BSc (Hons) Data Science with a Year in Industry

At Kent, you’ll get more than just theory—you’ll gain real, hands-on experience with the tools and techniques that data scientists actually use. From your very first year, you’ll be working with Python, calculus, and linear algebra through a mix of lectures, problem-solving classes, and coding tasks that make the concepts come alive. You’ll also take part in the Preparing for Professional Practice module, which feels like a real consultancy project: working in teams, handling genuine industry datasets, and presenting your findings in the same ways professionals do—through reports, presentations, posters, and blog posts.

Software & Programming Tools

• You’ll work extensively with PROPHET, R, and Python—three of the most widely used tools in modern data science.

• From the start, you’ll apply Python directly to solve real mathematical challenges in calculus, algebra, and optimisation.

Group Projects & Real-World Data Sets

• In Preparing for Professional Practice, you’ll collaborate in teams to take on authentic data problems—very similar to what you’d face in industry.

• Along the way, you’ll learn how to present your findings across different formats, whether that’s a report, a blog post, a presentation, or a poster.

Year in Industry Placement

• Between your second and final year, you’ll have the chance to spend a full year in industry. It’s a paid placement, giving you both workplace experience and a salary.

• Previous students have landed placements at major names like IBM, Intel, Disney, and Morgan Stanley.

• Kent’s dedicated Placements Team will support you throughout the process, offering workshops, events, and one-to-one guidance to help you secure the right role and succeed in it.

Final-Year Research Project

• In your final year, you’ll design and run your own Data Science project, supervised by an expert in the field.

• You’ll pitch your idea, receive feedback, and deliver a complete report—giving you a powerful piece of evidence to showcase your analytical and storytelling skills to future employers.

Interdisciplinary Teaching Teams

• You’ll be taught by both the School of Computing and the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, ensuring you gain a balanced mix of expertise in statistics, algorithms, machine learning, and AI.

Careers & Ongoing Support

• Career support is built into your time at Kent. Placement advisers are on hand to help you find opportunities and guide you through applications.

• During your placement, you won’t be left on your own—the university checks in every three months and provides ongoing support by email to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Long-term career value
A degree from Kent is a real investment in your future. On average, graduates can expect to earn over £300,000 more across their lifetime compared to non-graduates. With this programme, you’ll be prepared for high-demand roles such as Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, or Business Intelligence Specialist.

Support to launch your career
You won’t be on your own when it comes to planning your next steps. Kent’s Careers and Employability Service runs regular career fairs, CV and application workshops, mock interviews, and networking events. You’ll also benefit from the Kent Extra programme, which gives you the chance to strengthen your CV through volunteering, learning a new language, or developing soft skills that employers really value.

Graduate outcomes and earning potential
Although data for this programme specifically isn’t separate yet, we can look at results from related fields like Computer Science and Mathematics as a strong guide. Graduates typically earn around £31,500 just 15 months after finishing their degree, with that figure rising to around £44,500 after five years. Given the technical focus of this course, you’ll be well positioned to achieve salaries within the higher end of these ranges.

Industry connections and placements
One of the highlights of this degree is the Year in Industry option. You’ll spend a full year working in a professional setting, gaining hands-on experience and earning a salary at the same time. Many students even secure job offers from their placement companies after graduation. Previous placements have been with major global organisations such as IBM, Intel, Disney, and Morgan Stanley, with some students heading abroad to exciting destinations like Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and the US.

Recognition and quality assurance
This programme brings together the strengths of Kent’s School of Computing and School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, giving you a solid academic foundation as well as applied, real-world skills. Kent’s 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rating highlights the high standard of teaching you’ll receive, with that recognition lasting for four years. This strengthens the reputation of your degree with both employers and further study providers.

Where you’ll end up
By the time you graduate, you’ll leave with a powerful mix of technical knowledge and transferable skills—programming, data modelling, analytical thinking, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Combined with the practical experience from your placement year, you’ll be well prepared to make an impact in the workplace from day one.