Data Science Methodology Program

The digital revolution has produced an explosion of data with profound value for businesses, science, and society. As data grows larger and more complex, the ability to extract meaningful quantitative insights has never been more in demand — and never required a deeper scientific foundation.

The BSE Master’s in Data Science Methodology is one of the best data science master’s programs in Europe, designed to train the next generation of leaders with a rigorous understanding of the underlying methods and the ability to build solutions for new, non-standard problems.

The data science methodology program is designed with the view that there is little value in the semi-automated application of existing data analysis tools or of default data analysis designed by AI: to provide real value, students develop the skills to design and build data-driven data analysis methods, and to critically understand their properties and limitations.

This data science master’s degree covers Statistics, Machine Learning theory, Reinforcement Learning, Deep Learning, Optimization, and Computing — moving fluidly from modeling and theory to computational practice and cutting-edge tools. Students work with real data to answer concrete questions across sectors, and complete an independent master’s project or an industrial practicum with Barcelona-based businesses and research teams.

Study with leading researchers and practitioners

A defining feature of this data science master’s program is its faculty team: researchers with strong international reputation spanning Statistics, Operations Research, and Artificial Intelligence. Professors in this master’s in data science routinely publish in the field’s top journals and hold prestigious awards and funding from the European Research Council, Spain’s national agencies, the USA, the UK, and leading industry partners including Google, Accenture, BBVA, and CaixaBank.

Program Director David Rossell (UPF and BSE) is a leading researcher in statistical methodology, with research spanning Biomedicine, Economics, and Biochemistry. He held research appointments in Spain, the USA and the UK, and has led teams of applied data scientists at several institutions

Class sizes are kept small — typically 20 students or fewer — ensuring genuine mentorship within one of the best data science master’s programs available in Europe.

Is “Data Science Methodology” the right program for you?

We welcome students from different disciplines. The ideal candidates have graduated in programs with a solid mathematical basis, e.g. statistics, economics, mathematics, computer science, physics, or engineering. However, we also welcome candidates from other disciplines having excellent academic records, who wish to develop their data analysis abilities.

Our distinguishing feature is a focus on going beyond the application of data science methods (which is also an important component of the program), to actually provide students with a deeper understanding of their inner workings. The goal is that students learn the skills necessary to develop their own solutions for new problems, as is necessary in a constantly developing work and research environment. The program includes brushup courses in Statistics, Linear Algebra and Programming, to ensure all students have a sufficient technical background.

PhD studies and BSE Data Science Center Scholarships

For students interested in furthering their theoretical and/or methodological studies, the Master’s in Data Science Methodology presents an opportunity to continue on with PhD studies in Data Science in a dynamic, active research environment at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (program organized jointly with BSE).

Students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in Data Science should specify that in the statement of purpose they submit when applying to the BSE Master’s program. The selected students will receive tuition waivers for their Master’s studies and further funding support upon enrolling in the PhD program after completing the Master’s. 

Opportunities may also arise where partial Data Science scholarships are available to students who engage in research activities related to Data Science theory or methodology, while pursuing their Master’s studies at BSE. Such opportunities typically arise through a collaboration with one of our Data Science faculty.

Why earn your data science master’s in Europe?

Choosing a data science master’s program is one of the most consequential decisions of your early career. European programs — and BSE’s in particular — offer a combination of academic rigor, international diversity, and career reach that few programs anywhere can match.

Barcelona as a tech and innovation hub
Barcelona ranks consistently among Europe’s top five technology hubs. The city is home to hundreds of international companies, startups, and research institutions, all of which represent potential employers and practicum partners for students in this data science master’s degree program. The cost of living in Barcelona is significantly lower than in London, Zurich, or Paris, making it one of the most accessible cities in Europe for graduate study.

Methods-first depth: a competitive edge
Many data science master’s programs train students to apply existing tools. The BSE program trains students to build new ones. This methods-first philosophy, grounded in mathematical statistics and theoretical machine learning, is why graduates of this data science master’s degree are recruited by employers who need scientists, not just practitioners.

A gateway to the European research ecosystem
BSE’s connections to Universitat Pompeu Fabra and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona place students at the heart of one of Southern Europe’s most active research environments. Students interested in doctoral study can continue directly into UPF’s PhD program in Data Science, with tuition waivers available for the most promising candidates.