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Data Science and AI

BSc (Hons)

Locations
Birmingham
Leeds
London (Ealing, Holborn, Stratford)
Manchester
Newcastle
Nottingham
Online

Attendance
Weekdays (Blended)
Flexible (Online)

Duration
Full-time: 3 years (Blended)
Part-time: 3 years+ (Online)

What makes Arden University special?

Education for everyone, everywhere

Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.

You decide how and where to study

We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.

Full support both online and on-site

We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.

Strong focus on employability

You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

The BSc (Hons) Data Science and AI develops the technical and analytical skills you need to turn data into useful insights and support better decision-making.

Arden University and Google Cloud

Co-designed by Arden and Google Cloud, this programme combines Google's technical expertise with Arden's academic experience. You will build strong foundations in data science alongside practical AI skills, learning how AI works and how to use it effectively in your studies and future career.

Through Arden's collaboration with Google Cloud, you will have access to Google Gemini Enterprise throughout your degree. Gemini Enterprise can help you work with complex topics by creating revision notes, audio overviews and visual guides to support your learning.

You will also work on agentic AI simulations and real-world projects co-developed with Google Cloud. These practical experiences will help you apply your skills in cloud, database and data analytics environments.

You’ll have the chance to:

Develop practical data science and AI skills, including programming, machine learning and AI-enabled systems.
Build technical knowledge across SQL, databases, data management, data pipelines and cloud technologies.
Gain practical experience through agentic AI simulations and projects co-developed with Google Cloud.
Personalise your learning using Gemini Enterprise to support your studies and learning pace.
Understand data security and governance, including the responsible and ethical use of AI.

Course subject to validation

Foundation Year available

Quick tools

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Career development resources

You'll have online access to a huge range of career development tools from the day you start studying.

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Course details and modules

Organisations across many industries are using AI and data to improve how they work. This course helps you develop the technical skills needed to work with data, AI and cloud technologies.

You will build your knowledge across programming, analytics, cloud platforms and data governance, while applying what you learn through practical projects.

By combining academic learning with experience developed alongside Google Cloud, you will graduate with practical data science and AI skills to support your future career.

Modules

Foundation Year available

CREATE (30 credits)
Fundamentals of Software Development (30 credits)
Applied Tech Concepts (30 credits)
Skills for University Study (30 credits)

Level 4

Core Modules
Programming for Digital Professionals (30 credits)
Networking (30 credits)
Data Foundations (30 credits)
Professional Digital Practice (30 credits)

Level 5

Core Modules
Applied Professional Skills (Automated Workflows) (30 credits)
Advanced Programming (30 credits)
Optional Modules
Information Security (InfoSec/GRAC) (30 credits)
UX/UI Design (HCI) (30 credits)
Database Systems and SQL (30 credits)
Cloud Infrastructure and Services (30 credits)
Applied Data Intelligence (30 credits)

Level 6

AI / LLMs (30 credits)
Machine Learning / Deep Learning (30 credits)
Capstone Project (30 credits)
Optional Modules
Secure System Design (30 credits)
Tech Entrepreneurship for Sustainability (30 credits)
App Development (30 credits)
Big Data Computing (30 credits)

How do we assess you?

Our assessments are designed to reflect the complexity of real-world technology, data and AI practice. You’ll develop your knowledge progressively, with varied and inclusive assessment approaches designed to support different ways of learning and demonstrate your skills.

You will complete reports, case studies, presentations, portfolios and project work that allow you to apply your learning to realistic challenges. You will demonstrate practical skills by building databases, analysing datasets, developing data pipelines, creating data visualisations and evaluating AI solutions. This approach helps you build experience with the types of technical challenges you may encounter in your future career.

Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at our campuses in London Ealing, London Stratford, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, and Nottingham.

The course is also available to students via online learning. This gives you the convenience of being able to study from anywhere in the UK or worldwide, providing you with the same high standards of teaching but with lower tuition fees.

Blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK campuses.

If you're a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

Learn more about blended learning

Part time online learning

How does it work?

Studying the BA (Hons) Business Management online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

Our online students study their degree through iLearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. iLearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to our Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

iLearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate our study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have you Kindle handy.

Studying online does not mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you will be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through our Unitu community, and you will have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. We have even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you are currently learning.

Online learning students resident in the UK can apply for a Maintenance Loan if they cannot attend their course in person because of a disability. Please find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information on Living Cost Loans from your student finance body.

Learn more about online learning

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

A minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 completed within the last 3 years, or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and Reference.

English Proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent

We’ll ask you for a personal statement that demonstrates your ability to study the course. We may also want references and evidence of relevant experiences.

Course fees and funding

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Meet the faculty

Professor John Parkinson, PhD, PGDip, FHEA

A future-facing faculty preparing graduates for an AI-enabled world

Hello, I’m Professor John Parkinson, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Technology (FoSST) at Arden University. I joined Arden after twenty-five years of research, teaching, and leadership in UK higher education. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a passion for understanding human behaviour and creating learning environments that help people thrive.

My academic career has centred on behavioural science, human motivation, applied research, and public policy. Beyond academia, I am a qualified counsellor and a strong advocate for student-centred, future-focused education. These experiences have shown me how quickly society shifts — and how vital it is that education keeps pace. At Arden, we are committed to ensuring that every student encounters an AI-infused curriculum, develops the literacies needed to thrive in data-rich workplaces, and learns to apply
technology ethically and insightfully to real-world challenges.

Throughout the Faculty, we have a deep commitment to applied, interdisciplinary learning, preparing students for the complexities of an evolving world. Across psychology, computing and data science, criminology, law, and the social sciences, our faculty brings together disciplines that are all being reshaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change. With the university’s new investment and strategic focus on digital transformation, our mission is clear: to prepare graduates who can harness the power of AI responsibly, creatively, and confidently.

We champion interdisciplinary thinking because the future will demand nothing less. Whatever programme you study, you will experience learning that is flexible, applied, technology-enabled, and grounded in strong academic foundations. Our goal is to not only help you succeed academically, but to ensure you graduate ready for the emerging AI-augmented professions of the future — resilient, skilled, and able to make a positive impact on society.

Welcome to the Faculty of Social Sciences & Technology. I look forward to supporting you as we build this ambitious, future-ready community together.

Professor John Parkinson, PhD, PGDip, FHEA

Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences & Technology

Career prospects

In a collaboration with Google Cloud, we’ve created brand-new, future-focused degree programmes. Designed with Google Cloud experts, these courses bridge the gap between higher education and cutting-edge tech industry demands, helping you build skills for a successful career across systems, data infrastructure, analytics and AI technologies.

A New Partnership in AI Education | Arden University & Google Cloud

related courses

What will the BSc (Hons) Data Science and AI do for me?

The degree will give you the technical skills to help organisations make better use of their data. You’ll develop practical experience in designing data solutions, working with databases, understanding data infrastructure and applying analytical and AI technologies.

Develop an understanding of data security, governance and responsible technology, helping you consider not just how data can be used, but how it should be managed and protected..

Build practical data skills, including database design, SQL and data management.
Explore AI and analytics and how they can turn data into valuable insights.
Develop knowledge of cloud and data infrastructure supporting modern organisations.
Understand data security, governance and risk and the responsible use of AI.
Apply your skills to real-world challenges, developing solutions for data-driven organisations.

Become a data-driven technology professional

Data is one of the most valuable assets for modern organisations, but turning data into meaningful value requires the right technology, infrastructure and expertise. This course focuses on the systems and solutions that make data useful, accessible and secure.

What can I do after Arden University?

The growing use of data, analytics and AI across almost every industry is creating demand for professionals who can build, manage and secure the data environments behind these technologies. This degree can prepare you for roles across data, technology, AI and information management.

Potential career paths could include:
Data Analyst
Data Engineer
Database Administrator
Data Scientist
Business Intelligence Analyst
Data Governance Specialist
Cloud Data Engineer
AI Engineer
Machine Learning Engineer
Information Security Analyst
AI Governance Specialist
AI Risk Analyst
Data Security Analyst
Technology Consultant

Industry skills

Future-defining degrees, co-developed with Google Cloud

Designed with Google Cloud experts, our created brand-new, future-focused degree programmes bridge the gap between higher education and cutting-edge tech industry demands covering cyber security, data science, AI systems engineering, applied AI in business management, and more.