A complete guide to data science degrees

Data might just be the most powerful currency in the modern world right now. We have access to more data than ever before, and it dictates so many of the day-to-day decisions made by businesses, governments and consumers due to its ability to identify, predict and even shape behaviour. 

All of this means that data scientists are high in demand, wanted by organisations in every industry to help make sense of huge data sets and improve decision-making capabilities. That’s where you come in. 

A degree that specialises in data science will offer you the knowledge, understanding and technical skills that are desperately needed across every industry, offering you the chance to secure high-pay, high-impact careers after graduating. 

In this article, we’ll explore different types of data science degrees, some of the most exciting career paths, salaries, and how studying online could help you strike the perfect balance between work, study and life.

What is data science?

We hear about data science all the time, but what does it actually mean? Data science is actually a highly interdisciplinary field, combining maths, statistics, computer programming, analytics and AI in order to handle complex data sets. 

This data must be collected, stored, processed and analysed, before the findings are communicated using data visualisations and reports. These findings are then used to draw conclusions that might aim to help businesses make more strategic decisions, improve technological processes, or even solve societal problems.

Example modules on a data science degree

So, what will you actually study on a data science degree? There’s a lot of ground to cover, and it will really depend on the specific program and level you’re studying at, but there are certain topics that are fundamental to learn. 

Below, we’ve listed some example modules from data science degrees at UK universities, to give you a better idea of what to expect.

• Programming for Computer Scientists
• Introduction to Statistical Modelling
• Probability and Statistics
• Database Systems
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• Statistical Machine Learning
• Visual Analytics
• Natural Language Processing
• Current Topics in Data Science.

Types of data science degree

There are all kinds of data science degrees out there, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. It’s common for them to have slightly different focuses depending on what you want to specialise in, so it’s important that you do your research properly first. 

Looking at the list below, you’ll notice that a lot of data science degrees are geared towards the industry you want to work in. For example, if you want to work in healthcare, you can specialise in health data science. If you want to use data to impact social policy, you can choose a relevant specialism.

Bachelor’s degrees

• Data Science BSc 
• Mathematics with Data Science BSc 
• Politics and Data Science BSc
• Economics, Finance and Data Science BSc 
• Crime and Data Science BSc 
• Social Sciences with Data Science BSc.

Master’s degrees

• MSc Applied Social Data Science
• MSc Geographic Data Science
• Data Science and Statistics BSc
• Master of Data Science (MDS)
• MSc in Social Data Science  
• Data Driven Design MSc 
• MSc Machine Learning and Data Science
• MSc Financial Technology with Data Science.

Skills you’ll learn on a data science degree

There’s certainly no shortage of skills to learn on a data science degree. This is a subject where hard (or technical) skills are absolutely essential, as you’ll be using your mathematical and programming skills every day to solve complex problems. However, soft skills are also important, preparing you for work across different teams and industries.

Hard skills:

• Programming  
• Macroeconomics  
• Microeconomics  
• Data visualisation
• Mathematical models
• Applied statistics  
• Data structure 
• Machine learning  
• Artificial intelligence.

Soft skills:

• Critical and analytical thinking
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Creativity
• Time management.

How long does it take to get a data science degree?

If you’re studying alongside your day job, you’ll most likely have to choose a part-time degree. This means it’ll probably take 4 years to complete a bachelor’s degree, 2 years for a master’s degree, and 1-2 years for a postgraduate certificate.

Full-time degrees, on the other hand, are normally 3 years for a bachelor’s and just one year for a master’s. While full-time degrees are quicker to complete, it does take a lot more effort and hard work packed into a shorter time frame, so make sure you choose an option that works with your lifestyle and pre-existing commitments.

Entry requirements for a data science degree

When it comes to entry requirements, you’ll need to show that you’ve got the aptitude to study data science. This means you should have studied subjects like maths, computing, science and statistics at A-level or equivalent. Universities will usually ask that you’ve studied maths at A-level as a prerequisite, at the very least. 

In terms of grades, the requirements vary very widely for data science but it will most likely fall somewhere between 88–170 UCAS points.

To get onto most master’s degrees in data science, you’ll need at least a 2:1 in a relevant undergraduate program, such as computer science, statistics, maths or data science. In some cases, if it’s clear you have mathematical and programming abilities, you may be accepted onto a postgraduate program with a bachelor’s in business, economics or psychology.

Must-haves 

• Relevant academic qualifications
• Aptitude for maths, computing and science
• Passionate about data science and the future of data
• Ability to work independently.

Good-to-haves 

• Volunteering or work experience in a relevant role
• Knowledge of data science platforms and tools
• Hands-on practice cleaning, organising and analysing data
• Familiarity with relevant books, podcasts and talks
• Understanding of business.

How much does a data science degree cost?

At undergraduate level, tuition fees are £9,250 per year for most UK students, though degrees are free for Scottish students studying in Scotland, and the tuition is less in Northern Ireland. International students can expect to pay quite a bit more.

The cost is more variable for master’s degrees and other postgraduate qualifications. On average, master’s degrees cost between £12,000 and £25,000, but where exactly it falls on the spectrum will depend on how in-depth the program is and the prestige of the institution. 

Funding options for data science degrees

Fortunately, undergraduate degrees (and normally one year of a master’s degree) are covered by Student Finance in the UK. This means that you get a loan to fund your degree, and sometimes also a grant for living costs. 

There are, however, additional routes you can go down when it comes to funding your degree. For example, there might be options for obtaining a scholarship or grant, and your university might even offer financial aid packages. 

This is especially true in the realm of data science education, as the government wants to make sure that the UK is at the forefront of research, innovation and development of AI and data. In fact, last year, the Office for Students in the UK announced £8.1 million worth of funding for over 800 new scholarships for students from disadvantaged groups who want to take an AI or data science conversion course.

Where to look

• Check out Prospect’s postgraduate funding page
• Use the Turn2Us grants search tool
• Take a look at The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
• If you’re Scottish, check out Student Awards Agency Scotland
• If you’re an international student hoping to come to the UK, check out GREAT Scholarships by the British Council.

How to get into a data science degree

In the UK, you usually apply for undergraduate degrees via UCAS, choosing five degree options and ranking them in order of which one you’d most like to join. You also normally have to meet the entry requirements stated by your chosen university and write a personal statement detailing your suitability for the degree  — more details on this below.

For master’s programs, you apply directly on the institution’s website, and you’ll need an undergraduate degree in a related field, whether that’s computing, cyber security or something else. 

Personal statement tips

• Explain why you want to study data science. What made you interested in studying data science, what skills do you hope to gain, and how do you hope to contribute to society through your expertise?
• Highlight your vested interest in the field. Talk about any industry blogs, newsletters or online discussions you’ve been a part of to show that you’re curious about the future of data science.
• Be specific. Because there are so many different skills, tools and platforms in data science, it’s good to be really specific about what you can do and what you’re interested in. Which programming languages do you know? Which tools are you familiar with?
• Highlight your knowledge of the course. It’s good to be as specific as you can about your reasons for choosing this degree in particular. What about it stood out? Which degree modules are you most excited to study and why?

How will you be assessed on a data science degree?

Whether you’re at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you can expect to be assessed using a mixture of projects, portfolio work, exams, coursework, informal tests and the oral presentation or group project. 

However, this will depend on your degree program to an extent. When it comes to online degrees, all of your assessments will be online, making it as easy as possible for you to complete your degree from home.

How difficult is a degree in data science?

Data science isn’t for everyone. You need to be comfortable with mathematically-oriented work, learning new programming languages and working independently. That’s not to say that it’s too difficult for most people — what people find difficult varies from person to person, but some people are better suited to working with data than others. If number crunching comes naturally to you, you may not find this degree difficult at all, though it’ll still require some hard work.

In addition, many data science degrees are very specialised, especially at postgraduate level. So, it’s essential that you have a basic foundation in topics like calculus, Python and statistics before you start your degree.

Job satisfaction and prospects for data science graduates

There’s certainly no shortage of data to suggest that a career in data science is a good idea. As society becomes more and more reliant on data, and it becomes a more valuable commodity, there will be jobs a-plenty for skilled data professionals. 

The 2023 Data Science Skills in the UK Workforce Report stated that there were 178,000 unfilled data specialist roles in 2021, but the number of data science graduates from UK universities was only expected to reach 10,000 per year. 

On a similar note, the World Economic Forum surveyed 803 global businesses and found that ‘Data Analysts and Scientist’ careers were in the top 10 jobs with the highest predicted growth between 2023 and 2027.

But what about career satisfaction? Although there’s a steep learning curve with data science, and sometimes the demands of data jobs require long working hours, there are fantastic rewards that come with this career path. 

Strong salaries, high job demand, great career progression, and opportunities to constantly upskill all contribute to data science graduates feeling satisfied at work. And, it seems like even Gen Z rate data scientist as one of the most satisfying careers, according to a 2022 Glassdoor report.

What can you do with a data science degree?

The better question here is, what can’t you do with a data science degree? You can pretty much work in any industry you desire, as the need for data scientists is expanding massively, and you also have the option to work for the biggest employers in the world, like Deloitte, PwC, KPMG and Microsoft. 

Some of the fields you might pursue a career in include finance, education, the civil service, software, cyber security, law, transportation and healthcare — basically, there are opportunities everywhere.

In terms of actual roles, there are also a lot of options, depending on your specific interests, specialisms, and the contents of your degree program. Take a look at our list below, but remember this isn’t an extensive list. Your options are wide open!

• Data scientist
• Data analyst
• Data engineer
• Data consultant
• Data architect
• Data journalist
• Business analyst
• Management consultant
• Predictive modeller
• Machine learning engineer.

Salary prospects: How much do data science graduates earn?

According to Glassdoor, the average graduate data scientist earns £34,971 per year, which is not bad for an entry-level position. Don’t worry though — this will definitely increase. A non-graduate data scientist earns £53,101 per year on average, and this can be a lot more for professionals in certain industries.

It is worth saying, however, that the UK is slightly lagging behind some other countries when it comes to data science salaries, notably the US, Germany, Norway and Switzerland. But, you’re still in a pretty good position as a UK professional.

However, as you know, there are plenty more jobs in the field other than just data scientist, so we’ll list some more data science-related salaries below.

• Data engineer: £51,973 per year 
• Data consultant: £46,679 per year
• Machine learning engineer: £64,464 per year.

Why choose a degree in data science?

We’ve covered the fact that careers in data science are well paid, in demand, and offer plenty of exciting opportunities. But what should be the real driving force behind your desire to work in data science?

• Make an impact. Being able to draw conclusions from complex data sets is a valuable skill, and means you can influence important decisions made by businesses, governments and individuals.
• Tackle skill shortages. The skills you learn on a data science degree are highly sought after, so you’ll help the government out at the same time as securing a stable job.
• Take your pick of careers. There are so many interesting careers and industries you can work in as a data professional, where you’ll be able to make full use of your new expertise.
• Network with leading researchers. Who better to learn from than the experts who’ll be leading your degree modules? You may even open doors to future job opportunities.
• Continuous professional development. In the field of data science, there is always something new to learn, whether that’s a new programming language, data policy, piece of research, or technological innovation.

Get an online data science degree with FutureLearn

If you’re ready to develop your data science skills and open the doors to new opportunities across the wide spectrum of data-focused careers, we’ve got some excellent online data science degrees by top institutions in the UK. 

Studying for your degree online means you don’t have to put all other commitments on hold, you can study wherever and whenever it suits you, and you may even save money.

Data science is actually the perfect subject to study online too, since pretty much everything you study requires you to use the computer and learn digital skills. So why not explore your options on FutureLearn? Take a look at some of our offerings below.

• MSc Data Science and Analytics by the University of Hertfordshire
• MSc Computer Science with Data Analytics by the University of Hertfordshire
• MSc Advanced Computer Science by the University of Hertfordshire
• MSc Data Science for Health and Social Care by the University of Edinburgh
• MSc Data Science, Technology, and Innovation by the University of Edinburgh.