MASc - Data Visualisation

Course overview

The MASc in Data Visualisation is an innovative, interdisciplinary course which enables students to acquire crucial knowledge and skills in visualisation as a methodology for data-intensive research, communication and engagement. Students will be trained in concepts, methods and techniques from across data science, digital humanities and design research, whilst developing a portfolio of work that prepares them for diverse career opportunities.

The programme aims to develop methodological, conceptual and practical skills needed to design, deploy and interpret data visualisations successfully in academic, policy and public contexts. The course combines academic training in methodological and conceptual aspects with the development of technical, creative and practical competences in data visualisation as a way of communicating knowledge, as a form of engagement, and as a way of seeing the world.

During the programme you will develop:

• End-to-end skills and joined-up understanding that enable you to design, create and code visualisations, work with data, and analyse and understand your data visualisations and those of others.
• Critical, interdisciplinary perspectives required by employers, integrating expertise in tools, techniques, knowledges and methods of analysis which lead to a 360 view of what data visualisations are and do, and the limits of this medium.
• A portfolio of work to kickstart your career progressed through diverse projects in your modules, a practice- or theory-led dissertation, and within the Data-Design Camp.
• Expertise in the interactions between Data + Code + Design + Theory developed through learn to code as a basis for creating visualisations, as well as furthering your understanding of visualisations through critique and analysis.

What is an MASc?

The MASc is a flexible degree where students customise their learning trajectory through interdisciplinary topics and modules that might usually be isolated to either MA or MSc qualifications. Through optional module choices, project directions and final dissertation, you can tune your degree to fit your learning and career goals.

Skills from this degree

• Coding and software skills for visualisation
• Design and visual analysis skills building on the fundamentals of data visualisation
• Substantial design experience through project work
• Analytical skills to conceptually frame and relate visualisation designs to wider societal, cultural, and political debates
• Writing and communication skills for analysis/discussing technical content
• Critical academic research skills with an interdisciplinary focus