Masters in Data Science in UK: Top Universities, Fees 2026, Eligibility & Salaries

Education Journalist | Study Abroad Strategy Lead | Updated 3+ months ago

The UK remains a premier destination for Indian students pursuing a Master’s in Data Science, offering 1-year programs that blend academics with practical AI/ML applications. With the UK's tech sector projected to add over 100,000 data-related jobs by 2027, these degrees provide high employability.

According to the QS World Subject Rankings, UK universities like the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and University College London (UCL) dominate global Data Science and Artificial Intelligence rankings, often in the top 10 worldwide.

The course offers streamlined admissions with no GRE requirement for most programs. A UK Master’s in Data Science typically requires:

A 3–4 year Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field
55–70% minimum academic score (2:2 or 2:1 equivalent)
IELTS 6.5–7.0 (or PTE/TOEFL equivalents)

The Graduate Route Visa allows students to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after graduation, making the program one of the highest ROI pathways for Indian students. Applications for the September 2026 intake are currently open at most UK universities (since October 2025), with rolling admissions on a first-come, first-served basis. Indian students apply directly via university online portals.

Indian Students’ Choice: Best Data Science Universities in the UK (2026)

Best Overall – Imperial College London (Top-ranked globally for AI, ML & Computing; exceptional placements.)
Best ROI – University of Manchester (Lower fees + great tech hiring pipeline)
Best for Analytics – University of Edinburgh (Industry partnerships with IBM, Amazon & fintech companies.)
Best Budget Option – Queen Mary University of London (Affordable London-based university)

Table of Contents

Top Universities for Masters in Data Science in the UK (2026)
Why Study Masters in Data Science in the UK?
Top Cities for Masters in Data Science in UK
Eligibility for Masters in Data Science in UK
Cost of Studying Data Science in the UK (2026)
Data Science Salaries in the UK After Master’s
Scholarships for Masters in Data Science in the UK
How to Apply for a Masters in Data Science in the UK (2026 Intake)?
FAQs

Top Universities for Masters in Data Science in the UK (2026)

The top 10 Masters in Data Science universities in UK are as follows:

University	QS Data Science & AI Rank 2025 (Global)	Program Name	Eligibility (for Indian Students)	Fees (GBP / INR)	Scholarships (for International/Indian Students)	Application Deadline (2026 Entry)
University of Oxford	3	MSc in Social Data Science	First-class Bachelor's (70-75%+ or GPA 3.7/4.0) in any subject; programming aptitude preferred. English: IELTS 7.5 (7.0 min per component) or TOEFL iBT 110.	£38,430 / INR 46.15 Lakhs	Over 1,100 full/partial Oxford scholarships (merit-based; e.g., Clarendon Fund open to Indian students)	9 January 2026
Imperial College London	12	MSc Statistics Data Science	2:1 Bachelor's (60%+ or equivalent) in statistics, maths, engineering, physics, or computer science. English: IELTS 7.0 overall (6.5 min).	£35,700 / INR 42.8 Lakhs	Indian students eligible for GREAT Scholarships or President's Scholarships	Round 2: 7 January 2026 (rolling admissions)
University College London (UCL)	21	MSc in Data Science	Upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor's (60%+ or equivalent) in quantitative discipline (e.g., maths, CS, engineering); programming experience (Python/R). English: IELTS 7.0 (6.5 min) or equivalent.	£46,700 / INR 56.04 Lakhs	UCL Global Masters Scholarship (£15,000); India Excellence Scholarship for Indian students; early application advised for funding.	27 March 2026
University of Edinburgh	24	MSc in Data Science	Upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor's (60%+ or equivalent) in relevant field (e.g., CS, maths, stats); quantitative background required. English: IELTS 6.5 (5.5 min) or TOEFL iBT 92.	£45,410 / INR 54.4 Lakhs	Edinburgh Global Online Learning Masters Scholarships; India Merit Scholarship (£5,000-£10,000)	Rolling; priority: 31 March 2026 (for funding)
King's College London	35	MSc in Data Science and Analytics	2:1 Bachelor's (60%+ or equivalent) in quantitative subject (e.g., maths, stats, CS). English: IELTS 6.5 overall (6.0 min).	£40,450 / INR 48.4 Lakhs	KCL International Scholarships (£10,000 partial fees); King's India Scholarship for Indian students (£5,000-£10,000).	25 July 2026
University of Manchester	41	MSc in Data Science	2:1 Bachelor's (60%+ or equivalent) in any subject with quantitative modules; programming experience preferred. English: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 min).	£35,200 / INR 42.2 Lakhs	Global Excellence Scholarship (£5,000 for Indian students); Equity and Merit Scholarships for Indian nationals.	Rolling; priority for funding: 1 June 2026
University of Bristol	51-100	MSc in Data Science	Upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor's (65%+ or equivalent) in numerate science, CS, or engineering. English: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 min per component).	£36,500 / INR 43 Lakhs	MyWorld Scholarships (up to £5,000 for Indian students); Think Big Postgraduate Scholarships (£5,000-£20,000 merit-based).	27 August 2026 (rolling)
University of Glasgow	51-100	MSc in Data Science	2:1 Hons (60%+ or equivalent) with substantial maths component (e.g., calculus, linear algebra). English: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 min).	£34,470 / INR 40.6 Lakhs	World Changers Glasgow Scholarship (£5,000 automatic for eligible Indian applicants); Commonwealth Scholarships for Indian students.	Final Round 6: 8 July 2026 (rolling)
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)	51-100	MSc Data Science	Upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor's (60%+ or equivalent) in relevant discipline with substantial mathematics. English: Standard (IELTS 7.0 overall, 6.5 min; or equivalent).	£39,900 / INR 47 Lakhs	Graduate Support Scheme (needs-based); regional scholarships for specific countries (including India)	Rolling
University of Birmingham	101-150	MSc Data Science	2:1 Bachelor's (60%+ or equivalent) in any subject except computing; conversion course suitable for non-CS backgrounds. English: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 min) or equivalent.	£34,740 / INR 41.6 Lakhs	Birmingham Masters Scholarships (£3,000+ for international students); India-specific via GREAT or Chevening.	28 August 2026 (rolling; early application encouraged as places fill quickly)

Why Study Masters in Data Science in the UK?

The key reasons to pursue a Masters in Data Science in UK for Indian students include:

1-Year Fast-Track Program: Most MSc Data Science programs in the UK are only 12 months long, saving you 40–50% expenses compared to 2-year programs in the USA, Canada, or Australia.
High Employability: Data Science graduates are in extreme demand. Fresh MSc holders typically start with £38,000–£55,000 (INR 41–60 lakh) per year.
Access to Global Tech & Finance Hubs: Study in cities that host headquarters and major innovation centers of Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Accenture, PwC, etc
Industry-Aligned Curriculum: UK programs are designed with heavy industry input and typically include Machine Learning & Deep Learning, Big Data Technologies, Cloud Platforms, Natural Language Processing & Computer Vision.
Accepted Indian 3-Year Bachelor’s: Almost all top UK universities (Oxford, Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh, Manchester, Warwick, LSE, etc.) fully accept Indian 3-year Bachelor’s degrees (B.Sc., B.Com, B.A., BCA, B.Tech), provided you meet the percentage/GPA requirement (usually 60–70% or above).
Graduate Route: After completing your degree, you get 2 years of full-time work rights in the UK with no sponsor needed — plenty of time to land a high-paying role and recover your investment.

These factors combined make the UK one of the smartest and most cost-effective destinations for Indian students pursuing Masters in Data Science.

Top Cities for Masters in Data Science in UK

The top cities preferred by Indian students to pursue Masters in Data Science in UK are:

City	Average Monthly Cost of Living (GBP)	Accommodation Cost (GBP, 1-Bedroom Avg.)	Top Colleges for Data Science
London	2,027	2,008 (City center: 2,299; Outside: 1,716)	Imperial College London, University College London (UCL) Check Masters in Data Science Colleges in London
Edinburgh	1,251	1,025 (City center: 1,149; Outside: 901)	University of Edinburgh Check Masters in Data Science Colleges in Edinburgh
Manchester	1,021	1,086 (City center: 1,228; Outside: 945)	University of Manchester
Birmingham	1,025	919 (City center: 1,024; Outside: 813)	University of Birmingham
Bristol	1,155	1,216 (City center: 1,385; Outside: 1,048)	University of Bristol
Cambridge	1,177	1,331 (City center: 1,412; Outside: 1,251)	University of Cambridge
Coventry	1,050 (Coventry proxy for Warwick area)	900 (City center: 1,050; Outside: 750)	University of Warwick
Glasgow	1,006	842 (City center: 968; Outside: 716)	University of Glasgow

Check: Top Cities in UK for Indian Students

Eligibility for Masters in Data Science in UK

The eligibility requirements to pursue Masters in Data Science in UK for international students include:

Requirement	Minimum Requirement	Competitive Requirement
Academic Score	55–60% (UK 2:2 equivalent)	65–75% (UK 2:1 equivalent)
Background	CS, IT, Math, Stats, Physics, Engineering	Strong math/programming
IELTS	6.5 overall (no band < 6.0)	7.0 overall
TOEFL	88+	100+
PTE	58+	65+
GRE	Not required	Optional for a few programs
Programming	Python/R recommended	Expected for competitive unis

Check Out:

Cost of Studying Data Science in the UK (2026)

Most Indian students spend INR 38–52 Lakh in total by choosing universities outside London and opting for shared/university accommodation. The overall expenses for studying data science masters in UK are as follows:

Expense Category	Amount in GBP	Amount in INR (Approx.)	Notes
Tuition Fees (1-year MSc)	£20,000 – £45,000	21.6 Lakh – 48.6 Lakh	Top universities (Oxford, Imperial, UCL): £38,000–£45,000Affordable options (Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow): £20,000–£33,000
Living Costs – London	£1,500 – £2,200 per month	1.62 Lakh – 2.38 Lakh/month	Includes rent, food, transport, utilities & leisure
Living Costs – Outside London	£900 – £1,400 per month	97,000 – 1.51 Lakh/month	Cities: Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow, Coventry
Total Estimated Cost (1 year)
In London	£38,000 – £65,000	41 Lakh – 70 Lakh	Tuition + 11–12 months living
Outside London	£30,000 – £55,000	32 Lakh – 59 Lakh	More common & preferred choice for Indian students

Recommended Reads:

Data Science Salaries in the UK After Master’s

Job Role	Average Salary (GBP)	Annual Salary in INR
Data Scientist	£45,000–£60,000	53 – 71 Lakhs
Machine Learning Engineer	£50,000–£70,000	59 - 83 Lakhs
Data Analyst	£35,000–£45,000	41 - 53 Lakhs
AI Engineer	£55,000–£80,000	65 - 95 Lakhs
Business Analyst	£40,000–£50,000	47 - 59 Lakhs

High-demand tech hubs: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol.

Also Check:

Scholarships for Masters in Data Science in the UK

Chevening Scholarship
GREAT Scholarship
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
Imperial Excellence Scholarship
University of Edinburgh Data Science Scholarship
UCL Global Master’s Award

Check Out:

How to Apply for a Masters in Data Science in the UK (2026 Intake)?

Follow this clear and proven timeline to secure admission as an Indian student successfully:

Step 1: Research & Shortlist Universities (Dec – January 2026)

Compare programs based on QS rankings, tuition fees, location, scholarship availability, and English language requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Your Academic & Supporting Documents (December 2025 – February 2026)

Gather and scan in PDF format:

Academic transcripts of all semesters
Provisional or final degree certificate
Updated CV (1–2 pages) highlighting projects, internships, and technical skills
Strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) – 500–1000 words
2–3 Letters of Recommendation (preferably academic + one professional if you have work experience)

Step 3: Take & Submit English Language Test (By February/March 2026)

Most programs accept:

IELTS Academic: 6.5–7.5 overall (no band usually below 6.0)
TOEFL iBT: 90–110
PTE Academic: 62–76 Book your test early — results take 5–14 days.

Step 4: Submit Online Applications (November 2025 – July 2026)

Apply directly via the university’s official portal
Key deadlines for UK universities for top programs:
- Oxford, Cambridge: Dec 2025 – Jan 2026
- Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh, Warwick: Jan–March 2026
- Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow: Rolling till June–August 2026
- Apply to 6–10 universities to maximise chances and scholarship opportunities.

Step 5: Receive Offer & Pay Deposit (2–8 weeks after applying)

You will receive either a Conditional Offer (e.g., pending final degree or IELTS) or an Unconditional Offer.
Most universities ask for a confirmation deposit of £1,000–£5,000 (adjustable against tuition).

Step 6: Receive CAS & Apply for UK Student Visa (May – August 2026)

Once the deposit is paid and conditions met, the university issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Apply for Tier 4 / Student Route Visa immediately.
Book your TB test and prepare financial documents (28-day bank statement showing tuition + living costs).

Pursuing a Master's in Data Science in the UK stands out as one of the most strategic and high-ROI decisions for Indian students in 2026, blending world-class education, rapid career acceleration, and a clear pathway to global opportunities.

FAQs

Ques. Will my Indian 3-year Bachelor’s degree be accepted by top UK universities?

Ans. Yes, it is 100% accepted. Almost all the UK universities fully recognise Indian 3-year Bachelor’s degrees from recognised/government universities including:

University of Oxford
Imperial College London
UCL
University of Edinburgh
University of Manchester
King’s College London, Warwick, Bristol, Glasgow, LSE, Birmingham

Ques. Do I need GRE or GMAT for MSc Data Science in the UK?

Ans. No, GRE/GMAT is NOT required for any Masters in Data Science program in UK in 2026.

Oxford, Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh, Manchester, Warwick, LSE, King’s — none ask for GRE.
A few niche programs (e.g., some joint Statistics + Finance courses) may recommend it optionally, but it’s never mandatory.
Focus instead on strong academics, programming projects (Python/R), and a solid SOP.

Ques. How much bank balance do I need to show for the UK Student Visa in 2026?

Ans. As per current UKVI rules:

Expense	Amount to Show (28 consecutive days)
Tuition fees for 1st year	Full amount (or remaining after deposit/scholarship)
Living costs – London	£1,334 × 9 months = £12,006
Living costs – Outside London	£1,023 × 9 months = £9,207
Typical total for most Indian students	INR 35–50 Lakh (including 1st-year fees)

Found 68 universities

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Ranking	College Info	Top Courses	Fees & Cost of Living
#3/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	University of Oxford, Oxford 8.7(Based on 11 User Reviews)England, UK	MSc Social Data Science Course duration: 10 months Exams Accepted: TOEFL110 Programs	Tuition: (£38,430/Yr)₹48.23L/Yr Living: (£13,680/Yr)₹17.17L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
#12/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	Imperial College London, London 6.7(Based on 27 User Reviews)England, UK15%Acceptance Rate	MSc Statistics Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: Duolingo125TOEFL5.0PTE69 View 2 Other Programs	Tuition: (£44,400/Yr)₹55.73L/Yr Living: (£3,686/Yr)₹4.63L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
#21/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	University College London, London 8.3(Based on 13 User Reviews)England, UK25%Acceptance Rate	MSc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5PTE75 View 3 Other Programs	Tuition: (£39,500/Yr)₹49.58L/Yr Living: (£20,058/Yr)₹25.17L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
#46/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	King's College London, London 9.7(Based on 28 User Reviews)England, UK13%Acceptance Rate	MSc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS7PTE69 Programs	Tuition: (£40,450/Yr)₹50.77L/Yr Living: (£15,636/Yr)₹19.62L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
Partner Colleges 7.5 Best In Infrastructure University of Bristol Bristol, England ₹45.81L 1st Year Fees MSc Data Science Apply Now 7.2 Best In Infrastructure Coventry University Coventry, England ₹23.34L 1st Year Fees MS Nursing Apply Now 7.9 Best In Infrastructure University of Southampton Southampton, England ₹44.68L 1st Year Fees MBA Apply Now 6.5 Best In Academic University of the West of Scotland Glasgow, Scotland ₹19.45L 1st Year Fees MBA Apply Now 7.6 Best In Infrastructure University of East London London, England ₹23.8L 1st Year Fees MBA Apply Now 7.5 Best In Academic Aston University Birmingham, England ₹39.54L 1st Year Fees MBA Apply Now 7.3 Best In Faculty Queen Mary, University of London London, England ₹41.42L 1st Year Fees L.L.M Laws Apply Now 7.8 Best In Infrastructure University of Glasgow Glasgow, Scotland ₹43.26L 1st Year Fees MSc Data Science Apply Now York St John University York, England ₹15.06L 1st Year Fees MBA Apply Now 7.4 Best In Faculty University of Hertfordshire Hatfield, England ₹28.18L 1st Year Fees MBA Apply Now
#24/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh 9.3(Based on 33 User Reviews)Scotland, UK11%Acceptance Rate	MSc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS7PTE73 View 1 Other Program	Tuition: (£39,305/Yr)₹49.33L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	The University of Manchester, Manchester 8.7(Based on 38 User Reviews)England, UK51%Acceptance Rate	MSc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS7.0PTE76 View 6 Other Programs	Tuition: (£33,257/Yr)₹41.74L/Yr Living: (£8,580/Yr)₹10.77L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
#51/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	University of Bristol, Bristol 7.3(Based on 18 User Reviews)England, UK12%Acceptance Rate	MSc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5PTE67 Programs	Tuition: (£36,500/Yr)₹45.81L/Yr Living: (£9,720/Yr)₹12.2L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
#51/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	London School of Economics and Political Science, London 8.0(Based on 4 User Reviews)England, UK9%Acceptance Rate	M.Sc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS7PTE70 View 2 Other Programs	Tuition: (£34,516/Yr)₹43.32L/Yr Living: (£13,416/Yr)₹16.84L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	University of Birmingham, Birmingham 7.7(Based on 28 User Reviews)England, UK13%Acceptance Rate	MSc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: TOEFL88PTE67 View 1 Other Program	Tuition: (£32,040/Yr)₹40.21L/Yr Living: (£8,694/Yr)₹10.91L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
#51/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	University of Glasgow, Glasgow 9.3(Based on 42 User Reviews)Scotland, UK28%Acceptance Rate	MSc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: TOEFL90PTE59 Programs	Tuition: (£34,470/Yr)₹43.26L/Yr Living: (£9,623/Yr)₹12.08L/Yr Check Admission Requirements

#51/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	University of Warwick, Coventry 8.0(Based on 58 User Reviews)England, UK14%Acceptance Rate	M.Sc Behavioural and Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS7.0 Programs	Tuition: (£29,880/Yr)₹37.5L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	University of Leeds, Leeds 5.7(Based on 57 User Reviews)England, UK56.67%Acceptance Rate	MSc Data Science and Analytics Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5PTE64 View 3 Other Programs	Tuition: (£34,250/Yr)₹42.99L/Yr Living: (£2,832/Yr)₹3.55L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	University of Southampton, Southampton 9.0(Based on 16 User Reviews)England, UK77%Acceptance Rate	M.Sc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: Duolingo120IELTS6.5PTE67 Programs	Tuition: (£35,000/Yr)₹43.93L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	University of Sheffield, Sheffield 9.7(Based on 27 User Reviews)England, UK85%Acceptance Rate	MS Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5PTE61 Programs	Tuition: (£32,905/Yr)₹41.3L/Yr Living: (£8,012/Yr)₹10.06L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	University of Nottingham, Nottingham 7.7(Based on 27 User Reviews)England, UK11%Acceptance Rate	MS Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5PTE71 View 1 Other Program	Tuition: (£33,800/Yr)₹42.42L/Yr Living: (£8,533/Yr)₹10.71L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
#51/103 QS Ranking 2025(Data Science And Analytics) Check Other Rankings	Queen Mary, University of London, London 9.0(Based on 26 User Reviews)England, UK44%Acceptance Rate	M.Sc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: TOEFL92PTE71 View 1 Other Program	Tuition: (£35,250/Yr)₹44.24L/Yr Living: (£6,571/Yr)₹8.25L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne 9.0(Based on 20 User Reviews)England, UK87%Acceptance Rate	M.Sc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: Duolingo125IELTS6.5PTE70 Programs	Tuition: (£31,700/Yr)₹39.79L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	Durham University, Durham 9.3(Based on 6 User Reviews)England, UK83%Acceptance Rate	M.Sc Data Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: Duolingo120IELTS6.5PTE62 Programs	Tuition: (£34,500/Yr)₹43.3L/Yr Living: (£11,436/Yr)₹14.35L/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	University of Liverpool, Liverpool 9.0(Based on 27 User Reviews)England, UK14%Acceptance Rate	MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Course duration: 12 months Exams Accepted: Duolingo120IELTS6.5PTE61 Programs	Tuition: (£34,000/Yr)₹42.67L/Yr Living: (£247/Yr)₹31K/Yr Check Admission Requirements
--	University of Exeter, Exeter 9.0(Based on 15 User Reviews)England, UK73%Acceptance Rate	M.Sc Applied Data Science and Statistics Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: Duolingo120IELTS6.5PTE67 View 7 Other Programs	Tuition: (£28,075/Yr)₹35.24L/Yr Living: (£7,968/Yr)₹10L/Yr Check Admission Requirements