Data Science MSc



Develop data science skills and knowledge by building on existing expertise to drive the data science capability within your organisation

Overview

Data science is a major growth area within both the commercial and public sectors and there is a shortage of professionals that have the required range of data science knowledge and skills. This work-based learning MSc Data Science programme addresses this shortage.

The programme is aimed at those working in a data-related role within their organisation, whether in a technical, software or business context and want to enhance their skills and understanding of contemporary data analysis tools and techniques.

Edinburgh Napier University has excellent research and knowledge transfer links with many local, national and international organisations in data science related areas.

The acquisition of knowledge and skills on the programme will enable students to drive improvements within their organisations, enabling them to focus on areas of specialisation within their professional field and to broaden their knowledge and skills to enhance their career development.

Delivered online, this MSc is ideally suited to individuals who intend to balance their personal and professional commitments and study while working. 

Typical entry points to this course are in January and September. Please enquire for more information.

The deadline for May 2023 applications is 28th April 2023.

The deadline for September 2023 applications is 4th August 2023.

 

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Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as Online learning)

Duration:

20 months

Start date:

Jan

Student stories

Read stories from students of Edinburgh Napier's Computing study area

Course details

You will develop the business understanding and analytical, statistical and computing skills required to contribute to this vital field. Linking learning and development to your work activities, you can ensure that your professional development is part of the strategic plan of your organisation to promote innovation and change.

Learning, teaching and assessment methods focus on providing students with engaging and contemporary materials that link theory to practice and require students to take a critical perspective on both.

By linking learning and development directly to work activities, students can ensure that their professional development is part of the strategic aims of the organisation. 

Students will also have the opportunity to consider and reflect on established views of the organisation and processes relating to data science, in order to promote innovation and change.

Your final dissertation project will allow you to use the tools and approaches you’ve developed on the course.

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    How you’ll be taught

    This course is designed for professionals already employed in the area of computing who wish to develop their data science skills. It allows you to gain significant course credits by applying knowledge and skills gained from this course to your company’s data. Your knowledge is further enhanced via a number of taught modules.

    You will be mentored and supported by a dedicated team with both academic and industry experience to deliver a package of data science related work over three trimesters drawing on your current projects/activities.

    Overall, you will attend campus an average of one day per month during term time. 
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    Assessments

     The taught modules will be assessed by exams and coursework.
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    Facilities

    Depending on chosen modules, our specialist labs may include:

    The Sensorium - A forward-looking User Experience (UX) Evaluation Lab utilising the next generation of real time human behaviour insight technology

    SOCLAB - Virtual Security Operations Centre

    Swarm Robotics - A custom-designed robot arena and laboratory

    Lions Gate - A locus of interdisciplinary research focusing on sustainability, digital interaction, health and well-being.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Advanced Professional Practice ( SOC11107 )

Reflective practice – using different models and frameworks to maximise both personal and team performance

Career development through mentoring and subject specific skills development

Further information

Data Analytics ( SET11122 )

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop a deep understanding of the fundamentals of data analytics, and to give you opportunities to practise a set of popular data analytical tools. Topics covered include:

*Data Pre-processing – data quality, data cleaning, data preparation
*Data Analytics – techniques of analysing data, such as classification, association, clustering and visualisation, including a variety of machine learning methods that are widely used in data mining

* Post processing – data visualisation, interpretation, evaluation

This module will use tools such as OpenRefine, Weka and Tableau for standard and structured data

The Benchmark Statement for Computing specifies the range of skills and knowledge that should be incorporated in computing courses. This module encompasses cognitive skills in Computational Thinking, Modelling and Methods and Tools and practical skills in deployment and use of tools and critical evaluation in addition to providing useful generic skills for employment.

Further information

Data Wrangling ( SET11121 )

The challenges of contemporary data acquisition and analysis have been characterised as “the four V’s of Big Data” (volume, variety, velocity and validity). These require the use of specialised data storage, aggregation and processing techniques. This module introduces a range of tools and techniques necessary for working with data in a variety of formats with a view to developing data driven applications. The module focuses primarily on developing applications using the Python scripting language and associated libraries and will also introduce a range of associated data storage and processing technologies and techniques.

The module covers the following topics:

• Data types and formats: numerical and time series, graph, textual, unstructured,
• Data sources and interfaces: open data, APIs, social media, web-based
• NoSQL databases such as document (MongoDB), graph and key value pair
• Techniques for dealing with large data sets, including Map Reduce
• Developing Data Driven Applications in Python

The Benchmark Statement for Computing specifies the range of skills and knowledge that should be incorporated in computing courses. This module encompasses cognitive skills in Computational Thinking, Modelling and Methods and Tools, Requirements Analysis and practical skills in specification, development and testing and the deployment and use of tools and critical evaluation in addition to providing useful generic skills for employment.

Further information

Data-Driven Decision Making ( INF11116 )

A primary use of data by contemporary organisations is to analyse and explore opportunities for growth or change, either directly or indirectly. The demand for business data, whether operational management, data analytics or data science (such as “big data”, machine learning & predictive analytics) has increased substantially. This has resulted from an organisational need for a more sophisticated approach to analytics and data from both a business and statistical understanding of data and its impacts on the organisation. This raises complex and multifaceted issues.

The aim of the module is to enable you develop a deep understanding of the business context and impact of data, the meaning of the data (including in terms of statistics), and to give you an opportunity to express this in the form of professional written reports. Topics covered include:
* The role of the data scientist
* Data strategy and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
* Deployment and implementation
* Governance, ethical and cultural implications
* Exploring and describing data,
* Statistical inference – parametric methods t – tests and Analysis of Variance Statistical presentation of data.
* Multivariate methods – principal component analysis, exploratory factor analysis and segmentation methods (Hierarchical clustering, K means and K modes).
* Statistical modelling – OLS regression, general linear models exemplified by Binary Logistic models
* Diagnosing model fits

The R package for statistics will be used in this module.

The Benchmark Statement for Computing specifies the range of skills and knowledge that should be incorporated in computing courses. This module encompasses cognitive skills in computational thinking and its relevance to everyday life, critical evaluation and professional considerations and practical skills in the deployment and use of tools and critical evaluation of complex problems in addition to providing useful generic skills for employment.

Further information

Masters Dissertation ( SOC11101 )

The work for this module comprises the completion of an individual research project. Each student is assigned a personal Supervisor, and an Internal Examiner who monitors progress and feedback, inputs advice, examines the dissertation and takes the lead at the viva.

There are two preliminary deliverables prior to the submission of the final dissertation:

(1) Project proposal
(2) Initial Report including time plan and dissertation outline

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:2 or above in an appropriate field, for example, software development, computing, or business analytics. 

Applicants will be expected to be working in a role related to data analytics, whether in a technical or business context and will be required to provide a letter of support from their employer. Some experience of associated technologies such as databases, software development and related tools is assumed.

The University does not sponsor students to study on part-time programmes in the UK under the Student Visa route. International Applicants must therefore have other valid immigration leave to study on this programme and work.

English language requirements

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Executive Masters

We run a suite of Executive Masters courses for organisations looking to upskill their staff and professionals looking to develop new skills and advance their career.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
All students - Taught modules *£1,050 *£tba
All students - Dissertation *£620 *tba
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.


Careers

Participation in this course will indicate your aspirations as a leading Data Scientist and your dedication to your management, enhancing your chances of promotion. 
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