Compare routes: Data scientist

Compare what matters before you decide. Routes are shown side by side, not ranked: an unknown is marked “Not enough data”.

Choose 2 or 3 routes

Route A: University degree (and possibly a conversion master's), then a data role
Route B: Degree apprenticeship: Data scientist (Level 6)
Route C: Data analyst apprenticeship (Level 4), then progress
Route D: Career change: build data skills, then apply directly

Comparing 3 routes. Nothing here is ranked or scored.

Comparison of 3 routes. Unknown values are marked Not enough data and are not ranked.
Route	Route AUniversity degree (and possibly a conversion master's), then a data role	Route BDegree apprenticeship: Data scientist (Level 6)	Route CData analyst apprenticeship (Level 4), then progress
Entry requirements	Universities set their own entry requirements; the National Careers Service says a degree usually asks for 2 to 3 A-levels or equivalent Relevant subjects include maths, statistics, data science, computer science and operational research; physics, engineering or psychology can also help If your degree is in another subject, you could take a postgraduate conversion master's	Employers set their own requirements; the National Careers Service says degree apprenticeships usually ask for 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-levels or equivalent Strong maths is usually expected — check each vacancy At least 20% of your normal working hours is off-the-job training	You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own requirements At least 20% of your normal working hours is off-the-job training Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region
Official mandatory credentials	None required by law for most jobs.	None required by law for most jobs.	None required by law for most jobs.
Time	About 3 years, or 4 with a master's A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years. A conversion master's adds time; the National Careers Service does not give a length.	About 3 years Find apprenticeship training lists Data scientist (integrated degree) (Level 6) at a typical 36 months.	About 2 years, then experience Find apprenticeship training lists Data analyst (Level 4) at 24 months and Machine learning engineer (Level 6) at 24 months.
Cash costs	Fees charged: £29,370 Paid up front by you: £0 Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.	Fees charged: Up to £19,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for you Paid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are funded	Fees charged: Up to £37,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for you Paid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are funded
Employer-funded possibilities	Possible but not guaranteed — some employers pay fees or give study leave. Ask before you accept an offer. University tuition is usually covered by a Tuition Fee Loan (England), which is repaid from future earnings.	Yes — training and assessment are paid by the employer and government; you must not be asked to contribute.	Yes — training and assessment are paid by the employer and government; you must not be asked to contribute.
Work while studying	Possible Full-time study, then work. Usually after graduating, although many students work part-time or take a paid placement.	Yes Work-based degree, with at least 20% off-the-job training. From day one — degree apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.	Yes Work-based, with at least 20% off-the-job training. From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.
Salary evidence	Data scientist: £32,000 to £83,000 a year (starter to experienced, England) National Careers Service, checked 14 Oct 2026. Typical range for comparable roles — indicative, not guaranteed.	Data scientist: £32,000 to £83,000 a year (starter to experienced, England) National Careers Service, checked 14 Oct 2026. Typical range for comparable roles — indicative, not guaranteed.	Data scientist: £32,000 to £83,000 a year (starter to experienced, England) National Careers Service, checked 14 Oct 2026. Typical range for comparable roles — indicative, not guaranteed.
Competition and availability	Graduate data roles are competitive University can bring broader academic learning, graduate schemes, networks and time to decide	Data science degree apprenticeships are competitive and not available in every area You balance a job with degree-level study, which can be demanding There are fewer course options than at university	Data apprenticeship vacancies are competitive and not available in every area Moving from analyst to data scientist depends on your employer and the roles available
Geographical constraints	Applies in: UK (fees and funding shown for England) Tuition fees and student finance shown are England's Moving region changes which data roles are near you	Applies in: UK (fees and funding shown for England) Apprenticeship funding rules shown are for England Moving region changes which employers offer degree apprenticeships	Applies in: UK (fees and funding shown for England) Apprenticeship funding rules shown are for England Moving region changes which apprenticeships are available
Alternative exits	Your degree keeps other graduate careers open, such as finance, research or software You could work as a data analyst or data engineer	You could work as a data analyst or data engineer You could move into software or business analysis roles	You could stay a data analyst — a career in its own right You could move into reporting, business intelligence or data engineering roles
Source freshness	Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 Oldest source check: 12 Oct 2026	Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 Oldest source check: 12 Oct 2026	Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 Oldest source check: 12 Oct 2026

Costs are published fees only (lower and upper ends of official ranges). To change assumptions such as funding, loans, pay or living costs, use Compare costs.

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