Why Big Data is creating a big buzz

There’s no doubt that technology has progressed rapidly over our lifetime, affecting almost every industry from agriculture to retail to healthcare. Consumers are regularly being tracked through technology that is used on a daily basis. Cookies on web browsers, GPS trackers, store loyalty cards and free Wi-Fi are some of the most common ways of collecting customer data – and lots of it. But collecting large data sets is only of any benefit if the data is collected ethically and can be analysed to produce valuable insights that can be transformed into better business practices.

The skills needed to become a data scientist will become common across industries and an understanding of data science will become a required skill for many jobs.

It’s not only consumer data that contributes to improving performance. Advancements in healthcare are often attributed to analysis of patient data. In the United States a new digital smart pill has recently been approved by the FDA to help monitor prescribed medications in patients.

Big Data is becoming a big trend as professionals seek to know more about their organisations and directly translate information into better decision making. As mountains of data are being collected, there is a growing need for experts who are able to turn facts and figures into usable analytics, moreover to do it responsibly and ethically.

The University of London, in partnership with member institute, Goldsmiths, has developed the new MSc Data Science programme to address the skills shortage of data scientists. The programme teaches the skills needed by data scientists to drive improvements to organisational performance. It gives students the opportunity to build their professional portfolios through project work, and also allows students to tailor their studies to their own interests by offering specialisms in Artificial Intelligence or Financial Technology.

“Data analytic techniques are evolving fast, new data is being produced at an unprecedented rate across the world, and the tools we use to process it are becoming more intelligent. This programme will equip you with skills to become a leading data science specialist in our modern society,” says Programme Director, Larisa Soldatova.

“The skills needed to become a data scientist will become common across industries and an understanding of data science will become a required skill for many jobs,” says Karen Kocher, General Manager, 21st Century Jobs, Skills & Employability at Microsoft Corporation. “This MSc Data Science degree provides a solid foundation for professional growth and will help students build a foundation for lifelong learning that’s necessary to compete in this 21st century economy.”

Data analytic techniques are evolving fast, new data is being produced at an unprecedented rate across the world, and the tools we use to process it are becoming more intelligent.

The online programme can be studied from anywhere in the world, allowing you to learn at your own pace and around your time commitments and also offers the option to gain a Postgraduate Diploma in any of the pathways. It will also be available to study at selected Recognised Teaching Centres where you'll be able to attend face-to-face classes.

Find out more about the MSc Data Science.