BSc (Hons) Data Science
Our Data Science degree will give you the skills, experience and expertise valued by data science employers in a wide range of industry sectors including finance, transport, food, and local government.
Key facts
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date January 2024, September 2024, January 2025
- Duration 36 months or 48 months
- Mode of study full time, part time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code G700
- Study abroad opportunities
Overview
Our BSc (Hons) Data Science will give you an in-depth awareness and appreciation of the underlying computing and algorithmic principles driving data science technologies. It is a practical degree focusing on the analytical and data processing skills needed to begin a career as a data scientist or analyst.
Demand for workers with specialist data skills like data scientists and data engineers has more than tripled over five years (+231%), according to a labour market analysis commissioned for Dynamics of data science skills, a new Royal Society report published in May 2019. The types of skills most frequently required by British employers include scripting languages, databases, machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. All of these are included in the course.
You will study modules chosen from across Computing Science and Mathematics and will be introduced to both data science theory and applications. You'll study subjects at the core of data science including machine learning, artificial intelligence and statistics. This Data Science degree will introduce you to relational and non-relational database principles and learn cutting edge technology such as computer vision and natural language processing. You'll learn how to collect, manage and analyse highly dynamic Big Data for science or commerce.
Top reasons to study with us
Prizes or awards
Each year we offer the following prizes:
- Outstanding performance in 1st year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 2nd year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 3rd year Computing Science modules
- Outstanding performance in 4th year Computing Science modules
- A Faculty research prize for an outstanding research project
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
ABBB - by the end of S5
AABB - by the end of S6
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
30 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
35 points
Essential subjects
Subjects to include Computing and relevant experience of Java or other programming languages.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team on admissions@stir.ac.uk for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team on admissions@stir.ac.uk for advice about other access courses
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
In all four years students need to complete 120 credits comprising of compulsory and optional modules.
In year 1 students can take 20 credits worth of any available modules in the Autumn and Spring semesters. However, CSCU9B2 is recommended. Year 1 provides a broad foundation to the subject including an introduction to programming, data science and mathematics.
In year 2 students can take 20 credits worth of any available modules in the Autumn semester. Year 2 focusses on database principles and technologies including relational and non-relational approaches. You will also study Python scripting for data science and basic statistics.
Year 3 focuses on machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. In the final year students embark on their honours project which will give students the opportunity to apply their learning from the course.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2023). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
In the most recent National Student Survey (2022) Computing Science at Stirling was ranked 3rd in Scotland, and top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction. Computing Science at Stirling also ranked top 10 in the UK and 3rd in Scotland in the 2022 Guardian University Guide. Furthermore, the University of Stirling was awarded five-star excellence for teaching in the QS Stars University Ratings 2021.
Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. You’ll learn about Data Science through lectures, small tutorial groups and most of all through practical labs, where concepts taught in lectures are implemented and tested.
Computing Science at Stirling is part of the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) Scotland-wide pooling initiative in research and knowledge exchange, as well as The DataLab, Scotland's Innovation Centre for data and AI.
Our research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading research. Our staff are engaged with funded research from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as well as funding from other UK Research Councils and funding agencies.
Assessment
Our BSc (Hons) Data Science degree is taught as a very practical subject, and almost all modules include practical assignments. Typically, these count for 50 percent of the assessment grade per module, with the remainder given to the exam. For an Honours degree, the grades for all advanced modules taken in Semesters 5 – 8 are combined to give your final degree classification.
Work placement opportunities
We help our students to build strong links with industry through three-month summer placements and one-year placements. Both of these are offered to third year students. Placements are available with local SMEs as well as large corporates.
Our Careers Service can help you secure placements and offer the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability, or think about further study.
Study abroad
You can study abroad through our well-established connections with North American, Australian and European universities.
Contact
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| International students (including EU) | £20,300 | £21,300 |
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students domiciled in Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
Students domiciled overseas
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Demand for workers with specialist data skills like data scientists and data engineers has more than tripled over five years (+231%), according to a labour market analysis commissioned for Dynamics of data science skills, a new Royal Society report published in May 2019.
When ScotlandIS, the Scottish trade organisation for the IT industry, asked companies about the greatest opportunities for their business over the next 18 months, the top three answers were all data related (AI, machine learning, Internet of Things), for the second year in a row (ScotlandIS Survey 2020). The BSc Data Science at Stirling will prepare you for a career in the data industry in these areas.
Employability skills
Engagement with potential employers, work-related learning and the dissertation project in your final year will develop your professional skills. Throughout the course you’re encouraged to develop personal effectiveness skills to allow you to complete work in a professional and timely manner.
Companies we work with
We have connections with the following organisation via placements, internships and industrial liaison:
- Accenture
- ARM
- Calnex Solutions
- Diagio
- GE Digital
- Honeywell
- JP Morgan
- Mage Control Systems
- Modus Scotland
- Morgan Stanley
- Natural Power
- NHS
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Sainsbury's Bank
- Scottish Enterprise
- Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Scottish Government
- Scottish Water
- Sports Scotland
- Verint
- Wood MacKenzie
Discover Uni
Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.
Flexible study
This course is not available as a combined degree.