University course Β· real outcomes from HESA / Discover Uni Β· part of Careermash
University degree

Data Science

Birkbeck College
Qualification
Degree
Length
3 yrs
UK fees / yr
Β£9,535
Study
full-time
Worth knowing: about 21% of students don't make it past first year here - ask the uni what support they offer.
Robin Β· your guide
Here's the honest picture on this course - what you'd study, whether you'd likely get in, what it pays, and where it leads. Everything's real data.
About this course

Data science is the discipline concerned with extracting meaningful knowledge from data, combining mathematics, statistics, and computing to turn raw information into insight that can inform decisions in business, government, science, and society. As the volume of data generated by digital systems has grown exponentially, the ability to collect, store, analyse, and visualise it effectively has become one of the most in-demand capabilities in virtually every sector. Data science graduates are sought across healthcare, finance, technology, retail, government, and research.

At Birkbeck College in London, this three-year full-time programme provides a rigorous grounding in the mathematical and computational foundations of data science alongside the practical techniques for working with real-world data. You will learn statistical modelling, machine learning, data wrangling, and visualisation, and develop the programming skills needed to implement data pipelines and analytical systems. The curriculum is designed to produce graduates who can not only apply data science tools but understand why they work, which is the foundation for adapting to a rapidly evolving field.

The typical entry tariff of 88 points reflects the accessible character of the programme, which does not require extensive prior computing experience.

You will develop the ability to approach complex data problems systematically, to select appropriate methods, to implement them in code, and to communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Graduates pursue careers as data scientists, data analysts, machine learning engineers, statisticians, and business intelligence specialists across a wide range of industries. London's position as a hub for finance, technology, and media gives Birkbeck graduates strong access to a rich graduate job market. Postgraduate study in data science, statistics, machine learning, or a domain-specific field is a natural continuation for those seeking more specialist or research-focused roles.

Could you get in?
The grades students arrived with
<48 pts5%
48-63 pts10%
64-79 pts25%
80-95 pts15%
96-111 pts10%
112-127 pts10%
128-143 pts5%
144-159 pts5%
How they qualified
76% got in with A-levels. The rest came in a mix of ways:
A-levels76%
Other9%
other higher education5%
an Access course4%
no formal qualifications3%
Could I get in? Try your grades
120 UCAS pts
Pay & prospects
80%
In work or further study after
79%
Continue past first year
80%
Student satisfaction
What graduates actually go on to do % of leavers
Administrative occupations5%
Information Technology ProfessionalsHighly skilled35%
Managers, directors and senior officialsHighly skilled15%
Skilled trades occupations5%
Elementary occupations5%
Engineering professionalsHighly skilled15%
Finance ProfessionalsHighly skilled15%
Sales occupations5%
What students say National Student Survey
80%
of students are satisfied with the course overall
Teaching72%
Assessment & feedback68%
Academic support62%
Well organised78%
Learning resources84%
Student community84%
In students' own words
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Highly recommend
Coming here has changed how I think. The best part: the cohort are bright and motivated, which makes the learning environment great. If I'm honest, first-year classes can be quite large. On the city β€” local cost of living is manageable if y…
Postgraduate Β· Full-time
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Exceeded expectations
The programme genuinely lives up to its reputation. The best part: coursework pushes you to actually build real systems, not just write essays. If I'm honest, some seminar groups were too big for meaningful discussion. On the city β€” local c…
Class of 2023 Β· Full-time
More courses like this
Where this degree can lead
Like the look of it?
When you're ready, the full entry requirements and application are on Birkbeck College's own site.
Apply on uni site
Careermash Β· real course data from HESA / Discover Uni, in plain English.

Career data: role, pay and progression profiles built for Careermash's careers engine; AI-impact estimates from Anthropic's observed AI-usage telemetry and OpenAI's AI Jobs Transition Framework. Course data: HESA / Discover Uni, including Graduate Outcomes, LEO and the National Student Survey. Apprenticeships: IfATE-published standards, approved only.

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