Data Science BSc

Students don’t just learn the theory—they start building practical skills right from Year 1. Through hands-on modelling, simulations, programming, and creative problem-solving, you’ll gain confidence in applying what you learn to real challenges. These skills are strengthened with real-world case studies and culminate in a bespoke final-year research project. Because the course blends mathematics, statistics, and computing, you’ll graduate with both a strong theoretical base and practical expertise. And with the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) on campus, you’ll be right at the centre of data-driven innovation and collaboration.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Final-Year Research Project
In your third year, you’ll take on a 40-credit independent research project. This is your chance to explore a question that matters to you, applying the full range of data science tools and techniques, with guidance from an academic supervisor.

Real-World Case Studies & Modelling
Throughout the degree, programming, simulations, and modelling exercises are combined with real-world data. You’ll work with authentic case studies and mock datasets, practising how to turn raw information into meaningful insights and solutions.

Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA)
LIDA is a hub for major data-driven projects, bringing together over 36 research centres and supporting more than £50 million worth of research. With facilities for secure data handling, high-performance computing, and collaborative analytics, it’s an inspiring place to put your skills into action.

Internship Opportunities via LIDA
The LIDA Data Scientist Internship Programme offers students the chance to lead real projects with external partners. From health and social policy to urban analytics and business collaborations (with organisations like The Alan Turing Institute and Procter & Gamble), you’ll gain invaluable professional experience.

Hands-On Technical & Analytical Training
LIDA also runs a dedicated Data Scientist Development Programme, where you can sharpen your skills in statistics, data visualisation, programming, research methods, and quantitative modelling—backed by direct mentorship and applied training.

Purpose-Built Facilities & Labs
You’ll have access to cutting-edge spaces within the School of Computer Science, including high-performance graphics hardware, robotics labs, Linux labs with around 150 machines, and modern teaching and social areas in the Sir William Henry Bragg Building.

High Performance Computing & Specialist Resources
As a student, you’ll be able to use the University’s advanced computing infrastructure—over 8,000 cores, 300 TB of storage, cloud platforms, and visualisation labs—plus LIDA’s integrated research campus, designed for complex analytics.

Library & Research Support
To support your studies, the Edward Boyle and Laidlaw Libraries provide millions of books and thousands of journals and databases, giving you everything you need for your projects and research.

Graduates from the BSc Data Science are in high demand across technology and analytical fields. Careers such as Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, and Business Intelligence Analyst are all well within reach. With strong starting salaries in the region of £30,000–£32,500 and excellent progression into senior-level roles, you’ll be stepping into a future that’s both secure and full of opportunity.

University Career Services
At Leeds, you won’t be navigating your career journey alone. The Career Centre and dedicated faculty teams provide tailored support every step of the way—whether it’s one-to-one career coaching, expert CV and application reviews, or workshops to sharpen your interview skills and prepare you for assessment centres.

Beyond this, you can take advantage of optional placement years, summer internships, and mentoring schemes such as the Nurturing Talent Mentor Scheme. These opportunities not only build valuable real-world experience but also connect you with industry professionals who can help shape your career path.

Employment Stats & Salary Figures
The numbers speak for themselves:

• Across Mathematical Sciences, graduates earn around £30,000 just 15 months after finishing, with potential to reach £39,000 after five years.

• For Computer Science (a closely related area), average earnings are £32,500 after 15 months, and around £49,000 after five years.

• University-wide, around 90–91% of graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating.

University–Industry Partnerships
Leeds has strong ties with leading employers such as Deloitte, NHS England, EY, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Sky, and Aramco. The Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) also runs a unique Data Scientist Development Programme, offering paid placements where you’ll work on real-world projects in areas like AI, health informatics, and urban analytics—often alongside major industry partners.

Long-Term Value of Accreditation
As a member of the prestigious Russell Group, the University of Leeds is recognised for both its world-class research and its strong reputation with employers. The BSc Data Science programme blends mathematics, programming, data modelling, research, and communication skills to ensure you graduate with a highly respected degree and the versatile toolkit employers are looking for.

Graduate Outcomes
Most graduates move straight into highly skilled roles, particularly within IT and professional services. In fact, recent Computer Science graduates reported that 100% were working in highly skilled jobs within 15 months—85% of those in IT-related positions.

Just as importantly, graduates consistently report high satisfaction with their career paths—87% said their roles were meaningful and aligned with their future goals.