MS in Data Science in UK: Top Universities, Requirements, Fees, Scholarships & Job Prospects

Content Strategy Manager | Updated On - Sep 2, 2024

MS in Data Science in UK is a 1-year program covering the basics of big data, data science, and machine learning. The course duration is extended to 2 years if the program includes a one-year apprenticeship. The program is also offered with AI integration in universities like Queen Mary University of London, reflecting the growing importance of AI in the field.

With batch sizes of 100-150 students per university, most MS in Data Science students in the UK are Europeans, with about 20% from India. Indian students prefer UK for Data Science due to the 1-year master’s which accelerates their entry into the job market. September is the common intake for Indian students with more course options.

Applicants need an IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0. However, students with high 12th-grade English scores can have this requirement waived.
The total cost of pursuing the MS degree in data science in UK can range from INR 29.27 lakhs to 44.2 lakhs.
Central London universities have high costs, while those in the outskirts like Belfast are more affordable.

Job placements for freshers are supported by 2-year company graduate programs starting in August/September. Data Science graduates can earn annual salaries ranging from INR 32 Lakhs- 54 Lakhs. Common job roles include Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and Machine Learning Engineer, with EY, PwC, KPMG, and Deloitte as popular employers.

Table of Contents

Top Universities in UK for MS in Data Science
Admission Requirements for Data Science Masters in UK
Cost of studying Masters in Data Science in UK
Data Science Job Opportunities in UK
FAQs

Top Universities in UK for MS in Data Science

As per the QS world’s data science and artificial intelligence rankings, 2 UK universities including University of Oxford and UCL rank among the top 10.

QS Rankings 2025	University	Program Name	Program Deadlines	Annual Course Fees (GBP)
3	University of Oxford	MSc Social Data Science	10 November, 2024 - January, 2025	33,970
9	UCL	MSc Data Science	16 October 2024 – 5 April 2025	41,000
27	University of Edinburgh	MSc Data Science	31 March, 2025	27,100
34	The University of Manchester	MSc Data Science	8 December, 2024	31,000
40	King's College London	MSc Data Science	26 July, 2024	31,080
54	University of Bristol	MSc Data Science	31 July, 2024	34,200
78	University of Glasgow	MSc Data Science	1 October, 2024 - 15 December, 2024	31,860
80	University of Birmingham	MSc in Data Science	31 August, 2024	27,540
80	University of Southampton	MSc Data Science	31 July, 2024	32,300
105	University of Sheffield	Msc Data Science	2 September, 2024	27,500
120	QMUL	MSc Data Science	31 January, 2025	31,850

Check: UK Universities for MS in Data Science

Course Structure

The program is divided mainly into two semesters, covering:

Programming
Machine Learning
Data Mining
Risk Analysis
Probability and Statistics

Proficiency in Python is important in data science. However, it's not a prerequisite for admission as it's taught in the first semester.

Admission Requirements for Data Science Masters in UK

Indian students require the following prerequisites -

Academic Requirements: Bachelor's degree in mathematics or CS fields with at least 60%
English Language Proficiency Requirements: 6.5 IELTS score but reputed universities can require scores up to 7.0.
- Students who have more than 85% in their Class 12th English can have the IELTS requirement waived.
Documents Required: Detailed SOP of 1-1.5 pages and 2-3 LORs

Timeline for September Intake

Month	Activity
March/April	Start planning, research universities and programs.
May/June	Start applying. Collect documents: academic transcripts, birth certificate, and bank statements.
June	Receive conditional offer letters.*
July	Submit attested mark sheets after your results and receive CAS.
August	Start the visa application process.

*Once the conditions are satisfied and you submit your attested marksheets, the conditional offer is converted into a CAS.

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is issued by UK universities for visa application about a month before the course start date.

Student Visa for UK: The visa process begins one month before classes start.

A priority visa can be processed within 5 days.
While the standard process may take up to 2-3 weeks.

Check More: UK Student Visa

Cost of studying Masters in Data Science in UK

The total cost of studying can be segmented as

Tuition Fee

The annual tuition fees range from £20,000-£41,000.
Some universities offer discounts for one-time payments or allow payment in 2 instalments.

Scholarships for Masters in Data Science: Indian students can receive academic scholarships covering up to 50% of tuition fees though need-based scholarships are less common.

Cost of living in UK

The annual cost of living in UK is higher in cities like London and Edinburgh (INR 10-12 Lakh) whereas Belfast, Birmingham, and Leeds are affordable (INR 7-8 lakh).

Accommodation: Indian students generally opt for on-campus accommodation or rent apartments together to reduce costs. The monthly rent for the same is as follows:

Type	Monthly Rent
85m2 room (Central area)	£3,954
85m2 room (Outskirts)	£2,997
45m2 studio (Central area)	£2,075
45m2 studio (Outskirts)	£1,553

On-campus accommodations with shared kitchen facilities cost £800-1000 per month.

Transport: The UK is well connected via a bus network. London, in particular, is connected through its Tube system.

Monthly tube passes: £200-£250.
Bus passes (Affordable): £100

Data Science Job Opportunities in UK

Though UK universities provide resources to prepare students for jobs, they do not exclusively offer campus placements. The common job roles are:

Profession	Average Salary (GBP)	Average Salary (INR)
Data Scientist	51,198	55.2 Lakhs
Data Analyst	34,666	37.4 Lakhs
Machine Learning Engineer	57,747	62.3 Lakhs
Business Intelligence Analyst	40,907	44.1 Lakhs
Data Engineer	55,418	59.8 Lakhs

It is easier for students with 3-4 years of work experience to find jobs. Freshers without work experience can opt for graduate programs to enter the job market. These programs offered by top companies like EY, Vodafone, and Deloitte start in August/September. Fresh graduates can expect starting salaries between £30,000 - £35,000, while experienced professionals can earn between £45,000 - £50,000.

FAQs

Ques. Are any RA/TA positions available during MS in Data Science in UK?

Ans. Yes, RA and TA positions are available for the course. However, due to the intensive nature of the course, students often don’t pursue these roles. Those who do can earn between £200-250 per week.

Ques. Can students find part-time jobs while studying in the UK?

Ans. Yes, finding part-time jobs is easy, often through registration on various job apps. Common roles include waiters, event management, food industry positions, and delivery jobs. Students can earn around £1,000-£1,200 per month, working up to 20 hours per week.