London, Bloomsbury

There is ever-growing national and international demand for qualified professionals and scientists who have expertise in social and geographic data science. UCL's Social and Geographic Data Science MSc provides rigorous scientific and vocational training for the next generation of data scientists, with a unique expertise at the interface of social sciences, machine learning, computing and statistics.

Applications closed

Applications closed

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

The programme provides a rigorous introduction to social and geographic data science. Optional modules provide the opportunity to develop expertise in advanced methods for a variety of application domains including data mining, cartography, remote sensing, urban studies and citizen science. There is also the possibility of taking modules in subjects related to data analysis and urban policies.

The programme is particularly suitable for students with an undergraduate degree that has a quantitative component in social science. Applicants with relevant professional experience in data science, geographic information science, social data science or computing will also be considered.

The Social and Geographic Data Science MSc is run by UCL Geography, which enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its research and teaching. This is a research-led and innovative degree - the academics involved in the delivery of the modules are active researchers in the respective relevant subjects.

Students enter a vibrant, enthusiastic, and international research environment in which collaboration and free-ranging debate are strongly encouraged. UCL's location, in central London, provides easy access to many key intellectual venues and resources, such as the British Library and the Alan Turing Institute.

There is a national and international need for scientists with skills in data science-based analysis and decision support complemented by a deep knowledge of domain-specific models and analytical methods. The MSc also provides an ideal foundation for PhD research, or for prospective employment within research organisations, consultancies, government departments and a wide range of industries.

There is an increasing demand for data scientists and, in particular, for candidates that are able to combine technical understanding and in-depth understanding of socio-economic issues. This degree will provide you with a competitive advantage given its unique inter-disciplinary structure.

Students will benefit from the expertise of our world-class researchers and due to the inter-disciplinary nature of our work, you can develop your knowledge across subjects, learning from academics not only in Geography but the wider UCL community as well. The department also hosts annual careers events where alumni share their experience of post-graduation training and employment across the wide variety of opportunities available to geography graduates.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and computer practical classes which include group work and individual oral presentations.

Assessment is through independent project work, practical-based and written coursework, and the dissertation.

Each 15 credit module involves 150 learning hours per module. This includes taught time (lectures and seminars), independent study, peer-to-peer learning, tutorial support, and assessment and assessment preparation.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time nine months, part-time two years) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, full-time 12 weeks, part-time one year) is offered.

In the first term you will be introduced to the theoretical underpinning and key concepts in social and geographic data science, and the political and societal implications of data science. In the second part of the programme, you will explore more advanced topics in data science and data mining with a specific focus on geographical and socio-economic problems. You will take four compulsory modules, four optional modules and in term 3 and over the summer you will prepare a dissertation in areas relevant to social and geographic data science.

Teaching takes place during terms one and two. Those who undertake part-time study will discuss their pathway through the degree with the degree coordinator. Typically, students will take most of the compulsory core modules, specifically GEOG0114 Principles of Spatial Analysis and GEOG0115 Introduction to Social Data Science in the first term of the first year, in order to cover the prerequisites for GEOG0125 Advanced Topics in Social and Geographic  Data Science (core module) and a number of optional modules that can be taken in year 1 or subsequently in year 2. The dissertation is completed in term 3 and over the summer of year two. We endeavour to be flexible to the needs of part-time students in designing their pathway through the degree over two years.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Social and Geographic Data Science. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Social and Geographic Data Science. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Social and Geographic Data Science.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Students produce a poster for the final dissertation presentation. Additional costs: approximately £20.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

geog.office@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.