Data Science and Data Analytics
Data Science and Data Analytics are related subjects but they have distinct differences. Data Science is a broad term for developing and using scientific methods, processes and algorithms to analyse large sets of raw and structured data such as big data. Data scientists look for answers to questions that businesses and organisations don’t know, or establish solutions to problems that haven’t yet been thought of. Data Analytics is more focused and concentrates on carrying out statistical analysis on existing data sets. It can be used to measure events in the past, present, or future. Data Analytics tends to be more business and strategy focused.
Core skills needed in Data Science and Data Analytics include programming, machine learning, statistics and statistical analysis. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also becoming important due to advances in data driven AI.
Hear from Dr Kevin Swingler, Senior Lecturer, explaining how the University of Stirling’s Data Science courses will equip you to play a vital role in the future of data.
Data Science and Data Analytics courses
Courses labelled are available for online study only.
| Course | Start date |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | September 2025, January 2026 |
| BSc (Hons) Graduate Apprenticeship in Data Science | September 2025 |
| Course | Start date |
|---|---|
| MSc Artificial Intelligence | September 2025, January 2026 |
| MSc Big Data | September 2025, January 2026 |
| MSc Big Data (Online) | October 2025 |
| MSc Business Analytics | September 2025, January 2026 |
| MSc Data Science for Business | September 2025, January 2026 |
| MSc Finance and Data Analytics | September 2025 |
| MSc Financial Technology (FinTech) | September 2025, January 2026 |
| MSc Marketing Analytics | September 2025, January 2026 |
| MSc Mathematics and Data Science | September 2025, January 2026 |
| MSc Social Statistics and Social Research | September 2025, January 2026 |
| Professional Doctorate Data Science | September 2025, January 2026 |
Scholarships
We offer a variety of scholarship and funding options to help you finance your studies at the University of Stirling.
Undergraduate scholarships
See more undergraduate scholarships
Postgraduate scholarships
See more postgraduate scholarships
Why study Big Data and Data Science at the University of Stirling
Graduate careers in Data Science and Data Analytics
As a graduate in Data Science or Data Analytics you’ll be equipped for roles such as Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, Enterprise Architect, Machine Learning Scientist and Business Intelligence Developer. A wide range of sectors need data specialists including:
- ecommerce and retail
- digital technologies
- robotics
- healthcare
- financial technology (Fintech)
- legal technology (Lawtech)
- automotive (self-driving cars)
- cyber security
- energy and utilities
- public sector
Partnerships and industry
We are a member of The Data Lab, which is an Innovation Centre with the aim of developing data science talent and skills required by the industry in Scotland. We also work with the Scottish Informatics and Computing Science Alliance (SICSA).
Our MSc Data Science for Business degree is endorsed by The Data Lab and is the first in Scotland to be developed with inputs from SAS, a global leader in business analytics solutions, leading financial services organisation HSBC and The Data Lab to ensure it meets industry needs
Data Science and Data Analytics research
Our team of academics from the department of Computing Science and Mathematics are involved in research in areas including complex systems modelling, computer vision, machine learning, optimisation and artificial intelligence.
See more about our Data Science and Intelligent Systems research.
Postgraduate research opportunities
Our Professional Doctorate Data Science is the first industrial doctorate of its kind, and is supported by The Data Lab.
See our PhD and MPhil opportunities in Computing Science and Mathematics including Data Science.