Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £16,385 per year (£1,500 for placement year)
January 2024
Course summary
- Learn to use industry-leading software including SAS, R, Python and the Apache HaDoop Ecosystem
- Obtain knowledge of data storage, data mining and statistical modelling techniques
- Study aspects related to the distribution and integration of data
- Gain up to twelve months real-world experience through the two-year work experience route
This course has been developed in consultation with industry to produce graduates equipped to work with the large amounts of data now common to many businesses.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
This course explores statistics, computing and management to help put you at the forefront of this vitally important field. You will gain an insight into Data Analytics, including Statistical Modelling and Data Mining, Big Data and Distributed Systems, Data Integration, Programming Concepts and Practice, and the core skills around professionalism, project management and research.
Our partnerships with business inform the course design, ensuring the content is relevant, up-to-date and meets the needs of industry. These partnerships also enable the inclusion of cutting-edge software such as SAS, Python, RStudio and others.
You learn through
- teaching sessions
- learning materials
- recommended readings
- problem-based learning
- group projects
- contemporary software platforms
This course is delivered face-to-face over three semesters - teaching is scheduled based on the length of your course and the academic calendar.
Course leaders and tutors
Richard Wilson
Senior LecturerRichard Wilson is the course leader for the MSc in Big Data Analytics within the College of Business, Technology and Engineering, department of computing, and the Ma … Read more
Applied learning
Work placements
You will have the opportunity to go on a work placement for up to 12 months starting during the summer of your second year. You are supported in finding placements and can apply for a vacancy as you would a job. There are dedicated sessions to support you in CV writing, interview skills and job applications. Previous students secured placements in roles such as
- data analysts
- business analysts
- credit risk analysts
- data scientists
- digital data analyst
- data engineer
- management information analyst.
Live projects
You will have the opportunity to work on real work-based projects supplied by an external company or emulated industry case studies. You apply the skills and knowledge gained from your studies in topics such as data integration, statistical modelling, big data and distributed systems to situations of genuine complexity.
Networking opportunities
The teaching team make use of their research and industry connections to facilitate the inclusion of real work scenarios and case studies within many of the modules.
There are many industries that make use of the skills developed on the course once you have graduated, including:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Finance
- Marketing
- Retail
Public and Private Sector organisations such as: Police, Government, NHS, Amazon, Facebook, UK Ministry of Defence, HSBC and GSK all make use of data management/analytics extensively to help them to better understand their customers and to make informed business decisions. IBM ranked these jobs as one of the most difficult for employers to recruit, due in part to the shortage of skills in this area.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- statistical analysis and machine learning techniques
- database and programming technologies
- statistical theory
- marketing and insight
- credit risk
- data and technology
- digital analytics
- data science
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for the following companies
- Bank of England
- OCF
- HSBC
- INC Research
- Tata Consultancy Services
- HM Revenue and Customs
- Axis Bank
Some of the associated careers in these fields are
- customer insight analyst
- credit risk analyst
- fraud analyst
- forensic analyst
- big data architect
- business intelligence developer
- digital analyst
- data scientist
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course, you will work with
- SAS Enterprise Guide
- SAS Enterprise Miner
- Python
- HaDoop Ecosystem
- R Programming\R Studio
- Tableau
Entry requirements
All students
A good honours degree in computing, computer science, maths or statistics or other relevant areas or equivalent.
We consider your application if you do not have a relevant degree but have at least one year's direct work experience in computing or a relevant area. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
Non-native speakers of English need an IELTS score of 6.0 with 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent). If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Data Management Project | Credits: 45 |
| Module: Data Analytics: Tools And Techniques | Credits: 30 |
| Module: Industrial Expertise | Credits: 15 |
| Module: Postgraduate Placement | Credits: - |
| Module: Programming Concepts And Practice | Credits: 15 |
| Module: Research Skills For Computing | Credits: 15 |
| Module: Study Skills And Project Management | Credits: 15 |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Dissertation For Computing | Credits: 45 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £9,910 for the course without a placement. Or £11,410 with a placement.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £16,385 for the course. If you chose to study the 2 year work placement route, the tuition fee for 2023/24 is £17,885 for the course.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £11,222 available for Home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Computing courses (PDF, 238.9KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
