Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-time What is data science? Data scientists make use of data that comes from a variety of sources, including social media, sales, sport, and business. They • turn large scale data into intelligence by applying cutting-edge techniques • drive organisations so that they are effective and competitive • work in many different settings such as advertising, financial services, online retail, research and development • have a cross-disciplinary set of skills drawn from computing, business, statistics and mathematics including programming, database design, data mining, information systems, graphics and writing algorithms. What you study This course is for those with mathematical ability who enjoy working with information technology and are inquisitive and innovative, and wish to work at the information hub of their organisation. You study computer scientist skills such as programming and database design, together with mathematician's skills such as data mining. You also study modules unique to this course including data sourcing, visualisation and machine learning (algorthims and heuristics). Key areas of study include • databases • data management • probability • statistics • data mining • algorithms • graphics • programming • software • data sources • information systems • data cleaning. You become skilled in software including • SAS for data mining and statistics – used by about 79% of FORTUNE 500 companies • SQL for manipulating databases • SAP for information systems • PYTHON and JAVA programming and the full potential of EXCEL. You learn some of these skills during the beginning of your course, so the software can be used as part of the teaching. Using SAS software, for example, makes the first year statistics module far more accessible and interesting than traditionally taught at A-level. Career preparation To prepare you for your career, the course features an innovative mixture of modules, combines theory with practice and gives you substantial experience of industry-standard software. In addition to lectures, tutorials and lab sessions you have access to online material and work on IT projects in interdisciplinary teams. Skills that enhance your employability such as report writing and presentations are interwoven into the degree. This course gives you the business software and work skills needed to start a career in data analysis. It is one of the few undergraduate courses available in this area in the UK. Placements and work experience Most of our students choose to take a paid work placement in their third year. We help you find and secure the right position, there are no tuition fees for the placement year, and you can earn up to £20,000. This is your chance to apply your academic knowledge in the work environment – and, in the process, improve your career prospects. It can even lead to the offer of a permanent job with your placement employer.

There are many jobs with the title of data scientist but similar roles include database administrators, data analysts, and statisticians. This degree also open doors to graduate careers such as teaching and accountancy. Roles for data scientists exist within all types of industry from banks, internet companies, government, retail, manufacturing, research and even sport. Starting salaries for are in the region of £18,000 to £30,000. Higher level jobs after postgraduate study or experience range from £50,000 to £95,000. Prepare for your future career We can help you gain the skills and experience employers are looking for and prepare you for your future career. We offer you opportunities to become more employable by gaining hands-on experience and developing work-ready skills that will impress employers expert careers advice and guidance through one-to-one adviser appointments, workshops, events, recruitment fairs and literature specialist support with becoming self-employed including free access to specialist business advice and office resources to improve your chances of success