Big Data
Award
MSc
Duration & study mode
Sept intake: 1 year full-time, typically 2 years part-time / Jan intake: 1.5 years full-time, typically 2-3 years part-time
Location
Paisley
Course starting dates
-
Paisley: January, September
Join us at a Postgraduate Open Evening or Online Information Session in 2026 to learn about our postgraduate programmes and find out if UWS is the right place for you!
Upcoming Postgraduate Events
Our MSc Big Data course addresses the growing importance of big data in business, and society at large.
Our modules will prepare you to make notable contributions in modern day organisations with Big Data technologies. Equipped with necessary knowledge and hand-on experience you will enhance your employability within UK and internationally.
Unique and challenging modules are introduced, including Mobile networks and smartphone applications, Data mining and visualisation in addition to Ethics for IT professionals and Object oriented analysis and design that provide the foundation for Big Data.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
You should possess an appropriate undergraduate qualification in Computing / Engineering (or relevant disciplines).
You may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. UWS courses available are:
This highly specialist programme focuses on the growing importance of making use of Big Data technologies within enterprise, government sector and social media.
You will study the latest trends and technologies in Big Data in the following modules together with a master's dissertation to obtain the MSc degree:
*Specialist modules
All modules are designed to respect the themes of Big Data, delivering research informed teaching via:
Our assessment methodology is influenced by the learning outcomes to be tested and employs a range of methods including:
LEARNING AND TEACHING
ASSESSMENT
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
Our Programme Leaders have recorded videos to help you discover all there is to know about our courses. From professional accreditation to programme modules and career opportunities, our Programme Leaders will help answer all your questions. You can view the video for this course by clicking the link below.
BIG DATA PROGRAMME LEADER
Graduates are currently working in roles including:
Successful completion of our course prepares you for advanced research studies in related technology areas. You will have the priority to be admitted to the MPhil/PhD degree courses.
All students should apply directly to the University through our online application system. Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.
The first stage of the process is to complete the initial application form. You will then receive a follow-up email with further instructions relating to your application including documents that you will need to forward to support your application, e.g. degree transcripts and certificates etc.
Most courses don't have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment. There may also be funding deadlines that apply to you.
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.
Students and researchers who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate.
An ATAS certificate may be required for certain taught postgraduate master's degrees for international students at UWS.
For the latest information on ATAS and details of eligibility and how to apply for a certificate check the UK Government's dedicated ATAS web pages.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Our friendly admissions teams are here to help!
International prospective students
Our international team is ready to support you with your application and any questions about joining UWS from abroad.
UK-based prospective students
If you’re applying from within the UK, our applicant enquiry team is here to guide you every step of the way.
£7,500 Total cost of tuition
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
£18,000 Total cost of tuition
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
£2,570 per module (20 credits)
£7,500 Total cost of tuition
£12,350 Total cost of tuition
£12,350 Total cost of tuition
£18,900 Total cost of tuition
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
£1,760 per module (20 credits)
£1,760 per module (20 credits)
£2,700 per module (20 credits)
Estimated cost per year of study.
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.