Data analytics is a science that is all about taking raw datasets and translating them into insights that you (or others) can use. Think of it as the conduit between the reams of data an organization collects and the management team. As a data analyst, you’re the person who makes sense of the numbers so management can take action.
At least, that’s how data analytics works in a business context. Switch to the research side of things and you’ll play a crucial role in interpreting the results of complex experiments by helping researchers understand the factors that lead to their results and the effects of changes they make.
Getting your start in this field usually requires you to complete a BSc in computer science with data analytics. This article looks at five of the best options provided by some of the world’s top universities.
Top BSc Degrees in Computer Science With Data Analytics Programs
In creating our list of the five best BSc computer science with data analytics programs, we considered the following criteria:
- Reputation – A good reputation is like word of mouth for a university. We looked for institutions that have an established track record of quality courses, both in the AI field and outside of it.
- Curriculum – Many computer science degrees have an analytics component but don’t focus on it as a specialization. The courses we chose put data analytics in the spotlight.
- Faculty Expertise – Who wants to learn from people who don’t have solid reputations in the data analytics industry? The people who teach you are as important (perhaps even more important) as the content they teach.
- Industry Connections – A good course is like a tree. The course itself is the trunk, which then branches off into all sorts of industries. You want a course with plenty of branches (i.e., many paths into the industry).
- Support and Resources – Data analytics isn’t a simple concept that you can pick up with a few hours of study. It’s like a vast ocean and it’s easy to get lost. The right support and resources are like a compass that keeps the student on track.
Top Programs
With the above criteria in mind, we’ve collected five great BSc computer science with data analytics programs for you to consider.
1 – Computer Science With Pathway in Data Analytics (Middle East College)
When universities come together, the result is usually a top-notch degree that allows you to draw from global expertise. That’s what you get with Middle East College’s course, as it’s offered in conjunction with the UK’s Coventry University.
It’s an eight-semester course that focuses on data collection, codification, and treatment, with as much importance placed on practical application as on academic theory. Entry requirements are strict and require:
- A General Education Certificate (GEC) or similar
- Either a General Foundation Programme (GFP) certificate or a passing grade in the university-administered MEC placement test
- Scoring 60% or above in each component of the MEC is a must if you want to use it to replace a GFP.
The big selling point for this course is the link to Coventry University, which has been among the top 15 universities in the UK for over half a decade. That link also creates career opportunities, with the Middle East College faculty exposing you to Asian opportunities while Coventry University can provide a route into the UK for international students.
2 – Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics (St. Ambrose University)
Ranked as the top data analytics program in the world by Bachelor Studies, St. Ambrose’s course is a four-year degree that offers internships to some of the world’s leading companies. This internship program is so extensive that over 75% of the university’s students end up with a work placement that can provide them with a direct route into a career.
As for the course itself, you’ll develop foundational knowledge in statistics and computing before moving on to practical ways to apply that knowledge. The course also has an ethical component, which is crucial given the potentially controversial means some companies use to collect data.
International students need to achieve the equivalent of an American 2.5 out of 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), making this one of the easier courses to get onto. You also have to complete a Declaration of Finances form (available via the university’s website) to demonstrate proof of funding for your studies.
3 – BSc Digital Business & Data Science (University of Applied Sciences Europe)
The Hamburg-based University of Applied Sciences Europe is among the top 25 private universities in the continent and it’s a popular choice for international students. Its BSc computer science with data analytics program is interesting because it combines the fundamentals of data science with business concepts. Beyond learning advanced programming and analytics concepts, you’ll discover how those concepts apply in fields as varied as economics and cybersecurity. Throw in some marketing and entrepreneurship modules and this is an excellent choice for the prospective start-up owner.
Entry requirements are fairly simple. You’ll need proof of a high school diploma (or your country’s equivalent), which you submit alongside a CV and demonstration of English-language proficiency. A passing grade in an IELTS or TOEFL exam should do the job for the latter requirement.
Non-EU students have an extra hurdle to jump – a tuition deposit. You have to pay €3,000 upfront, which serves as a reservation fee for the course. The good news is that this fee counts toward your full tuition, so it’s deducted from the total. Think of it as paying money upfront for a restaurant reservation, with that money going toward the final bill.
4 – Data Science BSc (Warwick University)
Ranked as the 10th-best university in the UK and in the top 100 in the world, Warwick University is a good performer in terms of pure credentials. But the school’s state-of-the-art statistics department makes it stand out, with its research department being touted as “world-leading.”
Its Data Science BSc takes in plenty of the skills you’ll use in data analytics, including how to parse through massive datasets to get to crucial information. The scope of this work is particularly impressive, with the course teaching how data analytics applies in industries as varied as finance and social networks. Studying (and even working) abroad is also offered to those who want to build their networks through their studies.
Entry requirements are stringent, with students generally expected to have at least two (and usually three) A* A-Level grades, or equivalents, to get in. The university’s website digs into more specific requirements for international students. This is an English-language course, too, so you’ll need proof of your English-speaking abilities or have to pass the university’s Pre-Sessional English Course before you’re considered for entry.
5 – BSc in Data Science and Analytics (National University of Singapore)
Ranked as the 11th best university in the world by QS University Rankings, the National University of Singapore is a trailblazer in the data analytics field. To get in, you’ll need to show the equivalent of an H2 pass in mathematics or further mathematics, which is roughly equivalent to an A grade at A-Level in the UK.
The course itself is a four-year honors program that starts by teaching you the foundational analytical methods applied in data science. From there, it branches into teaching how these concepts apply in real-world scenarios before introducing you to tools and techniques you’ll use in practical work.
Experiential learning is key to the course, with the National University of Singapore calling it “industry-driven” to highlight that this is a course that teaches you how to drive the car, as well as showing you what lies under the hood. To support this approach, the university runs its “Co-operative Education Programme” which combines academic study with several internships over four years of study.
Benefits of Pursuing a BSc in Computer Science With Data Analytics
By now, you’re probably asking yourself a big question: “Why should I study a BSc in computer science with data analytics?
Reason 1 – Develop In-Depth Knowledge
A data analytics bachelor’s degree teaches you how to use the tools and techniques needed in the field. But the theory that underpins those tools, along with the programming languages you’ll use, is near-universal in terms of its usefulness. As a result, following this degree track opens up career opportunities that extend into the software programming and computing fields, as well as analytics.
Reason 2 – Enhanced Employability
Building on the previous point, the skills you develop as part of a BSc in computer science with data analytics will make you seem like the goose that lays the golden eggs to employers. You’ll have such a varied skillset that you can lend your hand to almost anything in the computing sector. Salaries are solid, too, with data analysts earning an average of €55,000 per year in Germany alone.
Reason 3 – Opportunities for Further Education
If a data analytics BSc is the equivalent of drawing up a blueprint for a house, later educational pursuits are all about building that house into something special. These courses lay the groundwork for later education (such as OPIT’s Master in Applied Data Science and AI), in addition to making it easier for you to earn professional certifications that look great on your CV.
Tips for Choosing the Right BSc Computer Science With Data Analytics Program
Right now, you’re at a crossroads that seems to branch off into an infinite number of paths. There are so many data analytics courses to choose from that it’s hard to know which way to turn. Use these tips to ensure you pick the right one:
- Align your course selection with your career goals – if it doesn’t take you closer to where you want to be then it’s not the course for you.
- Dig deeper into what each course offers by comparing curricula to see which courses have gaps and which cover everything you want to learn.
- Location and general student life are important because you need to have a life outside of education, so pay attention to both.
- The cost of tuition can often be like a brick wall to students, but research into financial aid often helps you to find the ladder that gets you over that wall.
- If you have the opportunity, speak to faculty and alumni to discover what makes the course so special.
Keep Exploring to Find the Right Course for You
The five programs covered here are among the best BSc computer science with data analytics courses in the world, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re right for you. Exploration is key, as you must transform into an explorer to navigate your way toward the course that fits your needs from career, life, and passion perspectives. Make the right choices, and you’ll put yourself on course for a data-driven career that’s rewarding on both the mental and financial levels.
Related posts
The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is the perfect place for those looking to master the core skills and gain the fundamental knowledge they need to enter the exciting and dynamic environment of the tech industry. While OPIT’s various degrees and courses unlock the doors to numerous careers, students may not know exactly which line of work they wish to enter, or how, exactly, to take the next steps.
That’s why, as well as providing exceptional online education in fields like Responsible AI, Computer Science, and Digital Business, OPIT also offers an array of career-related services, like the Peer Career Mentoring Program. Designed to provide the expert advice and support students need, this program helps students and alumni gain inspiration and insight to map out their future careers.
Introducing the OPIT Peer Career Mentoring Program
As the name implies, OPIT’s Peer Career Mentoring Program is about connecting students and alumni with experienced peers to provide insights, guidance, and mentorship and support their next steps on both a personal and professional level.
It provides a highly supportive and empowering space in which current and former learners can receive career-related advice and guidance, harnessing the rich and varied experiences of the OPIT community to accelerate growth and development.
Meet the Mentors
Plenty of experienced, expert mentors have already signed up to play their part in the Peer Career Mentoring Program at OPIT. They include managers, analysts, researchers, and more, all ready and eager to share the benefits of their experience and their unique perspectives on the tech industry, careers in tech, and the educational experience at OPIT.
Examples include:
- Marco Lorenzi: Having graduated from the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI program at OPIT, Marco has since progressed to a role as a Prompt Engineer at RWS Group and is passionate about supporting younger learners as they take their first steps into the workforce or seek career evolution.
- Antonio Amendolagine: Antonio graduated from the OPIT MSc in Applied Data Science and AI and currently works as a Product Marketing and CRM Manager with MER MEC SpA, focusing on international B2B businesses. Like other mentors in the program, he enjoys helping students feel more confident about achieving their future aims.
- Asya Mantovani: Asya took the MSc in Responsible AI program at OPIT before taking the next steps in her career as a Software Engineer with Accenture, one of the largest IT companies in the world, and a trusted partner of the institute. With a firm belief in knowledge-sharing and mutual support, she’s eager to help students progress and succeed.
The Value of the Peer Mentoring Program
The OPIT Peer Career Mentoring Program is an invaluable source of support, inspiration, motivation, and guidance for the many students and graduates of OPIT who feel the need for a helping hand or guiding light to help them find the way or make the right decisions moving forward. It’s a program built around the sharing of wisdom, skills, and insights, designed to empower all who take part.
Every student is different. Some have very clear, fixed, and firm objectives in mind for their futures. Others may have a slightly more vague outline of where they want to go and what they want to do. Others live more in the moment, focusing purely on the here and now, but not thinking too far ahead. All of these different types of people may need guidance and support from time to time, and peer mentoring provides that.
This program is also just one of many ways in which OPIT bridges the gaps between learners around the world, creating a whole community of students and educators, linked together by their shared passions for technology and development. So, even though you may study remotely at OPIT, you never need to feel alone or isolated from your peers.
Additional Career Services Offered by OPIT
The Peer Career Mentoring Program is just one part of the larger array of career services that students enjoy at the Open Institute of Technology.
- Career Coaching and Support: Students can schedule one-to-one sessions with the institute’s experts to receive insightful feedback, flexibly customized to their exact needs and situation. They can request resume audits, hone their interview skills, and develop action plans for the future, all with the help of experienced, expert coaches.
- Resource Hub: Maybe you need help differentiating between various career paths, or seeing where your degree might take you. Or you need a bit of assistance in handling the challenges of the job-hunting process. Either way, the OPIT Resource Hub contains the in-depth guides you need to get ahead and gain practical skills to confidently move forward.
- Career Events: Regularly, OPIT hosts online career event sessions with industry experts and leaders as guest speakers about the topics that most interest today’s tech students and graduates. You can join workshops to sharpen your skills and become a better prospect in the job market, or just listen to the lessons and insights of the pros.
- Internship Opportunities: There are few better ways to begin your professional journey than an internship at a top-tier company. OPIT unlocks the doors to numerous internship roles with trusted institute partners, as well as additional professional and project opportunities where you can get hands-on work experience at a high level.
In addition to the above, OPIT also teams up with an array of leading organizations around the world, including some of the biggest names, including AWS, Accenture, and Hype. Through this network of trust, OPIT facilitates students’ steps into the world of work.
Start Your Study Journey Today
As well as the Peer Career Mentoring Program, OPIT provides numerous other exciting advantages for those who enroll, including progressive assessments, round-the-clock support, affordable rates, and a team of international professors from top universities with real-world experience in technology. In short, it’s the perfect place to push forward and get the knowledge you need to succeed.
So, if you’re eager to become a tech leader of tomorrow, learn more about OPIT today.
The world has entered the age of artificial intelligence (AI), and this exciting new technology is already changing the face of society in an ever-growing number of ways. It’s influencing a plethora of industries and sectors, from healthcare and education to finance and urban planning. This guide explores AI’s impact on three of the core pillars of life: business, education, and sustainability.
AI in Business: Unlocking Unprecedented Opportunities
In the world of business, the number of uses of AI is growing by the day. Whether it’s in sales, marketing, customer relations, operational optimization, cybersecurity, data management, or some other aspect of organizational life, there are so many ways this technology can unlock new opportunities or expedite existing processes.
Take data as an example. Many businesses now collect and use large amounts of data to inform their decisions in areas like product development or marketing strategy. But they have, up to now, been limited in how they can structure, visualize, and analyze their data. AI changes all that, as it can dig into vast databases with ease, extracting insights to drive actionable decisions in no time.
AI also bridges gaps in communications. It has the power to speak in most major languages, translating audio or written text with astonishing accuracy in an instant. In a globalized world, where many businesses buy and sell with partners, suppliers, investors, and other stakeholders from other nations, AI can help them communicate and exchange information more easily and reliably.
AI in Education: Democratizing and Accelerating the Learning Process
In the educational sector, AI is solving problems that have plagued this industry for generations and transforming the ways in which students learn and teachers teach. It can be used, for example, to personalize a student’s learning plan or adapt content to align with each learner’s favored learning style, making it easier for them to soak up and retain information and skills.
AI’s generative capabilities are also proving useful in the education sector. Teachers, for example, can turn to generative AI models to create lesson plans or supplementary content to support their courses, such as tables, charts, infographics, and images. This all helps to make the learning experience more diverse, dynamic, and engaging for every kind of learner.
On a broader level, there’s clear potential for AI to democratize education across the globe, making learning more accessible to all. That includes those in developing nations who may normally lack opportunities to gain knowledge and skills to achieve their ambitions. If harnessed correctly and responsibly, this technology could elevate education to whole new heights.
AI in Sustainability: Smarter Cities and Next-Level Efficiency
Sustainability is one of the sticking points when talking about AI, as many critics of the technology point to the fact that it involves huge amounts of energy and relies heavily on large and costly data centers to operate. At the same time, AI could also solve many of the sustainability crises facing the world today, uncovering solutions and innovations that may have previously taken decades to develop.
It’s already proving its value in this domain. For instance, DeepMind developed an AI system that was actually able to optimize data center energy efficiency, cutting the amount of energy used to cool data center hardware by a whopping 40% and improving energy efficiency in certain centers by 15%. That’s just one example, and it’s only the start of what AI could do from an environmental perspective.
This tech is also making cities smarter, more efficient, and more pleasant in which to live through AI-powered navigation aids or traffic redistribution systems. It also holds potential for future urban planning, city development, and infrastructure construction, provided the correct systems and frameworks can be established to make the best use of AI’s advantages.
The Ethical Challenges and Risks of AI
Despite its almost countless advantages and possible applications, AI is not without its flaws. This technology brings challenges and risks to go along with its opportunities, and five leading examples include:
- Bias: Algorithmic bias is an issue that has already presented itself during the relatively brief existence of AI so far. Some systems, for example, have issued responses or generated content that could be classified as discriminatory or prejudiced, due to the training data they were given.
- Privacy: There are fears among populations and analysts about the amount of data being fed into AI systems and how such data could be misused, potentially violating people’s rights of privacy and falling foul of data privacy regulations, such as GDPR.
- Misuse: Like so many game-changing technologies, AI has the potential to be used for both benevolent and malicious purposes. It may be used to spread misinformation and “fake news,” influence public opinion, or even in cyber-attacks, for instance.
- Over-reliance: AI is so powerful, with the capacity to carry out tasks with remarkable precision and speed, that it will be tempting for organizations to integrate it into many of their workflows and decision-making processes. But AI cannot be treated as a substitute for human judgment.
- Sustainability: There are also fears about the energy costs associated with AI and the data centers needed to power it, plus the fact that some elements of the burgeoning AI industry may exploit workers in poorer nations worldwide.
Solving These Challenges: Regulation and Responsible Use of AI
With the right approach, it is possible to solve all the above challenges, and more, making AI the most valuable and beneficial new technology the world has seen since the advent of the internet. This will require a two-pronged strategy focusing on both regulation and responsible usage.
Europe is already leading the way in the first aspect. It has introduced the AI Act – a world-first regulatory framework related to artificial intelligence, laying out how it should be used to drive innovation without infringing on the fundamental rights of workers and the larger public.
Educational institutions like the OPIT – Open Institute of Technology are also leading the way in the second aspect, educating people around the world on how to work with AI in a responsible, ethical way, through programs like the MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence.
By establishing rules and regulations about AI’s usage and educating the tech leaders of tomorrow in how to work with AI in a fair and responsible way, the future is bright for this exciting and extraordinary new technology.
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