and machine learning technology using TensorFlow. You will also be exposed to the fundamental concepts, principles, technologies, and techniques of big data analytics.
You will be able to apply this knowledge and skill in your context, and critically analyse the implementation and recommend future improvements. Recognising that information governance and cyber security are critical to the adoption and use of computing systems in businesses and organisations, you will also cover fundamental concepts, principles, techniques and tools of information governance and cyber security.
This Master’s programme has been designed to ensure that graduates will be equipped to work in a variety of careers in the IT industry or to progress to academic or research-orientated careers. Indeed, the qualification is designed to accelerate your skills and competence in a range of job roles, including roles in leadership and management such as:
Furthermore, this programme will prepare you to meet the educational requirements of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional.
Upon successfully completing your course, you may undertake further professional development and training through Professional Pathways programmes. These are offered to our graduates for free, from our partner, QA. Find out more information on Professional Pathways and your eligibility.
The Advanced Practice version of this course offers you a valuable opportunity to deepen your knowledge and enhance employability in your specialist field. This will be through completing additional 60 credit Advanced Practice module after when you have completed 120 credits of taught modules. This module will provide experiential learning opportunities.
These can either be a 12-week work placement, group consultancy project, research group project, 12-week Professional Skills Practice, 12-week Enterprise Start Up or 12-week Multidisciplinary Innovation project. This experience gives you the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge acquired during the taught part of your programme and to acquire new skills and knowledge in an alternative learning environment. Specific learning will be defined in a personal learning contract.
The Advanced Practice programmes are structured as below:
| Sept-Jan | Jan-May | May-Sept | Sept-Jan | Jan-May | May-Sept | Sept-Jan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September starts | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer break | Semester 3 | Advanced Practice stage | ||
| Professional Practices in Computing and Digital Technologies Project (Sem 1, 2 & 3) | |||||||
| January starts | Semester 1 | Summer break | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Summer break | Advanced Practice stage | |
| Professional Practices in Computing and Digital Technologies Project (Sem 1, 2 & 3) | |||||||
| May starts |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 | Advanced Practice stage | |||
| Professional Practices in Computing and Digital Technologies Project (Sem 1, 2 & 3) | |||||||
Applicants who are not graduates and do not hold professional qualifications of equivalent standing can also be considered for entry if they show evidence of strong motivation and capability for academic study and personal development (e.g. evidence of attendance at short courses) and/or suitable experience of working in areas which involve a significant amount of Information Technology.
Please note that if your qualifications are not in English, we might need certified translations in order to proceed with your application.
Masters Foundation programme
Alternatively, you may also be eligible for one of our Pre-Masters courses. These are pathway programmes designed specifically for students who require additional support to meet the entry requirements of their chosen Masters degree.
Pre-Sessional English and Study Skills
If you have IELTS 5.5 – 6.0, you may be eligible to join our Pre-Sessional English before starting this programme. This programme will help you develop language skills in a content-based approach to learning involving critical thinking, questioning, discussion, reflection and analysis.
Please note that your tuition fees do not include the cost of course books that you may choose to purchase, stationery, printing and photocopying, accommodation, living expenses, travel or any other extracurricular activities. As a Northumbria University London Campus student, you will have full access to our online digital library with over 400,000 e-books and 50,000 electronic journals.
Information for international students
Northumbria University is committed to providing the best possible experience to all our students. To ensure you secure your place with us, we require our international students to pay a deposit towards their fees. More information can be found here.
Your tuition fees cover far more than your time in class with our expert academics, it covers the cost of providing you with excellent services and student experience.
If you are an international student and choose to study the full-time programme, you will be eligible for either our programme bursary or a country bursary, whichever is greater. High performing students may be eligible for an academic scholarship in addition.
Depending on the country you are from, you may be eligible for one of our country bursaries and/scholarships to help finance your studies.
All of our scholarships and bursaries are automatically applied when we process your application and our team will be able to confirm your eligibility.
London Cost of Living Bursary
Eligible international students will receive an automatic bursary for £1,334, applied at the Conditional Offer as a fee discount. This bursary is effective for intakes in May 2025, September 2025, January 2026 and May 2026. This offer excludes Pre-sessional English, standalone Graduate Certificate programmes and sponsored applicants.
If you receive this bursary, you may still be eligible for additional bursaries and scholarships, these will be confirmed at the Unconditional Offer stage. Full maintenance costs still need to be evidenced when applying for your visa.
This bursary is only available for international students from specific countries. Please visit our Scholarships page for more information.
If you need to spread the cost of your tuition, you may be eligible for our payment plan.
If you are a UK/Home student, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,000+ from the UK Government. Click here to find out more about the loan and whether you are eligible to receive it.
Enquire now to find out more information about the course, studying with us, the application process, and to ask any other questions you may have.
Once you’re ready to apply, you can apply online to study 1 year MSc Big Data and Data Science Technology. This method allows you to upload your supporting documents at the time of application and automatically receive your student application number.
Please note: For 2025 applications you will be redirected to the Northumbria website to select which intake you would like to apply for.
| Apply for 2025 |
|---|
| Apply for the 1 year MSc |
| Apply for Pre-Masters + 1 year MSc |
We strongly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible to allow you to complete all of the preparations needed to study your programme. After receiving an offer it can take time to arrange your finances and apply for your visa (if required) and it is important that you arrive in good time to enrol onto your course. Please refer to the Dates and Fees page.
You can check more information on how to apply here, including guidelines for the application forms.
At Northumbria University London we welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.
Postgraduate
UK/Home Fee: £10,460 (24/25)
International Fee: £19,750 (24/25)
Minimum 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent in any subject
IELTS 6.5, with no single element below 5.5 or equivalent
Full-time classroom
1 year (up to 2 years with advanced practice)
Coursework
Available
Available
Available
January, May, September