Data Science (Satellite Data) MSc, PGDip
1-2 years, full-time
Interested in a career in Data Science at the interface with environmental science? Interpreting satellite data is key to monitoring air quality, land use and climate change and has many commercial uses. This course teaches the principles and applications of data science and Earth Observation. As a trained data scientist many careers are open to you.
Course information
UK fee £12,100
International fee £23,650
Taught by School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Course description
Course description
This interdisciplinary MSc in Data Science (Satellite Data) trains students in Data Science with an emphasis on the development and use of satellite observations of the Earth and its atmosphere for understanding the natural environment and how it is being impacted by human behaviour.
You will be taught the basic operational principles of different remote sensing and earth observation platforms and sensors, learn how to use a variety of data- and image-processing techniques and software, and gain practical experience of using satellite data and data products in a number of applied terrestrial and atmospheric contexts.
The uptake, use, and commercialisation of satellite data demands expertise in Data Science so you will be trained in a broad range of data science techniques, including machine learning. These skills are not limited to a career focused on satellite observations. They address the shortage of qualified data scientists in the UK and abroad; on graduation you will be in a strong position for a career in a range of data science sectors.
If you select the ‘With Industry’ version of this degree, you will have the opportunity to seek a placement from among a range of commercial, industrial and governmental organisations seeking to gain insight and understanding from geographical data analyses.
NB. The PGDip in Data Science Studies (Satellite) has the same modules as the MSc in Data Science (Satellite) but does not include a dissertation.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
You should have at least a second-class honours degree in any subject.
Students with nonstandard qualifications are encouraged to apply.
We also give due consideration to prior professional experience gained by mature students in relevant areas of work.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2025
- MSc: £12,100
- PGDip: £8,825
- MSc with Industry: £12,100
An additional fee of £3,520 will be charged if a placement is secured.
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you’re eligible.
International Students
Starting in September 2025
- MSc: £23,650
- PGDip: £15,750
- MSc with Industry: £23,650
An additional fee of £3,520 will be charged if a placement is secured.
You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
This MSc will equip you with specialist knowledge and expertise in satellite data analysis, underpinned by a suite of core of data science skills, including machine learning. Students graduating from this programme will be highly employable in businesses, consultancies, governments and research institutions that use satellite data to better understand and manage the natural world, human societies and their inter-relationships and interactions. In addition, you will have the option to pursue further study through relevant PhD programmes.
There are clear pathways to careers with companies partnering with the University of Leicester, such as at Space Park Leicester. Through the Catapult network, there are opportunities for start-ups facilitated by the Innovation Hub. Students interested in academic research careers will have good opportunities through university networks or research centres such as the Institute for Environmental Futures and the National Centre for Earth Observation. More generally, the skills acquired in this programme are transferable across a range of sectors. The leading employers for data scientists tend to be in the finance, retail and ecommerce sectors. Businesses in these sectors are keen to better understand their audience groups to target their focus on relevant products and offerings. Sectors such as telecoms, oil and gas, transport and government departments are increasingly using big data to make decisions that could positively impact their workforce, operations and sales, as are government departments in the provision of public services such as health and social care.
The School has an excellent working relationship with the University’s Careers and Employability Service and collaborates with staff to: introduce the Careers and Employability Service in induction week workshops; help run and promote timetabled workshops on postgraduate career options and planning, help students understand UK recruitment processes and find work or further study after graduation; support students as they seek, prepare for and engage with ‘with Industry’ placements via a dedicated PGT Placement Tutor; host an annual School Careers Day; actively advertise and promote the Festival of Careers and other support; help and support students realise their career aspirations with support from the Personal Tutor system.
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Facilities
Facilities
All students will get full access to the Planet data archive which will be invaluable for projects and dissertations. Planet is a £10M investment in Space Park Leicester that offers unprecedented high resolution and high repeat frequency imaging across the whole of the Earth’s land surface.
Students will have access to teaching resources found within the Planet School Application Programming Interface. Training resources can be found by accessing Planet University resources. Students will also be able to access a dedicated geoprocessing platforms so that they can deploy their data science ideas on a cloud-based facility that supports stakeholder interaction. Other facilities include access to the Space Park Leicester drone lab, a 3D visualisation and a University High Performance Computing system.
Course structure
Modules
Modules
- Overview of Data Science Practice
- Fundamentals of Data Science
- Earth observations of the atmosphere
- Modelling Data
- Information Visualisation
- Creative Problem Solving
- Remote Sensing
Plus your Dissertation (MSc and MSc with Industry only; not included in the PGDip)
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
'With Industry' option
'With Industry' option
The ‘With Industry’ variant of this degree gives you the opportunity to gain professional experience through an industrial placement as part of your Masters course. This is a work placement with an employer where you can apply your skills in a real-world setting.
Placement details
- Placements last between nine and eleven months and are normally paid, full-time roles with a formal contract between you and the employer.
- Placements begin after the taught part of your course finishes. After your placement has finished, you will return to the University to complete your dissertation or individual project.
- You will gain valuable industry experience, helping you develop key skills and enhance your career prospects.
Important information
Securing an industrial placement is very competitive. While the University will fully support you in your search for a placement, securing a placement is not guaranteed. You will be responsible for applying to, and securing, an opportunity.
You will receive support from:
- The Careers and Employability Service, which provides access to placement opportunities, job search strategies, CV and cover letter advice, and interview preparation.
- A dedicated Placement Tutor, who will guide you during your placement and help you reflect on the skills and experience gained.
Benefits of a ‘With Industry’ degree
By choosing this option, you will:
- Gain an understanding of working in a professional setting (industry, commercial, or non-commercial).
- Experience real-world business and technical challenges.
- Develop hands-on experience in project management and working to deadlines.
- Improve your employment prospects through essential transferable skills.
- Gain a clearer understanding of the career path you wish to pursue.
An Industrial Placement still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. You may also be eligible for financial support through Student Finance. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
Recent placements include:
- Data Analyst/Application Developer with Odeva, Leicester Start-up, grocery delivery market
- Earth Observation Analyst for OilX Ltd, Oil Industry Market Analyst
- Machine Learning Research Engineer for Open Climate Fix, Business Energy Consultancy
- Environmental Data Analyst for CSX Carbon, a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Carbon Offsetting Broker
- GIS Analyst for PyroGenesys Ltd, bio-energy technology start-up providing access to renewable energy across Sub-Saharan Africa
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Leicester hosts the NERC National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO), invested £100 million in Space Park Leicester (SPL) in 2021 to create a centre for the analysis and commercialisation of space-enabled data and space mission development, and established the Institute for Space in 2022.
Students will benefit from links the University is able to establish with organizations with interests in data science and Artificial Intelligence though its membership of The Turing University Network.
Accessible to students without a strong computing or mathematical background.
Students taking the ‘with industry’ version of the degree can seek placements with a range of commercial organisations associated with environmental and data science sectors of the economy.
Teaching and learning
The course is taught using a range of methods including lectures, seminars, practical classes and workshops, tutorials, project supervision and fieldwork. It includes a blend of assessment including traditional (essays and examinations) and authentic (e.g. problem based tasks based on real-world scenarios/data sets) assessment types. Much more emphasis is placed on coursework rather than end of module exams since this allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding using a wide range of transferable skills (e.g. in the form of oral presentations and different styles of writing including policy briefs and scientific and technical reports). The precise balance of teaching and assessment methods depends on the modules chosen.
Key dates
September 2025 start
- Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
- Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
- CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Data Science (Satellite Data) | Qualification MSc | Duration 12 months, full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Data Science (Satellite Data) with Industry | Qualification MSc | Duration 18-24 months, full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Data Science Studies (Satellite Data) | Qualification PGDip | Duration 1 year, full-time | Start Dates September 2024 | Availability Apply Now |
