BSc (Hons)

Data and Analytical Science

Learn to use specialist technologies and processes to extract crucial knowledge and insights from data.

Start date
January 2027
September 2026
Location
Peterborough
Duration
3 years
UCAS course code
G140

Start date
September 2026
Location
Peterborough
Duration
4 years with foundation
UCAS course code
G144

Start date
September 2026
Location
Peterborough
Duration
4 years with placement
UCAS course code
G142

It’s possible to combine placement and foundation year options. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.

1st

in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.

Source: GOS 2025

Become adept at using advanced statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to analyse complex, real-world data sets; identifying insights that can drive business strategies, support healthcare outcomes, and even steer political policies.

Our employment-focused course is designed to equip you with the expertise to collect, organise, analyse, interpret, and communicate about large amounts of data to inform strategic decisions, and prepare you for your first professional role in data and IT.

Why ARU?
  • Study in Peterborough, a globally recognised ‘smart city’ with a gigabit network.

  • Work in state-of-the-art facilities, with industry-standard software.

  • Gain real-world experience through industry-led Live Brief projects.

  • Build confidence and influencing skills through presenting your work.

  • Develop highly valued transferable skills to enable career pivots.

  • Learn from sector experienced, expert lecturers.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Careers

On this course, you’ll gain the artificial intelligence knowledge and skills required to conduct end-to-end data science projects.

You'll also develop autonomous and analytical thinking skills, and accrue experience of multi-disciplinary team-working which mirrors real-world industry practice.

You’ll additionally benefit from guest lectures, live briefs, and team projects.

Peterborough is a globally recognised ‘smart city’ with a gigabit network, located in Cambridgeshire, the home of ‘Silicon Fen’ – a centre for high-tech companies. What better place to kick-start your career in the IT sector?

Teaching and modules

You’ll start by learning the essential concepts of software development, database design, computer networking and web design.

We’ll then turn our attention to data science, exploring the use of big data, programming, and machine learning. Along the way, you’ll develop skills in problem-solving, IT decision-making, and project risk management.

You’ll go on to learn the statistical and modelling techniques necessary to analyse and visualise large data sets to generate meaningful intelligence.

You’ll round off your degree with a major research or product development project on a relevant topic of your choice.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Programming Fundamentals
  • Relational Database Development Fundamentals
  • Computer Systems and Networking Fundamentals
  • Web Development Fundamentals
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Becoming an IT Professional
  • Machine Learning and AI Fundamentals
  • Team Based Project
  • Algorithms, Data Structures and Advanced Programming
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Year 3
  • Data Mining and Visualisation
  • Future Tech and Development
  • Graph Analytics and Learning
  • Building Neural Networks
  • Computing Major Project
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Contemporary Issues
  • Extended Project
  • Literacies in Higher Education
  • Into ARU
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Placement year
  • Professional Portfolio (Computing)
Module details

It’s possible to combine placement and foundation year options. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

  • James Larner
    James Larner

    Professional Lead for the faculty of Creative and Digital Arts and Sciences

  • Hugh Chadwick
    Hugh Chadwick

    Senior Lecturer Practitioner

Facilities

As a Data and Analytical Science student at ARU Peterborough you’ll use specialist computing labs and industry-standard equipment and software.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Apply for Data and Analytical Science

UK students

Apply through UCAS for 2026

International students

Apply direct