Harness the power of data, machine learning and analytics to uncover insights and solve increasingly complex real-world problems.
Learn about the latest developments in data science from active researchers who take you beyond textbooks. The comprehensive 1-year master’s Data Science MSc degree programme spans topics from machine learning to big data and social data analytics to take you to becoming a skilled data scientist, using data to solve human challenges.
The programme stands out for:
The University of Southampton is a university partner of The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and AI. This partnership reflects our research strength and allows access to cutting-edge expertise and strong technical depth.
The programme structure for our Data Science MSc degree comprises 2 semesters of taught modules, culminating in a final semester independent (supervised) research project and written dissertation, demonstrating advanced analytical and research skills.
Semester 1 focuses on key topics in foundational data science, machine learning, visualisation, and research methods for the postgraduate level. Semester 2 helps you to build on these foundations. After completing the taught component, you will conduct supervised independent research, yielding a master’s dissertation. The 60-credit major project (summer term) gives you space to develop your interests through an independent project.
The set of first semester modules comprises Foundations of Data Science, Data Visualisation and Machine Learning Technologies to introduce core concepts, methods, techniques and tools. A fourth compulsory module prepares you for your final-semester dissertation project. The second semester modules include Data Mining, Social Media and Network Science, Natural Language Processing and Deep Learning Technologies and consolidate conceptual learning and practice using real-world data. Finally, the third semester research project gives you the chance to demonstrate your ability to design and deliver advanced applications, systems and solutions to a tight deadline through a substantial dissertation.
The Programme Description Document contains an overview of the programme, its aims, information on programme modules and shows how we assess student progress as they learn with us.
As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our programmes to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, this programme may be revised during a student’s period of registration; however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when, and how changes may be made to a student’s programme.
Our academics explain more about our Data Science MSc degree programme on our YouTube channel.
We are mandated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to deliver the equivalent programme and quality as we offer in the UK. To match the programme lengths of internationally respected UK awarded degrees, undergraduates study for three years, and postgraduates study for one year.
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022) and offer extensive support for today’s data-rich landscape.
The Data Science MSc degree programme emphasises problem-solving using advanced data science methods that you can then apply in diverse fields.
Data Science MSc degree graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including Manufacturing, Scientific and Technical, Water and Waste Management, Education, Public Administration, Defence or Finance.
Careers directly related to this course:
Our proprietary Southampton skills model is integrated into our curriculum. When you join us, you’ll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
As well as support from the Careers and Employability team in Delhi, you’ll have access to our market-leading employability development offering. This includes:
With links to multinational and industrial organisations, we enable you to engage with employers and explore potential career paths. We also host regular alumni events in-person across major cities in India, allowing you to grow your own networks. Our support is ongoing, and once you graduate, you’ll be part of a global community of over 220,000 alumni that spans over 180 countries.
The Data Science MSc degree programme is primarily designed for students with a first degree in computing or a closely related degree covering fundamental notions of programming or data analysis. In order to apply for the programme, you typically require an upper second-class degree with a mark of 65% or above or international equivalent in computer science or a closely related subject:
You must also have a good 2:1 (65%) score or equivalent in the following:
We accept several ways of meeting our English Language requirement. These include:
If you’ve successfully completed a degree, taught and assessed in English, up to 2 years before the date of first enrolment at the University of Southampton, we may be able to accept this as evidence of your English language ability.
Refer to our English Language proficiency guide for more information about English language requirements.
You may be invited for an in-person or online interview. We do not require that applicants appear for admission tests as part of the application process.
Typical academic admissions criteria represent the usual level of academic attainment an applicant is expected to achieve prior to being admitted to that programme. These criteria are not intended to provide a guarantee that all applicants who satisfy the criteria may be offered a place, nor that all applicants to be made an offer will receive an identical offer to one another.
Tuition fees for our Data Science MSc degree programme for the year starting in August 2027 are yet to be confirmed.
We typically ask that tuition fees are paid in 4 instalments.
The balance of the yearly tuition fee will typically be paid over another 3 instalments.
The annual fee is subject to revision and is likely to increase by approximately 5% to 8% each year over the previous year. This percentage is not fixed and may be subject to change.
Admissions to study the Data Science MSc degree at our campus in the Delhi NCR for the academic year starting August 2027 are not open yet. Potential students can understand more about our application process by looking at helpful guidance and advice on university admissions pages.
We encourage students to express an interest in our programmes so that we can send them more information when admissions open in the last few months of 2026.
Our programmes are taught in English, and content is equivalent to that delivered to other University of Southampton students. To match the programme lengths of internationally respected UK awarded degrees, undergraduates study for three years, and postgraduates study for one year.
Apply nowWe encourage students to apply as soon as possible so that they can receive a Conditional Offer based on predicted scores for their chosen programme. We can accept an application from a student using their predicted grades if we receive their final grades once they are available.