Top Data Science Universities in UK (2026)
Best universities for Data Science, Analytics and Business Intelligence masters programs in UK. We rank 141 universities by QS standing, fees, scholarships and post-study work outcomes for international students.
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Data Science shortlist
For UK applicants
Abertay University
📍 Dundee, United Kingdom
Aberystwyth University
📍 Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
Alliance Manchester Business School
📍 Manchester, United Kingdom
Anglia Ruskin University
📍 Cambridge, United Kingdom
Arden University
📍 Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Bangor University
📍 Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Bangor University International College
BCUIC
📍 Birmingham City University, United Kingdom
Birkbeck
📍 London, United Kingdom
Birmingham City University
📍 Birmingham, United Kingdom
Brunel University London
📍 Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Cardiff Metropolitan University
📍 Cardiff, United Kingdom
Cardiff University
📍 Cardiff, United Kingdom
CEG ONCAMPUS Loughborough University
City St George's, University of London (Formerly: City University London)
📍 London, United Kingdom
City St Georges
City University of Seattle
📍 Seattle, United Kingdom
Coventry University
📍 Coventry, United Kingdom
Coventry University - London
📍 London, United Kingdom
Cranfield School of Management
📍 Cranfield, United Kingdom
Cranfield University
📍 Cranfield, United Kingdom
De Montfort University London
Durham University
📍 DURHAM, United Kingdom
Ecole de Management de Normandie
📍 Oxford, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Napier University
📍 Edinburgh, United Kingdom
More top courses in UK
An MS in data science in the UK is a 12-month MSc costing £17,000–£51,000 (about ₹21.6–65 lakh) for 2026-27 and 2027-28 entry, from Teesside to Imperial. Indian applicants need a 2:1-equivalent degree with maths, statistics or programming modules (a 2:2 in any discipline at Coventry), IELTS 6.0–7.0 or a waiver, and no GRE or GMAT. The Graduate visa then allows 18 months of work.
Data science, analytics or business analytics: which UK master's is which?
Three families of one-year MSc share the search phrase "masters in data science UK". Computer-science-based MSc Data Science courses (Southampton, Glasgow's MSc Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Teesside) expect a computing or quantitative first degree: Southampton requires a 2:1 in programming and advanced maths modules, and Glasgow wants at least 50% of credits in computing. Statistics-based courses such as Imperial's MSc Statistics (Data Science and Machine Learning) and Leeds' MSc Data Science and Analytics sit with mathematics departments: Leeds asks for "significant mathematics, statistics or computing" and says accountancy or finance degrees are not normally suitable.
Business analytics courses live in business schools: Imperial's MSc Business Analytics & AI (£51,000), Warwick Business School's MSc Business Analytics & AI (£41,500) and Manchester's MSc Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (£35,700). They want a 2:1 with proven numeracy, and none of the three pages asks for GMAT. Coventry admits a 2:2 "in any discipline" and Leeds points non-mathematical applicants to its separate conversion Data Science MSc.
Masters in data science UK cost: 2026-27 and 2027-28 international fees at nine universities
Fees read from each university's own course page on 26 September 2026, with the fee year as the page labels it. Manchester shows only the September 2026 fee.
| University and course | International fee | Approx. INR | Fee year shown | Start | Entry and English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial — MSc Business Analytics & AI (Business School) | £51,000 | ₹64.8 lakh | 2027 entry | August | 2:1 + quantitative statement |
| Imperial — MSc Statistics (Data Science and Machine Learning) | £44,800 | ₹56.9 lakh | 2027 entry | October | 2:1 in stats, maths, engineering, physics or CS |
| Warwick Business School — MSc Business Analytics & AI | £41,500 | ₹52.7 lakh | 2027 entry | September | 2:1, strong numeracy |
| Southampton — MSc Data Science | £36,800 | ₹46.7 lakh | Sept 2027 intake page | September | 2:1 in CS, maths/stats or physics; IELTS 6.5 |
| Manchester — MSc Business Analytics and AI | £35,700 | ₹45.3 lakh | Year beginning Sept 2026 | September | 2:1 (60%) in a quantitative subject |
| Glasgow — MSc Data Science & Artificial Intelligence | £34,815 | ₹44.2 lakh | 2027-28 | September | 2:1 with ≥50% computing credits; IELTS 6.5 |
| Leeds — MSc Data Science and Analytics | £34,600 | ₹43.9 lakh | 2027 entry (total) | September | 2:1 with maths/stats/computing; IELTS 6.5 |
| Coventry — MSc Data Science | £19,500 a year | ₹24.8 lakh | 2026-27 | Six starts a year | 2:2 in any discipline; IELTS 6.5 |
| Teesside — MSc Data Science | £17,000 | ₹21.6 lakh | 2026-27 | Jan (16 months), May, Sept | 2:2 in CS, IT or AI; IELTS 6.0 |
Sources: the course pages of the nine courses, read 26 Sep 2026. £1 = ₹127. UCL's 2027/28 fees were "to be confirmed", so UCL is not tabulated.
Masters in data science UK cost all-in, with living, visa and health surcharge in rupees
Living is 12 months at the Home Office maintenance figure (£1,171 a month, about ₹1.49 lakh, outside London; £1,529, about ₹1.94 lakh, in London); visa costs are the £558 Student visa fee (about ₹70,900) plus the £1,164 Immigration Health Surcharge (about ₹1.48 lakh) for a 16-month visa.
| Scenario | Tuition | Living (12 months) | Visa + IHS | Total GBP | Total INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teesside MSc Data Science | £17,000 | £14,052 | £1,722 | £32,774 | ≈ ₹41.6 lakh |
| Leeds MSc Data Science and Analytics (Glasgow and Manchester within £1,100) | £34,600 | £14,052 | £1,722 | £50,374 | ≈ ₹64.0 lakh |
| Southampton MSc Data Science | £36,800 | £14,052 | £1,722 | £52,574 | ≈ ₹66.8 lakh |
| Warwick MSc Business Analytics & AI | £41,500 | £14,052 | £1,722 | £57,274 | ≈ ₹72.7 lakh |
| Imperial MSc Business Analytics & AI, London | £51,000 | £18,348 | £1,722 | £71,070 | ≈ ₹90.3 lakh |
Living = 12 × £1,171 or 12 × £1,529 (GOV.UK, 26 Sep 2026). £1 = ₹127. Flights, TB test and the funds you must hold for the visa are separate.
Eligibility for MS in data science in the UK with an Indian degree
UK data science admissions turn on module evidence more than on the degree title. Leeds asks for a list of modules studied; Southampton wants a 2:1 in a programming and an advanced mathematics module; Manchester wants quantitative modules "consistently throughout" the degree; Imperial's business school asks for a statement listing up to five quantitative modules. A BTech with mathematics and programming modules, or a BSc in mathematics, statistics, physics or computing, usually clears these tests. BCom, BBA and BA Economics graduates fit business analytics at Warwick, which names economics and psychology among welcome backgrounds, or the conversion routes at Coventry and Leeds.
Each university sets its own marks-to-class equivalence for Indian degrees: Manchester writes its 2:1 as a 60% average, Imperial says nearly all offer holders have a first, and Coventry and Teesside accept a 2:2, so check each university's India page rather than assuming a conversion. No GRE or GMAT is asked by any of the nine pages checked. English runs from IELTS 6.0 at Teesside to 6.5 at Leeds, Southampton, Glasgow and Coventry, and Imperial's "higher" requirement; Imperial's business school lets you apply without an English test result but expects you to meet its language requirement before the offer is unconditional, and it does not accept a pre-sessional course.
Intakes and deadlines for data science in the UK for Indian students: September 2027
Dates read from the official course pages on 26 September 2026:
- Imperial: both the Business Analytics & AI MSc (August 2027 start) and MSc Statistics (Data Science) Round 2 close 6 January 2027.
- Warwick Business School: applications close 2 August 2027, but scholarships go to early applicants. Manchester: staged admissions through the year.
- Leeds: international applicants by 30 July 2027. Southampton: 18 August 2027 at midday UK time, offers to be accepted within 30 working days.
- Coventry: September, November, January, March, May and July starts. Teesside: January (16 months), May and September.
How to apply for MS in data science in the UK from India: step-by-step
Applications go directly to each university. Fees: Imperial £90 for MSc Statistics and £125 for its Business School MSc (about ₹11,400 and ₹15,900), Warwick Business School £75 (about ₹9,500) and Manchester Business Analytics and AI £60 (about ₹7,600). Southampton states none; Leeds, Glasgow, Coventry and Teesside showed none.
September–October 2026: choose the family and the budget
Choose between computer-science, statistics-led and business-analytics courses, then shortlist 5–7 across the £17,000–£20,000, £34,000–£37,000 and £41,000–£51,000 bands. Check each course's CAH3 code against the ATAS list; Imperial states its MSc Statistics does not need ATAS.
October 2026: module list and SOP
Prepare a module list with marks for every mathematics, statistics and programming course, plus marksheets, degree certificate, passport, CV and a 600–900-word statement per course naming a dataset or project you have worked on.
November 2026–January 2027: first applications
Apply to Imperial before 6 January 2027 and to Manchester in its first selection stage. Submit Leeds, Glasgow, Southampton and Warwick by February.
January–March 2027: English
Sit an English test only if required; ask admissions in writing about a medium-of-instruction waiver first.
March–April 2027: offers, deposit, scholarships
Pay the deposit (£2,000, about ₹2.5 lakh, at Glasgow and Southampton; £2,500, about ₹3.2 lakh, at Manchester). Apply for scholarships before their published dates. Remit under LRS and check current TCS treatment with your bank.
April–June 2027: ATAS and loan
Apply for ATAS the day your offer becomes unconditional if the course code needs it: free, at least 30 working days. Finalise an education loan (collateral loans from public-sector banks; non-collateral loans from NBFCs and international lenders).
June–July 2027: CAS and funds
Hold the first-year fee balance plus £10,539 (about ₹13.4 lakh) outside London or £13,761 (about ₹17.5 lakh) in London for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of applying.
July–August 2027: Student visa
TB test, online application, £558 fee plus £1,164 IHS (together about ₹2.2 lakh), biometrics at VFS; decisions usually take 3 weeks. Arrive up to one month before the course.
Scholarships for a masters in data science in the UK for Indian students
Awards named on official pages read on 26 September 2026:
- University of Glasgow World Changers India Excellence Award: a £12,500 tuition waiver (about ₹15.9 lakh), up to 12 awards for Indian students starting a one-year taught master's in 2027-28, including MSc Data Science & AI.
- University of Southampton ECS Global Scholarship: 12 awards of £5,000 (about ₹6.35 lakh) for international ECS master's applicants, including MSc Data Science.
- GREAT Scholarships 2026-27: £10,000 (about ₹12.7 lakh) towards tuition for a one-year master's; Indian students can apply at Bristol, Surrey, Reading, Kent and others.
- Chevening Scholarships 2027-28: fully funded by the UK government; the published deadline for the 2027-28 round is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC, so check chevening.org for the next round once it has passed.
Data scientist jobs in the UK after the MSc: Graduate visa, Skilled Worker going rates and official pay data
You apply for the Graduate visa from inside the UK after the degree (£937, about ₹1.19 lakh, plus £1,035 a year IHS, about ₹1.31 lakh): 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027, any employer, no sponsorship. Staying longer needs a Skilled Worker sponsor paying at least £41,700 (about ₹53 lakh) or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher, with a £33,400 (about ₹42.4 lakh) threshold in some circumstances such as new entrants. Going rates: Home Office Appendix Skilled Occupations, updated 3 August 2026.
| SOC 2020 code and occupation | Example job titles | Going rate (standard) | Approx. INR | 70% rate (new entrant option) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2433 Actuaries, economists and statisticians | Statistical data scientists, statisticians | £55,100 | ₹70.0 lakh | £38,600 |
| 2133 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers | Data engineers, data architects | £54,900 | ₹69.7 lakh | £38,400 |
| 2431 Management consultants and business analysts | Business analyst, risk analyst | £50,200 | ₹63.8 lakh | £35,100 |
| All full-time employees (ONS ASHE, April 2025) | Median gross annual pay, UK | £39,039 | ₹49.6 lakh | — |
Going rates: GOV.UK Appendix Skilled Occupations, Table 1, read 26 Sep 2026; the 70% column is the Skilled Worker option E rate, floored at £33,400. ONS median from Employee earnings in the UK: 2025. £1 = ₹127.
Where data science graduates actually get sponsored
Frequently asked questions
How much does an MS in data science in the UK cost for Indian students?
Official 2026-27 and 2027-28 fees run from £17,000 at Teesside and £19,500 at Coventry to £34,600 at Leeds, £35,700 at Manchester, £41,500 at Warwick Business School and £44,800–£51,000 at Imperial, about ₹21.6 lakh to ₹65 lakh. All-in with living, visa and IHS, budget £33,000–£71,000 (₹42–90 lakh).
Can I do a masters in data science in the UK without a computer science degree?
Yes. Coventry admits a 2:2 in any discipline, Leeds runs a conversion Data Science MSc for non-mathematical graduates, and the business-school courses at Warwick, Manchester and Imperial accept economics, engineering, psychology and other numerate degrees.
Is GMAT required for business analytics in the UK?
None of the three business analytics pages checked on 26 September 2026 (Imperial £51,000, Warwick £41,500, Manchester £35,700) lists GMAT or GRE. Imperial instead asks for a quantitative experience statement naming up to five modules, and Manchester wants quantitative modules throughout a 2:1 (60%) degree. Each charges an application fee of £60–£125.
What is the difference between MSc Data Science and MSc Business Analytics in the UK?
MSc Data Science sits in computer science or mathematics departments, needs programming and statistics modules at 2:1 and leads to data scientist and data engineer roles (going rates £54,900–£55,100). MSc Business Analytics sits in business schools, admits numerate graduates from any field, costs £35,700–£51,000 and feeds consulting and analyst roles (going rate £50,200).
What IELTS score do I need for MS in data science in the UK?
Teesside asks 6.0 overall, Coventry 6.5 with no band below 5.5, and Leeds, Southampton and Glasgow 6.5 with 6.0 in each component. Imperial applies its higher university requirement, and its business school lets you apply without submitting a test result, but you must still meet its published English requirement and it does not accept pre-sessional courses. The visa itself needs only CEFR B2 for degree-level study.
What salary can a data scientist expect in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa?
The Home Office going rate is the official benchmark: £55,100 a year (about ₹70 lakh) for SOC 2433 statistical data scientists, and £54,900 (about ₹69.7 lakh) for SOC 2133 data engineers and architects, updated 3 August 2026. A new entrant can be sponsored at 70% of that, £38,600 or £38,400, but never below £33,400. The UK median for full-time employees was £39,039 in April 2025.
When should I apply for MS in data science in the UK for September 2027?
Apply between November 2026 and February 2027. Imperial's deadline for both its data science and business analytics MScs is 6 January 2027, Manchester runs staged selection from autumn, and Leeds (30 July 2027), Warwick (2 August 2027) and Southampton (18 August 2027) close later but fill earlier.
Is a BCom or BBA accepted for MSc Business Analytics in the UK?
Often, if the transcript shows quantitative papers. Warwick Business School asks for a 2:1 with strong numeracy; Manchester requires a 2:1 (60%) in a quantitative subject, which a BCom with statistics and business mathematics can meet. Leeds' Data Science and Analytics MSc says accountancy and finance degrees are not normally suitable, so use its conversion route.
Official sources used on this page
- Imperial College London — MSc Statistics (Data Science and Machine Learning), 2027 entry — Imperial College London · checked 26 September 2026
- Imperial College Business School — MSc Business Analytics & AI, 2027 entry — Imperial College London · checked 26 September 2026
- Warwick Business School — MSc Business Analytics & Artificial Intelligence, 2027 entry — University of Warwick · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Southampton — MSc Data Science: fees, entry, deadlines, graduate outcomes — University of Southampton · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Manchester — MSc Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence: fees and entry — University of Manchester · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Glasgow — MSc Data Science & Artificial Intelligence: fees 2027-28, entry, India Excellence Award — University of Glasgow · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Leeds — MSc Data Science and Analytics: fees, entry, deadlines — University of Leeds · checked 26 September 2026
- Coventry University — MSc Data Science: fees, entry and English 2026-27 — Coventry University · checked 26 September 2026
- Teesside University — MSc Data Science: fees, entry and English 2026-27 — Teesside University · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa: overview and fee — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa: money you need — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa: knowledge of English — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Student visa: your partner and children — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Immigration Health Surcharge: how much you pay — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Graduate visa — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: your job and salary — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- GOV.UK — Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations: going rates (updated 3 Aug 2026) — UK Home Office · checked 26 September 2026
- ONS — Employee earnings in the UK: 2025 (ASHE) — Office for National Statistics · checked 26 September 2026
- UKCISA — Student work — UK Council for International Student Affairs · checked 26 September 2026
- Study UK (British Council) — GREAT Scholarships: India 2026-27 — British Council · checked 26 September 2026
- Chevening — Application timeline 2027-28 — UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · checked 26 September 2026
- Wise — GBP to INR mid-market rate — Wise · checked 26 September 2026
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