The last decade has seen an explosion in the amount of data available. Data has evolved into the most important asset for many companies and people. The ability to turn data into information, knowledge and innovative products often separates success from failure. Data scientists have the skill set to drive innovation and affect the success of start-ups, established businesses and organisations, governments, science projects, as well as media, broadcast and cultural events. The new specialisation for the MProfStuds draws together Computer Science, Statistics and Information to address a need for professionals with a specific skill set. The qualification enables graduates to be readily identifiable as holding the skills to participate in the field and to contribute to its advancement. The specialisation has three components: A data management stream and a data science stream, consisting of at least two courses in each area. The development of particular specialist strengths alongside the core knowledge, such as entrepreneurial and business skills, or further depth in Statistics or Computer Science. A research project under supervision by an academic and/or practitioner from industry.

Graduates of the programme will have a unique combination of skills in data science and data management. These skills allow them to comprehend, process and manage data effectively and efficiently, to extract value from data, to visualise it and to communicate it. The programme serves increasing demands from industry which relies upon massive volumes of data. Companies such as IBM, Infosys, Oracle and Orion increasingly need specialists in this field. Analysts, data administrators, software developers, managers, programmers and scientists could all benefit from the programme to further their careers.