Data-Intensive Analysis (MSc)

The MSc in Data-Intensive Analysis is an interdisciplinary course providing students with an understanding of how data is used to gain useful insights in all areas of scientific endeavour. The programme has a substantive statistical component – both theory and practice – allied to computational data science and visualisation.

Entry requirements

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• a one-page personal statement directly addressing entry requirements and including relevance of previous degree or experience, your interests in statistical analysis, and your object-oriented programming experience
• a CV with a history of your education and employment to date
• academic transcripts and degree certificates
• two original signed academic or professional references, ideally one academic reference and a professional reference if experience is to be considered

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

After your degree

Careers

Alumni of Computer Science MSc programmes have gone on to work in a variety of global, commercial, financial and research institutions, including: 

• Amazon 
• American Express 
• Avaloq 
• Barclays Capital 
• BP 
• Capricorn Ventis 
• Hailo 
• Hewlett Packard 
• Hitachi Data Systems 
• Microsoft 
• Rockstar 
• Royal Bank of Scotland, Tesco Bank, Lloyds 
• Skyscanner 
• Symantec 
• TriSystems

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews.

In addition to the MSc, the School of Computer Science offers a two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Data-Intensive Analysis. 

The EngD programme in Computer Science is a 4-year Engineering Doctorate involving an industrial partner and incorporating a 30-week taught component and a 170-week individual research component. Students who have already completed an MSc may be able to proceed directly to the individual research component of the EngD. 

The School of Computer Science is highly rated for its theoretical and practical research in areas such as AI, symbolic computation, networking, computer communication systems, human-computer interaction, and systems engineering, and offers research opportunities leading to a PhD in Computer Science.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics has active research groups in: 

• Applied Mathematics (Vortex Dynamics Group, Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group) 
• Pure Mathematics (Analysis Group, Algebra and Combinatorics Group) 
• Mathematical Biology (Mathematical Oncology, Cell Migration and Tissue Growth) 
• Statistics (Statistical Ecology, Statistical Medicine and Molecular Biology, and Statistical Methodology)