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A day in the life
- Clean and explore large datasets
- Build and test statistical or machine-learning models
- Write code in Python, R or SQL
- Explain findings to non-technical colleagues
- Monitor models once they are in use
Your career roadmap
Every milestone from school to senior. Track progress as you complete each stage.
- 1Usually 2 years; resit routes vary
GCSEs / school qualifications
educationBuild foundations in maths, English and science, with computing useful preparation for later data study.
- 2Usually 2 years; Access courses often 1 year
A levels / equivalent
educationStudy Level 3 qualifications, often including maths, to prepare for a quantitative university degree.
- 3Usually 3–4 years; a master's often adds 1 year
Relevant degree
qualificationStudy statistics, programming and mathematical modelling through a quantitative degree, or an appropriate postgraduate conversion course if already a graduate.
- 4Several weeks to a year, often alongside study
Data / project experience
experienceApply data cleaning, statistical analysis and modelling to realistic problems, often alongside your degree.
- 5Often 1–3 years before broader responsibility
Junior / graduate data role
roleJoin a data team to analyse datasets, write queries and support modelling under guidance from experienced colleagues.
- 6Often several years; progression varies
Data Scientist
roleDevelop and evaluate models, design analyses and work with colleagues to turn results into decisions or usable products.
- 7Usually several years; no fixed timetable
Senior Data Scientist
roleLead complex data science projects, mentor colleagues and guide modelling choices, evaluation standards and stakeholder communication.
- 8Ongoing; progression varies by employer
Principal / specialist role
roleSet technical direction across teams or provide deep expertise in areas such as causal inference, forecasting or machine learning.
Skills you'll build
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Data Science
- Computer Science
- Operational Research
- Physics
- Engineering
- Psychology
- Postgraduate conversion course (for other degree subjects)
- Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate
- AWS Machine Learning Specialty
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