This hands-on Data Science degree at Keele blends theoretical foundations with real-world experience, giving you strong technical, computational, statistical, and communication skills to ethically navigate and analyze data confidently. It’s ideal for students passionate about coding (in Python and R), data visualization, and solving practical challenges across industry and society.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a solid base in data science fundamentals—diving into statistical thinking, coding in Python and R, and beginning to explore how data-driven problem-solving works in context. This foundation sets you up for layering on more complex concepts with confidence.
Year 2
Second year brings deeper dives: you’ll learn to model data, handle ethical and professional considerations, and advance your technical toolkit. Modules covering areas like cybersecurity, cryptography, and medical statistics allow you to tailor the degree toward your interests.
Year 3 (and optional Year 4 Placement)
In your final year, you’ll tackle real-world challenges through your honed skills in data analytics. You can even opt for a year-long placement to apply real-world learning, boost employability, and work confidently in a professional setting.
Focus Areas
“Coding in Python and R; data visualization; optional modules in cybersecurity, cryptography, medical statistics; ethical, professional, computational, and statistical foundations”
Learning Outcomes
“You’ll gain statistical and technical competence, computational thinking, problem-solving, data governance awareness, ethical and communication skills needed for real-world data analysis”
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
Keele has embedded employability into the heart of every undergraduate degree, with strong emphasis on professional and transferable skills as well as optional placement years—ensuring graduates are career-ready.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Keele is ranked in the UK Top 15 for graduate employability prospects in the Uni Compare 2026 rankings, with 97% of students recommending the university. This highlights the university’s commitment to delivering degrees that lead straight to future success.
Right from the start, you’ll immerse yourself in hands-on learning, building strong practical skills using professional software, hardware, and cutting-edge digital tools. Keele University ensures a learning experience that’s deeply rooted in real-world application:
You’ll learn to code in Python and R, equipping yourself with essential data-science languages used widely across industry and academia. You’ll gain experience in data visualisation—transforming complex numbers into compelling stories. The course gives you access to powerful supercomputer facilities and even a VR lab, delivering rich environments for computational work and immersive data interaction.
The emphasis on experiential and professional readiness continues throughout the program:
In Year 2, you’ll join a group project: collaboratively tackling a business-style problem—researching, analyzing, compiling reports, and presenting insights as a team to varied audiences.
There are industry placement opportunities, both full-time or modular, giving you real exposure to professional contexts. You’ll also benefit from guest speakers from industry, enhancing your professional insight.
Keele Data Science graduates are highly sought after across sectors—from business and government to healthcare and tech—thanks to strong analytical, programming, and employability skills. Typical career paths include Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Data Engineer, and Machine Learning Engineer
Let’s look at how Keele supports your professional journey:
University services that support employment:
You'll benefit from professional and employability modules integrated into the degree, plus hands-on support via industry guest speakers, group-based business problem projects in Year 2, industry placements, and a final-year project that simulates real-world working environments.
Employment stats & salary figures:
Patients of University Guru show that only around 5% of Data Science graduates are unemployed, and their average salary after 15 months is approximately £27,000.
University–industry partnerships:
Although specific corporate partners aren’t named, the programme boasts industry talk sessions, placement opportunities, and business-informed group projects—all pointing to strong ties with real-world employers.
Long-term accreditation value:
While there’s no specific professional accreditation noted, the programme is industry-informed, emphasizing employability and practical readiness—this practical foundation heightens your credibility in the workplace.
Graduation outcomes:
Graduates emerge with robust programming abilities in Python and R, practical data visualisation expertise, and advanced analytical thinking—backed by access to supercomputing and VR labs—and are ready for roles across sectors like banking, healthcare, e-commerce, and academia
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