Program Overview

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Data Analytics for Government (MSc)

About this course

Develop the specialist skills and knowledge to carry out official statistics work on this flexible Data Analytics for Government MSc at the University of Southampton. Learn the survey methods and social data analysis skills to work for the UK government, an overseas government, or a non-government organisation conducting large-scale statistical or analytical work.

This UK social data science master’s course is ideal if you are currently working in official statistics or the Government Statistical Service (GSS).

You'll strengthen and update your professional skills and knowledge of survey methods, data science and data analysis.

Compulsory topics you’ll cover include:

• the use of statistical software, such as R and Python, for data manipulation, analysis and simulation
• dealing with administrative and big data sources
• the scope and organisation of official statistics
• statistical acts and codes and practice

You’ll be able to fit the course to your personal interests or career plans through a range of specialist optional modules.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

• a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2-5 years

You can also choose to study any of the course modules as part of continuing professional development (CPD). If you later apply for the part-time master's, you can transfer up to 4 modules onto your academic record as part of the Recognition of Prior Learning scheme.

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected.

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 in a subject with some statistical methods content, such as:

• geography
• psychology
• population sciences
• economics
• econometrics
• statistics
• maths

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

If your degree doesn’t have any statistical content, we’ll ask you to show that you have the necessary background knowledge to the level of the Royal Statistical Society Higher Certificate in Statistics.

You should be currently employed in official statistics, but previous professional experience might be taken into account.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

Course structure

Part-time study

If you choose to study the course over 2 to 5 years, you must:

• complete 2 modules each year
• complete all modules by the end of semester 2 in your fourth year of registration

Your optional modules take place in 1 week slots throughout the year. We rotate these modules over a 4 year cycle, so not all optional modules are available in each year.

Full-time study

If you choose to study full-time over 1 year you'll focus on the taught part of your course for the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2). For the remainder of the degree, you’ll work independently on your dissertation.

Compulsory modules are available each year. Only the scheduled optional modules for a particular year will be available.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Data Science Foundations
• Dissertation
• Statistical Programming
• Statistics in Government
• Survey Fundamentals

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Advanced Statistical Modelling III: Multilevel Modelling
• Analysis of Complex Survey Data
• Data Mining
• Data Visualisation
• Demographic Methods I
• Evaluation and Monitoring
• Index Numbers
• Machine Learning
• Regression Modelling
• Small Area Estimation

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this course include:

• lectures
• seminars
• discussions
• group work
• project work
• independent study

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

• coursework
• written exams
• a dissertation

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Communication
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• local and national government
• Research
• Business consultancy
• IT
• Defence
• Finance

Careers directly related to this course:

• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Machine learning engineer
• Big data architect
• Business Intelligence analyst
• Information strategist

Wider career opportunities:

• Quantitative analyst
• Marketing analyst
• Operations analyst
• Consultant
• Data officer
• Data engineer

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £12,700
• EU and international students pay £25,400

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

ONS Data Science Campus sponsorship

If you're working as an analyst in the public sector, you might be eligible for sponsorship by the ONS Data Science Campus.

Successful students are expected to act as data science ambassadors and evangelists across government.

Find out more on the MSc in Data Science Campus website.

Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Economic, Social and Political Sciences.

Find out more about the Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time
• International students: Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [insert email] Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]

Related courses

Data Analytics for Government (MSc) is a course in the Politics and international relations and Social statistics and demography subject areas. Here are some other courses within these subject areas:

• MSc International Security and Risk
• MPA Public Administration