MSc Data Science (Earth and Environmental Analytics)

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
Master of Science (MSc)
Duration
1 year
Entry requirements
  • high 2:1 honours degree (or overseas equivalent)
  • See application and selection tab.

    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.

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

    • Working experience in environment-themed topics (e.g. environment, climate, natural ecosystems, human social and economic systems, and health)
    • Experience in working in data science, GIS or environmental based data analysis

    Evidence of training in environment-themed methods or topics

    Full entry requirements

    How to apply
    Apply online

    Course options

    Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
    MSc Y N N N

    Course overview

    • Absorb and focus on data, and what data science can do.
    • Develop your team-working skills, and actively study as part of a dynamic group.
    • Be inspired by what the interdisciplinary course, drawing on five different disciplines, can provide.
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    Explore the new MSc in Data Science

    Open days

    The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to find out more about our facilities and courses.   

    On this day, you will find out more about the School, our resources, and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have.   

    For more information, see open days and visits .

    Fees

    For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

    • MSc (full-time)
      UK students (per annum): £16,000
      International, including EU, students (per annum): £32,000

    Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

    Policy on additional costs

    All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

    Scholarships/sponsorships

    We offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.  

    In addition, the Manchester Alumni Scholarship Scheme offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a First class Bachelor's degree and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course. 

    For more information, see fees and funding or search the University's postgraduate funding database.  

    Contact details

    School/Faculty
    School of Social Sciences
    Contact name
    School of Social Sciences Admissions Office
    Telephone
    +44 (0)161 804 9198
    Email
    Website
    https://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/social-statistics/
    School/Faculty

    Courses in related subject areas

    Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

    Entry requirements

    Academic entry qualification overview

  • high 2:1 honours degree (or overseas equivalent)
  • See application and selection tab.

    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.

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

    • Working experience in environment-themed topics (e.g. environment, climate, natural ecosystems, human social and economic systems, and health)
    • Experience in working in data science, GIS or environmental based data analysis

    Evidence of training in environment-themed methods or topics

    English language

    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
    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.

    English language test validity

    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.

    Other international entry requirements

    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.

    Application and selection

    How to apply

    Advice to applicants

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

    • data analytics and/or statistics;
    • computational subjects;
    • 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 before the application deadline to avoid a delay in processing.

    Applications for 2024 entry:

    Stage 1:   Application received by  8th December 2023 ; Application update by  22nd February 2024

    Stage 2:   Application received by  3rd March 2024 ; Application update by  25th April 2024

    Stage 3:   Application received by  5th May 2024 ; Application update by  8th June 2024

    Stage 4:  Application received by  1st July 2024 ; Application update by  25th July 2024

    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.

    Course details

    Course description

    The range of pathways reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the course and we welcome applications from students with backgrounds in a range of disciplines, including:

    • Business and Management;
    • Health Science;
    • Social Sciences;
    • Geography;
    • Planning;
    • Computer Science;
    • Mathematics.

    We provide training in core data science skills, embedded in a disciplinary context provided by the pathway, you will develop:

    • computational skills;
    • data analytical skills;
    • data stewardship skills and knowledge;
    • project design skills.

    Aims

    This innovative MSc in Data Science course is an opportunity for graduates from a broad range of disciplines to develop data science skills. Our goal is to help you develop into an agile, skilled data scientist, adept at working in a variety of settings and be able to meet the challenges and reap the rewards of interdisciplinary teamwork.  

    There is growing evidence across academia, policy makers and industry that `Environmental Intelligence (EI)' is an emerging research area of strategic global importance. Its primary aim is to understand and respond to the complex interactions between the environment, climate, natural ecosystems, human social and economic systems, and health.    

    Key areas of concern include:

    • Climate Change (e.g., resilient cities, clean power, smart transport options, sustainable production).
    • Biodiversity and Conservation (e.g., habitat protection and restoration, pollution control, realizing natural capital), Natural Hazards (e.g., predicting and forecasting, early warning systems, resilient infrastructure).
    • Environment and Health (e.g., air quality, water and sanitisation, social and environmental inequalities).   

    Mapped to The University of Manchester's research strengths, the aim of this pathway is to prepare you for new and exciting training across cutting edge data science and environmental science technologies to integrate multiple complex data sources and create tools that enable informed decision making for future environmental systems.

    Course unit details

    Through a set of core units, you will develop a set of key data science skills.

    The core units are:

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

    Course unit list

    The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

    TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
    Statistics and Machine Learning 1: Statistical Foundations DATA70121 15 Mandatory
    Understanding Databases DATA70141 15 Mandatory
    Applying Data Science DATA70202 15 Mandatory
    Understanding Data and their Environment DATA71011 15 Mandatory
    Extended Research Project DATA72000 60 Mandatory
    Measuring and Predicting 2 EART60071 15 Optional
    Computational Subsurface Geoscience EART60152 15 Optional
    Key Interpretation Skills EART60381 15 Optional
    Earth and Environmental Data Science EART60702 15 Optional
    Environmental Monitoring and Modelling EART62012 15 Optional
    Pollution Management in Practice 2 EART63012 15 Optional
    Digital Terrain Analysis GEOG60412 15 Optional
    Environmental Remote Sensing GEOG60941 15 Optional
    GIS and Environmental Applications GEOG60951 15 Optional
    Fundamentals of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) applied to Environmental Monitoring GEOG70632 15 Optional
    Spatial Ecology GEOG71922 15 Optional
    Climate, Environment and Development MGDI60552 15 Optional
    Neighbourhood Planning Project PLAN60812 15 Optional
    Displaying 10 of 18 course units

    Disability support

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

    Careers

    Career opportunities

    The global demand for data scientist talent continues to grow, as a result, our course qualification will provide a strong boost to your employability.

    The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.

    At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .