What are the top UK universities for a master’s in Data Science?

For a master’s in Data Science in the UK, several ranked universities stand out for their strong academics and industry links.

• University of Oxford (QS Rank: #1 UK): Offers an MSc in Social Data Science — ideal for research or policy roles.
• University College London – UCL (#3 UK): Strong emphasis on machine learning and real-world application, popular with tech recruiters.
• University of Manchester (#8 UK): Balanced curriculum and located in a city with an active data hiring scene.
• University of Southampton (#14 UK): Focuses on applied data science, with links to telecom, maritime, and health sectors.
• University of Bristol (#9 UK): Known for integrating statistics and computing with a practical focus.

Tuition fees range from £25,000–£35,000, and average starting salaries are £38,000–£55,000, depending on the sector and city. These programs are selective, so strong math or CS backgrounds are key to admission.