MSc Data Science (Urban Analytics)

For information on available scholarships please visit: Master’s Fees and Funding

High 2:1 honours degree (or overseas equivalent)

For this pathway, we would expect applicants to evidence an interest and/or experience in topics related to urban analysis. Examples are:

• Working experience in urban-themed topics (e.g. data analyses for spatial phenomena, public policies or real estate market analysis)
• Experience in working in spatial or GIS-based data analysis
• Evidence of training in urban-themed methods or topics (e.g. GIS).

In your application, you should demonstrate aptitude, knowledge and/or interest in three areas: 

• data analytics and/or statistics;
• computational subjects; and
• pathway specific requirements.

These can be demonstrated by course units taken at undergraduate level and high school level, or professional experience.

Please see our application and selection page for more detailed information.

Applicants whose first language is not English should meet the following language requirements:

• IELTS Academic test score of 7 overall with no component score below 6.5
• TOEFL IBT 100 with no score below 22 in each section. TOEFL code for Manchester is 0757
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 76 overall and no component score below 70

Pre-Sessional English Courses

We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you may be required to complete a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.

To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:

6 Week Pre-Sessional Course : IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each sub-skill  

10 Week Pre-sessional Course : IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in three sub-skills, and 5.5 in no more than one sub-skill  

If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate to ensure that you are eligible for a separate visa for the English language course.

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Applicants from Majority English-speaking countries

If you are a national of a   majority English-speaking country   (or have studied for a full bachelor's degree or higher from one of these countries) you may be exempt from submitting further evidence of English language proficiency.

We accept a range of qualifications from across the globe. To help international students, the university provides specific information for many individual countries. Please see our  country-specific information page   for guidance on the academic and English language qualifications which may be accepted from your country.

In your application, you should demonstrate aptitude, knowledge and/or interest in three areas:

• data analytics and/orstatistics;
• computationalsubjects;
• pathway specific requirements.

These can be demonstrated by course units taken at undergraduate level and high school level, or professional experience.

Staged Admissions

As there is a high demand for our courses, we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.

Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application to avoid a delay in processing.

Applications for 2026 entry:

Stage 1: Application received by 7th December 2025 ; Application update by 20th February 2026

Stage 2: Application received by 1st March 2026 ; Application update by 1st May 2026

Stage 3: Application received by 3rd May 2026 ; Application update by 19th June 2026

Stage 4: Application received by 5th July 2026 ; Application update by 31st July 2026

Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.

Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

Please note: All places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.

A master’s degree is formed of 180 credits.

120 of these credits are made up by a mix of mandatory and optional course units, worth 15 credits each. You will need to select eight of these course units, with 60 credits taken each semester.

The core units are:

• Machine Learning and Statistics (both semesters);
• Understanding Databases;
• Understanding Data and their Environment;
• Applications in Data Science.

Optional course units range from statistical foundations to property valuation and digital planning, preparing you with a varied but strong foundation in data science and urban analytics.

The availability of individual optional course units may be subject to change. Information that is sent to you in August about registration onto the course will clearly state the course units that are available in the academic year ahead.

The remaining 60 credits are awarded through a compulsory research component in the form of a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation. Your dissertation must be within the area of one of the course units you have chosen.

Your dissertation research is supported by weekly research methodology lectures designed to improve your academic, research and writing skills.

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk