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Learn about the experience of Data Science and Public Policy MSc student Maria
'My time studying Data Science and Public Policy (Political Science pathway) at UCL was incredibly enriching, skill-enhancing, and marked by a steep learning curve throughout the year. Coming into the programme, I had a background in Politics and International Relations, along with moderate knowledge of statistics and quantitative methods.
Although I initially had concerns about my technical background, the programme was designed to ensure all students could succeed. The intensive Maths Bootcamp provided essential foundational knowledge for the statistical analysis modules ahead, and all courses began with the basics, gradually building to advanced topics. The pace and content of the programme was undoubtably demanding, but manageable. The small cohort size fostered engaging discussions during seminars, while the ample availability of professors and teaching assistants during office hours provided increased contact time and personalised support. This, combined with their open and approachable teaching style, was instrumental in helping me navigate the coursework effectively.
During the programme, I gained cutting-edge skills in data science, computer programming, statistics, and machine learning, with a strong emphasis on applying these tools to policy-relevant political and economic questions. The public policy modules complemented the technical training by adopting an applied, problem-based approach that blended theory and practice. These modules fostered critical thinking and featured dynamic seminars that included real-world case studies and student-led presentations. This format allowed us to explore policies tailored to our research interests, which often informed dissertation topics and potential career paths.
The high academic standards and relevance of the programme can be attributed to the exceptional faculty, who are distinguished academic researchers with extensive, often policy-relevant, research output. Their ability to integrate insights from their own work into the classes made the learning experience deeply engaging and enriched our understanding of real-world applications of the methods we studied. What made the programme even more exciting was the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of peers from various academic and professional backgrounds. Engaging with such a dynamic cohort enriched the learning environment and fostered intellectually stimulating discussions.
A particularly enjoyable aspect of my time at UCL was the opportunity to work as a Research Assistant for several academic researchers. UCL’s vibrant research ecosystem, with its numerous research centres / clusters, offered many opportunities to engage in research projects. This hands-on experience allowed me to understand better the research process—from conceptualisation and design to data collection and interpretation. Participating in regular centre / cluster meetings was both insightful and stimulating, offering valuable perspectives that enhanced my approach to coursework and now inform my professional work. These experiences fuelled my interest in data-driven, (quasi)experimental research designs and evidence-based policy prescriptions.
Overall, the programme equipped me with highly sought-after technical skills as well as critical soft skills that have been essential for excelling in my professional environment. I am now working as a pre-doctoral researcher on an impact evaluation for a government intervention. The MSc programme prepared me exceptionally well to produce evidence-based insights and apply them to support impactful policy recommendations that inform political leaders and government decision-making.'