BSc Hons Data Science

at University of Stirling

In all four years students need to complete 120 credits comprising of compulsory and optional modules.
 

In year 1 students can take 20 credits worth of any available modules in the Autumn and Spring semesters. However, CSCU9B2 is recommended. Year 1 provides a broad foundation to the subject including an introduction to programming, data science and mathematics.
 

In year 2 students can take 20 credits worth of any available modules in the Autumn semester. Year 2 focusses on database principles and technologies including relational and non-relational approaches. You will also study Python scripting for data science and basic statistics.
 

Year 3 focuses on machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. In the final year students embark on their honours project which will give students the opportunity to apply their learning from the course.
 

Year 1, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Introduction to Computing Science (CSCU9P1)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 CSCU9A1 was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Discrete Structures (MATU9S1)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 MATU9D1 was taken instead
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from list
 

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits

• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits

• Ecology: An Introduction (BIOU1IE)    20 credits

 

MATU9D1 is recommended
 

Year 1, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Programming and User Interface Design (CSCU9P2)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 CSCU9A2 was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Introduction to Data Science (CSCU9S2)    20 credits

• prior to 2021/2 CSCU9D2 was taken instead
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from list
 

• Introduction to Management Accounting (ACCU9A2)    20 credits

• Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (AQUU2TP)    20 credits

• Introduction to Physiology (BIOU2PH)    20 credits

• Making the Most of the World Wide Web (CSCU9F2)    20 credits

 

CSCU9F2 is recommended
 

Year 2, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Data Structures, Objects and Algorithms (CSCU9A3)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Database Principles and Applications (CSCU9B3)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Scripting for Data Science (CSCU9M3)    20 credits
   

Option module

• Professional Development for Computer Scientists (CSCU9CP)    0 credits

• CSCU9CP Professional Development for Computer Scientists is optional and may be taken either in year 2 or in year 3, and should be selected by students wishing to undertake the work experience placement. Prior to 2021/2 CSCU9PD was taken instead.
   

Year 2, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• NoSQL Databases and Data Warehousing (CSCU9B4)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Managing Information (CSCU9T4)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Practical Statistics (MATU9D2)    20 credits
   

Year 3, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Introduction to Machine Learning (CSCU9M5)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• UX Design (CSCU9X5)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Data Science Applications (CSCU9DA)    20 credits
   

Option module

• Professional Development for Computer Scientists (CSCU9CP)    0 credits

• CSCU9CP Professional Development for Computer Scientists is optional and may be taken either in year 2 or in year 3, and should be selected by students wishing to undertake the work experience placement. Prior to 2021/2 CSCU9PD was taken instead.
   

Year 3, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Distributed Data Science Systems (CSCU9DC)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Data Strategy (CSCU9D6)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision (CSCU9M6)    20 credits
   

Option module

• Computing Science Industrial Summer Placement (CSCU9SP)    10 credits
   

Year 4, Semester 1

Dissertation

• Computing Science Project (CSCU9Z7)    60 credits

• Continued in semester 8.
   

Compulsory module

• Computer Security & Networks (CSCU9Y7)    20 credits
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from Level 10 modules in Computing Science list
 

• Artificial Intelligence (CSCU9YE)    10 credits

• Mobile App Development (CSCU9YH)    10 credits
   

Year 4, Semester 2

Option module

Select 20 credits from Level 10 modules in Computing Science list
 

• NoSQL Databases (CSCU9YQ)    10 credits

• Web Services (CSCU9YW)    10 credits

 

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
 

SQA Highers

• AABB - by the end of S5

• AABBB - by the end of S6
   

GCE A-levels

• BBB
   

IB Diploma

• 30 points
   

BTEC (Level 3)

• DDM
   

Widening access students

• Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

• Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
   

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
 

SQA Advanced Highers

• ABB – one sitting
   

GCE A-levels

• ABB
   

IB Diploma

• 35 points
   

Essential subjects

• Subjects to include Computing and relevant experience of Java or other programming languages.
  ​​​​​​​

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:
 

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
   

  Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
   

  Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:
   

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
  
  Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within the last 5 years of our course start date:
   

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
  
  English language requirements
  
  If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
   

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill

• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills

• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills

• Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills

• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator -  Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)

Academic year:	2022/23	2023/24
Overseas students (non-EU)	£18,800	£20,300

Overseas students (non-EU)
 

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Demand for workers with specialist data skills like data scientists and data engineers has more than tripled over five years (+231%), according to a labour market analysis commissioned for Dynamics of data science skills, a new Royal Society report published in May 2019.
 

When ScotlandIS, the Scottish trade organisation for the IT industry, asked companies about the greatest opportunities for their business over the next 18 months, the top three answers were all data related (AI, machine learning, Internet of Things), for the second year in a row (ScotlandIS Survey 2020). The BSc Data Science at Stirling will prepare you for a career in the data industry in these areas.
 

We have connections with the following organisation via placements, internships and industrial liaison:
 

• Accenture
• ARM
• Calnex Solutions
• Diagio
• GE Digital
• Honeywell
• JP Morgan
• Mage Control Systems
• Modus Scotland
• Morgan Stanley
• Natural Power
• NHS
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Sainsbury's Bank
• Scottish Enterprise
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Scottish Government
• Scottish Water
• Sports Scotland
• Verint
• Wood MacKenzie