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2023/24
2024/25

MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing

  • Year of entry
    2023/24 See 2024/25 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months Part Time: 24 months
  • Year of entry
    2023/24 See 2024/25 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  12 months Part Time: 24 months

Join the next generation of data scientists and meet the challenges of the Information Age with our MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing.

On this course, you’ll work with experts from the Department of Computer Science to develop in-depth knowledge of:

  • data analysis and data-driven knowledge discovery
  • cloud computing
  • machine learning and artificial intelligence

This knowledge is vital. Computer science is driving our digital transformation; it is at the forefront of scientific discovery and the heart of economic growth. Utilising society’s wealth of data requires people who can blend research, technology and ingenuity.

Aimed at aspiring data scientists – the sought-after, high-ranking professionals of big data – this course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for IT. The degree has been designed for graduates of computer science and its related disciplines, as well as IT professionals and data analysts.

With the exponential growth of data being produced and the rise of automation in the workplace, our MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing course aims to meet the high demand for skilled data scientists and Artificial Intelligence (AI) specialists. The UK Government has identified AI and data as one of the ‘four grand challenges’ of global trends that will transform our future, making our graduates highly valued and sought-after.

Your studies will be supported by access to dedicated facilities, which include:

  • a rich software catalogue, plus modern PC rooms with 120 workstations
  • special-purpose hardware for embedded applications for VR headsets
  • professional graphic cards
  • a High-Performance Computing cluster for large-scale data processing.

Additionally, Reading has the fourth highest number of digital tech organisations in the UK, beaten only by London, Manchester and Brighton. Take advantage of this by making connections with like-minded industry people at local tech and developer meet-ups. You can raise your own professional profile while solving real-world problems and talking through the latest cutting-edge discoveries and innovations.

Our location also means you’ll be ideally placed to connect directly with some of the biggest companies in the industry. Several of these companies are actively involved in the development and review of this course. Companies currently participating in our Industrial Advisory Board include Nationwide, Oracle, Sony, Microsoft and IBM.

100% of our research impact has been classed outstanding or very considerable (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Computer Science and Informatics). You will also have access to Reading’s specialist areas of computing research, including:

  • Big data analytics. Applications include remotely sensed data analysis and interpretation, weather forecasting, and communication data stream analysis.
  • Computational vision. Applications include visual surveillance, border control and security, machine learning for image and video-based prediction and classification.
  • Cloud computing. Applications include data security and network security.

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £12,100

New international students: £25,800

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Scholarships and financial support

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

For further tuition fee information, please contact us.

Careers for MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing

The MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing course offers strong career prospects in a world where digital information penetrates almost every aspect of society.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire are relevant to the IT and high-tech industries, as well as the majority of industrial and scientific domains.

Benefit from our close links with industry neighbours, and our location at the centre of a major high-technology hub. The headquarters of companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard (HP) and Intel are all within a few miles of our main campus. Local tech employers also visit our Department to deliver guest lectures and attend job fairs.

Our graduates are employed in a wide variety of sectors, including finance and government. Some have gone on to work for consultancies or multinational companies, while others have furthered their research at Reading or other institutions.

Read more about where our MSc Data Science and Advanced Computing graduates are now

  • Fabio Cappello went on to join the research and development department of Sony Interactive Entertainment.
  • Chengcheng Cui is now an application developer at M&G Investments.
  • Deyan Dyankov works as Associate Director, Algorithmic Trading Model Validation at UBS Investment Bank