Data Analytics for Government (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Develop your theoretical understanding, practical experience of data science and analytics with a specific focus on the application of data analytics within government and public service.
Based in the Data Science Academy
Develop transferable skills
Acquire transferable data science and analytics skills that are highly sought after in a broad range of sectors.
Multi-disciplinary expertise
Taught by experts in Statistics, Operational Research and Computer Science, this programme will help students develop both the theoretical understanding and practical experience of applying methods drawn from data science and analytics with a specific focus on their application within Government and public service. This will equip students with a range of in-demand skills for extracting and handling ‘big data’, discovering and communicating meaningful patterns from the data, and applying modelling tools to help businesses and government organisations make better decisions.
This programme has been designed so that it can meet the continuing education and training needs of those who work with data in Government.
A wide portfolio of modules is offered in order to recognise the wide range of interests and applications of data analytics within Government and public sector organisations. Specific guidance is offered to students with a desire to focus in particular subject themes or areas.
Where you'll study
School of Computer Science and Informatics
Our degree programmes are shaped by multidisciplinary research, making them relevant to today's employers and well placed to take advantage of tomorrow's developments.
School of Mathematics
Our intellectually exciting degrees are accredited to meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject area such as computer science, economics, engineering, management science, mathematics, operational research or statistics, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
If you do not have a degree in a relevant area, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide a reference from your employer to evidence that you currently work in an area relevant to the programme. References should be signed, dated and less than six months old at the time you submit your application.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
You will study 120 credits of taught modules plus a research project module (60 credits) within the School of Mathematics and the School of Computer Science and Informatics.
Four core modules totalling 40 credits, covering fundamental subjects such as statistics, computational and data science and optimisation are combined with an additional 80 credits of optional modules in the taught stage. You then continue to complete the 60-credit dissertation research project over the Summer to achieve the full MSc in Data Analytics for Government.
Students looking for flexibility can begin by studying the core modules as standalone CPD units. You can then later move into the full MSc programme and have those modules credited as prior learning, enabling you to then complete the rest of the MSc programme.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
As a full-time student you will complete all modules and your dissertation project in one academic year, from September to September
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Data Science Foundations | CMT314 | 10 credits |
| Statistical Programming | CMT315 | 10 credits |
| Survey Fundamentals | MAT032 | 10 credits |
| Statistics in Government | SIT760 | 10 credits |
| Dissertation | MAT099 | 60 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber Security and Risk Management | CMT116 | 20 credits |
| Distributed and Cloud Computing | CMT202 | 20 credits |
| Human Centric Computing | CMT206 | 20 credits |
| Data Visualisation | CMT218 | 20 credits |
| Databases and Modelling | CMT220 | 20 credits |
| Applied Machine Learning | CMT307 | 20 credits |
| Business Continuity and Transformation | CMT308 | 20 credits |
| Time Series and Forecasting | MAT005 | 10 credits |
| Supply Chain Modelling | MAT006 | 10 credits |
| Statistics and Operational Research in Government | MAT007 | 10 credits |
| Healthcare Modelling | MAT009 | 10 credits |
| Credit Risk Scoring | MAT012 | 10 credits |
| Foundations of Operational Research and Analytics | MAT021 | 20 credits |
| Foundations of Statistics and Data Science | MAT022 | 20 credits |
| Further Operational Research | MAT031 | 10 credits |
| Statistical Programming with R and Shiny | MAT514 | 10 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
The methods of teaching we employ will vary from module to module, as appropriate depending on the subject matter and the method of assessment. We teach using a mixture of lectures, seminars, practical workshops and tutorials. Taught content is delivered through a mixture of face-to-face lecturing and online delivery via video, with contact time used to further explore and reinforce this learning.
Programming skills and the use of relevant software packages will be taught. We often invite industry experts to give presentations, which you would be encouraged to attend.
How will I be assessed?
We will assess your progress throughout the course. These assessments may take the form of written exam papers, in-module assignments, and the project dissertation, where knowledge and technical competence will be appraised. We may also use group work, oral presentations and poster displays to test communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
How will I be supported?
All of our students are allocated a personal tutor within both the School of Mathematics and the School of Computer Science and Informatics when they enrol on the course. A personal tutor is there to support you during your studies and can advise you on academic and personal matters that may be affecting you. You should have regular meetings with your personal tutor to ensure that you are fully supported.
You will have access to the Trevithick Library, which holds our collection of mathematical and computer science-related resources, as well as to the other Cardiff University Libraries.
We will provide you with a copy of the Student Handbook, which contains details of each School’s policies and procedures. We also support students through the University’s virtual learning environment, Learning Central, where you can ask questions in a forum or find course-related documents.
Cardiff University also offers a wide range of support services which are open to our students, such as the Graduate Centre, counselling and wellbeing, financial and careers advisors, the international office and the Student Union
What skills will I practise and develop?
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of our academic discipline.
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- The ability to identify appropriate methods for the solution of problems in Data Analytics for Government.
- Initiative and personal responsibility in decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations.
- Systematic and creative methods for dealing with complex issues; sound judgement making in the absence of complete data.
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- Advanced scholarship and practical experience in programming skills, data handling and extraction skills, machine learning and informatics skills, and problem solving and modelling skills.
- An ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:
- The ability to communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and practical means to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Effective working in a team and as an individual.
- The ability to apply logical and analytic thinking to problems.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
UK public sector employees are eligible to study the 1 year full-time MSc at a discounted rate of £8,725. This fee amount will remain fixed for a period of two academic years - ie 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £15,475 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £32,450 | £2,500 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
The University considers that the following costs do not need to be covered by Schools as they are either not essential or are basic costs that a student should be expected to cover themselves:
- Calculators
- General stationery
- Text books (assumed to be available in the library)
- Non-essential copying / printing.
If there are optional costs/fees to be covered by the student, these are not a requirement to pass the degree. The exception to this is the cost of printing and binding of the final dissertation for submission, which must be paid for by the student.
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
You will need to provide your own laptop. Information regarding the particular laptop specification required will be provided in advance of enrolment. You will be provided with access to all required software at no additional cost.
Various support schemes are available to ensure all our students have access to the necessary equipment, subject to eligibility.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
The skills you gain during the programme will equip you for a number of graduate roles in this field.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
