Data Science and Analytics BSc (Hons)

Students on this degree dive straight into practical learning from day one: you’ll hone your technical and analytical skills by working with real datasets, tools like SQL, machine learning methods, and analytical systems that are used across industries. You’ll learn not just theory, but how to apply it—transforming raw data into insights, whether it’s predicting trends in healthcare, business, or climate-change contexts.

Here's a seamless transition into what that looks like in action:

• Advanced Computing Facilities: You’ll use the University’s High Performance Computing (HPC) lab with powerful resources. This includes Python, MATLAB, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch via Jupyter Notebooks—standard tools in data science and machine learning.

• Cutting-Edge Research Systems: Opportunities to engage with the SCIAMA Supercomputer (complete with GPU-accelerated nodes) and the IBM PowerAI Vision System equipped with NVIDIA Tesla V100 GPUs, supporting heavy-duty machine learning and image-processing tasks.

• Live Data Projects & Real-World Problem Solving: You’ll work on live datasets and real-world challenges—applying AI models in contexts such as forensic computing or industrial analytics.

• Optional Paid Placement Year: This “Connected Degree” allows you to slot in a placement year flexibly—either in your third or fourth year. Past students have landed roles with big names like IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, major banks, and other prominent organisations.

• Industry Collaboration & Research Hub: Through the Portsmouth AI and Data Science Centre (PAIDS), you’ll be linked to research that tackles cyber security, adversarial machine learning, and privacy-preserving AI in partnership with industry and government stakeholders.

• University-Wide Facilities & Support: You also benefit from broad university infrastructure—modern labs in the computing faculty, access to the University Library, and student support services across its campuses. 

Graduates from this degree rapidly secure roles such as data analyst, data engineer, data architect, and information analyst, with starting salaries between £25,000–£30,000 and the potential to earn up to £60,000 as they gain experience.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

• University services that will help you employ:

  • The Careers and Employability Service supports you one-to-one right up to five years after graduation, offering help with job applications, CVs, networking, and career planning.

  • There’s also the option for a placement year, where you can gain paid work experience (average placement salary ~£19,000), bolster your CV, and build industry connections.

• Employment stats and salary figures:

  • Starting salaries are typically in the £25,000–£30,000 range, with the potential to reach £60,000 as you build expertise.

  • Broader data for computer science graduates shows average earnings of around £30,000 fifteen months after graduation (range £25,000–£35,000), with employment or further study rates as high as 96%.

• University–industry partnerships:

  • You’ll have access to the SAP Next Generation Lab for hands-on experience with cloud-based tools like SAP and S&P Capital IQ.

  • The course also integrates real-world data through activities such as working with Code Club to teach Python, HTML/CSS and Scratch to younger learners.

  • The Artificial Intelligence and Data Science research area collaborates with a wide range of organisations—from Portsmouth Hospitals University Trust, TCL Globals, NATO, University of Oxford, and more—through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) and applied projects.

• Long-term accreditation value:

  • The degree is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), meeting part of the educational requirements for professional recognition as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP).

• Graduation outcomes:

  • You’ll be fully prepared for in-demand roles such as data analyst, data engineer, data architect, and information analyst