Studying Data Science Abroad: Countries, Cost, Universities, and Colleges

What is Data Science?

Data Science deals with large volumes of information, and a Data Scientist is a specialist who works with unstructured data sets.

To effectively work in this field, a specialist requires knowledge and understanding of mathematical statistics. This complex profession requires practical skills, experience, and extensive knowledge. 

Data Science is a promising profession, and the interest in it continues to grow each year. The number of job vacancies in this field is increasing in the USA and other countries. The average salary starts from $108,660 per year, and the demand for data scientists is expected to grow by 36% through 2031 in the US. The discipline includes areas such as analytics, statistics, mathematics, and programming.

Bachelor's Degree in Data Science Abroad

A Bachelor's Degree in Data Science includes necessary courses in the field and can lead to further education at the master's level. It  allows students to obtain a prestigious diploma and increases employment opportunities in the country. The duration of a Bachelor's Degree in Data Science abroad ranges from 3-5 years. Admission and education for the Bachelor's program in Data Science are based on the results of entrance examinations, the list and format of which are determined by the specific educational institution.

Master's Degree in Data Science Abroad

A Master's degree represents the highest level of professional education. It is an additional advantage for those who want to pursue a career in international companies. Large holdings and corporations prefer applicants with a master's degree, and Data Science is no exception. A Master's Degree also provides an opportunity to gain another qualification or profession. Educational programs involve a deeper dive into theory and practical training.

Required Documents for Admission to Data Science Programs Abroad

A Bachelor's Degree represents the basic level of higher education, while a Master's Degree offers a more systematic approach to the chosen field of activity and higher career prospects.

  • For a Bachelor's Degree, a document of secondary education is required;
  • For a Master's Degree, a Bachelor's diploma and a transcript of grades are necessary. It is important to translate the diploma supplement;
  • An autobiography or academic resume is required for admission to both Master's and Bachelor's programs; 
  • Standardized test results (depending on the country and educational institution) serve as quantitative indicators to assess the academic potential of applicants;
  • A Letter of recommendation helps evaluate the qualities of the candidate;
  • A Statement of purpose allows learning about the academic interests, hobbies and achievements of the candidates;
  • А Language proficiency certificate (such as IELTS, TOEFL, or others) to demonstrate language skills;
  • The completed application form.

Top Universities in the World for Data Science

The list below includes the best universities in the world for data science according to the Times Higher Education World University Ranking.

Stanford University, USA

Stanford University is a top university in the USA, located in Silicon Valley  offering bachelor's and master's programs in Data Science and Social Systems. The university  provides comfortable accommodation in apartment-style residences and student dormitories. The programs are designed to help students adapt to the new academic environment, and interdisciplinary education is a notable feature.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA

Located in Massachusetts, USA, this prestigious institution is an innovator in the fields of information technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The institute's main focus is engineering, with attention also given to economics. Its business school is considered one of the prestigious schools worldwide.

Harvard University, USA

Harvard University, founded in 1636, is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the USA. It is renowned for its brilliant faculty, including leading global experts and Nobel laureates. Harvard is one of the leading research centers in the USA.

Yale University, USA

Yale University is one of the prestigious educational institutions in America, ranking 4th in international university rankings, and is known for providing significant career prospects.  The university also offers several graduate programs in Statistics and Data Science, including a Ph.D. program, terminal M.A. and M.S. programs, and an M.A. en route to a Ph.D.

EU Business School, Switzerland, Spain and Germany

EU Business School, established in 1973, is a private business school with campuses in Geneva (Switzerland), Barcelona (Spain), and Munich (Germany). It offers bachelor's, master's, MBA, and doctorate degrees in Business Administration, as well as foundation programs and an Executive BBA. The school provides state-accredited university degrees awarded through academic partnerships by various institutions.

Johns Hopkins University, USA

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university located in Baltimore, Maryland, founded in 1876. It is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is known for its high academic standards, selectivity in admissions, and social prestige. The university offers a wide range of master's and bachelor's programs, including a comprehensive Data Science Master's program. The program provides training in applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science.

Princeton University, USA

Princeton University, founded in 1746, is a private Ivy League research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. The Center for Statistics and Machine Learning (CSML) at Princeton University has played host to important developments in data science over the years, while also serving as fertile ground for exciting interdisciplinary research. The university is known for its high academic standards, selectivity in admissions, and social prestige.

Oxford University, UK

Oxford University, founded in the 11th century, is a collegiate research university located in Oxford, England. Oxford University offers various programs in Data Science, including a Ph.D. in Data Science through the Oxford EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Health Data Science. Additionally, the university provides an MSc in Social Data Science, focusing on the emerging role of data in specific contexts and issues.

ETH, Zurich

ETH Zurich, also known as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, is a public research university located in Zurich, Switzerland. Founded in 1854, it has a strong focus on technical and scientific education and is one of the world's leading technical universities. It offers a wide range of master's degree programs and provides students with the opportunity to interact with top researchers and apply the latest scientific knowledge in their fields. The university is committed to providing an ideal stepping stone for students' future careers and personal development.

Imperial College London, UK

Imperial College London is a public research university in London, England, focusing on science, engineering, medicine, and business. It offers a wide range of data science-related programs, including courses covering various data science topics such as computing (artificial intelligence and machine learning), economics, finance, and data science, applied machine learning, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, digital chemistry, and an online data science bootcamp. The university promotes excellence in interdisciplinary data science research and education, providing students with access to leading experts in the field and state-of-the-art facilities like the data observatory, the largest of its kind in Europe.

UCLA, USA

The University of California, Los Angeles, has the largest postgraduate education system. UCLA offers a Data Science Certificate Program through UCLA Extension, providing foundational knowledge necessary for a career as a data scientist, data analyst, or business analyst.

Caltech , USA

Caltech, officially known as the California Institute of Technology, offers undergraduate, graduate and post graduate programs in Information and Data Sciences, focusing on the acquisition, storage, communication, processing, and analysis of data. The university's Data Science Bootcamp is designed for beginners and experienced professionals, equipping them with skills in data cleaning, statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization.

 

Careers in Data Science

The occupational group of data scientists is expected to face labor shortage conditions at the national level over the next 10 years.

Data scientist jobs in Canada range from $45.00 per hour to $123,000 per year, with opportunities in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Ottawa.

When it comes to Data Science in the United States, there is a high demand for Data Scientists specialists, with a wide range of job opportunities and competitive salaries. LinkedIn features over 133,000 Data Scientist jobs in the United States, with new positions being added daily. The average salary for a Data Scientist in the United States is $124,995 per year.

In the United Kingdom, which offers a variety of higher education programs in Data Science, the salary level also attracts international students. In London, a specialist earns £60-70,000 per year. Experienced specialists can earn £85-90,000. This is the salary range you can expect after completing a bachelor's or master's degree in data science in the UK.

Salaries change annually depending on the state of the economy, usually increasing. It is worth considering the standard of living and safety in a country or specific city:

  • In Canada, the monthly expenses per person, excluding rent, amount to $1,200. The crime rate in Toronto is moderate and incidents of ethnic discrimination are extremely low.
  • In London, the expenses amount to approximately $1,000 per month, excluding rent.
  • Monthly expenses in New York, without rent, are approximately $1,400 per person.
  • Estimated expenses in Berlin amount to $1,100, excluding rent.

Scholarships for International Students in Data Science

Almost every university offers its own scholarships for international students. Bachelor's students can expect scholarships ranging from $5-10,000 per year, while master's students can receive scholarships from $5-20,000 per year. For example, the scholarship at Oxford amounts to $17,000. In Germany, some universities provide a scholarship of $700 per month, plus additional allowances. Scholarships for international students can cover part or full tuition fees, as well as living costs and, in some cases, even airfare.

Most Frequently Asked Questions about Studying Data Science Abroad

A data science specialist is involved in data collection, classification, and processing, as well as transforming data into a convenient format. They visualize information using diagrams, tables, and graphs. A specialist solves business problems using visualized data and applies various programming languages in their work.

When choosing a country, several criteria should be considered. For example, the language of instruction is significant, with English being the most common. With proficiency in English, you can apply not only to universities in the US and UK but also in other countries like Germany. 

Budget is also important. It is essential to study the culture and economy of the country where you plan to study. Major economies of Western countries such as the US, Canada, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands offer a large number of job opportunities for data science specialists. The potential for employment after completing the program is one of the most important criteria for choosing the best country for education. Additionally, pay attention to climate and other features that are important to you.

To choose a suitable educational institution, it is worth studying program rankings. It is also important to plan the budget since relying solely on scholarships may not be feasible. Look not only at the university or college but also at the specific bachelor's or master's program in data science abroad. When making a choice, consider the country where the educational institution is located.

It is important to study information about the program, including the list of subjects and teachers. Look at the lecturers’ biographies, check their profiles on LinkedIn. Additionally, you can request information about the bachelor's or master's program from the university administration, including details about internships and any other relevant information. Don't miss webinars for prospective students. Typically, you will get answers to all your questions during such consultations with representatives of the educational institution. It is important to consider language proficiency, budget, and relevant educational background when choosing a higher education program in data science abroad.

Free education in data science is possible for both bachelor's and master's degrees. However, it often requires completing preparatory courses and having a high level of proficiency in the language of instruction. While it is challenging to obtain free admission to a master's program in data science in Germany, it is possible if your previous education, skills, and professional goals impress the admissions committee.

In this case, it is quite challenging to receive a scholarship for the first year of data science studies. Scholarships are usually awarded to outstanding students. However, there are numerous private and government scholarships available to support talented international students.

Yes, during the application period, you need to provide a transcript of grades and a certificate of education. In this case, you can easily apply for education in data science abroad.

This question should be considered in terms of the duration of study and the specific country. Such information should be obtained during the consultation process for a particular program. For example, in the US, students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.

This question should be clarified before submitting documents and completing an application. It is also worth noting that most universities accept students who have reached the age of 18 for bachelor's programs, while it may be more challenging for candidates over 30 to obtain a student visa for a bachelor's program, although no embassy officially confirms this information.

Data science offers a wide range of specializations, and there is a vast number of job opportunities, even at entry-level positions. Over 10% of vacancies are remote positions. The demand for data science professionals is constantly growing, and by 2026, there will be 30% more job openings compared to 2013. The estimated number of vacancies will reach 11 million.



 

6053
07-07-2023
Leonid Kurza
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