Overview

From business and finance to health and medicine, from infrastructure to societal studies, data science plays a vital role in all aspects of the modern world. Our PG Diploma programme will ensure you have an advanced level of skills, knowledge, and experience in this rapidly expanding, highly in-demand field to achieve your career aspirations.

Studying for a PG Diploma in Data Science at Lancaster will provide you with the perfect environment to develop an expertise in the discipline. You will develop and consolidate your fundamental skills in both computing and statistics before progressing onto one of our specialist pathways which allow you to acquire and enhance advanced technical skills, while gaining professional knowledge that will support and advance your future career choices. The specialist pathway modules promote both an enhanced understanding of modern data science technologies and confidence in the application of data science within the business intelligence, health, environmental, or societal sectors. They are taught by researchers from across the University, who have expertise in the topics relevant to each of the pathways.

The fundamentals followed by pathway structure enables you to tailor the programme either to suit your current career development needs or to take the opportunity to upskill and take your career in a new direction.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Statistics, Computer Science or similar.

We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

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Optional

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Fees and funding

Location Full Time (per year) Part Time (per year)
Home £9,420 £4,710
International £20,200 £10,100

General fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Scheme Based on Amount
Lancaster Master's ScholarshipBased on Entry grades Amount Up to £5,000
Lancaster Global Scholarship - Master'sBased on Entry grades Amount £5,000 in your first year of study.
Management School MBA ScholarshipBased on Entry grades and interview Amount Up to £16,000
Alumni Loyalty ScholarshipBased on Lancaster alumni status Amount 10% fee discount
Management School Master's ScholarshipBased on Entry grades Amount Up to £8,300 in your first year of study
Master’s Scholarship for Black British StudentsBased on Ethnicity, household income, academic performance, and Lancaster alumni status Amount Full fees and £9,000 living costs

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.