Data science MSc conversion course - which uni QMUL or sussex

I have offer to study Msc data science and AI from Queen Mary university London and university of Sussex - starting Sep 2021. Can anybody advise which is a better for teaching and employability prospects

Hello @rakd,

I'm a current third-year student studying Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Sussex, so I can give you more insight into the university and what the School of Engineering and Informatics is like, along with the facilities offered at Sussex. For more information about the MSc Data Science course offered at Sussex, please visit here.

I would say when it comes to choosing which university, it is worth having a look closely at what the modules look like, and considering their forms of assessment and the course content. In terms of employment, you will benefit from our links with industry, which are as diverse as American Express, Demos (the think-tank) and the V&A Museum. Leading companies such as Creative Assembly, IBM, Microsoft and Thales have visited recently to talk to our students. Postgraduate Masters students at Sussex are offered a range of support with their career development including workshops, events and consultations held throughout the year.

For facilities, you will have 24/7 access to professional workstation-grade PCs and dedicated computer labs. For specialised modules and projects, you will have access to dedicated TV studios, an HD video editing suite, robotics hardware, and wearable and haptic interface devices. Each of the research groups in Informatics has one or more specialist labs. These contain facilities including machine tools for robot construction, motion capture equipment (sensor suits and 3D video technology), eye-tracking equipment, a multi-viewpoint observation area with synchronised video streams, and networked ubiquitous electronic devices. These are all supported by a helpdesk and a team of technical staff. For more information visit the Development of Informatics - Facilities.

In terms of teaching, I've found the staff and lecturers at the School of Engineering and Informatics to be friendly and helpful, and I've definitely gained benefit from having access to computer labs and the equipment and software offered in the labs. From my experience being a Student Representative and joining School meetings, I could see that the lecturers care about their students and are always looking into ways they could improve teaching. I had a fun time being on campus, joining events and meeting new people through different societies. I liked that the university was diverse, and found people I met through the university were outgoing and friendly.

I loved being on campus as it had a lot of green spaces, and it was very nice being able to walk to the South Downs National Park and have a stroll around during my free time. Also, having easy access to Brighton (less than 10 mins away via train from campus) and the city centre was definitely a bonus for me, as I could go to the beach and relax or go to the city centre whenever I wanted and see what was happening in town. Brighton is a vibrant city with loads of places to explore, with a number of live venues and independent shops.

The University of Sussex is incredibly diverse, with students and staff coming from over 100 different countries. We have more than 200 societies and clubs to choose from (Sports, Societies and Media) and the Student Union is always putting on events where you can find like-minded people and try something new. The campus is surrounded by the South Downs National Park where you can take walks and relax, and the lively city of Brighton is less than 10 mins away from the campus via a train so it's easily accessible to get into town. There's also a number of independent shops and live venues in town to explore. On-campus, we also have a number of shops, bars and cafes run by the Student Union.

You might find it helpful talking to one of our student ambassadors (Lorenzo who is currently studying Data Science MSc) on the UniBuddy chat platform to learn more about the student experience at the University of Sussex.

I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions!

Kind Regards,
Erica (3rd Year Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Student)

Hello Erica,
Thank you for the reply. Does the course have industry placements? Which companies have recruited graduates from Data science/AI course

hi, ive also been accepted to study this programme, firmly accepted it; in your view, would you say you can work as a data scientist with this degree even if its a conversion course?

hi, ive also been accepted to study this programme, firmly accepted it; in your view, would you say you can work as a data scientist with this degree even if its a conversion course?