Program Overview

Introduction to the MSc Data Science for Politics & Policymaking

The MSc in Data Science for Politics & Policymaking is designed to meet the growing demand for graduates with the ability to use big data to solve complex political and social problems. It's perfectly suited to those looking for careers in political campaigns, think tanks, interest groups associated with shaping public policy, and the civil service.

Course Overview

This Masters-level course equips you with the ability to design, commission, and implement projects that capture and analyse large quantities of online data from a diverse set of sources. It combines advanced training in social science research design and policy analysis with classes that enable you to understand the mechanics behind capturing and organising large amounts of data.

What You'll Study

A distinguishing feature of this degree is that it is taught in collaboration with academic experts from both the School of Government & Public Policy and the Department of Computer & Information Sciences.

• In Government & Public Policy, you'll take classes in Research Design and Quantitative or Qualitative Methodology (depending on past experience).
• You'll have the flexibility to choose from a list of courses in public policy, international relations, or comparative politics that best meets your needs and future career aspirations.
• In Computer & Information Sciences, you'll take classes covering the ethics of 'big data' and the information society and classes on database management, the technology behind 'big data' and machine learning.

Work Placement

You may apply to do a client-based project as part of your dissertation research. Following a career workshop session, and on the advice of the School, you can contact host organisations including local, city, and national governmental organisations to arrange a work-based MSc dissertation.

Key Facts

• Start date: September
• Study mode and duration: 12 months full-time, 24 months part-time
• Work placement: Client-based projects possible as an alternative to a standard dissertation

Facilities

The School of Government & Public Policy and Computer & Information Sciences have a number of research centres that relate to the topics covered and the content of the course. For example, the European Policies Research Centre is a leading hub for the study of regional development policy and collection of such data in Europe.

Guest Lectures

Speakers at our weekly seminars include guest lecturers who come to Strathclyde as part of the Erasmus programme. They're also available for individual consultations with you as an MSc student.

Learning & Teaching

The course is delivered in various ways. Classes will be a mixture of regular lectures, tutorials, and hands-on software sessions. This unique MSc is designed not only to give you research skills but also to enhance your ability to choose appropriate research methods and confront the issues of research design, implementing projects in a data-intensive environment.

Assessment

Methods of assessment include written assignments, blogs, podcasts, practical team projects, presentations, individual projects, and exams. Most classes involve more than one method of assessment to help you realise your potential.

Entry Requirements

• Academic requirements/experience: First or upper second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in any discipline.
• English language requirements: Please check our English requirements before making your application.

Fees & Funding

• All fees quoted are per academic year unless stated otherwise.
• Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
• Annual revision of fees: Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.

Annual Fees

• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
• Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland: Full-time: £9,550, Part-time: £4,775
• International: £21,550
• Additional costs: Poster presentation £10. International students may have associated visa and immigration costs.

Careers

The world is in the midst of a 'big data' revolution, with many companies and organisations seeking personnel who are able to interpret datasets that often appear as by-products of human-computer interaction. Political campaigns, think tanks, and interest groups associated with shaping public policy, and the civil service increasingly need graduates with the ability to design, commission, and implement projects that capture and analyse large swaths of online data from a diverse set of sources.

Course Content

• Core classes
• Optional classes
• Legal, Ethical & Professional Issues for the Information Society
• Big Data Technologies
• Database Fundamentals
• Machine Learning for Data Analytics
• Quantitative Methods 1
• Quantitative Methods 2
• Qualitative Methods
• Perspectives on Social Research
• Welfare Concepts & Ideas
• Principles of Research Design
• Policy Analysis
• Can Democracy Deliver?

Conclusion

The MSc Data Science for Politics & Policymaking at the University of Strathclyde offers a unique combination of data science and social science research skills, preparing graduates for careers in political campaigns, think tanks, interest groups, and the civil service. With its strong focus on research design, policy analysis, and data analytics, this course provides students with the expertise needed to succeed in the field of data science for politics and policymaking.