(BSc) Bachelor of Science
Data Science and Analytics (Including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
None
BSC I1GB
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels, including B in Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Please note we are unable to accept A-level Use of Mathematics or Statistics in place of A-level Mathematics.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels and only in conjunction with A-level Maths. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent including B in Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.Either must include Higher Level Mathematics grade 5.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions. The Access to HE Diploma is only acceptable in conjunction with A-level Mathematics
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core. T-levels are only acceptable in conjunction with A-level Mathematics
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Yinghui Wei
Dr Murray Pollock
Director of Statistics / Senior Lecturer
Newcastle University
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To equip students with the knowledge and skills that are currently in high demand in the computing industry and the wider economy
To provide students with a foundation for further study and research
To enable students to acquire an understanding of computer science, mathematics and statistics as well as business analysis
To develop the student’s ability to make an effective contribution to team-based activity
To encourage students to adopt an investigative approach and develop autonomous study skills in order to ensure their continuing professional development
To provide students with an understanding of the industrial context and an appreciation of a range of external factors that affect the work of a data analyst and computing professional
To provide students with experience of the transition to University level
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Principles, techniques and proceses of project management.
A2: The industrial context and the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities of data analysts and computing professionals.
A3: Mathematical principles that underpin the analysis and generation of computer models and algorithms.
A4: Programming models, languages and development environments.
A5: Computer systems, including computer architecture, operating systems, embedded computer systems and computer networks.
A6: Information systems, including data modelling, database design, information retrieval and visualisation and access via interactive web pages.
A7: Systems analysis and software development processes.
A8: Principles, techniques and applications in those areas of Data Science and Analytics in which the student has chosen to develop special expertise.
A9: Experience of the transition into higher education.
A101: An experience-based understanding of work roles is developed through the placement year.
Learning methods
Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the concepts and principles involved in A1 - A9. Students are also directed to reading from textbooks, academic papers and material available on-line.
Understanding is reinforced by means of exercise classes, discussion groups, laboratories, assignments and project work.
Specialist knowledge (A8) is further developed during supervision of the final year individual project.
Transition into higher education (A9) is obtained in all level 3 modules.
A101 is is achieved through taking part in the placement year.
Assessment methods
Achievement of knowledge outcomes is assessed primarily through unseen closed-book examinations, and also through marked coursework.
An assessment of the understanding of underlying concepts and principles forms part of the overall assessment of the final year individual project report and oral presentation.
A101 is demonstrated by successful completion of the year spent in industry.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Analyse a given problem and select the most appropriate methods for its solution.
B2: Evaluate the relative strengths of a range of theories, techniques, tools, languages, etc. used in the design and construction of computer-based systems
B3: Interpret the contents of articles and other sources and form a critical judgement of their relative importance and relevance to an area of study.
B4: Construct informed, succint and reasoned descriptions of, and proposals for, computer-based systems.
B101: A capacity to connect subject specific theory to practice in a work environment.
Learning methods
The basis for intellectual skills is provided in lectures, and they are developed by means of recommended reading, guided and self directed study, assignments and project work.
B1 is a key element of most assignments project work.
B2 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of systems software.
B3 is developed through guided reading and tutor led discussion groups.
B1 - B4 are all important aspects of the final year project, and are developed in the course of individual supervision.
B101 is developed through the placement year.
Assessment methods
Achievement of intellectual skills is assessed primarily through unseen closed-book examinations, and also through marked assignments and project work.
B5 is assessed via successful completion of the placement year.
C: Practical skills
C1: Make effective use of a range of theories, techniques, programming languages, operating systems, design support tools and development environments.
C2: Specify, design, implement, test and document a computer-based system.
C3: Work as a member of a team, contributing to the planning and execution of a system development task.
C4: Propose, plan, undertake and report a self-directed individual programme of investigation, design and implementation.
C101: Communicate with a range of colleagues and clients in a working environment.
Learning methods
Practical skills are developed in exercise classes, laboratory classes, assignments and project work.
C1 is developed through exercises and exposure to a range of systems software.
Various aspects of C2 are acquired in programming, software engineering and other assignments, and further developed in team and individual project work.
C3 is developed in group assignments and the first and second year team projects.
C4 is developed during the supervision of the final year individual project.
C101 is developed through the Placement year.
Assessment methods
Achievement of practical skills is assessed through marked coursework, project reports, oral presentations and demonstrations of completed systems.
C101 is assessed via successful completion of the placement year.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicate effectively in written reports and oral presentations using appropriate terminology and technical language.
D2: Retrieve information using search engines, browsers and catalogues; use appropriate IT facilities to prepare and present technical reports in various formats (documents, oral presentations).
D3: Use mathematical techniques in the processes of analysis and design.
D4: Analyse complex problems and design effective solutions.
D5: Plan and manage team projects using available support tools; work effectively as part of a team.
D6: Organise activity and manage time in a programme of self-directed study.
D101: Capacity to work in a team within a work environment.
Learning methods
Students learn key skills in research, problem solving, communication and team project work in the first year module CE101, and thereafter the development of key skills forms an integral part of their overall learning activity. In particular
D1 and D2 are developed in team and individual project work.
D2 is developed through the use of the internet as a major information source, and practice in the use of tools such as Word and PowerPoint.
D3 and D4 are developed in exercises and assignments.
D5 is developed in group assignments and the first and second year team projects.
D6 is developed in the final year individual project.
D101 is developed through the Placement Year.
Assessment methods
Assessment of the key skills D3 and D4 is intrinsic to subject based assessment.
The assessment of project work includes specific allocations of credit for project management (D5, D6) and the quality of presentations (D1 and D2).
An individual's contribution to team projects (D5) is determined by means of a submission containing reflective and self-assessment components.
The assessment of the final year individual project report includes specific allocation of credit for the quality, extent and relevance of a bibliography, including internet sources (D2).
D101 is assessed via successful completion of the placement year.