Teaching & modules
Modules
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You will complete the course in one year, studying September to September.
Required Modules
You are required to take:
- Individual Project (60 credits)
- Computer Programming for Data Scientists* or Big Data Technologies (15 credits)
- Databases, Data Warehousing & Information Retrieval (15 credits)
- Statistics for Data Analysis* or Elements of Statistical Learning or Statistics in Finance (15 credits)
- Data Mining (15 credits)
*These are required modules unless you have extensive prior knowledge of python programming or statistics, in which case the required module can be replaced as listed in the relevant bullet points above.
Optional Modules
You are required to take 60 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:
- Elements of Statistical Learning (15 credits)
- Statistics in Finance (15 credits)
- Agents & Multi-Agent Systems (15 credits)
- Nature Inspired Learning Algorithms (15 credits)
- Pattern Recognition, Neural Networks & Deep Learning (15 credits)
- Network Data Analysis (15 credits)
- Big Data Technologies (15 credits)
- Introduction to Data Visualisation (15 credits)
- Computer Vision (15 credits)
- Telling Stories with Data (15 credits)
You will be able to select up to 30 credits from a range of level 6 modules but should note that there are specific regulations surrounding this option that must be carefully considered before making your module selection.
Modules may typically include:
- Machine Learning (15 credits)
- Optimization Methods (15 credits)
- Agent Reasoning and Decision Making (15 credits)
If you are a student who has previously studied in the Department of Informatics and have taken and passed any modules before (at level 6 or 7), you are not permitted to take these again. This is not permitted by the academic regulations.
Teaching methods - what to expect
We often use lectures, seminars, and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. We use a flipped classroom approach that creates opportunities for active learning engagement and interaction with world-class experts. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work, e.g. 150 hours work for a 15-credit module. These hours cover every aspect of the module, including independent study.
At King’s, all students are allocated a Personal Tutor who will play a key role in helping you to get the most out of your studies, providing support and encouragement for your time at university. Personal tutors provide you with the opportunity to periodically take stock of your learning, academic progress and general wellbeing as you progress through your studies, offering guidance on how to seek further support if you need it, and how to access the range of opportunities available to you as a King's student.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Written/Practical Examinations
- Oral Presentations
- In-Class Tests
- Online Examinations
- Individual Project Dissertation
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include written and computer-based exams, coursework, oral presentations, in-class tests, and an individual project dissertation.
Course structure
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You will complete the course in one year, studying September to September.
Application closing date guidance
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Duration:
1 year full-time, September to September.
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026