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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Data related degrees, what and where?

49 replies

JudyGemstone · 14/01/2023 21:30

hello. I wondered if anyone knows anything about data analysis type courses, as I have no clue! My son finished his a levels last summer and got BBC in Govt and politics, law and psychology. So 112 ucas points.

he likes data, stats, quantitative research etc. he’s good at maths and got 8 at gcse, but only a 4 in computer science.

would a data science and analytics degree or social sciences type degree be a good option? Or maybe need an a level in maths/computing?

he would consider psychology too. He likes the idea of a year studying abroad and ideally not 100% essay based.

Any thoughts appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
JudyGemstone · 15/01/2023 11:31

Yes sorry, since finishing last summer I meant!

His A level results were fine, not spectacular but decent enough. He’s definitely bright and capable, just doesn’t have a strong focus/path in mind. He’s actually great at maths, has a rain man type ability for mental arithmetic! Didn’t want to study it at A level though.

He did apply to university last year too but decided to take a year to work and reflect on life. He’s quite like to go travelling or work/study abroad. I know he’ll find something he’s into eventually, he’s just not got any firm ideas like some other kids seem to.

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 15/01/2023 11:39

He sounds like my DS1 on the maths front! He is doing a policy MA but still wishes he had the qualifications to go into sports data analysis.

What did he apply for first time round!

Original poster
JudyGemstone · 15/01/2023 11:47

Generic boring sounding Business studies type degrees iirc. He definitely wasn’t ready last time around, not sure he’s 100% ready this time either.
Personally I didn’t do my undergraduate degree until I was 23, and I now have 2 postgrad qualifications so I know there’s more than one way to go.

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Kerning · 15/01/2023 12:14

The university I work at has a Q-Step centre. We actually employed two of our social science with quantitative methods graduates in data analysis roles. Both have turned out be excellent data analysts.

TizerorFizz · 15/01/2023 12:16

Depends whether he needs a job or not and whether you are happy to keep subsidizing him I guess. Waiting is great if you are earning ok but not much good if you are unemployed.

Original poster
JudyGemstone · 15/01/2023 12:46

TizerorFizz · 15/01/2023 12:16

Depends whether he needs a job or not and whether you are happy to keep subsidizing him I guess. Waiting is great if you are earning ok but not much good if you are unemployed.

He’s not unemployed, he’s working 40 hours a week in a retail job but he’s not interested in staying there long term.

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Original poster
JudyGemstone · 15/01/2023 12:48

PerpetualOptimist · 15/01/2023 10:24

As PPs say, time is of the essence within the current UCAS application cycle. However, it would be sensible for your DS to reflect on what they enjoy, what they are good at and whether they can evidence that to themselves and to any relevant university and/or employer. Some questions I would be asking myself include:

Why did I choose the A-levels I did?
What aspects of those subjects did I enjoy and not enjoy?
Were my A-level results what I and my college expected and, if not, why not?
What were my plans in Y13 for post A-levels, have I achieved those and, if not, why not?
What am I doing with my (paid and free) time now, post Y13, and what aspects am I enjoying?
If I am considering the university route, what aspects am I drawn to?

The answers to these questions may help guide your DS and narrow down choices to those that are most likely to engage him.

Some PPs have suggested apprenticeships. There are apprenticeships available in data analytics (more often at L4 rather than L6) and whilst these can have a 112 point or BBC threshold, employers will be looking for tangible evidence of interest in analysing and presenting data.

Unlike UCAS, which is centralised with clear deadlines, applying to individual apprenticeships requires the drive and self-organisation to follow through over the course of what are typically multi-stage selection processes. This is a point your DS will need to appreciate if considering that route.

Lots of helpful things to consider here, thank you

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TizerorFizz · 15/01/2023 13:06

@JudyGemstone
I totally agree with your analysis of apprenticeships. They are thrown out like confetti by MN posters and it definitely starts to look like they are equivalent to degrees in the process required to get them, ie you just apply. It is more complicated than that and doesn’t suit lots of Dc who don’t want to put the effort in.

lljkk · 15/01/2023 13:10

He didn't do Quant A-levels at all & now wants to do data crunching?

Original poster
JudyGemstone · 15/01/2023 13:22

lljkk · 15/01/2023 13:10

He didn't do Quant A-levels at all & now wants to do data crunching?

What are the quant A levels?
Does psychology not count?

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lljkk · 15/01/2023 13:29

Quantitative like math, "hard sciences", programming.

You're right I'm ignorant because i don't know the Psych A-level curriculum at all, but A-level Psychology can't be that math-based if it only needs 4 at GCSE math.

Politics & Law: essays and logic & principles & conflict resolution, not lots of numbers or statistics or data cleaning or data visualisation or business intelligence (etc).

Perhaps you're son would like to get a job in IT support to see if that kind of job (managing files on computers) suits him. A kind of stepping stone move. Or he could look for junior data analyst (entry) roles. Is he confident with spreadsheets? there are lots of free courses online to learn SQL.

BuwchGochGota · 15/01/2023 13:32

If he's happy with a long haul then there's always the option of doing a degree with an element of analysis (eg psychology, economics) then a Data Science MSc afterwards. A lot of students who do a Data Science masters don't have much of a computer science background, they learn the coding skills (Python, R, SQL etc) during the course.

titchy · 15/01/2023 13:42

You're right I'm ignorant because i don't know the Psych A-level curriculum at all, but A-level Psychology can't be that math-based if it only needs 4 at GCSE math.

You do realise that different schools and colleges have different requirements? Plenty would ask for a higher grade for AL Psych. I'll bet these even a few that would only need a 4 for A level maths.

lljkk · 15/01/2023 13:54

2 massively essay subjects & a soft science...
nearby colleges do want > 4 in math GCSE to do A-level psychology.
They want a 5 not a 4 in GCSE math.
I found an A-level Psych curriculum and it doesn't look like involves big dataset crunching or lots of data cleaning or designing algorithms or data visualisation or business intelligence skills (closer to last than others).

Big change from mostly writing essays to doing data science.

Original poster
JudyGemstone · 15/01/2023 14:03

“Perhaps your son would like to get a job in IT support to see if that kind of job (managing files on computers) suits him. A kind of stepping stone move. Or he could look for junior data analyst (entry) roles.”

he’s applied for quite a few roles like this but not getting anywhere, probably as his only work experience is retail.

OP posts:
Original poster
JudyGemstone · 15/01/2023 14:04

BuwchGochGota · 15/01/2023 13:32

If he's happy with a long haul then there's always the option of doing a degree with an element of analysis (eg psychology, economics) then a Data Science MSc afterwards. A lot of students who do a Data Science masters don't have much of a computer science background, they learn the coding skills (Python, R, SQL etc) during the course.

Very helpful, thank you

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SandyIrvine · 15/01/2023 16:15

My DD is in 3rd year of social science degree at a QSTEP centre. You don't need A Level maths (just a good pass at GSCE which your son has). She did introductory modules in maths and stats in first year to compensate for not having A level maths Qstep provide a lot of help on the maths side. She chooses only a third quants as she's stronger on essay writing. However you can choose up to 50% quants. Programming (R/python) is essential on DDs course so your DS needs to be comfortable programming or comfortable learning.

Quants degrees in our area (Scotland) are popular and thus entry requirements are quite high. DD would definitely recommend .

Original poster
JudyGemstone · 15/01/2023 17:37

I’d not heard of QSTEP so thats really helpful thank you to all who suggested those.

thats great your daughters enjoying her course Sandy.

I don’t know if a BBC will be enough to qualify, he did go to a comp in not a great area albeit a ‘good’ rated one - don’t think that qualifies him for contextual offers, as neither me or his dad have claimed benefits for a few years.

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Original poster
JudyGemstone · 15/01/2023 17:40

I have a year 11 child as well who’s going through the same sort of thing with post 16 study and bad pre-app results - it’s stressful!

Some great stuff here though so thanks all.

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Purplepepsi · 15/01/2023 21:03

www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/population-sciences-degree-bsc may be up his street, they may do other similar courses elsewhere too

emma6115 · 22/05/2023 08:22

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FridaRose · 22/05/2023 08:27

I work as a senior analytics consultant.

I reckon soon we will have too many 'data' graduates. Data is the new psychology.

He should do maths. It's timeless and always highly regarded.

titchy · 22/05/2023 09:07

FridaRose · 22/05/2023 08:27

I work as a senior analytics consultant.

I reckon soon we will have too many 'data' graduates. Data is the new psychology.

He should do maths. It's timeless and always highly regarded.

Do you not think the lack of Maths A level might be a bit of an obstacle? Hmm

FridaRose · 22/05/2023 09:25

@titchy apologies I meant that more as a generic comment. If someone wants to do 'data', I'd personally advise them to do maths if they can.

I feel like in the last 5 years a lot of people have discovered 'data is the new oil' and students rushed to get data degrees as apparently it's 'sexy and pays good money'. There are going to be way too many data analysts soon.

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