MSc Applied Social Data Science

This interdisciplinary programme will provide you with training in fundamental aspects of applied data science, computation and programming, and quantitative methods.

With the rise of new and big forms of data, and computation and analytics forming ever-increasingly important elements of a wide range of professions, this programme will prepare you for a variety of careers in the private, non-profit and public sectors.

With a background in social sciences, you will be trained to use data to answer interesting social science questions. You will take a series of project-based programming courses specifically designed for students without a formal computing or statistical background. A typical student will also have taken a prior course in quantitative methods or applied statistics at a basic level, although this is not a formal requirement.

You will become fluent in a variety of programming languages and applications, particularly R and Python, and will learn to create and manipulate large databases and think creatively about how to deploy these skills in the context of specific projects.

You will also have the opportunity to choose substantive electives, allowing you to tailor the programme to your particular interests. The programme will culminate in a Capstone project where you will creatively apply the technical skills you have learned to a project of your own design.

Teaching methods

LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as lecturers, senior lecturers, readers, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students and in the majority of cases, teach on undergraduate courses only.

Assessment

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed. It is designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award. LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others. Summative assessment may be conducted during the course or by final examination at the end of the course.

Careers

This programme will prepare you for a variety of careers in the private, non-profit and public sectors.