Apply Now Book Open Day

BSc (Hons) Data Science

Name: BSc (Hons) Data Science
Price: £9790.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

UCAS CODE: DSC1 (Full-time) or DSC4 (Foundation Year)

TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

Do you want to learn how to work with data and use it to make decisions? Looking for a degree with opportunities to work on real-life scenarios, business challenges and career-relevant problems?

BSc (Hons) Data Science teaches you the skills and knowledge to collect, store, analyse, and present data for different purposes and industries. It gives you the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable academics and industry experts.

Top 10 for Teaching Quality*

*The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

University of the Year for South East England*

*WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2025

Top 5 Students' Union in the UK*

*Based on responses from taught BNU students (NSS 2025)

I am deeply grateful to BNU and its dedicated lecturers, whose unwavering support and expertise played a pivotal role in my academic journey. The skills and knowledge I gained have become integral to who I am today! Now, as a Data Analyst at Westcon-Comstor, I actively apply the extensive expertise and foundational insights acquired during my Data Science degree. This education continues to empower my professional growth and problem-solving capabilities daily.

Yamin Hassan

Why study data science at BNU?

Professional standard software and tools

Our computing facilities are regularly upgraded, ensuring you have access to the best hardware, software, and technology. This means you'll be well-versed in the technologies used by professionals, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. From Python and R to advanced data visualisation tools, you'll become proficient in the essential software. This practical knowledge will make you a valuable asset to any data-driven organisation.

Learn from experts

Learn from knowledgeable academics and industry experts who bring their real-world experience into the classroom. Their insights and guidance will help you understand the current trends and demands in the data science field. You'll benefit from their mentorship and networking connections, opening doors to internships and job opportunities.

Focus on employability

We put a strong emphasis on employability, aiming to provide you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in your career. You'll benefit from career services, networking opportunities, and support to help you land your dream job. Our dedicated career advisors will help you craft a standout CV and prepare for interviews. You'll also have access to job fairs and industry events, connecting you with potential employers.

Industry-relevant education

This programme has been carefully designed by our industry expert academics, based on standards set by professional bodies, to provide you with the skills and abilities needed to thrive in the fast-moving software industry. This means you will graduate with the skills, knowledge, behaviours, and attributes to carve out your own career, create your own opportunities, and enable you to adapt to diverse and different professional work situations and industry needs.

Committed to student success

BNU is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals, offering personalized support and resources to ensure you thrive both academically and professionally in the cyber security realm. Whether you need study support, career advice, or mental health services, we’re here for you every step of the way. Your success is our priority, and we’re committed to helping you build a bright future.

What will I study?

The BSc (Hons) Data Science course teaches you how to work with data in a variety of different ways. You will learn how to collect, store, analyse, and present data for different purposes and industries. You will also learn how to use different tools and software to handle data.

This degree will help you acquire a range of transferable skills that are essential for academic and professional success, such as curiosity, critical thinking, adaptability, and research skills. You will also learn how to solve problems and find insights from data. You will learn elements of data visualisation, storytelling and its ethical use, as well as data automation with AI. This will help you understand the role that data-based computing can have in a range of business and industry contexts.

The course gives a balance of theory and practice, with opportunities to apply your knowledge to real or simulated projects and scenarios. You will focus on technical data analysis applications and services for industries that require expertise in data-focused computing sectors, using database development technologies.

How will I be taught and assessed?

BSc (Hons) Data Science uses a range of methods and technology to teach you in and out of class. You will participate in lectures, tutorials, seminars, and practical sessions. You will also learn from guest speakers, real projects, and visits to different places. You will become more independent and self-directed as you progress through the course. You will also have access to the BNU’s Virtual Learning Environment a digitally based platform that offers many features and resources to support and enhance your learning experience.

You will be assessed in different ways to prepare you for your future career. You will do different types of coursework (such as writing, doing, presenting, and working with others) and some tests or exams. You will also do a Project in your final year, where you will research a significant problem that is relevant to some current business challenge or your own career aspirations.

The Big Data & AI event was such a good experience. It was a great opportunity to connect with industry leaders and innovators at the forefront of Big Data and AI. I had a chance to speak to companies which allowed me to explore solutions and exciting opportunities.
Quincy Fernandes

BSc (Hons) Data Science Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Those with no previous study, work experience, or who do not meet the specified entry requirements, including demonstrating the necessary knowledge and understanding, are welcome to apply for the 3-year BSc (Hons) degree, however may be offered the four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Foundation Year

Core Modules

Introduction to Programming

You will learn foundational programming concepts, data types, variables, control structures and basic algorithms, and apply them to solve problems and develop simple, well-documented, tested software artefacts. By the end of the module, you will be able to design, implement and test basic programmes and communicate your ideas clearly, both verbally...

Computing Essentials

You will explore five core areas, data structures (arrays and abstract types), search algorithms (and their Big O efficiency), computational thinking (abstraction and automation), relational databases (modelling, design, normalisation and SQL), and the societal consequences of computing, so that you grasp both the technical fundamentals and the mor...

Core Mathematics

You will cover discrete mathematics topics, mathematical and network algorithms, critical path analysis, linear programming, and game theory, through worked examples and progressively challenging exercises, equipping you with the mathematical tools needed for computer algorithms, cryptography, software development and beyond.

Design Principles

You will be introduced to human–computer interaction and user-centred design, learning how human factors, interaction models and user needs guide the creation of immersive, functional digital products, and gaining familiarity with the technologies used to produce and adapt images, animations, and audio across multiple platforms.

Professional Skills Review

You will reflect on the individual and group skills you’ve applied during project work, such as reflective writing, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking, in order to identify your strengths and areas for development and continuously enhance your professional skill set.

Final Project

You will collaborate on a group project tied to your subject area, experiencing real-world teamwork as you develop leadership, negotiation, interpersonal communication, and collective problem-solving skills to deliver a shared solution.

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Programming Concepts

20

Credits: 20

You will master foundational programming principles—variables, data types, conditionals, functions, data structures and object orientation—while honing your critical thinking, problem-solving, team-working and presentation skills through a project that simulates an authentic working environment.

Data Protection, Ethics, and Compliance

20

Credits: 20

You will investigate how businesses collect, store and use data within legal and ethical frameworks, learning data standards, regulatory requirements and best practices to safeguard individual rights, avoid breaches and design compliant, secure data processes.

Cyber Threat and Risk Management

20

Credits: 20

This module provides you with an overview of cyber security threats and vulnerabilities, and how to identify and manage them in relation to information systems and assets. You will develop essential risk management skills, including assessing organisational context, identifying assets and threats, and producing risk mitigation strategies. You will ...

Data Warehousing

20

Credits: 20

You will explore data-warehousing concepts and business intelligence principles, practising how to model and structure data for pattern discovery, assess data quality, and perform analysis and querying to inform decision-making and support knowledge-based discovery.

Computing Computational Fundamentals

20

Credits: 20

You will learn the mathematical language of computing, sets, relations, functions, recursion, counting principles, finite probability, and logic, to develop rigorous problem-solving and proof skills essential for computer science.

Introduction to Data Analysis Methods

20

Credits: 20

You will examine descriptive, exploratory, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive analysis techniques, learning how to collect, sort, model and transform data to answer the “why, what and how” questions that drive effective, data-informed business decisions.

Year 2

Core Modules

Credits

Data Essentials

20

Credits: 20

You will gain practical know-how in collecting, storing, and managing data, compare database design approaches (relational versus scalable solutions), and learn how to select and justify the right data architecture and interface for real-world applications.

Algorithms and Data Structures

20

Credits: 20

You will extend beyond arrays and lists to study alternative data structures and core algorithms (sort, search, insert, delete), learn to evaluate performance using Big O notation, and select the most suitable storage structures and algorithms for given requirements.

Machine Learning

20

Credits: 20

You will explore supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning; learn data preprocessing, model selection, training, evaluation, and result interpretation using modern libraries; and build versatile skills in predictive modelling, classification, clustering, and dimensionality reduction.

Using Programming to Achieve Mathematics

20

Credits: 20

You will apply programming to perform mathematical data analysis, mastering the mathematical and coding techniques that underpin data analytics, so that you can derive and communicate insights by combining mathematical theory with practical programming skills.

Information Security

20

Credits: 20

You will develop the ability to establish and maintain governance, policies, standards and cost-effective security solutions within organisations, understanding both technical and broader organisational contexts, and ensuring compliance and awareness to manage information security effectively.

Data Visualisation and Presentation

20

Credits: 20

You will learn to design and implement impactful visualisations that reveal patterns and support storytelling, critically evaluate a range of methods, and use practical tools to create presentations that enhance decision-making and communicate actionable insights.

Year 3

Core Modules

Credits

Big Data & AI

20

Credits: 20

You will investigate what defines big data and its lifecycle challenges, storage, processing, integrity and quality, then explore how big data underpins AI, studying the techniques and tools that automate data preparation, visualisation and analytics to generate actionable insights.

Statistical Methods

20

Credits: 20

You will learn to apply descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, using tools such as R and Python, to summarise data, draw conclusions about wider populations, and provide an evidence base for decision-making across domains like business, health, policy and research.

Project

40

Credits: 40

This module gives you the opportunity to carry out an individual, in-depth investigation into a topic of your choice, helping you to develop skills in research, problem-solving, and critical analysis. Working with a supervisor, and possibly in collaboration with a local company, you will undertake the project throughout the year, producing a final ...

Optional Modules

Credits

Advanced Programming

20

Credits: 20

Building on earlier programming modules, this practical module deepens your understanding of a high-level programming language and introduces advanced concepts such as object-oriented, concurrent, and network programming. You will also explore how data is managed within these systems. Through hands-on sessions that reflect current industry practice...

Advanced Data Technologies

20

Credits: 20

You will study data-storage architectures for extensive datasets, examine compute-and-store principles and data-on-demand models, and learn to navigate the complexities of collecting, managing and analysing large volumes of data to deliver insights and support organisational goals.

Knowledge based Systems in Artificial Intelligence

20

Credits: 20

You will explore the history, philosophy and core technologies of AI, learn how knowledge-based systems are constructed, and compare different notions of “intelligence” to understand which problems can and cannot be solved using these techniques.

Learning Machines and Intelligent Agents

20

Credits: 20

You will examine AI approaches, including fuzzy logic, machine learning and multi-agent systems, evaluate their suitability for various problems, and consider the legal, ethical, professional and social implications of deploying intelligent systems.

Legal Aspects of IT

20

Credits: 20

You will study the legal framework surrounding IT and digital society, covering topics such as information handling, digital content, e-commerce, cybercrime, data protection and privacy, so that you understand the legal responsibilities of businesses and individuals.

Data Science

20

Credits: 20

You will learn to handle, explore and analyse data using visualisation, analytical and statistical methods, developing the skills needed to extract insights and solve meaningful business problems in this critical domain of computing.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 *
Home, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 per year *

International

Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 *
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 per year *

Please note all of the 2026/27 fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees cover most course costs, but you may need to budget for additional expenses. These can include specialist equipment, project materials, professional memberships, field trips or placements, as well as everyday student costs like printing, books and stationery.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our enquiries team by completing this form.

What are my career prospects?

Employability is at the heart of this degree, with the curriculum strongly influenced by, and based upon, industry expectations of the skills, attributes and competencies needed for university graduates to pursue rewarding careers in different roles and sectors.

With a data science degree, you could work across a broad range of areas, such as: