Postgraduate MSc, PDip, PCert

Data Science

The world is full of data, from global banks to Formula 1 teams, supermarkets and the United Nations. Data scientists ask and answer questions like what happened, why it happened, what will happen, and what can be done with the results.

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Overview

Data scientists use principles and practices from the fields of mathematics, statistics, artificial intelligence, and computer engineering, to analyse and generate meaning from data. At Kent, you're taught how to apply cutting-edge machine learning and deep learning methods, and how to make sense of the text data that is all around us.

Taught by experts in the field, you'll use real-world data to learn the technical, practical and transferrable skills needed to be a successful data scientist. This conversion course is designed for those with limited previous knowledge of data science, statistics and computing: you don't need a background in the subject as we start with the foundations of data science theory.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning innovations have made data processing faster and more efficient. Industry demand has created job positions in organisations around the world within the field of data science. Due to the skillset and expertise required, this looks likely to continue over the coming decades. Add a Year in Industry to further enhance your employability.

Reasons to study MSc Data Science conversion course at Kent

  • Our course is tailor-made to allow entry with an undergraduate degree from any subject (or equivalent qualifications or experience), so long as you meet our entry requirements.
  • The conversion course was designed in consultation with external organisations; they told us which skills and experience they look for in potential employees.
  • You’ll be taught key technical skills that employers expect from their employees, including Python and R programming and the use of machine learning and deep learning methods.
  • You’ll develop the transferrable skills you need to be successful in any field. For example, by the end of the course, we expect that you’ll be much more confident in presenting your findings in various ways to other people.
  • You can add an industrial placement to this conversion course, allowing you to gain valuable work experience and contacts.
  • Our teaching staff are research-active and have a wide range of experience. Our expertise covers the broad subject of data science.

Your future

You will be a trained data scientist, equipped to work in many fields. Organisations with data will require your skills: you might work for a national government, an insurance company, as an archaeologist or for a football club or cricket franchise. Alternatively, perhaps you see yourself as a future entrepreneur, using what you’ve learnt about data to develop your own business. To help you decide, you’ll be able to attend talks from professionals who work with data and to attend networking events with employers.

Career support
Whether you want to get ahead in your current career, change lanes, or kickstart a new one – we are here to help you realise your ambition.

Fees and funding

The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.

General additional costs

Find out more about accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:

Scholarships

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

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Next steps

Ready to apply?

Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

Apply for MSc

Apply for PCert

Apply for PDip

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We are here to support your postgraduate journey.

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Kent ranked top 40 in The Times Good University Guide 2025.

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Support for funding so you can focus on your studies.

Research excellence

Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.

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It’s easy to study on or off campus at Kent – discover what is right for you.