Study Data Science with a scholarship from Salford

Ever wanted to get into data science and analysis? Now is your chance as the University of Salford is offering scholarships worth thousands to those looking for a change in career.

And you don’t need to have any background at all in STEM, just an undergraduate degree in any subject, an interest in working with data and a passion for problem solving.

Starting in September the scholarships, for UK students only, are aimed at underrepresented groups in the sector, such as women, black students and those with disabilities (a full list is available on this site) will offer £10,000 to study an MSc in Data Science or Internet of Things with Data Science.

The Data Science Scholarships offer the opportunity to make discoveries in data and bring value to businesses and organisations. The scholarship is open to anyone from any academic background, so long as you haven’t studied a computing degree in the past.

Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Office for Artificial Intelligence, the scholarships are designed to increase diversity in the AI and data science sector and to support students from underrepresented groups to access, participate and succeed in higher education. Students who successfully apply for a scholarship will receive £10,000 to help with course fees, and associated costs such as living costs, childcare and transport. Developed as one of the UK’s first data science postgraduate conversion courses, this Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) accredited degree will equip graduates and professionals from a wide range of disciplines, with analytical knowledge and applied programming skills.

Several students have already taken up the opportunity. Among them is Mubeen Arshad who is just about to finish her course, which she could only access thanks to the scholarship. She said: “You get to know a little bit about programming you get to know a little bit about computing and it’s a really good combination.

“The thing I love about this scholarship is that you can fit into any job. This scholarship helped me in such a big way, I wouldn’t have been able to do the course without it. I think this scholarship gave me direction.”

Nathan Topping, Lecturer in Data Science at the university, said: “After completing the scholarship the graduates go on to work across a whole range of sectors and industries. The thing is about Data Science is that is there is a big demand for it across all organisations. The NHS, for example, are recruiting Data Scientists very heavily. It opens up a whole world of new opportunities.

“We are committed to continuing to foster a supportive environment for all our students.”

Students have gone on to succeed in jobs across many sectors after studying the scholarship. Bahareh Kakanaeeni, another student on the Data Science MSc said: “Before starting the course I was extremely passionate about it. After passing the first year I feel so confident. I suggest to everyone if they are passionate, just try to apply for it; it’s really easy. The professors have been so helpful, they have really kept in contact with me throughout the scholarship. This is something exceptional that you don’t normally get from every university.”

Available for entry in September 2024 or January 2025 with full and part-time study routes on both our course will provide you with specialist data science knowledge to apply in a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, commerce, professional services and the built environment.

Apply for a scholarship at the University of Salford. Find out more here.