MSc Data Science and Analytics with Advanced Research

Why choose Herts?

Industry Accreditation: Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) enabling graduates to register at The Chartered Institute for IT as a chartered IT professional.
Work Placement Opportunities: You have a one-year placement option enabling you to gain real industry experience.
Employment Prospects: Graduates in our department are now data scientists, data engineers, and data analytics consultants working for organisations including BT, IBM and Microsoft.

This course is up for review
To ensure this course continues to be cutting-edge and enables you to be ready for the modern workplace, it is due to be reviewed by March 2025.

Our website will typically be updated within a month of the review confirming any enhancements, including:
- module titles (and whether they are core or optional)
- expected contact hours
- assessment methods
- staff teaching on the course

For admission to MSc Data Science and Analytics with Advanced Research, the normal requirement is a good honours degree (or equivalent) in computer science or cognate discipline. The choice of award title students may be accepted on to will be determined by the award applied for and the prior learning of the student as demonstrated by the transcript for existing qualifications held by the applicant.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate sufficient competence in English to benefit from the Programme. This is normally demonstrated by recognised awards equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0. Candidates who do not satisfy these requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The programme is subject to the University's Principles, Policies and Regulations for the Admission of Students to Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes (in UPR SA03), along with associated procedures. These will take account of University policy and guidelines for assessing accredited prior certificated learning (APCL) and accredited prior experiential learning (APEL).


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

What job can I get?

Our master's programme is designed to give Computer Science graduates the specialist, up-to-date skills and knowledge sought after by employers, whether in business, industry, government or research.

The MSc Data Science and Analytics with Advanced Research course will equip students with the knowledge and practical skills in data science and analytics from the foundations of data science in mathematics and programming, data mining, machine learning, to data analytics applications.

Successful graduates may pursue a career as a data scientist or data engineer, data analytics consultant, digital marketing manager across a wide range of sectors.

Professional Accreditations

This new version of the programme has been carefully designed to achieve appropriate levels of accreditation, and BCS accreditation will be sought after the award title has its first group of graduates in 2020.

About the course

The School has a strong international reputation for research in this area and this expertise influences this course which explores current research and practice in data science and analytics, extending your knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of obtaining data from various sources, the essential methods for pre-processing and cleaning data, data analytics and modelling. This MSc can lead to a career such as a data scientist.

Graduates obtaining this award will be equipped to pursue research to PhD level, or to enter specialist employment in technically advanced and unpredictable working environments requiring sound judgment and the exercise of personal responsibility and initiative.

The programme offers three award routes that you can choose to study:

MSc Data Science and Analytics
MSc Data Science and Analytics with Placement Year
MSc Data Science and Analytics with Advanced Research

Why choose this course?

The award gives you the opportunity to study advanced research topics in computer science, normally across multiple specialisms, and comprehensive research methods, and to undertake an extended master's project on a cutting-edge research topic.
One of a range of advanced courses within our postgraduate master's programme in Computer Science, this particular course provides you with a specialism in Data Science and Analytics.
Advanced topics studied include mathematics and programming of data science, data mining, machine learning and neural artificis, and data analytics applications.
Taught by a highly-regarded and long-established computer science department.
Computer Science saw 90% of its research ranked as world-leading (Research Excellence Framework, 2021).

What will I study?

Classes consist of lectures, small group seminars, and practical work in our well-equipped laboratories. We use modern, industry-standard software wherever possible. There are specialist facilities for networking and multimedia and a project laboratory especially for masters students. In addition to scheduled classes, you will be expected a significant amount of time in self-study, taking advantage of the extensive and up-to-date facilities. These include the Learning Resource Centres, open 24x7, with 1,500 computer workstations and wifi access, Studynet our versatile online study environment usable on and off campus, and open access to our labs.

Where will I study?

Learn in our new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building (SPECS), where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones.

The computer science labs are home to telecommunications, robotics and UX empathy labs, with a variety of research spaces that range from dark rooms to clean rooms, and sample prep labs to calibration and assembly labs.

You will also benefit from our Academic Support Hub, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.

Spectra also provides space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Data Mining	15 Credits	Compulsory
Data Mining deals with the discovery of hidden knowledge, unexpected patterns and new rules from large databases/datasets. It is currently regarded as the key element of a much more elaborate process called Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD). The combination of decision support and data mining indicates an innovative and totally new approach to information management. Until now, information systems have been built and operated mainly to support the operational process of an organisation. KDD views the information in an organisation in an entirely new way as a strategic source of opportunity (Adriaans 1996).
Neural Networks and Machine Learning	30 Credits	Compulsory
A study of a selection of research topics centered around neural network theory and design, machine learning including supervised and unsupervised learning and some interesting applications, for example, data mining, biocomputation, evolutionary algorithms, neural networks as models of brain function in health, disease and development, and data visualization. Actual topics taught may vary from year to year.
Foundations of Data Science	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module focuses on a range of topics related to basic mathematical concepts and skills, including linear algebra, calculus, statistics, probability, Bayesian inference, set theory, and information theory. The content may vary from year to year, but the aim is to apply the mathematical foundations as computational techniques.
Applied Data Science and Analytics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides a hands"on experience in all aspects of typical data science tasks. It focuses on the practical aspects of Data Science, for example (but not limited to) data retrieval and pre-processing, data analysis, modelling, and visualisation. We will study typical data science workflows in concrete use cases. Along the way, essential tools for data science are introduced. New developments in tools and techniques in data science will be covered as they emerge.
Data Science and Analytics Masters Project	60 Credits	Compulsory
The project is an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they know about current research and practices in computer science and apply their skills to a range of computer science topics in order to conduct a practical investigation of a particular computer science problem. The project is a self-directed piece of work, conducted with minimum supervision that demonstrates the student's ability to plan and manage a substantial piece of work, and steer their own efforts. Students are expected to be thorough in their work, and, particularly, identify and tackle any difficult or challenging aspects of the problems they are trying to solve. It is not just the quantity, or even the quality of work that is considered when grading the project, but the level of difficulty and the scope of the problem being addressed.
Team Research and Development Project	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module explores a range of generic and domain-specific investigative methods and helps students to enhance their proficiency in the skills that are expected of those working at postgraduate level. Furthermore, this module involves working actively as part of a team of fellow students on a complex computing problem. Typically, the project can be a research project to answer a research question, a thorough empirical investigation of a specific topic, or a development idea from student themselves or a virtual or real client. Each team would be expected to manage the project, to report regularly on the progress of the project, and to collectively deliver a set of appropriate outputs from the project. The output(s) of the team project will typically be a computing product or system and its presentation together with appropriate documentation.
Advanced Research Topics in Computer Science	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to develop research and enquiry capabilities and is therefore structured around guided activities in terms of seminars, tutorials and research oriented coursework's. The module will build on introductory research experience from core modules and provide a structured approach to develop area specific expertise by undertaking a research activity in a chosen area of specialisation and in a group setting that mirrors contemporary research methods. A concrete outcome is a technical report that synthesizes problem definitions from relevant literature and identifies a research problem in a chosen topic.
Research Methods	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module explores a range of generic and domain"specific research methods in computer science to enable students to understand such methods and apply them in their work, particularly in an advanced MSc project or a research project. The module helps students to enhance their proficiency in the skills that are expected of those working at postgraduate level. Whilst some material will be presented in lectures, tutorials and labs, the module will be largely literature" and activity"based. It will place strong emphasis on self"management and will encourage students to reflect upon, and learn from, their own work. As the module progresses students will be expected to select an increasingly large proportion of the reading matter for themselves, so that they can tailor their learning to their individual needs in which they evaluate and choose an appropriate set of research methods for the investigation of a problem in a given sub"domain of computer science, and identify the principal advantages and limitations of those methods.
Responsible Technology	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is concerned with legal, social, ethical and professional issues that may affect the work of practitioners in the computing and technology sectors. Its main focus is on the ethical considerations inherent in the development of responsible technologies. Topics covered are likely to vary from year to year to reflect contemporary research and issues.

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Data Science and Analytics - Extended	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Data Science and Analytics - Extended	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £13545 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
EU Students
Full time
- £18950 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
International Students
Full time
- £18950 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £14400 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 inclusive
EU Students
Full time
- £19800 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 inclusive
International Students
Full time
- £19800 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 inclusive
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
25/09/2025 31/05/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
22/01/2026 31/01/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
25/09/2026 31/05/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
22/01/2027 31/01/2028 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
25/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
22/01/2026	31/01/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
25/09/2026	31/05/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
22/01/2027	31/01/2028	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

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MSc Data Science and Analytics with Advanced Research

Why choose Herts?

What job can I get?

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Where will I study?

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025

2026