Industries and businesses are increasingly reliant on data to create better products and services, and require data scientists to provide the key insights. This programme has been designed to equip your talent pipeline with the skills needed to address complex problems and improve organisational processes.
Overview
- Start dateOctober
- Duration of programme31 months + EPA
- QualificationBSc (Hons) Data Science
- LocationMilton Keynes/online
- Study typePart-time
- Delivery Blend of in-person and online
- Degree apprenticeship standard Fulfilling the requirements of the Level 6 Data Scientist (Integrated Degree) apprenticeship standard. You can find more information about the standard on the Institute for Apprenticeships website.
Who is this for?
This degree apprenticeship has been designed to meet the needs of aspiring data scientists, who continuously seek to expand their range of technical skills whilst working in industry. The nature of this programme means that it can cater for those who have no experience of working in data science as well as those who are already working in the field but are looking to upskill their digital and data expertise. You may be looking to join the programme straight from school, re-train from your existing career or to extend your existing IT or data skills further. Your interest in a data science career is what is important.
Why this MK:U apprenticeship?
The programme is delivered by academics and experts from industry to ensure relevance to the current data science landscape. The Data Scientist Apprenticeship provides graduates with practical skills and knowledge from data gathering and cleaning, through to analysis and clearly communicating findings.
This apprenticeship has been designed with industry, for industry. Our course covers a top-down approach to learning, working end-to-end on real-world problems and case studies. It focuses on how data science impacts and supports business; MK:U will produce apprentices with a good understanding of industry and the role of data practitioner in any work setting. We will address the technological skills gap in this area with flexible, business-focused and industry relevant modules.
Modules and subject areas
Level 4 modules
- The Digital World
- Digital Maths and Programming
- Secure Software Development
- Business and Society
- Professional Skills
Level 5 subject areas
- Data Science Fundamentals
- Advanced Data Science
- Data Analysis and Visualisation
- Grand Challenge Project
- Business and Society
- Professional Skills
Level 6 subject areas
- Real World Machine Learning
- Deep Learning and Neural Networks
- Cloud Computing
- Big Data and Visualisations
- Data Scientist EPA Project
- Professional Project
Learning and assessment
Learning
At MK:U our education style is different from other universities. Instead of traditional lectures and exams, our entire curriculum uses problem-based learning (PBL) as our core educational approach. PBL is an experience-based educational approach where learning is driven by the posing of open-ended, yet meaningful, problem scenarios that apprentices solve through working together in small interdisciplinary groups.
The benefits of PBL:
- Develops more effective collaboration and communication skills;
- Improves organisational skills through allocating roles and tasks;
- Facilitates individual skills and ways of working, promoting diversity of approach;
- Encourages interdisciplinary views;
- Produces more powerful understanding and application of knowledge;
- Shown to increase engagement and performance.
Assessment
At MK:U you will not have any closed-book time-constrained exams (except where required by accrediting bodies or they can be justified as in the best interest of the students). Instead you will engage with a broad range of authentic assessments focused on problem-based learning and applied project work. Examples of these assessments are:
- Individual and group projects,
- Presentations,
- Practical assessments,
- Reflective portfolios.
Next steps
Next steps
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about MK:U apprenticeships, please contact our Admissions Team.
Our students do not always fit traditional academic or career paths. We consider this to be a positive aspect of diversity, not a hurdle. We are looking for a body of professional learners who have a wide range of experiences to share. If you are unsure of your suitability for our apprenticeship programme, we are happy to review your details and give feedback before you make a formal application.
Employers: please book a consultation with our Business Development Team
Prospective students: please ask your employer to get in touch with our Business Development Team to find out more on how they can sponsor you to join the programme.
Applications for apprenticeship routes have to come via the expression of interest form.
Modules
Keeping our courses up-to-date and current requires constant innovation and change. The modules we offer reflect the needs of business and industry and the research interests of our staff and, as a result, may change or be withdrawn due to research developments, legislation changes or for a variety of other reasons. Changes may also be designed to improve the student learning experience or to respond to feedback from students, external examiners, accreditation bodies and industrial advisory panels.
To give you a taster, we have listed the compulsory and elective (where applicable) modules which are currently affiliated with this course. All modules are indicative only, and may be subject to change for your year of entry.
