School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering

MSc Data Science

MSc Full-time 14 months, Part-time 28 months

Transform your career with our MSc Data Science conversion course. Designed for graduates from diverse disciplines, this program equips you with cutting-edge skills to tackle global challenges using data-driven approaches.

Transform your career with our MSc Data Science conversion course. Designed for graduates from diverse disciplines, this program equips you with cutting-edge skills to tackle global challenges using data-driven approaches.

Award
MSc
Start date(s)
9 January 2026,2 March 2026,14 September 2026
UCAS Code
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (14 months),Part-time (28 months)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

The MSc Data Science is a conversion programme designed for graduates from a wide range of backgrounds who want to step into one of today’s fastest-growing fields.

Whether you’re looking to pivot your career or enhance your existing expertise, this course will equip you with the technical skills and practical experience needed to thrive as a data professional.

  • Open to graduates from any discipline

  • Meets the urgent demand for data science talent across sectors

  • Developed by leading experts to prepare adaptable, industry-ready graduates

  • Includes tailored support in mathematics and programming through a dedicated induction and ongoing workshops

  • Learn through real-world case studies and access cloud training environments provided by industry partners

You’ll also have the chance to apply for a paid internship with one of our partners, such as The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust or Transport for West Midlands, gaining hands-on experience while building valuable industry connections.

Our partners also contribute live case studies and professional training resources, ensuring your learning reflects the challenges and opportunities faced in today’s data-driven world.

Find out more from course leader, Liam Naughton:

Many of our academics are actively engaged in research and belong to one of our dedicated research institutes, including the Digital Innovations and Solution Centre (DISC), ensuring teaching is informed by the latest discoveries.

What's unique about this course?

  • Industry Software: Receive training & instruction in the use of industry standard software and tools such as R/RStudio, SAS, Python, SQL. As well as using these tools you’ll learn how to develop your own Apps and tools to develop dashboards using Quarto and Shiny.  
  • Alumni Insights: Regular presentations from industry experts including graduates from the program. Previous speakers have included experts from the Department of Levelling-up, Housing & Communities, IBM, and the I-UG User Group
  • Flexible Study: Flexible delivery using a carousel delivery model with six-week modules which run over two days each week. This means that you can structure your studies around your other commitments.

What happens on the course?

This course is currently subject to revalidation in February 2027.

The MSc Data Science course is made up of modules that vary from year to year and are reviewed regularly based on the pace of this fast moving sector.

Regular modules include:

  • Data Science
  • Concepts & Technologies of Artificial Intelligence
  • Data Visualization
  • Database Systems & Security
  • Data Mining & Informatics
  • Statistics with AI and Data Science
  • Research Methods
  • Project Management

In addition to these modules students will be enrolled on a free pre-course induction programme in fundamental mathematics and programming. This induction programme will be available to students all year round and additional support with mathematics and programming will be provided as needed by the expert support team at the University.

Placements on the course

Every student will now have the opportunity for a professional development work placements, to bridge the gap between academic learning and the world of work.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Developing and implementing machine learning models and algorithms

Translating data into actionable insights for business strategy

Developing AI systems and applications across various industries

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

This MSc Data Science (conversion) has been developed with a specific focus on employability. The potential industry internship provides students with the opportunity to fine tune their skills directly in the workplace and to gain valuable work experience.

The primary goal of the new conversion courses is to respond to the shortage of data science and AI specialists in the UK. The Government's Digital Strategy predicted that within 20 years, 90 per cent of all jobs will require some element of digital skills.

The combination of graduates original first degree with the skills obtained on this course will open up a broad range of career pathways.

The educational aims of this course are

  • To enhance critical understanding and skills regarding processes, techniques and methodologies around data science in a blended learning environment with hand-on application using cutting edge software.
  • To equip students from a broad variety of backgrounds with the key skills needed to mine datasets and to extract meaning and insights from complex real world situations.

To equip students with the communication, management and organisational skills needed to lead data science projects and to communicate findings to the wider organisation including to non-technical audiences.

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Jan intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £9088 per year £9088 per year 2025-26
Home Part-time £4544 per year £4544 per year 2025-26
International Full-time £16950 per year £17967 per year 2025-26

These fees relate to new entrants only for the academic year indicated for entry onto the course, any subsequent years of study may be subject to an annual increase, usually in line with inflation.

A lower second class honours degree in any discipline

GCSE Grade 4 in Mathematics or equivalent.

Alternatively

Evidence of industrial experience in a relevant area will be considered. An interview process will also be utilised to verify suitability for the course for candidates with non-standard academic backgrounds but with demonstrable industry experience.

International Applicants

Your qualifications need to be deemed equivalent to the above entry requirements.

Master's Loan Eligibility

In particular this means that International students who require a visa to come and study in the UK are not eligible for this funding

Home students who do meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the scholarship at You should only do so after you have submitted and application to this course.

Please direct any queries to MScConversion@wlv.ac.uk


Postgraduate Loan (Home Fee Status):

You may be able to get a postgraduate student loan from Student Finance England of up to £12,858 to help pay for a Master’s degree. Applications are made through Student Finance England and more information on the regulations and eligibility criteria can be found at Masters Loans GOV.UK

* Any RPL will invalidate your eligibility as you must study a minimum of 180 credits


Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Postgraduate Loyalty Discount:

You can get 20% discount on a taught on-site postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate.

The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification.

The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here.


Self-funded:

If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here.


Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.

Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Charitable Funding:

You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts. Please contact Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Aid. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation.

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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