BSc (Hons) Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Imagine yourself at Stirling, not just absorbing theory, but gaining hands-on expertise from day one—learning to code, design algorithms, and explore AI in real labs, all while supported by research-active academics and industry experts. You’ll develop practical skills using real technologies, collaborate on group challenges, and emerge ready to take on roles in data, analytics, or AI.

Then the experience deepens even further through:

• A three-month industrial work placement where you apply your skills in a real organisation—great for building your CV and confidence.

• A final-year dissertation project: you define, develop, research and present your own AI/data science solution to staff and industry—perfect preparation for professional practice.

And now, here’s what the experiential learning component looks like in concrete detail:

• Industrial Work Placement: A three-month summer placement (and optional one-year placements) in a company—either a local SME or a major corporate—allowing you to work on real-world challenges. Employers include household names like Accenture, Morgan Stanley, NHS, JPMorgan, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scottish Government, and many more.

• Group Projects, Simulations & Guest Lectures: Throughout your studies, you’ll take part in collaborative group work, problem-based learning, and simulations—helping you build transferable skills and learn from invited industry speakers.

• Practical Labs: Lectures and small tutorials are complemented by practical labs, where you actually implement and test the concepts—making learning active and applied.

• Dissertation Project: In your final year, you undertake a capstone project: from ideation to research, development, and presentation before academic staff and industry professionals—this is a real taste of professional research or development practice.

• Software & Digital Tools: You’ll work with scripting languages, databases, machine learning frameworks, and modern AI tools covering areas like computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI.

• Industry Connections & Institutes: The course benefits from strong ties with The DataLab (Scotland’s data and AI innovation centre) and the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA), offering networking, research exposure, and knowledge exchange.

• Study Abroad Options: You can choose to study abroad through established links with universities across North America, Europe, and Australia—a great way to broaden your perspective.

• Research-Led Teaching: Teaching is grounded in active research, supported by prestigious funders such as EPSRC and other UK research councils—keeping content cutting-edge and closely aligned with what’s happening in the field 

Graduates often enter roles as Data Scientists, Data Analysts, AI Engineers or Business Intelligence Developers, with a start typically in data-driven industries like finance, healthcare, tech, or government. Salaries around £29,000 – £30,000 within 15 months, rising to approximately £34,000 at three years and around £44,000 at five years reflect strong, steady progression.

Future progression & opportunities:

• University services to help with employment

  • A three-month industrial work placement gives you hands-on experience and industry contacts.

  • Guest lectures, group projects, problem-based learning, industry simulations all build your readiness for work.

  • The university’s membership in The Data Lab and the Scottish Informatics and Computing Science Alliance (SICSA) offers strong industry links and networking opportunities.

• Employment stats & salary figures

  • Around 80% of computing and mathematics graduates are in work or study 15 months after graduation.

  • Average earnings: ~£29,000 (15 months), ~£34,000 (3 years), and ~£44,000 (5 years).

  • For computing grads across the UK, 15-month earnings average around £30,000.

• University–industry partnerships

  • Membership in The Data Lab connects you with Scotland’s leading data and AI innovation center.

  • Collaboration with SICSA further strengthens academic-industry ties.

• Long-term accreditation value

  • Although this specific BSc doesn’t have external accreditation noted, it equips you with in-demand skills—scripting, databases, AI, machine learning—that align with employer expectations.

  • The fresh, industry-relevant curriculum ensures your degree remains highly valued over time.

• Graduation outcomes

  • A wide range of roles: Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Strategist.

  • Employed across key sectors: fintech, retail, healthcare, robotics, energy, public sector, among others.