Data Science

Entry requirements

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, including a substantial amount of mathematics.

Months of entry

September

Course content

About the MSc programme

The MSc Data Science programme offers in-depth training at the forefront of machine learning and data science. We seek applicants with a solid quantitative background and a strong interest in statistics, mathematics, and programming.

The programme offers a unique opportunity for prospective students: the theoretical foundations and computational skills you will acquire will enable you to deploy state-of-the-art data science methods and gain a thorough understanding to tackle various real-world challenges across different application domains at scale. The programme's integration within LSE will also guide your attention towards socially relevant and impactful problems.

The curriculum requires four mandatory courses, including a Capstone project, and three elective courses. The compulsory courses cover fundamental aspects of modern data analysis from both computational and statistical perspectives. The optional courses will enrich you with additional in-depth knowledge in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Bayesian Machine Learning, Distributed Computing for Big Data, Graph Data Analytics and Representation Learning, Time Series Analysis, and Financial Statistics. During the computer seminars accompanying the lectures, you will gain hands-on experience in numerous applications and develop skills in using modern computing systems and software frameworks.

Within the Capstone Project, you will have the opportunity to apply your acquired skills to real-world data science problems in a team and to interact directly with industry partners. You will be jointly supported by one of our industrial partners and an academic with leading expertise from the department. In recent years, our Capstone Project partners have included companies such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook/Meta, Adobe, Samsung, Koa Health, AstraZeneca, Capgemini, Siemens Advanta Consulting, ADIA, Wise, Deutsche Bank, Houghton Street Ventures, Experian DataLabs, KPMG, Tesco, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Alpha Telefónica, Westminster City Council, and the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit. Our capstone projects covered a wide range of application domains, including healthcare, marine and climate research, sustainability, agriculture, transportation, logistics, student well-being, entrepreneurship, and finance.

Department of Statistics

The Department is home to internationally respected experts in statistics and data science. Maintaining and advancing our leading reputation for teaching and research is our top priority. We offer a vibrant research environment and a comprehensive programme of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The Department has grown in recent years, especially in the area of data science which is a key priority for education and research in the LSE2030 strategy. We aim to play a leading role in fostering the study of data science and new forms of data, with a focus on its social, economic, and political aspects.

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students.

Fees and funding

Fees

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme. Visit the website for more information about the fees.

Funding

The School recognises that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for needs-based awards from LSE, including the Graduate Support Scheme, Master's Awards, and Anniversary Scholarships.

Selection for any funding opportunity is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.

Find out more about financial support.