TL;DR An MSc in data science in Sri Lanka is open to graduates who want to move into analytics, machine learning or data engineering. Universal College Lanka offers a 12-month MSc Data Science with the University of Lancashire. ESOFT Uni offers an MSc in Data Science with Kingston University in a hybrid format. Fees, entry rules and modules differ, so compare them first.
Companies in banking, retail, telecom and software now collect more data than their teams can use. Data scientists turn that data into decisions, and a master's degree is a common route into the field for graduates from computing, maths, science and business backgrounds.
This guide compares the postgraduate data science routes currently listed on Uplift. It uses the program records fetched for this guide, so the fees and entry rules come from the source.
What a data science master's teaches
Most programs follow the same path. You learn programming, statistics and data preparation first, then machine learning and visualisation, and finish with a project.
That structure makes these programs a good fit for conversion students, meaning graduates whose first degree was not in data science. If your degree is in another field, read the entry rules below with care.
The routes compared
MSc Data Science at Universal College Lanka
This program is delivered with the University of Lancashire in the UK and runs for 12 months, full-time. It is described as a conversion MSc.
The modules cover data concepts, ethics and governance, computational maths and statistics, machine learning and data mining, programming for the data scientist, big data tools and a master's project. Optional industry placement opportunities are mentioned in the program description.
The program record lists an application fee of LKR 1,000 but no tuition fee. Check the current tuition on the MSc Data Science page at Universal College Lanka.
MSc Data Science at ESOFT Uni
This program is awarded by Kingston University and is delivered in a hybrid mode. The program record lists a total tuition fee of LKR 790,000 and an application fee of LKR 25,000.
The compulsory modules are applied data programming, databases and database management, data analytics and visualisation, machine learning and deep learning, and a project dissertation.
See the full record on the MSc Data Science page at ESOFT Uni.
Who can apply
Universal College Lanka
The program lists a bachelor's degree with at least a second-class lower division, or a professional qualification equivalent to a UK degree such as CIM, SLIM, CIMA or ACCA. Relevant work experience may be considered. Alumni of the college are also eligible to apply, and subject prerequisites may apply depending on the pathway.
ESOFT Uni
The program lists a relevant undergraduate degree in computing, mathematics, science or a related discipline, with at least second class honours or equivalent. Experience in a data or computing role is an advantage. English language proficiency may be required.
The records do not state an English test or score for either program. Ask the institute what it accepts.
