1 year (full-time)
Data Science MSc
Data Science · Masters
MSc Data Science at Lancaster University is a flexible master's with three specialist pathways — Biodiversity, Business Intelligence and Data Engineering — designed by leading academics and industry experts to match employer needs, and continually refined through Lancaster's Data Science Institute, which plays a leading role in UK data science research with over £50M of funding. Three parts cover core data science (fundamentals of statistics and programming in Python, modern machine learning and artificial intelligence), specialist pathway modules, then a 14-week industry placement or dissertation.
Guided from shortlist to offer.
Our counsellors help you compare programmes, check entry requirements and plan the real costs  so the choice you make is the right one for your goals and budget.
Course snapshot
Full-time, Part-time
September
International
Lancaster University
Lancaster, England
About this programme
Students develop programming skills in R and Python and network with industry professionals through guest lectures, group projects and professional skills workshops, choosing optional modules such as Advanced Topics in AI, Natural Language Processing and Language Models, Simulation and Reinforcement Learning, Forecasting and Time-Series Analytics and Applied Data Science for Biodiversity. Entry is a 2:2 honours degree in any discipline with exposure to quantitative methods such as statistics or mathematical modelling, and the programme suits recent graduates and career changers alike. English: IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each element, with pre-sessional English available.
What you will need
Qualifications
- 2:2 in any discipline with exposure to quantitative methods such as statistics or mathematical modelling (or international equivalent)
Subjects
- Statistics
- Mathematics
English language
IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each component (as published)
Fees & costs
Tuition category: International
GBP: International fees GBP 30,000 per year (2026 entry); UK (Home) fees GBP 14,140 per year (2026 entry)
Official programme information: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-courses/data-science-msc/
Course fees vary by institution and programme. We can help you understand the likely costs for your study plan and destination before you commit.
Where this programme can take you
Industry demand
Alumni work across industries from retail and healthcare to agriculture and infrastructure — including roles such as Head of Data Science and AI at Co-op Group, Senior Data Scientist at Netflix, Principal Data Scientist at the UK Government and Senior AI Engineer at Shell — and many students are offered jobs at the end of their placements.

