University of Bristol - Science and Engineering
MSc Scientific Computing with Data Science
Bristol, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 37,500 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* home applicants | overseas applicants: 25 july 2025
** overseas full-time tuition
Key Summary
Are you a recent graduate in a Physical or Life Science who would like to learn more about computing and how it is applied to advance scientific research? This programme will help you achieve your goals. Schools in the Faculty of Science are all ranked in the top 5 for research in the UK (THE analysis of REF 2021) and Bristol is ranked in the top ten in the UK for Natural Sciences (QS 2024). Develop your skills in coding, machine learning and high-performance computing and learn how to apply these to cutting-edge computational problems drawn from across the sciences.
Scientific computing is an interdisciplinary field that uses computer science, data science and digital technology to solve problems across a wide range of subject areas, including maths, engineering, biology, physics, chemistry, geography and earth sciences. Whatever your scientific background, this programme will train you in coding and data science, building on your core scientific knowledge and giving you a robust appreciation of what can be achieved by combining these skills.
You will master modern programming languages, data science and machine learning algorithms, and apply them to problems in your chosen science. You will understand the main software engineering concepts and principles involved in scientific computing and data science and use them to model complex scientific systems, giving you an edge in a competitive and fast-changing labour market. Through project work, industrial networking and visits, you will have opportunities to build contacts, opening up additional job opportunities once qualified.
Most of your core teaching will be delivered by academics linked to Bristol Scientific Computing (BriSC), who are based in the Faculty of Science. BriSC brings together experts from across the University whose teaching and research focus on applying the latest computational techniques to key scientific problems, such as changes in the earth's atmosphere, the reactions of molecules or how galaxies are formed. The learning of programming languages and computational techniques is most effective when it is practice-based. Therefore, the computing units in this programme are mainly delivered through interactive workshops and student-led activities, supported by seminars and tutorials.
The MSc in Scientific Computing with Data Science builds on the University of Bristol's unique strengths and facilities as a world-class centre for supercomputing, data science and data-intensive research.
from 25th November 2024- 4th of December 2025
This programme will admit students with any scientific background. Prior computing experience is useful but not essential; you will be streamed according to your computing knowledge to bring everyone to the same level at the end of your initial coding course.
You will be taking compulsory units covering:
- Scientific programming using modern interpreted and compiled languages
- Research software engineering best practice, including version control, modern programming environments and testing
- Data analysis methods including data manipulation and cleaning, regression, machine learning and artificial intelligence
- Use of cloud technologies
- Data visualisation
- Numerical methods
In addition, you will take a group project, applying coding and data analysis to problems set by industrial and academic partners, as well as choosing additional credits from a range of final year options from our undergraduate programmes (depending on your qualifications and timetabling).
To complete your studies, you will carry out an individual research project, which you can choose from a selection proposed by project supervisors. This project will provide you with first-hand experience in planning, running, documenting, and presenting a substantial piece of original work, applying your computing skills to a cutting-edge challenge in science.
Unit names
- Group Project in Scientific Computing with Data Science
- Special Topics in Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning
- Special Core in Software Engineering and High-Performance Computing for Scientists
- Research Project in Scientific Computing with Data Science
Students have to complete EITHER CHEMM0027 (Introductory Pathway) OR CHEMM0028 (Intermediate Pathway) depending on their prior experience of computing. The allocation to pathways will be determined on admission to the programme.
- Intensive Introductory Scientific Computing with Data Science
- Intensive Intermediate Scientific Computing with Data Science
Select one 20 credit point optional unit. The list below may be expanded depending on students' background and experience and includes level 7 units shared with integrated masters programmes in the Schools of Chemistry and Physics.
- Research Skills and Project Planning for Scientific Computing
- Advanced Topics in Current Research 2
- Core Environmental Analytical Chemistry
- Adv. Environmental Analytical Chemistry
- General Relativity and Cosmology
- Nuclear Reactor Physics
- Global Geophysics and Seismology
University of Bristol is ranked 8th in the UK and 51st in the world (QS World University rankings 2026)
This MSc provides graduates with the skills needed for successful careers in computing, data analysis and scientific research in private and public sector roles. Through interactive workshops and project work, you will develop a strong foundation in how to apply modern computing to solve problems in science, providing you with an edge in a competitive and fast-changing labour market.
In addition, project work provides you with an opportunity to build contacts, with the potential to open up additional career opportunities once qualified. This will be supported by opportunities for networking with industrial users of scientific computing through lectures, visits and, where appropriate, projects. This will be an intense and focused programme for experienced learners.
Projects provide extensive opportunities to develop skills in communication, presentations, technical writing, project management and group work, as well as developing networking skills and industry contacts.