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Drive digital change with our distance learning Computer Science with Data Analytics MSc. Unlock your potential in digital data and stay ahead of the curve by completing a Masters in Data Analytics. 

With 2.5 quintillion bytes produced each day, we’re generating more data than ever before. It’s a figure that’s only set to rise with the growth of the Internet of Things. Businesses across the world are calling out for computer science experts with the specialist data science knowledge needed to manage and analyse this wealth of information.

This data analytics course is one of two online Computer Science pathways we offer at Northumbria (the other being our Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence MSc). On both pathways you’ll first gain a firm foundation in computer science knowledge, with shared modules in Data Modelling & Analytics, Secure Web Development, and Object Oriented Programming. 

After these foundation modules, you’ll then continue in this Data Analytics MSc pathway to specialise in data science. This will include developing your understanding of big data, cloud computing, statistics and business intelligence.

Our flexible Computer Science with Data Analytics Masters course provides an opportunity to develop theoretical knowledge and hands-on computing skills to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll learn important practical computing skills, such as  Python, Javascript, Oracle SQL Plus, Pandas, Python 3 and Microsoft Azure, to hone your programming skills.

Northumbria University is also part of the government’s £40m-funded Institute of Coding, meaning we’re dedicated to preparing students to fill the shortage of digital skills in the UK. 

We welcome applications from candidates from any background. Whether you’re looking to change direction and kickstart a future in Data Analytics or learn more to fuel your organisation’s performance through big data, the learning objectives on this course will answer your needs.

We’ve designed our Data Analytics Masters pathway to be flexible, so you’ll be able to study whenever and wherever it suits you. Access all our teaching and learning facilities online. And your subject tutors and dedicated Student Success Advisor will be there to support you from enrolment to graduation. 

If you have a question about this course, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or discover more about our online degree and studying a masters

Check out similar courses such as our Business Analytics MSc

Institute of Coding logo

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
2 years Distance Learning

Department
Computer and Information Sciences

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
Upcoming Intakes: July 2024, October 2024

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in any subject. Other subject qualifications, equivalent professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry

Full UK Fee: £10,460

Full International Fee: £10,460



Scholarships and Discounts

Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options for UK and International applicants.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

Our Application Process

Applying for this course is quick and easy, and can be done using our online applicant portal.

 

As part of the application process, you’ll need to upload a selection of important documents including:

  • Your Bachelor’s degree certificate
  • A copy of your degree transcript (if this was awarded in a language other than English, you’ll need an official translation too)
  • Evidence of any other postgraduate or professional qualifications
  • An updated CV/resume
  • Proof of your English Language proficiency (if English is your second language)
  • A 500 word personal statement

If you are a non standard applicant, you will also need to send us two professional / personal references on headed paper.

 

After receiving your application, our Applicant Services team will aim to respond to you as soon as possible.

 

You are advised to apply early to secure your place and organise any sponsorship, scholarships or funding.

 

The University reserves the right at any stage to request applicants and enrolling students to provide additional information about any aspect of their application or enrolment. In the event of any student providing false or inaccurate information at any stage, and/or failing to provide additional information when requested to do so, the University further reserves the right to refuse to consider an application, to withdraw registration, rescind home fees status where applicable, and/or demand payment of any fees or monies due to the University.

 


Modules

Listed below are the modules that you will study on this course. Delivered in a flexible carousel structure, the order in which you study your modules will vary depending on when you begin the course. Please note, modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change between academic years. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes. If you have any questions about this, or our carousel structure, please get in touch on +44 (0) 191 276 4874 or at DLstudentenquiries@northumbria.ac.uk


PE7043 -

AI and Digital Technology (20 Credits)

In this online module you will learn various digital technologies that will work with AI for various real-world applications, and investigate how these technologies can transform the business, finance, manufacturing, etc. Specifically the module will cover the following key topics, including:

• Digital transformation technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Big data
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Blockchain
• Robotics
• Clouds
• Cyber security and privacy
• Industry 4.0

More information

PE7044 -

Data Modelling and Analytics (20 Credits)

This module is design to develop your understanding of the conceptual basis for current database technology of which you will subsequently be able to apply such knowledge in implementing database applications.

Specifically you will be able to understand how to analyse, model, design, develop and manipulate databases. Furthermore, you will appreciate limitations of existing data models and the need for database programming to achieve complete solutions, write transactions and procedures for data manipulation, specify security for operations, and apply business rules.

You will also gain knowledge of alternative data models, their rationale, advantages and disadvantages, construct alternative data representations for contemporary data processing application. Moreover, you will get an appreciation of non-traditional data types, systems and applications (e.g., NoSQL Databases). You will learn how to use data for business reporting, exploratory data analysis and advanced data analytics. In addition, you will realise the responsibilities of database designers with respect to professional, legal, security and ethical issues.

More information

PE7045 -

Secure Web Development (20 Credits)

Through the completion of this module you will learn the requirements for developing secure web applications to industry standards, including the technical and architectural components of the web, considering accessibility issues. You will also learn how to apply the tools and techniques required for secure web development and develop practical skills to build a web application that interacts with a database. Issues associated with the deployment of a web application will also be discussed, including how to audit and correct security deficiencies by following leading industrial practice.

The syllabus of the module will include:
• The technical and architectural components of the web
• HTML and CSS and their application to building a web site
• Client and Server programming to deploy a secure web application that interacts with a database• Security issues in the deployment of a web application that is both usable and accessible

More information

PE7049 -

Big Data & Cloud Computing (20 Credits)

Throughout this module you will develop knowledge and skills that will enable you to tackle a realistic big data problem, using some of the principal machine learning techniques and statistical approaches used in big data analysis. Furthermore, you will learn how to implement your solution using an industry leading Cloud computing provider together with appropriate distributed processing environments.

You will learn how to host multi-terabyte sized big datasets using a cloud service provider. This will includes provisioning a commercial cloud provider, and then mastering appropriate distributed operating systems, such as Hadoop. You will also learn approaches to processing and analysing big data, based on advanced statistical processing, supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms and other state of the art big data analytic methods. Such techniques include clustering algorithms, pattern based information extraction, linear and non-linear regression, and feature based models. Inevitably, much work on big data analysis is statistical, so you will therefore develop some relevant statistical understanding. As data visualization is frequently critical in helping to develop hypotheses about the data, you will also cover and apply problem relevant 2D and 3D visualization methods where appropriate to the particular datasets.

More information

PE7046 -

Research Project (60 Credits)

The aim of this module is for you to undertake a substantial academic research project at Masters level, produce a dissertation based on this work and present your findings. Your project itself will comprise a major piece of independent and original research centred at the forefront of your programme discipline. This takes place within the wider sphere of Computer Science.

In order to develop the necessary research knowledge and capabilities to successful complete the study, the module will begin with a taught stage where you develop a solid understanding of research methodology and methods alongside wider project management and academic skills required to successfully complete a research project. You will then progress to the completion of your project which will require you to develop, consolidate, and apply your independent research, academic study, and research skills to the investigation of a topic of your own choice that is relevant to your programme of study. You will experience the full life cycle of a research project from initial conception, development of a research proposal, critical review of the literature, planning and design of the research study to the implementation of your research, analysis of the findings, evaluation, reflection and dissemination.

You will present your work in a written report and recorded oral presentation.

More information

PE7070 -

Object Oriented Programming (20 Credits)

This module is designed to develop your knowledge; understanding and skills in object oriented programming and program design concepts, using an object first approach. Specifically, you will learn how to design, implement, test and document programs and will gain practical programming experience by solving small scale problems. In addition, you will cover the need for standards and the principles of quality. In particular, the syllabus of the module will cover topics such as:

• Programming: simple data types and calculations; classes, objects, inheritance, interfaces, polymorphism; methods, constructors; parameter passing; arrays and strings; simple collection classes; statements for selection and iteration; exception handling; file and stream handling; APIs
• GUI programming : event driven programming, GUI components
• Tools: use of a compiler and associated Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Documentation tools.
• Program testing: purpose of testing, black box and white box testing. Use of tool support.

Since the module is intended for graduates from disciplines other than Computing, no previous programming experience is assumed.

More information

Modules

Listed below are the modules that you will study on this course. Delivered in a flexible carousel structure, the order in which you study your modules will vary depending on when you begin the course. Please note, modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change between academic years. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes. If you have any questions about this, or our carousel structure, please get in touch on +44 (0) 191 276 4874 or at DLstudentenquiries@northumbria.ac.uk


PE7043 -

AI and Digital Technology (20 Credits)

In this online module you will learn various digital technologies that will work with AI for various real-world applications, and investigate how these technologies can transform the business, finance, manufacturing, etc. Specifically the module will cover the following key topics, including:

• Digital transformation technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Big data
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Blockchain
• Robotics
• Clouds
• Cyber security and privacy
• Industry 4.0

More information

PE7044 -

Data Modelling and Analytics (20 Credits)

This module is design to develop your understanding of the conceptual basis for current database technology of which you will subsequently be able to apply such knowledge in implementing database applications.

Specifically you will be able to understand how to analyse, model, design, develop and manipulate databases. Furthermore, you will appreciate limitations of existing data models and the need for database programming to achieve complete solutions, write transactions and procedures for data manipulation, specify security for operations, and apply business rules.

You will also gain knowledge of alternative data models, their rationale, advantages and disadvantages, construct alternative data representations for contemporary data processing application. Moreover, you will get an appreciation of non-traditional data types, systems and applications (e.g., NoSQL Databases). You will learn how to use data for business reporting, exploratory data analysis and advanced data analytics. In addition, you will realise the responsibilities of database designers with respect to professional, legal, security and ethical issues.

More information

PE7045 -

Secure Web Development (20 Credits)

Through the completion of this module you will learn the requirements for developing secure web applications to industry standards, including the technical and architectural components of the web, considering accessibility issues. You will also learn how to apply the tools and techniques required for secure web development and develop practical skills to build a web application that interacts with a database. Issues associated with the deployment of a web application will also be discussed, including how to audit and correct security deficiencies by following leading industrial practice.

The syllabus of the module will include:
• The technical and architectural components of the web
• HTML and CSS and their application to building a web site
• Client and Server programming to deploy a secure web application that interacts with a database• Security issues in the deployment of a web application that is both usable and accessible

More information

PE7049 -

Big Data & Cloud Computing (20 Credits)

Throughout this module you will develop knowledge and skills that will enable you to tackle a realistic big data problem, using some of the principal machine learning techniques and statistical approaches used in big data analysis. Furthermore, you will learn how to implement your solution using an industry leading Cloud computing provider together with appropriate distributed processing environments.

You will learn how to host multi-terabyte sized big datasets using a cloud service provider. This will includes provisioning a commercial cloud provider, and then mastering appropriate distributed operating systems, such as Hadoop. You will also learn approaches to processing and analysing big data, based on advanced statistical processing, supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms and other state of the art big data analytic methods. Such techniques include clustering algorithms, pattern based information extraction, linear and non-linear regression, and feature based models. Inevitably, much work on big data analysis is statistical, so you will therefore develop some relevant statistical understanding. As data visualization is frequently critical in helping to develop hypotheses about the data, you will also cover and apply problem relevant 2D and 3D visualization methods where appropriate to the particular datasets.

More information

PE7070 -

Object Oriented Programming (20 Credits)

This module is designed to develop your knowledge; understanding and skills in object oriented programming and program design concepts, using an object first approach. Specifically, you will learn how to design, implement, test and document programs and will gain practical programming experience by solving small scale problems. In addition, you will cover the need for standards and the principles of quality. In particular, the syllabus of the module will cover topics such as:

• Programming: simple data types and calculations; classes, objects, inheritance, interfaces, polymorphism; methods, constructors; parameter passing; arrays and strings; simple collection classes; statements for selection and iteration; exception handling; file and stream handling; APIs
• GUI programming : event driven programming, GUI components
• Tools: use of a compiler and associated Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Documentation tools.
• Program testing: purpose of testing, black box and white box testing. Use of tool support.

Since the module is intended for graduates from disciplines other than Computing, no previous programming experience is assumed.

More information

PE7046 -

Research Project (60 Credits)

The aim of this module is for you to undertake a substantial academic research project at Masters level, produce a dissertation based on this work and present your findings. Your project itself will comprise a major piece of independent and original research centred at the forefront of your programme discipline. This takes place within the wider sphere of Computer Science.

In order to develop the necessary research knowledge and capabilities to successful complete the study, the module will begin with a taught stage where you develop a solid understanding of research methodology and methods alongside wider project management and academic skills required to successfully complete a research project. You will then progress to the completion of your project which will require you to develop, consolidate, and apply your independent research, academic study, and research skills to the investigation of a topic of your own choice that is relevant to your programme of study. You will experience the full life cycle of a research project from initial conception, development of a research proposal, critical review of the literature, planning and design of the research study to the implementation of your research, analysis of the findings, evaluation, reflection and dissemination.

You will present your work in a written report and recorded oral presentation.

More information

To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Computer Science with Data Analytics MSc

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Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 02843 780 292 or by emailing DLstudentenquiries@northumbria.ac.uk



Discover how this course could transform your surveying career. Enter your details and we’ll be in touch with more information.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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