Data Science and Analytics (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year - September start
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Acquire a range of in-demand skills for extracting and handling ‘big data’ and develop your practical skills through exposure to real-world problems and datasets.
Learn from our network of experts
We have a cross-disciplinary network of experts across the School of Mathematics, the School of Computer Science and Informatics and other University research groups.
Industry experience
Gain valuable work experience on professional work placements and projects with leading data science practitioners in the UK and abroad.
Solve real-world problems
This course incorporates project-based learning using real-world datasets and problems.
Cutting edge facilities
You'll be taught in our newly-built flagship building Abacws.
This course will equip students with a theoretical understanding and practical experience of applying methods drawn from data science and analytics. You will develop a range of in-demand skills for extracting and handling ‘big data’ and applying modelling tools to help businesses and government organisations make better decisions.
On completion of the course, you will be well placed to progress into a variety of roles in data-intensive industries or a related research career.
This one-year degree falls under the umbrella of the Data Science Academy (DSA), run by the School of Computer Science and Informatics, in partnership with the School of Mathematics. You will benefit from the shared knowledge and skills of both Schools. However, your degree will still be run by the School of Mathematics.
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 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject area such as engineering, mathematics, or science, 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 5.5 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.
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, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
This is a two-stage programme taught over one year for a total of 180 credits. The taught stage is 120 credits, followed by a 60-credit research project.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
You will undertake all 20-credit compulsory modules (100 credits in total) and choose a further 20 credits from a list of carefully selected optional modules. The 60-credit project undertaken in the summer will typically involve working with a company on a problem of real importance.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Machine Learning | CMT307 | 20 credits |
| Computational Data Science | CMT309 | 20 credits |
| Foundations of Operational Research and Analytics | MAT021 | 20 credits |
| Foundations of Statistics and Data Science | MAT022 | 20 credits |
| Dissertation | MAT099 | 60 credits |
| Module title | Module code | 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 |
| 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 |
| Stochastic Search and Optimisation | MAT061 | 20 credits |
| Statistical Programming with R and Shiny | MAT514 | 10 credits |
| Mathematical Methods for Data Mining | MAT700 | 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, computer workshops and tutorials.
Programming skills and the use of relevant software packages will be taught in our dedicated computer suites. We often invite industry experts to give presentations, which our students are welcome to attend.
We will allocate three supervisors to you for your dissertation project. Usually your supervisors will be two members of academic staff with an interest or specialism in your field of research and a sponsor supervisor from the organisation you will work with during your project. You should meet regularly with your supervisor throughout your project.
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 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.
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 Science and Analytics.
- 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
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
Careers and placements
The skills you gain during the programme will equip you for graduate roles in this field. Previous postgraduates have gone on to work with a variety of companies and Government organisations including the Office for National Statistics, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide, British Airways, Network Rail, UK Government, The Financial Times, Virgin Media, Welsh Water and Admiral Insurance.
Placements
An important feature of the MSc programme is the project dissertation. This allows you to apply the methods and skills acquired in the taught programme to either a real-world problem or a more theoretical problem. This might involve working with an external company or organisation, in previous years our students have worked with the likes of Admiral Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group, the Office for National Statistics and the National Health Service.
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.
