Course overview
MSc Data Science is a postgraduate (master's) course in data science & ai at heriot-watt-university in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It takes 1 year (full time), with intakes in September; January.
heriot-watt-university is a public institution, ranked 325 in the world (36th in the UK) in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Read the full course description, modules and entry rules on the official course page.
Key highlights
| University | heriot-watt-university (Public) |
|---|---|
| Location | Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
| Course | MSc Data Science |
| Level | Master's (postgraduate) |
| Subject area | Data Science & AI |
| Duration | 1 year (full time) |
| Tuition per year | £27,080 (≈ ₹33 lakh) |
| Intakes | September; January |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.0 (no score below 5.5) |
Interested in MSc Data Science?A counsellor checks your eligibility and helps you apply, free of charge.
Fees and costs
Tuition for international students is £27,080 a year, about ₹33 lakh.
Living costs near the university
| Cost | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional non en suite room (50 weeks)£8,050 for the tenancy | £161per week | ≈ ₹19,642 |
| Traditional en suite room (50 weeks)£9,800 for the tenancy | £196per week | ≈ ₹23,912 |
| Contemporary en suite room in a flat (50 weeks)£11,550 for the tenancy | £231per week | ≈ ₹28,182 |
| Studio (traditional or contemporary, 50 weeks)£14,000 to £15,050 for the tenancy | £280–301per week | ≈ ₹34,160 – ₹36,722 |
Living costs for the UK as a whole: £12,000–18,000 a year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Plan my monthly living costsEligibility
General entry requirements at heriot-watt-university for master's courses. Some courses ask for more, so check the course page.
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years with a final average of 60% is treated as a UK 2:1; 55% is treated as a 2:2.
- Most master's courses on this page ask for a 2:2; some, such as Robotics, Actuarial Science and Advanced Mechanical Engineering, ask for a 2:1.
- Vocational degrees are not accepted, and general degrees are accepted only for some courses.
English requirements
For this course: IELTS 6.0 (no score below 5.5).
| Test | What the university asks for |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 with no score below 5.5 for most master's and undergraduate courses; non-STEM master's need 6.0 in writing; actuarial courses need 6.5 with no score below 6.0. |
| PTE Academic | 63 overall (minimum 59) for STEM master's courses; non-STEM master's also need 63 in writing. |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 (Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 21) for master's courses; for tests from 21 January 2026, 4 overall with writing at 4.5. |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall with 110 in each part for master's courses; 100 with 100 in each part for undergraduate. |
| Class 12 English | 68% in Class XII English from CBSE, CISCE or a recognised state board (not NIOS, Punjab or Haryana boards), taken within the last five years. |
Intakes
This course starts in: September; January.
Upcoming intakes and deadlines in the UKHow to apply
- Check the entry requirements and the deadline on the official course page.
- Take IELTS, PTE or the test the university accepts, if you need one.
- Prepare your documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters and CV.
- Apply on the university's application portal and pay any application fee.
- Accept your offer, meet any conditions and pay the deposit.
- Apply for your student visa for the UK, then arrange accommodation.
Documents you'll need
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate and transcripts
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English test score or other accepted evidence
- Personal statement
- References and CV where the course asks for them
Scholarships
International Merit Scholarship
Undergraduate and taught postgraduate, January or September 2027 start
Value: Varies by region; usually a partial fee reduction for the first year
International (non-EU) fee-paying students living overseas, on full-time campus courses. Indian applicants contact the India, Nepal and Sri Lanka regional team. Only one Heriot-Watt scholarship per student.
Official pageDiwali Community Scholarship
Taught postgraduate, January 2027 start
Value: £2,000 (fees up to £23,000), £4,000 (fees £23,000–£26,000) or £5,000 (fees over £26,000)
International students who submit a complete application between 2 and 27 November 2026 and receive an offer. Cannot be combined with the merit scholarship.
Official pageAcademic Excellence Scholarship (MSc Data Science)
Taught postgraduate
Value: £2,000 off tuition fees
Applicants to MSc Data Science judged to have met the highest academic criteria.
Official pageAlumni Discount Scheme
Taught postgraduate
Value: 20% off tuition fees
Heriot-Watt graduates who studied on campus for at least one year, and former study abroad students.
Official page
About heriot-watt-university
Heriot-Watt University began in 1821 as the Edinburgh School of Arts, often described as the world's first mechanics institute. It became Heriot-Watt College in 1885 and a university in 1966. Today it teaches around 27,000 students from 154 countries across Scotland, Dubai, Malaysia and online.
The university is known for engineering, computing, business and applied science, with strong links to industry. It hosts the National Robotarium and the Lyell Centre, and its Edinburgh Business School is well known for business and finance courses.
Similar courses
Data Science & AI courses at other universities in the UK
- MSc Applied Data Science (Conversion)anglia-ruskin-university1 year full time · £20,925 / year
- MSc Artificial Intelligenceanglia-ruskin-university1 year full time (20 months for January starts); 2 years with Professional Experience · £20,925 / year
- MSc International Business with Business Analyticsanglia-ruskin-university1 year full time; 2 years with Professional Experience · £20,925 / year
- MSc Data Scienceaston-university1 year (option to extend to 22 months with professional practice) · £24,800 / year
- MSc Business Analyticsaston-university1 year · £25,500 / year
- MSc Artificial Intelligenceaston-university1 year · £24,800 / year
More courses at heriot-watt-university
- MSc Artificial Intelligence1 year (full time) · £27,080 / year
- MSc Business Analytics and Consultancy1 year (full time) · £25,704 / year
- MSc Applied Cyber Security1 year (full time) · £27,080 / year
- MSc Software Engineering1 year (full time) · £27,080 / year
- MSc International Business Management1 year (full time) · £25,704 / year
- MSc Project Management1 year (full time) · £25,704 / year
FAQs
What is the fee for MSc Data Science at heriot-watt-university?
The tuition for international students is £27,080 a year (about ₹33 lakh). Fees usually rise each year, so check the course page before you apply.
How long is MSc Data Science?
The course takes 1 year (full time).
What English score do I need?
IELTS 6.0 (no score below 5.5). Some universities also accept Class 12 English marks or other tests; confirm on the course page.
When can I start?
Intakes: September; January. Apply early: popular courses can fill up before the deadline.
Can Admission Mantra help me apply?
Yes. A counsellor checks your eligibility, helps you prepare your documents and statement of purpose, and guides you through the application and visa. The first conversation is free.
We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026 from the university's own pages. Fees, entry rules and intakes change every year; confirm them on the official course page before you apply. Listing a course doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents the university.
- heriot-watt-university: MSc Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- Heriot-Watt University: our rankings (opens in a new tab)
- Heriot-Watt University: about the university (opens in a new tab)
- Heriot-Watt University: our history (opens in a new tab)
- Heriot-Watt University: Edinburgh campus (opens in a new tab)