BSc Data Science

You won’t just be learning theory — from the very first day you’ll get hands-on experience. You’ll use modern tools, work in teams, tackle data-driven challenges, and analyse real datasets with the guidance of experts. The programme has been built in collaboration with industry, so much of what you’ll learn mirrors the work professional data scientists are doing right now. Along the way, you’ll develop both technical skills (like programming, algorithms, statistics, and machine learning) and soft skills (such as teamwork, communication, and presenting your ideas). You’ll also get plenty of opportunities to do independent research and bigger projects, allowing you to specialise and explore areas that really interest you.

Key Experiential Components & Resources

Software, Platforms & Tools
You’ll work with the same kinds of software, platforms, and data that are used in industry today. Because the course was designed with input from employers, the tools and approaches you learn are highly relevant to what workplaces expect.

Core Modules
You’ll take modules such as Programming, Object-Oriented Programming, Databases, Machine Learning & Data Science, and Data Structures and Algorithms. These are all very practical, requiring you to code, run analyses, and apply statistical modelling in real scenarios.

Group Projects & Individual Projects
Every year, you’ll work on both group and individual projects. In your second year, for example, there’s a Team Project module that builds collaboration skills. In your final year, you’ll take on a substantial independent research or application project under the supervision of an academic — a great way to bring together everything you’ve learned.

Real-World Data Sets & Industry Relevance
The projects use real datasets and are designed to replicate the kinds of problems data scientists face in practice. If you choose the Industrial Placement option or modules like Commercial & Industrial Experience, you’ll also work directly on real employer challenges.

Industrial Placement (Work Experience)
For those who take the “with Industrial Placement” pathway, there’s the opportunity to spend an entire year working in business or industry on a paid placement. You’ll complete a major project, earn credits, and graduate with substantial job experience already on your CV.

Teaching & Support Facilities

• A mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, with plenty of contact hours and personal support.

• Access to a Virtual Learning Environment with module materials, discussion forums, and interactive resources.

• Teaching delivered by staff who are active researchers, meaning what you learn is connected to the latest developments in data science.

Libraries & Research Institutes

Exeter is home to the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, which means you’ll be connected to cutting-edge research. You’ll also have full access to extensive library resources to support your projects, from literature reviews to statistical and computational references.

Optional Modules & Specialisation

As you progress, you’ll have the freedom to tailor your studies to your interests. Optional modules cover areas like probabilistic machine learning, computer vision, algorithms, social network and text analysis, and high-performance computing. This flexibility lets you shape your path and decide what kind of data scientist you want to become.

Graduate outcomes and career paths
Graduates from Exeter’s Data Science programme are in high demand. Many go into roles such as Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Business Intelligence Analyst, or Machine Learning Engineer. The degree also opens doors to a wide range of sectors — from finance and government (including the NHS and public services) to technology companies that rely heavily on data-driven decision-making.

Support with employability
Exeter has an excellent Careers Service, there to help you polish your CV, practice interviews, connect with employers, and explore opportunities through networking events and job fairs. If you choose the Industrial Placement year option as part of your degree, you’ll gain valuable real-world experience in a professional workplace before you graduate.

The Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) is another major support system. It runs research projects, seminars, and acts as a bridge between students, academics, and industry.

Employment stats and prospects
Exeter is ranked joint 12th in the UK for graduate prospects in Computer Science in the Complete University Guide 2026. Around 94% of students in this subject area are in good graduate-level jobs or further study soon after leaving university. While the university doesn’t publish exact salary figures for Data Science graduates, the strong employability record suggests competitive starting salaries in the UK data sector.

Industry links and partnerships
The BSc Data Science has been shaped with input from industry partners to make sure you’re learning the tools, platforms, and data practices employers actually use. Companies named as partners include IBM, the Met Office, South West Water, Black Swan, and Oxygen House. These partnerships create opportunities for projects, placements, and in some cases, direct hiring pipelines.

Exeter is also a partner of the Alan Turing Institute and home to the IDSAI, both of which provide access to exciting collaborations at the cutting edge of AI and data research.

Reputation and long-term value
Even though the BSc Data Science itself doesn’t have a professional body accreditation (there isn’t a standard one for this subject yet), the Exeter name carries weight. With a strong research culture, national quality assurance, and respected links with industry, your degree will be well-recognised both in the UK and internationally.

Graduate destinations
Alumni from Data Science at Exeter have gone on to roles such as Analytics Manager, Business Statistician, Business Intelligence Specialist, Data Architect, Machine Learning Engineer, Quantitative Researcher, and Research Analyst. Those who take the optional placement year often graduate not only with a degree but also with real experience — and sometimes a job offer already lined up.

Further study options
If you’re interested in continuing your studies, the BSc Data Science gives you a solid foundation for postgraduate pathways. You might choose a Master’s in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or Statistics. Exeter itself offers an MSc in Data Science.

For students who want to go deeper into research, there are opportunities to progress into PhD or doctoral studies in areas such as Data Science, AI, or Computational Statistics, supported by Exeter’s IDSAI. Beyond academia, many graduates also add industry-focused training or certifications (for example in cloud platforms, big data, or ethical AI) to further sharpen their expertise.