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Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Data Science and AI

Student sat at a table working on their computer
Josef Murmann in the Kitchen, 2021, UAL Creative Computing Institute, Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
College
UAL Creative Computing Institute
Start date
September 2023
Course length
3 / 4 years (with optional foundation year)
UCAS code
I214

Gain practical skills in Data Science and AI and explore how this rapidly expanding discipline is shaping the world around us.

Subject to validation

BSc (Hons) Data Science and AI is a new course and is subject to validation. Validation is a process that makes sure students get a high quality academic experience. During validation there may be some changes to courses and structure.

Why choose this course at UAL Creative Computing Institute

  • Coding for AI: Develop practical coding skills in core modern programming languages and learn how to apply them to a range of data science contexts.
  • Project-based learning: Complete a range of data science projects, learning how to apply your skills and understanding to real world problems.
  • Ethical data science: Explore how computational approaches to data science have the potential to impact individuals and society at scale.
  • Working with others: Learn how to work with others and solve problems together. Teamwork skills are highly sought after by graduate employers in the data science and AI field.
  • The CCI data science and AI community: Join a community of students, academics and researchers who are passionate about data science and AI. Become a member of our integrated online community enabling peer and technical support.

Follow CCI online

Twitter: @ual_cci

YouTube: youtube.com/ual-cci

Instagram: @ual_cci

Watch the online open day

Course overview

Data Science and AI is a rapidly expanding, applied discipline that is shaping the world around us and a significantly growing area of employment. Data science is also the foundation of the technology that underpins modern approaches to functional AI based products and services.

The BSc Data Science and AI programme offers a deep engagement with data science and AI competencies, as well as a critical perspective on ethical data and AI practices. This includes statistical theory, mathematics, data structures, computational approaches, machine learning and software engineering. 

Delivered by the UAL Creative Computing Institute, you will benefit from an innovative curriculum that approaches data science and AI through a creative lens.

What to expect  

  • Coding for data science: you will learn practical coding skills in core modern programming languages for data science industries and applications.
  • Project-based learning: you will complete a range of computing projects where you will apply skills and knowledge to real world problems.
  • Ethical data practices: you will learn how data practices have the potential to impact individuals and society. 
  • Collaboration and creativity: you will learn how to collaborate with your peers to creatively solve problems together. This ability is a core attribute valued by graduate employers.
  • The CCI community: you will join a significant community of students, academics and researchers who are passionate about the future of data and computing. You will have access to our integrated online community.

Industry experience and opportunities   

You will learn using industry standard tools and frameworks ensuring you are ready to progress to a wide range of roles across the technology sector. You will benefit from industry talks and will meet industry representatives throughout your studies.

Furthermore, you have the opportunity to undertake the optional year in industry details of which will be provided in the second year of study.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Year 0 (common with BSc Computer Science)

Foundational programming 1

This unit will introduce you to core programme skills and concepts. You will also explore basic coding environments such as processing and block programming. 

Computing histories 

This unit will develop academic writing skills and offer diverse historical perspectives of computing.

Computing project: Introducing computing 1 

This unit will introduce project work through set tasks such as simple game creation.

Foundational programming 1

In this unit, you will apply the skills and knowledge you have developed so far in friendly coding environments such as processing and block programming environments.

Foundational maths for computing 

This unit will develop the foundational maths skills required for the subsequent years of the course.

Computing project: Introducing computing 2 

In this unit, you will continue your project work through set tasks and introduce code management tools and project management basics.

Year 1

Coding 1: Introduction to programming 

This unit will introduce you to programming basics using contemporary programming languages and constructs that form part of professional practice in computing. You will learn fundamentals including variables, conditionals, loops, functions, simple object orientation and interaction approaches, applying mathematical principals throughout.

Introducing data science and mathematics 

This unit will introduce you to the fundamentals of mathematics and statistics. You will explore key theories and approaches that support contemporary statistical reasoning, and the general mathematical principles upon which they depend.

Data, representation and visualisation 

In this unit, you will explore how information is represented as data, and how different types of data can be organised, stored, analysed and interrogated. You will also learn how to use different programming languages and data representations to create, navigate and analyse complex data structures. 

Coding 2: Further programming and information architecture (IA) 

This unit will expand your knowledge, skills and competencies in programming. You will learn how computing hardware interprets instructions, and how these instructions flow through computing systems. You will explore binary and hexadecimal representations of numbers, and how operations are understood in binary form.

Further mathematics and statistics for data science 

This unit will introduce you to a range of mathematical approaches required for carrying out modern data science including calculus, discrete structures, probability theory, elementary statistics and fundamental linear algebra/matrix maths.

Data, people and society 

In this unit, you will be taught what it means to represent people as data points, and explore the effects of data abstraction at macro scale on individuals and marginalised groups. You will also explicitly look at the use of data in public policy making.

Year 2

Coding 3: Algorithms and complexity 

You will be introduced to a range of standard algorithms using programming languages including Python and C. Using common algorithms, you will create and analyse computational models, learning how to determine which ones might be best suited to certain kinds of problems.

Data governance and computational ethics 

This unit explores data governance and the ethical and legal requirements of data collection, data storage, data access, data sharing and data processing. You will examine the current information security processes, which are enforced and regulated by legal and human rights legislation.

Data science project: Software engineering 1 

You will design and develop a prototype software project, applying your understanding of data governance. You will be encouraged to develop projects that consider specific problems and challenges across a range of use cases. This will help you understand how software development teams operate.

Coding 4: Data processing and analysis 

You will learn how data is represented in computers, and how data can be stored and analysed in multi-dimensional ways for processing. You will develop software for manipulating data of different forms to explore and understand how data can contain information. 

Computational entrepreneurship 

A key aim of this unit is to enhance your employability and entrepreneurship skills in a computational context.

Data science project: Software engineering 2 

In this unit, you will deliver a substantial software project based on knowledge and competencies that you have developed so far on the course. 

Year 3

Coding 5: AI and intelligent systems 

Machine learning and artificial intelligence is at the core of modern industries. The unit will first introduce you to interactive concepts in machine learning and AI. You will then examine more complex intelligent systems design, including Neural Networks, reinforcement learning and other critical techniques.

Data Security 

This unit will build upon your understanding of contemporary data security methods. You will be taught to use techniques including static program analysis, threat analysis and tools such to analyse security risks in online applications.

Data science project: Product development 

During this unit, you will learn advanced approaches to product development including project management skills, time cost analysis estimation, product architecture and testing procedures.

Ethics of data science 

In this unit, you will consider and reflect on critical approaches to technology development, building on the design ethics work delivered throughout the course so far. You will be encouraged to apply these techniques to your final year projects, exploring how you have applied your knowledge of computing ethics in your work. 

Data science project: Final project

This will be your final thesis project, where you will demonstrate your skills and understanding of a range of creative computing methods and approaches including statistical methods, software engineering, data visualisation, machine learning and AI, data security, and other essential topics in the discipline.

Diploma in Professional Studies (Optional year)

The Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) is an optional placement year in industry between the second and third year of the course. It is a managed year of professional experience, largely undertaken in the design profession in a variety of national and international locations. Successful candidates are selected on a competitive basis from academic performance and studentship, successful completion of the DPS bridging studies and by portfolio and proposal.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Collaborative problem-solving and group work
  • Design briefs
  • Experiential team learning
  • Independent study
  • Lectures and seminars
  • Panel discussions in a debate environment
  • Project work
  • Studio/lab-based practice and masterclasses
  • Technical tuition

Assessment methods

  • Coursework
  • Design briefs
  • Essays and reports
  • Project portfolio including technical prototypes and presentations
  • Practical exams (coding tasks)
  • Team-based projects
  • Written exams

How to apply

Information for disabled applicants

UAL is committed to achieving inclusion and equality for disabled students. This includes students who have:
     
  • Dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difference
  • A sensory impairment
  • A physical impairment
  • A long-term health or mental health condition
  • Autism
  • Another long-term condition which has an impact on your day-to-day life
Our Disability Service arranges adjustments and support for disabled applicants and students. Read our Disability and dyslexia: applying for a course and joining UAL information.

Entry requirements

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are: 

For Year 1 entry: 

  • Grades BCC or above at A-level  
  • Merit Merit Merit (MMM) at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects include Computer Science and ICT, or Design and Technology) 
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 104 UCAS tariff points (preferred subjects include Computer Science and ICT, or Design and Technology)   
  • Equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma. 

For Year 0 entry: 

  • Grades CC or above at A-level 
  • Merit Pass Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects include Computer Science and ICT, or Design and Technology) 
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 64 UCAS tariff points (preferred subjects include Computer Science and ICT, or Design and Technology) 
  • Equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma. 
  • And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C). If you do not have a Science or Mathematics-based A-level, you should have at least Grade B/Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics. 

English Language Requirements 

IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent), with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. 

All classes are taught in English. If English isn’t your first language, you will need to show evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. For more details, please check our main English Language requirements webpage.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning 

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria:

  • A current ability or potential to engage with the ideas of computing.
  • Experience of experimenting with code.
  • Demonstrable engagement and improvement in a recently learned technical skill.
  • Ability to critically reflect and evaluate your achievements.
  • Ability to present and discuss your work.
  • Willingness to collaborate and resolve problems both individually and as a team.

Making your application

Apply for this course though Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where you'll need to provide the following information:

University code: U65
Course code (with Foundation year, YEAR 0): I21F
Course code (without Foundation year, YEAR 1): I214

UAL Creative Computing Institute courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1

Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).  Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Deferred Entry

This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 for equal consideration.  However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal.  We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal.  You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

Please consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.

Erasmus

For further information on Erasmus and Non-Erasmus Exchanges and UAL exchange schemes, please visit the Erasmus section on the UAL website.

There are 2 ways international students can apply to this course:

You can only apply to the same course once per year.

When applying via UCAS you will need the following information:

University code: U65
Course code (with Foundation year, YEAR 0): I21F
Course code (without Foundation year, YEAR 1): I214

UAL Creative Computing Institute courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1

Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).  Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Visas

Read our visit our immigration and visa advice page to find out whether you need a visa to study.

Deferred Entry

This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 25 January 2023 for equal consideration.  However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Immigration history check

You will be asked to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL.  We will not be able to proceed with your application until you have submitted your completed Immigration History Form.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal.  We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal.  You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

Please consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.

After you apply

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course.

Assessment of your application

Each and every application is carefully considered by a member(s) of our academic team.

Offer decisions are made based on an overall review of applications.  This includes:

  • qualifications
  • actual or predicted grades
  • personal statement
  • extra-curricular and work experience
  • contextual information

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS track.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Careers and alumni

Computing graduates are highly sought after across many sectors and our degrees facilitate progression to a wide range of careers in both industry and academia. Graduates can join large companies or start their own business using their engineering skills and their knowledge of computational innovation.

Graduates can become:

  • Data scientists for large and small technology companies
  • Specialists in NLP, voice technology and computer vision
  • Data science researchers
  • IT professionals across a wide variety of sectors
  • Founders of technology start-ups in sectors such as finance, healthcare and the creative industries.

Opportunities for Further study:

  • Study one of our specialist creative computing master's courses.