BSc (Hons) Data Science

You’ll develop strong skills in programming (like software engineering and algorithm design), statistical modelling, probability, calculus, and machine learning. The course isn’t just about theory — it’s very hands-on. You’ll work with real data, take part in applied projects, and even design your own research project. Along the way, you’ll have access to modern labs, specialist software, and opportunities for industry experience.

What you’ll experience:

Professional-grade labs
Your main base will be the Ian Wand Building, which houses four software labs and two hardware labs. These are the same facilities used by researchers, so when you’re working here, you’re in a real professional environment, not just a classroom.

Cutting-edge software and programming practice
From day one, you’ll use up-to-date software and tools across programming, algorithmics, machine learning, and cloud-based data analysis. Many modules are practical and project-focused, so you won’t just learn the concepts — you’ll actually build and engineer real solutions.

Group work and small-class teaching
Alongside lectures, you’ll take part in labs, programming classes, and small tutorials. “Problem classes” are designed to help you apply theory to real challenges. Plus, small-group teaching means you’ll have plenty of direct interaction with staff and peers.

Your own research project in Year 3
In your final year, you’ll carry out an independent research project in either computer science or mathematics, focusing on a real data science problem. This is your chance to pull everything together and create something unique, from scratch.

Year in industry option
If you want to gain professional experience, you can choose the version of the course that includes a full industrial placement. This means spending a year in a company, working on real-world projects, and adding valuable experience to your CV.

Study abroad opportunities
You also have the option to spend part of your degree abroad, giving you international experience and a different perspective on how data science is applied around the world.

Support for placements
York has a dedicated placements team who will guide you through every stage of the process — from finding the right opportunities to preparing your applications.

Learn from active researchers
Your lecturers aren’t just teachers, they’re also active researchers. You’ll also be assigned a personal supervisor who will support you through your project work and check in regularly with you throughout your degree.

Modern, social learning environment
The Ian Wand Building is more than just labs — it’s designed as a complete learning space. You’ll find group study pods, social spaces, and areas to collaborate as well as work independently.

A mix of assessments and feedback
You won’t just sit written exams. Assessment comes in many forms, from reports and presentations to live demos and timed programming tasks. Regular feedback helps you keep improving throughout the course.

Career Paths After Graduation
Once you graduate, you’ll find York Data Science alumni moving into a wide range of exciting roles, including:

• Data Scientist

• Software Engineer / Developer

• Business Analyst

• Research Scientist

These opportunities span across industries such as technology, finance, government, and research organisations. Thanks to the strong mix of statistics, programming, and machine learning training, York graduates are ready to make an immediate impact wherever data is central.

Support for Employment
York places a big emphasis on helping you prepare for life after university.

• A dedicated placements team supports students in finding and securing industrial placements, including the popular “year in industry” option.

• The university’s Careers Service offers tailored help with CVs, interview preparation, and connecting you with employers who are actively looking for York graduates.

Industry Connections
York graduates have built careers at global companies such as Amazon, IBM, Morgan Stanley, BAE Systems, and Thales, as well as in civil service organisations.

The course itself is designed with industry in mind—featuring modules that use real-world datasets, case studies from employers, and guest input from industry experts.

Accreditation & Long-Term Value
York is part of the prestigious Russell Group and is highly regarded for its research strength in both Computer Science and Mathematics.

The Data Science course follows the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) curriculum guidelines. This means employers worldwide will recognise that your training meets the highest standards and is relevant to today’s data-driven job market.

Graduate Outcomes
While the university doesn’t publish exact average salaries for Data Science graduates, it’s clear that most students go on to roles in IT and computing, with many others entering financial services, research, or continuing into postgraduate study.

Choosing the “year in industry” option can give you a real edge—gaining work experience not only boosts your employability but can also help you negotiate a stronger starting salary.

Further Academic Progression
If you want to continue your studies, this degree opens doors to a wide range of postgraduate options:

• Master’s degrees in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or Statistics

• Research degrees (PhD) for those aiming at advanced technical or academic careers

• Interdisciplinary study in areas such as computational biology, data-driven policy, finance, or social data science

Because the degree is built on a solid foundation of mathematics and computer science, you’ll also be well-positioned to branch into specialist certifications or new areas where data is transforming industries.