Maths with data science or stats?

[Rarily]

My DC has an offer for Maths with Data Science at LSE and Maths with Stats at Bath, and doesn't have a strong sense of preference for one over the other. I have no experience in this academic field or the kind of work they lead to. I can see that the courses have overlap but are very different (as does my DC who can interpret them in a way I can't) If there are any mathematicians, statisticians or data scientists out there who could offer any pointers from your own expertise/ experience I would be grateful.

In terms of courses only, maths and stats all the way. This will give your DC a proper grounding in the stats theory. If he then wants to pursue data science, there are plenty of MScs out there now where he can learn how to apply the theory practically. Be aware there are a huge number of Data Science MSc grads just now.

Maths and Stats at LSE is a far superior option. I am in full agreement with MilkyBarsAreOnMee here.

Thanks to you both. Sapenzia it is Bath for Maths and Stats, but I'm assuming you are agreeing re stats as a grounding.

my son is in his first year doing maths and statistics at Bath. Very full timetable and a lot of work. He is enjoying it though. The accommodation at Bath is not great. You need to put Bath as your first choice to get in halls of residence on campus. He did this but his allocated hall of residence was his bottom choice, no en suite but has worked out well mainly as fairly cheap. The ensuite halls are about 10 thousand pounds. The accommodation for the other years is very expensive and hard to get. He has got a house for next year costing about £900 a month over 12 months, sharing with 4 girls and 1 other boy. It is a middle class university and most students are sporty. I would have preferred him to go to Warwick which he did get an offer for but he really wanted Bath. He liked the vibes, he said. Bath has a placement year which most other universities do not. I think this will be good for my son.

I agree here as well.

To counterbalance, DC got 1st or 2nd choice in Bath and did not have any real problems getting 2nd year accommodation. £700/months. Lovely green campus.
But LSE is great option, guest lectures of "famous" people. Right in the middle of "action". So much to do in London

If you can afford for him to live in London, go for LSE. Most dc know if they want London or not. It’s very different from Bath! Bath is campus whereas LSE is fairly central.

I’ve no idea on the courses but he needs to give a lot of consideration to London because being there is very different to Bath.

My apologies, Rarily. I misread the the initial post.

I would go for LSE above Bath. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings have LSE at 50 and Bath in the 251-300 range.
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking

However, Maths and Stats is preferable to Maths and Data Science.

I probably would not have posted if I had read the initial post properly.

Hi, OP -

I am a former admissions tutor in a (Russell Group) maths intensive STEM School. Pedagogically, Data Science is a hybrid of Maths, Stats and CS with emphasis varying by degree programme. In that sense, a good Joint Hons programme in Maths and Stats incorporates much or most of the formal knowledge of a Data Science degree. Learning Data Science after the Bath degree would be largely a question of learning how to apply what you know, while also giving other options for the future.

Not difficult to pursue Data Science, the hottest option, in theory.

However the reality can be different.

A good Data Science programme will emphasise particular areas of Maths and I would expect it to have more CS than a Maths and Stats programme. It sounds more specific, and hence more limiting, superficially; however the mix of modules, particularly at a top university like LSE, should offer a good amount of transferable skills. I admit I was biased against the Data Science degree for a while, particularly at the UG level, but am no longer as I am seeing how it plays out.

This is a rare case I would not decide based on the merits of the degree programmes, because both are excellent. However there are significant differences. Then there are the very different universities and cities, wonderful in their own ways. These affect the university experience significantly.

IMO DC should choose the one where they can see themselves engaging most fully. That is likely to lead to their greatest success and give the most options for the next stage of life.

Best wishes to them.

Bath is in the top 10 (8th) out of UK universities actually and is a very good university. I wouldn't have wanted my son to go to university in London as he prefers a campus based university and lots of sport. It is working out well for him. He fits in there and it is one of the safest university towns. Lots of privately educated students and predominantly middle class.

Thanks poetryandwine - this is very helpful for understanding the academic landscape around the academic subjects and universities.

Many Thanks to you all - I'm always amazed at the generosity and experience that is offered when questions like this are posted.