Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology and Criminology (in partnership with the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering). This four-year full-time degree combines a deep sociological understanding of the world with programming and analytical skills, including a year dedicated to a work placement. It equips you to ask the right questions about society and develop the skills to answer them using data science methods. You'll explore the role of software in everyday life, programming with Python and Java, key ethical and social issues in digital societies, data visualisation, theories of social stratification, race, class, and gender, and sociological research methods. The placement year enhances your employability and provides practical application of your academic learning.

Graduates are uniquely positioned to excel in careers requiring both social insight and technical data skills, in sectors facing a predicted shortage of data scientists. Career options include: Data Scientist, Social Researcher, Data Analyst, Market Researcher, Policy Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, Civil Service, roles in NGOs and charities focused on social impact, Human Resources, and roles in IT/Tech industries (e.g., in software development, data mining, or ethical AI roles). The placement year provides a significant advantage in the job market, offering hands-on experience and professional networking. This degree is highly valued in any organization that gathers and draws inferences from data, and graduates are particularly sought after in financial services, scientific computation, decision-making support, and government. The program also prepares graduates for further academic study (e.g., Master's or PhD programs) in sociology, data science, or related fields.

The University of Essex offers a forward-thinking environment and diverse international community. Essex is a centre of world-leading research excellence for the social sciences, providing a strong foundation for interdisciplinary study. The university is located close to beautiful countryside that's only an hour away from London by train, offering a balanced student experience. Its research-led teaching addresses the latest challenges and breakthroughs in both sociology and data science.