You can begin your career in data science by studying for a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification, such as:

• maths
• statistics
• data science
• computer science
• operational research

Subjects that include a lot of statistics, like physics, engineering or psychology may also be useful.

Graduates of other subjects can do a postgraduate master's conversion course to get into AI and data science.

Funding is also available to encourage people from under-represented groups to come into the profession.

Doing an internship or industry work placement as part of your course can give you an advantage when looking for jobs.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship, for example:

• Data Engineer Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship
• Data Scientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
• Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Specialist Level 7 Professional Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

You could apply directly to companies and organisations if you have the right skills and experience from working with data. You may be able to find roles with:

• the NHS
• financial and professional services firms
• IT companies
• retail and sales organisations
• government departments

You could register for a place on the Civil Service Fast Stream scheme to work in data. You'll need a degree, postgraduate award or have completed a degree apprenticeship to apply.

You'll need:

• analytical thinking skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems and software packages like R or Python
• knowledge of maths and statistics
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• an understanding of how businesses are managed and operated
• to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

As a data scientist, you could:

• gather data from different sources to create models and test ideas
• analyse data patterns to form insights and make policy recommendations
• set up automated data systems to transform business processes
• make sure information management meets data security and quality standards
• explain to different audiences how AI and data science can benefit their organisation

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a data scientist to be a green job, you could:

• develop systems to cut down on waste and help businesses operate more sustainably
• identify and store only relevant data to reduce the energy consumption of servers
• use AI and machine learning to process huge amounts of real-time data more efficiently, for example in climate modelling

Find out more about green careers

You could work in an office or remotely.