Key information
- Duration:
- 4 years full time
- Typical A-level offer:
- ABB, including grade B in Mathematics.
View full entry requirements - UCAS code:
- G302
- Start date:
- September 2025
- 95% of our research overall in Mathematical Sciences was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
Our society is built on data. There’s an increasing demand for people with skills in data analysis, programming and statistics. This course is for you if you want to become proficient in handling data, using computational and statistical methods to solve real-world data-intensive problems.
Sussex is home to Sussex Artificial Intelligence, one of our Centres of Excellence, and the Data-Intensive Science Centre (DISCUS). You’ll learn from experts:
- our mathematicians’ research is making world-changing impact – from modelling and controlling infectious diseases, to predicting floods and the behaviour of queues and social networks
- our computer scientists lead national and international research projects on machine learning, natural language processing and artificial intelligence.
Your teaching is based on our leading research. During your studies, you’ll explore the relationship between modern data science, statistics, and the computational techniques that drive data analysis and modelling You’ll:
- gain a thorough grounding in theories and techniques
- develop critical knowledge in programming and statistics, as well as analytical and modelling skills
- use industry-standard software such as Python and R
- learn how to handle and analyse large sets of data
- work with our researchers for your final-year project.
An academic adviser will guide you throughout your degree. You’ll have opportunities to engage with potential employers and to apply for an industrial placement. The optional year in industry is a great opportunity for you to gain real-world experience of working in the data science sector and related fields.
When you graduate, you’ll have the skills, knowledge and confidence to progress into roles such as data analyst, data engineer, business data analyst, database administrator, data scientist and software engineer.
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. This can be a fantastic opportunity to gain real-life insight into industry as well as skills valued by employers. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can help you:
- find an employer
- draft an application
- prepare for interviews.
Don’t worry if you’re not successful, you’ll simply transfer to a non-placement version of your course.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Course content
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Your degree
The first year of study will introduce you to the basics of mathematics and programming.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures and small-group workshops. Programming-based modules also incorporate sessions in computer laboratories.
81%: Lecture
10%: Seminar
9%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include end-of-term examinations and coursework such as problem sheets, online quizzes and programming exercises.
13%: Coursework
87%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 300 hours of contact time and about 900 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Your degree
In Year 2, you’ll consolidate your programming skills while adding statistics.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures and small-group workshops. Programming-based modules also incorporate sessions in computer laboratories.
70%: Lecture
18%: Seminar
12%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include end-of-term examinations and coursework such as problem sheets, online quizzes and programming exercises.
62%: Coursework
38%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 300 hours of contact time and about 900 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.
Find out more about placements and internships
Our careers team offers dedicated support to help you obtain a placement, including:
- finding an employer
- drafting an application
- preparing for interviews
- ongoing help throughout a placement.
Don’t worry if you’re not successful in securing a placement, you’ll simply transfer to a non-placement version of your course.
Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t undertake your placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Your degree
In Year 3, you’ll continue your study of statistics and data science, and choose topics that interest you most from a range of options. You’ll also pursue an individual research project, exploring a topic of your choice within Data Science.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures and small-group workshops. Programming-based modules also incorporate sessions in computer laboratories.
47%: Lecture
13%: Seminar
15%: Practical
25%: One-to-one
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include end-of-term examinations and coursework such as problem sheets, online quizzes and programming exercises. There’s also a written dissertation and presentation.
47%: Coursework
25%: Examination
4%: Practical
24%: Written assessment
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 230 hours of contact time and about 970 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Advanced Numerical Analysis (L.6)
- Comparative Programming
- Computational Imaging Methods
- E-Business and E-Commerce Systems
- Introduction to Computer Security
- Probability Models (L6)
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
Dr Marianna Cerasuolo
Reader in Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computation
Dr Philip Herbert
Lecturer in Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computation
Careers
During your degree, you have the support of an academic adviser. When you graduate, you’ll have the skills, knowledge and confidence to start your career in a wide range of roles, including:
- data analyst
- data engineer
- business data analyst
- database administrator
- data scientist
- software engineer.
You’ll also be well prepared for further study, such as a Masters degree.
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work
Design your future at Sussex
Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.
As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:
- our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
- one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
- entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.
Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you
Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024
Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024
A-level - contextual offer
BCC, including grade C in Mathematics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level - contextual offer
Grade B in A-level and Merit, Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels - contextual offer
Grades BC in A-levels and Merit in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced - contextual offer
BCC from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels, including Mathematics at grade C.