Application deadline
Monday 4 December 2023
Applicants should apply as early as possible.
Entry requirements
For entry onto the MSc: A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in any subject from the UK or the equivalent international qualification. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements. We will also consider applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree. In these circumstances we expect candidates to have at least five years of relevant professional learning. The Admissions team will holistically assess your application and determine the best route of entry for you. In some cases, this may be onto the PGCert in the first instance, from which students who attain a certain level in their modules will have the opportunity to progress to a full Masters degree. Students are also required to have a desired level of English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- A CV or résumé
- A personal statement
- Two original, signed references on headed paper
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
If you do not already have a degree, you will need to provide a 500-word (minimum) statement detailing your professional learning and experience.
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Course details
Highlights
- You can start at the beginning if you don't have a background in statistics, or you can take a more advanced class to enhance your existing skills.
- Boost your impact potential by diversifying your science communications and data visualisation toolboxes.
- Maximum flexibility through asynchronous, adaptive learning with optional synchronous engagement.
- Come to a one or two-week summer residential stay to network with other Data for Justice students, staff, and guests working on issues of social or environmental justice.
Modules
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your programme. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. If you have any questions about the programme in the meantime, please contact admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. Further details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, will be made available later in 2023.If you have any questions about the programme in the meantime, please contact admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Students studying towards a PGCert and a PG Dip take the following compulsory modules.
- Theoretical Foundations of Social and Environmental Justice: introduces theories and contemporary debates in the areas of social and environmental justice.
- Science Communication and Public Engagement: builds a range of skills for translating science into action, ranging from finding and evaluating sources of information to using social media to communicate the science and engage different audiences.
And two optional modules from the following.
- Welcome to Data: Rubbish in; Rubbish out: this module encourages reflection on the use of statistics in society and social/environmental debate, as well as introducing exploratory quantitative data analysis via an open-source platform (for example, R).
- Statistical Foundations: introduces basic statistical concepts, methods to explore patterns in data, and skills in interpreting statistical results. The module is structured around the use of statistics to understand social or physical/environmental processes, using real datasets and surveys.
- Quantitative Methods: focuses on analytical techniques and approaches, the rationale behind data models, and the underlying assumptions of those models, as well as the pros and cons of their use.
- Advanced Data Visualisation: elaborates on principles of producing publication-quality scientific figures, enhancing graphs and charts, and generating maps in R.
- Introduction to Spatial Data Science: introduces Spatial Data Science (SDS), including why we need SDS.
- Advanced Spatial Data Science: builds on knowledge and skills covered in Introduction to SDS, which could include, for example, Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR).
In addition to the above, students studying towards a PGDip take one module from the following.
- The Politics of Numbers: addresses both social and physical/environmental data, theoretical topics such as the ethics of “big data” and artificial intelligence, and applied topics like who and what tends to be missing from quantitative data sources and issues of spatial bias.
- The Use and Abuse of Data: presents a range of case studies that highlight the ways in which quantitative data has been misused (e.g., “climate deniers”). Topics will include social and environmental examples.
- Advanced Science Communication and Public Engagement: explores the incorporation of issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), including accessibility, into science communication for public engagement endeavours. We may cover topics from stop-motion animation to organising more traditional community outreach and engagement.
- Visuals for Policies and Publics: covers the core principles of evaluating and creating content, understanding copyright law, and designing data visualisations and infographics.
Please note that at both PGCert and PGDip level, you may need to take certain optional modules in combination with each other.
Students studying towards an MSc must take two compulsory modules and at least six optional modules.
Compulsory modules
- Theoretical Foundations of Social and Environmental Justice: introduces theories and contemporary debates in the areas of social and environmental justice.
- Science Communication and Public Engagement: builds a range of skills for translating science into action, ranging from finding and evaluating sources of information to using social media to communicate the science and engage different audiences.
Optional modules
Two to five modules must be taken from the following options.
- Welcome to Data: Rubbish in; Rubbish out: This module encourages reflection on data collection principles, sources, as well as how data can be used and abused. It also introduces exploratory quantitative data analysis via an open-source platform (for example, R).
- Statistical Foundations: introduces basic statistical concepts, methods to explore patterns in data, and skills in interpreting statistical results. The module is structured around the use of statistics to understand social or environmental processes, using real datasets and surveys.
- Quantitative Methods: focuses on analytical techniques and approaches, the rationale behind data models, and the underlying assumptions of those models, as well as the pros and cons of their use.
- Advanced Data Visualisation: elaborates on principles of communicating large and complex data using publication-quality scientific figures and maps.
Introduction to Spatial Data Science: introduces Spatial Data Science (SDS), including why we need SDS. - Advanced Spatial Data Science: builds on knowledge and skills covered in Introduction to SDS, for example, Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR).
And one to four modules must be taken from the following options.
- The Politics of Numbers: here students will learn more about how both large and small-scale surveys are fielded, including the resources that support (or do not) this work. The module will address both social and environmental data, theoretical topics such as the ethics of “big data” and artificial intelligence, and applied topics like who and what tends to be missing from quantitative data sources and issues of spatial bias.
- The Use and Abuse of Data: an introduction to a range case studies that highlight the ways in which quantitative data has been misused. Topics will include social and environmental examples.
- Advanced Science Communication and Public Engagement: the module will look at how to consider and incorporate issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, including accessibility, into science communication for public engagement endeavours. Covering topics from stop-motion animation to planning a successful social media campaign, and organising more traditional community outreach and engagement.
- Visuals for Policies and Publics: this module covers the core principles of evaluating and creating content, understanding copyright law, and designing data visualisations and infographics.
Finally, MSc students must submit a three-part individual research project (worth 60 credits) developed in dialogue with their supervisor and the module convener, consisting of 1) a literature review (5,000 word limit) (40%), 2) an appropriate applied piece, such as a policy brief, in which case 3000 words maximum (40%), and 3) a 1000-word reflection on the student's experience of translating academic research into practice (20%).
Please note that at MSc level you may need to take certain optional modules in combination with each other.
Teaching
Teaching methods include asynchronous and optional synchronous opportunities: recorded lectures, live question and answer sessions, peer-to-peer learning, digital resources (such as podcasts), and online forums.
Assessments include a range of coursework to provide opportunities to enhance your transferable skills, such as literature reviews, critical data reports, portfolios of work, policy briefs, lab reports, and public engagement pieces.
Fees
- MSc £18,000
- PG Dip £12,000
- PG Cert £6,000
Fees will be charged evenly across each academic year, based on the maximum length of study confirmed for your specific programme. For example an MSc student will be charged £6,000 per year for a three year period. Students completing in a shorter length of time will have fees adjusted at relevant points in their programme so that the full fee has been charged prior to completion.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
After your degree
Careers
The University of St Andrews’ global reputation makes its graduates highly valued by employers. The programme provides subject knowledge and applied skills relevant to a range of career paths in government and public bodies, non-governmental organisations and charities, and the private sector.
Examples include:
- non-Governmental organisations, such as Oxfam, WWF, Amnesty International, Norwegian Refugee Council, Norad, Red Cross Climate Center, Wildlife Conservation Society, The Nature Conservancy
- the public sector, such as the Centre for Climate and Health Security, Public Health Scotland, UK MET Office
- government, such as UK Government Departments like DEFRA
- international organisations, such as UNOCHA, UNHRC, UNEP, WHO.
In addition to broadening your subject knowledge and applying established techniques of research and enquiry, you will develop and demonstrate essential skills including:
- critical thinking and creativity
- analysis and appraisal
- problem solving and decision making
- personal leadership and project management
- interpersonal communication and team-working.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Further study
St Andrews offers a vibrant and stimulating research environment. One of the great strengths of a St Andrews research degree is the collegiate atmosphere which enables access to expertise beyond your formal supervisors and the ability to conduct interdisciplinary research.
Research students are supported by a supervisory team throughout their studies and are assessed by means of a substantial thesis of original research.
Postgraduate researchWhat to do next
Information sessions
Meet our staff, learn more, and ask questions about how our courses can work for you.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2150
- admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development
The Irvine Building
St Andrews
KY16 9AL