Data Science

Entry requirements

You should normally have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above.

Your qualification should be in physics, engineering, science, computing, mathematics or life sciences. You may also be considered for the course if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Register for our upcoming webinar: Study a Masters in Data Science or AI: Courses and Careers.

Join course lecturers Dr Omar Lakkis, Dr Maxine Sherman and Dr Ivor Simpson to discover our range of Data Science and AI Masters courses at Sussex.

Webinar date & time: 21st May 2026 at 12pm BST. Learn more >

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Develop practical experience, explore innovative tools and learn advanced techniques to prepare for a career across data-driven industries.

Why choose this course at Sussex?

Data forms the basis of knowledge and underpins our understanding of the world. We can find data everywhere – in how we exercise, what we eat and even in how galaxies evolve.

From agriculture to astronomy, the rate at which we collect and process information is accelerating. Data Science helps us interrogate this information to solve problems. You’ll learn to create more effective systems and make the world a better place.

Get the tools and techniques you need to build, analyse and interpret large datasets common in academic science and industrial practice. By studying at Sussex, you’ll:

• gain hands-on experience with large-scale, real-world datasets, learning how to develop robust and effective solutions
• become experienced in Python and other cutting-edge computing and mathematical tools essential for data manipulation and analysis
• learn advanced techniques in machine learning to build predictive models and solve complex problems
• build key skills to engage with data in areas ranging from mathematics, computer science, physics and biology to medicine, geography, development studies and economics.

You’ll be supported by expert faculty. Through your MSc dissertation you can focus on an area that interests you most. You could consider Data Science applications in climate change, banking, smart devices, gaming, pandemics, degenerative diseases and more.

You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge for a successful career in data-driven industries such as technology, finance and engineering. You could forge a career as a data scientist, machine learning engineer or data analyst, or decide to pursue further study.

Careers

When you graduate, you’ll be equipped with skills highly sought after by employers across a range of industries, from technology and finance to engineering and beyond.

In the past, our graduates have progressed to roles including:

• data analyst
• data scientist
• data engineer
• software developer
• technical consultant

Some of the organisations our graduates have gone on to work for include:

• Brand Watch
• Capita
• ITV
• Legal & General
• Siemens Mobility
• Shanghai Craiditx