Data Science Masters/MSc

Dubai Campus

Start date
September
Duration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Campus
Dubai
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees

Annual tuition fee for 2024:
AED 148,138 for 1 year full-time or AED 74,069 per year over 2 years, part-time.
Your tuition fee can be paid in 3 instalments per year.

Scholarships are available.

Advances in computer science allow us to collect and store more data than ever before. However, making sense of all of this data is a challenge. Our MSc in Data Science will give you the skills to address these challenges through the use of computation.

Subject to Ministry of Education Accreditation

How do we use algorithms responsibly, ethically and legally? How do we visualise the results? In the very near future, most commercial and governmental organisations will depend on their ability to meet these challenges.

This Data Science Masters/MSc has been designed to get people from a variety of academic backgrounds up to speed with the state-of-the-art in data science. You'll learn programming and data management skills so that you can collect and manipulate data, advanced techniques for analysing and revealing patterns in data, and visualisation skills so that you can turn large data sets into something decision-makers can make sense of.

To enrich your learning experience on our programmes, our teaching is delivered jointly by staff from both our campuses (Dubai and the UK), by utilising modern digital technology. Typically, for each module, the teaching team consists of colleagues across the campuses with at least one member based in the Dubai campus. You will receive the same high-quality teaching materials (lecture slides and notes, for example) and rigorous assessments (assignments and exams, for example) as our UK campus. You will also have the opportunity to interact with staff & students across both campuses to support and enhance your learning experience. Furthermore, there is also the opportunity to conduct projects under the supervision of staff from either of our campuses which significantly boosts the pool of project topics accessible to our students.

You will study six, 20-credit fundamental compulsory modules and a 60-credit data science project. You will come to understand the cutting-edge contemporary challenges in data science and in a 20-credit group project you will try solving them through collaboration, and then complete a substantial individual project during which you will be able to showcase what you have learned.

By the end of the programme you'll be ready to apply your knowledge to help organisations understand the huge amounts of data they collect every day. 

Why study Data Science MSc at Birmingham Dubai?

  • Global recognition - We offer the same world-class education as in our UK campus by delivering the same high quality curriculum and meticulously similar quality assurance processes.
  • International reputation - The School of Computer Science is a truly international place, and our academics specialise in subjects including artificial intelligence and cyber security, which the modern world is built upon. You will be obtaining a first-class education in real-world issues, and will become the person that can develop and lead society and our future.
  • Research focused teaching - Our research feeds directly into your teaching ensuring your programme includes the latest developments in Computer Science, such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Cyber Security.
  • Excellent career prospects - The broad range of skills you will gain mean you could choose to work in technology consultancy, IT, investment and banking, software development, finance, or join on of the many emerging start-up companies.
  • Connections across the world - You will become part of our global community of computer science students across the world meaning you will be connected wherever you go in the world.

Meet our academics

Our Computer Science academics are highly qualified and based in Dubai.

View their staff profiles

Learn about the Computer Science Department in Dubai

Modules

The course consists of 180 credits. As well as 6 x 20 credit compulsory modules, you will also undertake a 60 credit project.

Core modules

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Fees

Annual tuition fee for 2024

  • AED 148,138 (1 year full-time)
  • AED 74,069/year (2 years part-time)

Scholarships

We have a number of scholarships available.

How To Apply

To find out more information about our application process please visit our 'How to apply page' before starting your application.

We will consider applications from applicants who already have a first degree in computer science on a case-by-case basis.

Our Standard Requirements

2:1 Honours degree in any subject plus Grade A (or above) in A Level Mathematics or equivalent (if your first degree is not Mathematics). Please upload evidence of this at the point of making your application.  We cannot consider your application without this. 

If you have undertaken studies outside the UK and have not taken A Levels, you can check if you hold the suitable equivalent

English language requirements

  • IELTS 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any band.
  • TOEFL- 88 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing
  • Pearson- 67 with no less than 59 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English Advanced- minimum overall score of 176 with no less than 162 in any component

International Requirements


The core components of this degree course are taught modules, a group project and an individual summer project.

Taught modules are delivered in a variety of ways

  • Lectures
  • Exercise classes
  • Seminars
  • Practical work
  • Lab sessions
  • Independent study

Assessment will be undertaken via

  • Examinations
  • Coursework
  • Written reports
  • Presentations

Course delivery

We offer a combination of evening and weekend classes which are designed to accommodate working professionals and those who choose to study full-time.

Our draft timetable for full-time students is designed to deliver teaching on one or two evenings from 18:00-21:00 and on Saturday from 09:00-17:00 (day varies per module). Each module is block taught over 11 weeks in Semester 1 and 12 weeks in Semester 2. Part-time students will study during these hours as per the number of modules they choose to study.

Please note that the example timetable is to be used as a guide and is subject to change. Our term dates are also available online. For further information, please contact the Programme Director, M. Usman Ilyas (m.ilyas@bham.ac.uk).

View example timetable for MSc Data Science (PDF 228 KB)

A degree gained through completing our MSc Data Science course provides the skills required for a wide range of careers.  It will give you a disciplined approach to analysing problems, with the ability to design creative solutions and critically evaluate the results. Employers are impressed by the combination of technical and transferable skills offered by computing graduates, and as such, you might find yourself in a variety of environments in academia, industry, research and commercial organisations.

These qualities, plus the prestige of a degree from a leading World Class University, make our graduates attractive  to companies in the engineering sector worldwide as well as those in finance, consultancy and commerce.

Examples of companies where our graduates have gone on to work include:

  • Microsoft
  • Google
  • Apple
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Sony
  • IBM
  • Siemens
  • Honda
  • JP Morgan
  • Morgan Stanley
  • The Bank of England

With the fast changing connected world, computer science is a key area for future careers across the world. Dubai, for example, is a truly exciting global city with a rapidly developing economy and extremely fast digitisation of Government services and actively embracing the artificial intelligence lead automation of various sectors. There is a vibrant start-up scene evident by the massive success of Careem and Amazon.ae formally souq.com. This is no doubt creating new jobs for computer science professionals.

Your Birmingham Degree

Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends.