Digital Humanities (Data Science) (MSc)

You'll need a 2:1 degree or higher in a humanities or non-numerate social science subject. 

Candidates who do not meet the specific entry requirements are still encouraged to apply and will be considered, as will those with non-traditional qualifications or professional experience.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This is a full time digital humanities and data science master's where your studies will take place over 12 months. This is divided into three semesters, with a total of six months of taught learning. 

Semester 1 and Semester 2

You'll study a variety of core and optional modules. 

From your core modules, you'll learn how to:

• integrate humanities thinking with the underpinning principles and methods in data science
• use humanities thinking to positively challenge traditional approaches to data science
• embed a justice orientated approach
• manage, visualise, analyse, and present humanities data

Optional modules will enable you to combine data driven and humanities focused topics. This will allow you to consider the relationships between humanities and computational work in greater depth. 

Semester 3

You'll complete your own digital humanities project portfolio. In this final project, you'll address an authentic industry task or research problem through a combined humanities and data science approach. You'll negotiate the specific content and form of this project with an academic supervisor, based on your expertise, interests, and future goals.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

You'll  learn through a range of teaching and learning methods, including: 

• lectures
• computer labs
• interactive workshops
• independent study materials
• individual and group working
• problem and project based learning

There is also a range of bookable technology and equipment to help support your learning ranging across:

• audio-visual recording and production
• motion capture
• 3D imaging and printing
• virtual reality 

You'll also have access to our dedicated collaborative spaces, such as the Digital Humanities Hub. In addition to its use as a general co-working space, the Digital Humanities team will host regular academic and technical office hours for more tailored support.

Assessment

Core modules on the programme are assessed based on real-world contexts and professional standards in the world of data science. 

Typical assessment designs on this digital humanities degree include: 

• written reports
• oral presentations
• video essays
• infographics
• posters
• project portfolio

We also encourage innovative approaches to communicating your work and designs and are keen to negotiate assessment outputs on core modules of the course. Assessments on optional modules made available outside of the core MSc Digital Humanities (Data Science) curriculum will be subject to their home subject's approach to assessment design.

Dissertation

In the last part of your course you'll complete the digital humanities final project and create an individual portfolio. The digital humanities project will enable you to engage with a traditional dissertation or a project responding to an industry problem using humanities data science techniques. You will be guided by a personal supervisor.

Academic Support

You’ll be assigned a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

The MSc Digital Humanities (Data Science) course has a specific focus on your employability. You'll be supported in developing a rounded portfolio of computational and critical humanities skills that will enable you to compete in the growing data science labour market.

After completing this course, you'll gain data science and digital humanities skills which are in demand from businesses such as:

• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• galleries
• libraries
• museums
• charities
• social enterprises
• voluntary organisations

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,400.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

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Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of a subject area in humanities or social sciences
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references. No expertise or experience in data science is necessary. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000