Data Science (with an industrial placement year) BSc (Hons)

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.

Entry requirements

A-level

Typical offer

ABB, including grade B in Mathematics.

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

Subjects

A-levels must include Mathematics, see individual offers for grades needed.

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Extended Project Qualification

We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer.  We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us

Other UK qualifications

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer

32 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

Subjects

Higher Levels must include Mathematics, with a grade of 5.

For entry, either Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level will be accepted.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer

Overall result of at least 77%.

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in Mathematics to a high level is essential (normally with a final grade of at least 8.0).

Other international qualifications

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component

Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements

Find out more about IELTS

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Other English language requirements

Proficiency tests

English language qualifications

Country exceptions

Admissions information for applicants

Transfers into Year 2

Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don’t accept transfers into the third or final year.

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.

Don’t meet our entry requirements?

If you don't meet our entry requirements, we recommend our in-house Foundation Year course to prepare you for Year 1 of your chosen degree:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TEF 2023 silver

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

Fees

Home students:
£9,535 per year
Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:
£9,535 per year
International students:
£22,575 per year
Placement:
Find out about tuition fees for placements

Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis. Find details on our Tuition fees page.

Additional costs

Note about additional costs

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life.

Placement

This course offers you the opportunity to apply for a placement. Find out about placement fees at Tuition fees. You’ll need to pay for your own travel costs to and from your placement.

Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Scholarships

Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.

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

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services logo

Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024

National Enterprise Educator Awards logo

Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024

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