Applied Data Science

Entry requirements

We will consider all applicants with 2:2 or above, or equivalent international qualifications. For some courses, there may be additional requirements which can be found on our website.

Months of entry

January, October

Course content

Our MSc Applied Data Science is a conversion course specifically designed for students with a background in humanities, social sciences, life sciences and business studies who want to be part of our fast-growing digital economy. The course will build upon your undergraduate degree in the humanities, social or life sciences, giving you postgraduate-level skills in essential data science methods with various applications, covering case studies and applications of AI and data using a balance of methods and practical application.

The course introduces you to programming with the R language and as well as text analytics. Relational databases and SQL are developed and used for relevant applications from humanities, life sciences, linguistics, marketing and social science. The course encourages statistical thinking by data visualisations and guides you to develop your creativity within a scientific framework.

You cover topics such as:

• Using R for statistical modelling and decision making
• Linear and generalised linear models are used for experimental and observational data
• Artificial intelligence
• Deep and statistical learning
• Applied statistics
• Information retrieval
• Digital economy
• Survey sampling

The leading department on this course, our Department of Mathematical Sciences, is genuinely innovative and student-focused. Our research groups are working on a broad range of collaborative areas tackling real-world issues. The Department of Mathematical Sciences and our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering are working together with other departments across the University to deliver optional modules and summer projects with Essex Business School, the Department of Language and Linguistics, the School of Life Sciences, the School of Philosophy and Art History, and the Department of Psychology. Our course also benefits from many Knowledge Transfer Partnerships which support students through placements and an interdisciplinary outreach culture.

The University of Essex is committed to transformational education and inclusion, focused on learning opportunities for every student, responsive to our students’ needs and aspirations. Our MSc Applied Data Science reflects this by supporting every student, from every background, and removing the barriers to their education.

This course is developed in collaboration with industry partners and public sector organisations, which include BT, Profusion, Essex County Council, Essex Police, and Suffolk County Council. Our active links with industry can broaden your employment potential and offer placement opportunities.

This course is available on a full- and part-time basis, starting in October. You can also start this course in January, but this option is only available to those who wish to study full-time.

Information for international students

You can find international entry requirements for most countries on our webpage www.essex.ac.uk/international. If your country is not listed, please contact Postgraduate Admissions at pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

Pre-sessional English Language courses - If you need to improve your English language skills before joining your main degree course, we offer pre-sessional English courses on our campuses in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. To learn more, please visit www.essex.ac.uk/international/pre-sessional

Funding - You can explore scholarship opportunities for your country at www.essex.ac.uk/international or view our university-wide scholarships at www.essex.ac.uk/scholarships.

Fees and funding

There are a wide range of funding options for postgraduate study, including scholarships, bursaries and alumni discounts. You can check your eligibility at https://www.essex.ac.uk/postgraduate/masters/fees-and-funding