Postgraduate

We offer many exciting full-time and part-time data science postgraduate programmes in a number of areas across the University.

When studying within The University of Edinburgh either on campus or online, students have access to a high profile, innovative data environment with credibility for large-scale external investment in this emerging cross-disciplinary theme. To help students identify which programme might be right for them, the table below outlines the delivery and study period for each programme. For additional information, the links within the table go to The University of Edinburgh's Degree Finder pages which outline full details of each programme while the links in the text below the table go to each programme's website.   

The University’s Degree Finder lists all relevant programmes:

Subject Area: Data Science

*The online programmes can be completed in fewer years part time. See the Data Science, Technology and Innovation website for additional details.

University-wide programme:

Data Science, Technology and Innovation

(Online Learning Postgraduate Programmes)

The Data Science, Technology and Innovation postgraduate programme is a University-wide online learning programme hosted by the College of Science and Engineering.  This flexible, modular programme is designed to fully equip tomorrow's data professionals, offering different entry points into the world of data science – with courses available across the sciences, medicine, arts and humanities. Students are able to study a single or multiple courses via Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) or study at a PG Certificate, PG Diploma or Masters (MSc) level.

Demand is growing for high value data specialists with high level skills to turn stockpiles of information into knowledge for better decision making. Our modular online framework means that working professionals from diverse backgrounds can pursue professional development in a variety of forms while continuing to fulfil professional commitments. This programme aims to enhance existing career paths with an additional dimension in data science, through new technological skills and/or better ability to engage with data in target domains of application. Further information is available on the programme website:

• Data Science, Technology and Innovation MSc, PG Diploma, PG Certificate and Postgraduate Professional Development 

College of Science and Engineering:

School of Informatics

MSc in Data Science

The School of Informatics' MSc in Data Science is designed for students who want to establish a career as a data scientist in industry or the public sector, as well as students who want to explore the area prior to further training such as in our CDT in Data Science.  Data science is the study of the computational principles, methods, and systems for extracting and structuring knowledge from data; and the application and use of those principles. Large data sets are now generated by almost every activity in science, society, and commerce - ranging from molecular biology to social media, from sustainable energy to health care. Full details about this programme  and other programmes offered within the School of Informatics are available on their website:

• MSc in Data Science

MSc in Cyber Security, Privacy and Trust

Our societies are critically dependent on computer software. Electronic systems are everywhere, and governments, financial and transport organisations, or telecommuniation companies all possess and manage huge amounts of sensitive information concerning all of our everyday activities. Cyber security and privacy is the study of the computational principles, methods and mechanisms for safeguarding these sensitive applications. Graduates of the programme will learn how to evaluate, design and implement secure and trustworthy systems in complex distributed systems. 

• MSc in Cyber Security, Privacy and Trust

EPCC

MSc in High Performance Computing with Data Science

EPCC at the University of Edinburgh offers two MSc degree programmes: The MSc in High Performance Computing and The MSc in High Performance Computing with Data Science. Both programmes offer flexibility with a rich choice of units and excellent job prospects on graduation.  Full details related to these taught MSc programmes are available on the programme website:

• EPCC High Performance Computing and High Performance Computing with Data Science Taught MSc Programmes

School of Mathematics 

MSc Statistics with Data Science | MSc in Operational Research with Data Science | MSc in Statistics and Operational Research 

The School of Mathematics has several MSc programmes relating to data science: Statistics with Data Science; Operational Research (OR) with Data Science; and Statistics and Operational Research. Each programme has its own distinctive focus but with the common aims of developing the analytical, computational and modelling skills of students within a rigorous mathematical/statistical framework.

The MSc Statistics/OR with Data Science provides a strong foundation in the basic discipline of Statistics or OR with additional breadth in mathematical sciences and computing; while the MSc Statistics and OR provides a core focus on the natural combination of analytical skills. In addition to the academic content there is also an emphasis on the interpersonal and communication skills which are key for a future career in industry (e.g. consulting, banking, finance, telecommunications, government organisations) and further studies and research.

Students come from diverse backgrounds such as mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, engineering economics, business and other quantitative disciplines. Full details related to these taught MSc programmes are available on the School of Mathematics MSc Degrees website:

• School of Mathematics MSc Degrees

School of Engineering

MSc in Signal Processing and Communication

Signal processing and communications provide the theoretical foundations for any application which generates, processes, transmits or stores any type of signal. Practical examples include computers and smart phones, autonomous vehicles, human-computer interfaces (HCI), medical images and digital cameras. This programme is one of several in Europe which has a curriculum that covers both signal processing and communications, with a strong emphasis of machine learning techniques. The key strength of our programme is that we place an emphasis on fundamental concepts and how they relate to recent advances in both disciplines. We also use real-world system examples to demonstrate their practical application.

• MSc in Signal Processing and Communication

School of GeoSciences

MSc in Geographical Information Science

Edinburgh has a well-established reputation in Geographical Information Science and has been offering an MSc programme in GIS since 1985.  This programme examines the storage, manipulation and visualisation of geospatial data, unique in its variety of data structures and breadth of application.  Traditional approaches based on maps and coordinate systems have been augmented by techniques such as spatial analysis in two, three and four dimensions, network modelling, routing, database management, data mining, web-mapping and app development, involving large volumes of data coming from a diverse sources such as satellites, smartphones, electronic point of sale, web services and lidar ground survey. The programme involves field-work and includes the potential for work-based dissertations.

Careers in this rapidly-growing multi-billion-dollar sector extend from software engineering through information management, to applications as diverse as building management, citizen science, environmental protection, flooding, land ownership, natural hazards, oil and gas, urban planning, refugee management, security and policing, telecommunications, and vehicle and personal navigation. Further information is available on the programme website: 

• MSc in Geographical Information Space

MSc in Earth Observation & Geoinformation Management

The MSc in Earth Observation & Geoinformation Management brings together skills in remote sensing with spatial data handling and GIS within the School of GeoSciences in Edinburgh.  Remote sensing involves the collection of immense volumes of data using sensors carried by satellites, aeroplanes, UAVs (drones) and ground-based systems. The programme examines platforms, sensors, image processing, data management, spatial analysis and visualisation. It involves field-work and leads to employment in the rapidly-growing geospatial and earth observation sectors.  Applications include archaeology, climate-change research, disaster relief, ecosystem services, environmental monitoring and management, forestry, marine science, mineral prospecting and precision agriculture. Further information is available on the programme website:

• MSc in Earth Observation & Geoinformation Management

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

MSc in Business Analytics

Given the ever-increasing volume of data that businesses have access to today, there is a demand for employees who have computational and analytical skills and who can inform business decisions to increase efficiency. Our Masters in Business Analytics has been developed with just that in mind and our aim is to teach students how to apply descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics of big data concepts and techniques to generate valuable insight that can assist with decision making. Full details of this Master’s degree can be found on the Business School website via the link below. 

• MSc in Business Analytics

College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Edinburgh Medical School

PhD in Precision Medicine 

This MRC Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) in Precision Medicine is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh (UoE) and the University of Glasgow (UoG).  Students will study a PhD with an integrated suite of bespoke taught courses from UoE and UoG over 3.5 – 4 years, dependent on previous qualifications. Our collaborative DTP will provide state-of-the-art training in informatics, data analytics, genetics, genomics, epidemiology, clinical populations, clinical tissue and ‘liquid biopsy’ interrogation and molecular pathology.  

Students will have access to vast data assets emerging from the infrastructure and facilities within the world-leading training environments provided by the three partners, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Karolinska. Students will learn to develop quantitative research creativity for use in their future careers in fast moving disciplines, as biomedical science embraces new data-rich opportunities.  Further details are available on the programme website:

• Precision Medicine DTP PhD

Clinical Sciences

Neuroimaging for Research

The Neuroimaging MSc / PG Dip / PG Cert programme mission is to disseminate neuroimaging knowledge, skills & understanding, in order to enable effective and efficient use of neuroimaging in research.

The aims of this flexible, intermittent, part-time, online distance learning (OLDL) programme are:

• to provide an understanding of research which uses neuroimaging techniques
• to develop research planning & designing skills, incorporating neuroimaging
• to enable interpretation & analysis of relevant neuroimaging data
• to relate neuroimaging research to clinical applications

Online learning allows students to access world class teaching at the University of Edinburgh, while maintaining their local professional and personal commitments where they live, thereby keeping down costs by not being resident in Edinburgh.

The programme is targeted at those with backgrounds in: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Radiology, Radiography, Radiotherapy, Nursing, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Image Analysis, Image Processing, Computer Science, Informatics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Psychology, Stroke Medicine, Geriatrics / Medicine of the Elderly, & Neurosciences.

• Neuroimaging for Research

Imaging

The Imaging MSc / PG Dip / PG Cert programme mission is to disseminate imaging knowledge, skills & understanding, in order to enable effective and efficient use of imaging, clinically, in research and in industry.

The aims of our flexible, intermittent, part-time, online distance learning (OLDL) programme are:

• to provide an understanding of imaging theory, techniques, analysis & applications
• to develop research planning & designing skills, incorporating imaging
• to enable interpretation & analysis of relevant imaging data
• to relate imaging research to clinical applications

Online learning allows students to access world class teaching at the University of Edinburgh, while maintaining their local professional and personal commitments where they live, thereby keeping down costs by not being resident in Edinburgh.

The programme is targeted at those with backgrounds in: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Radiology, Radiography, Radiotherapy, Nursing, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Image Analysis, Image Processing, Computer Science, & Informatics.

• Imaging 

Additional Training:

PhD Programmes

If you are interested in studying a PhD related to data science, there are wide-range of programmes available within The University of Edinburgh.  The Postgraduate Research Programmes webpage below contains additional information and a list of possible programmes.  

• UoE Postgraduate Research Programmes

Online Learning Programmes

The University offers a wide-range of programmes delivered by online learning.  Visit the Online Programmes webpage below for information related to the broad range of subject areas and a number of credit-bearing qualifications.

• UoE Online Programmes