Why Study MS in Data Science in the UK?

One of the biggest benefits of studying in the UK is the 12-month MSc structure, saving significantly on tuition and living costs. This way, graduates can also enter the job market sooner and accelerate career progression.

Graduates with a data science degree in the UK earn competitive salaries due to the specialised and technical nature of their skills. The salaries usually range between £23,000 and £60,000 per year, depending on the role and location. Combined with the one-year degree structure, it makes the UK a strong ROI destination, especially compared to other countries.

International students graduating with an MS in Data Science in the UK can benefit significantly from the UK's Graduate Route Visa, which currently allows graduates to stay and work in the UK for up to 2 years. This provides valuable time to gain professional experience, build networks, and pursue career opportunities with UK employers.

UK universities have students from all over the world, creating a diverse environment for students. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), in the 2022/2023 academic year, international students made up nearly 20% of the student population in UK universities. Indian students can expect a lively and safe environment while getting an enriching experience.

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What is an MS / MSc in Data Science?

An MSc in Data Science in the UK is a postgraduate degree focusing on various aspects like data analysis, machine learning, statistical modelling, and artificial intelligence.

It prepares graduates to solve real-world problems using data-driven decision-making across industries such as finance, healthcare, retail, technology, and consulting.

Most MSc Data Science programs in the UK are 1 year full-time, though some universities also offer part-time options (typically 2 to 3 years).

The course usually covers the following skills:

Top Universities for MS in Data Science in the UK

The UK boasts many top institutions that offer an MS in Data Science. Find top courses below, along with their fees and duration.

University

Program/ Related Program

Duration

Fees

University of Oxford

MSc in Social Data Science

10 months

full-time

£38,430

INR 47 lacs

Imperial College London

MSc Statistics (Data Science and Machine Learning)

1 year full-time

£39,900

INR 49 lacs

University College London

MSc Data Science and Machine Learning

1 year full-time

£42,700

INR 52 lacs

University of Edinburgh

MSc Data Science 

1 year full-time

(part-time available)

£45,410

INR 55 lacs

King’s College London

MSc Data Science 

1 year full-time

£40,450

INR 49 lacs

University of Manchester

MSc Data Science

1 year full-time

£35,200

INR 43 lacs

London School of Economics and Political Science

MSc Data Science

1 year full-time

£39,900

INR 49 lacs

University of St. Andrews

MSc Data Science

(Online)

Up to three years

£18,000

INR 22 lacs

University of London

MSc Data Science

(Online)

1-5 years

£10,478

INR 12 lacs

Loughborough University

MSc Data Science

1 year full-time

£30,900

INR 38 lacs

University of Birmingham 

MSc Data Science

1 year full-time

£34,740

INR 42 lacs

University of Bristol

MSc Data Science

1 year full-time

£36,500

INR 44 lacs

University of Bath

MSc Data Science

1 year full-time

£32,000

INR 39 lacs

University of Southampton

MSc Data Science

1 year full-time

£35,000

INR 43 lacs

*Fees are indicative and subject to change annually.

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Eligibility & Admission Requirements for MS in Data Science in the UK

For an MS in Data Science in the UK, universities have specific academic, language, and documentation requirements. While exact criteria may vary by institution, the general admission requirements are:

Criteria

Details

Academic

An undergraduate degree in a related field is required with a UK 2:1 equivalent (roughly 60-70%+ or 3.0/4.0 GPA) for standard programmes.


Relevant disciplines include engineering, mathematical or physical sciences.


In some universities, a 2:2 may also be considered when presented with substantial relevant professional/industry experience.

English Language Proficiency

Common scores are:


  • IELTS: Overall 7.0 (no band below 6.5)
  • TOEFL iBT: 88-100+ (no score below 22 in each exam)

Work Experience

Not mandatory, but relevant internships or technical experience can improve profile strength

Documents Required
  • Proof of English language proficiency

Student Visa

You will require the following documents to get a UK student visa:


  • Passport
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
  • Proof of funds
  • ATAS certificate (if required)
  • Tuberculosis test results
  • Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship

*Entry requirements may vary across universities and programs. Applicants should always verify the specific eligibility criteria on the official university course page before applying.

It is also important to note that universities have specific intakes, and applicants should plan their timelines carefully by understanding UK university intakes (September, January, and May).

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Cost of Studying an MS in Data Science in the UK

Apart from the tuition fees, students also need to pay for a visa and healthcare.

Cost of Living

Indian students planning to study in the UK can expect their monthly cost to be around £1300-£1400 in London or £900-£1300 in the rest of the UK. This will cover their accommodation, bills, food items, and other living expenses. A rough breakdown of these costs is given below:

Expense

London

Rest of the UK

Private accommodation

£750

INR 91K

£554

INR 67K

Gas, electricity, water, broadband

£140

INR 17K

£80

INR 9K

Groceries

£155

INR 18K

£116

INR 14K

Dining out

£150

INR 18K

£80

INR 9K

Public transport

£103

INR 12K

£54

INR 6K

Mobile bill

£18

INR 2K

£18

INR 2K

*Figures above are indicative and subject to change.

Total Estimated Cost

The total estimated cost for a 1-year full-time MSc program, including tuition, living expenses, visa fees, and healthcare surcharge:

*Please note that the application fee is not included in this estimate.

Want to know more about student essentials before moving to the UK? Read our detailed blog: A Guide to Life in UK for Indian Students

Jobs & Salary After an MS in Data Science in the UK

An MSc in Data Science graduate has access to a wide range of job opportunities across several sectors, including finance, consultancy, tech, health and pharmaceuticals, retail and e-commerce, and government and public sector.

Career Opportunities

Find a few job roles with their average salary range in the UK that recent graduates with an MSc in Data Science can explore.

Job Roles

Average Salary Range

Data analyst-statistician

£23,000 to £62,000

Data scientist

£32,000 to £82,500

Research scientist

£27,000 to £48,000

Systems analyst

£28,000 to £62,000

Business analyst

£23,000 to £55,000

Market research data analyst

£24,000 to £50,000

*The above figures are indicative and may vary by location and employer.

Top Hiring Companies

  • IBM
  • Microsoft
  • Deloitte
  • KPMG
  • PwC
  • Google
  • Accenture
  • DeepMind
  • NASA
  • Boeing
  • Samsung AI Centre

Scholarships for MS in Data Science in the UK

University Scholarships

Many universities in the UK offer merit-based scholarships to international students in Data Science programs. Either they will cover the full cost or provide partial tuition, and sometimes they also provide stipends for a student's living expenses.

All universities publish detailed scholarship pages. Students can check the full details on the official websites of the selected institutions regarding eligibility, deadlines, and application procedures.

Government & External Scholarships For Indian Students

Many scholarships are offered by the government and external scholarships to support students in their study abroad journey in the UK. Find some of those listed below:

Government Scholarship

Scholarship

Details

Chevening Scholarship

This is for one-year Master’s programs and covers tuition fees, travel and living expenses.

GREAT Scholarship

Funded under the UK’s “GREAT Britain” campaign, the Great scholarship awards £10,000 for tuition fees.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

This is primarily for the countries part of the Commonwealth group and covers full tuition fees, travel and provides a living allowance.

Many external organisations also offer scholarships for Indian students, some of which are:

External Scholarships

Scholarship

Details

The J. N. Tata Endowment Scholarship

A merit-based scholarship awarded for full-time Postgraduate / PhD. / Postdoctoral studies overseas, across all disciplines is driven by defined eligibility criteria.

The Inlaks Scholarship

Awarded to Indian students of exceptional talent, character, and motivation. 


The value depends on the course and covers tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel, visa costs and health allowance, up to USD 120,000.

The Aga Khan Foundation

Provides scholarships to outstanding scholars who have no other means of financing their studies

Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarships

For Indian students planning to pursue postgraduate studies.

Students should also explore more scholarship opportunities for international students to reduce the cost of studying in the UK.

Is MS in Data Science the Right Choice for You?

Choosing the right university and planning your career pathway in the UK can be quite overwhelming. This is where Career Launcher’s Study Abroad team makes a real difference.

With 29+ years of admissions expertise and a track record of helping 2,00,000+ study abroad applicants in gaining successful admits to top universities, Career Launcher helps students:

A majority of students advised by Career Launcher receive at least one admit from their shortlisted universities, reflecting the importance of profile-aligned course and university selection.

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FAQ's

The Applied Data Science program at LSE is a good option as it is a 1-year master's program that will equip you with advanced data science skills that are in demand across a variety of careers in the private, public and non-profit sectors.

Some of the best online MSc data science UK universities include the University of London and the University of St Andrews. Both of these universities offer flexible duration and lower tuition compared to on-campus programs.

Yes, the University of Exeter is a good choice for a master's program as the university if known for its strong research output and industry links. They offer a solid MSc in Data Science program, which is suitable for students seeking a balanced academic and applied curriculum.

Yes, pursuing an MSc in Data Science in the UK is a good option as the country is known for its strong universities, 1-year master's course structure, post-study work rights, and good exposure to European job markets.

Some best universities for Data Science in the UK are the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yes, a Master's in Data Science is worth it, especially if you want to pursue technical roles in AI, Machine Learning or analytics. The course will provide a strong formal training in data science and international exposure, significantly improving employability and salary prospects.

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