Why Pursue an MSc in Data Science from Chandigarh University?

An emerging field in the information technology sector, Data Science is the study of information that examines its source, what it represents and how to convert and implement strategies. Data Science is a great tool for corporations that are looking to make big decisions, solve complex problems and devise strategies to enhance their productivity and performance. An interdisciplinary field with a blend of technical ability and business insights, Data Science facilitates change based on intelligence. 

A Data Scientist is capable of performing numerous tasks from accumulating extensive data from different sources to cleaning or validating data to ensure the accuracy or analysing techniques to gain insights. Moreover, a professional data scientist also examines the data to identify patterns and trends and generate solutions. Top organizations across the globe have been implementing Data Science to boost their performance. One of the most common examples of such companies is Netflix, which is used data science techniques to learn about the subscribers’ interests and target them accordingly. A postgraduate degree or an MSc in Data Science equips an individual with the requisite skills to extract, analyze and interpret complex data, and curate a progressive professional career in the contemporary digital economy. 

The Future Scope of MSc Data Science 

Beyond the employment opportunities or earning potential, the Data Science field has a lot to offer to young graduates in both the public and private sectors. A few years ago, the World Economic Forum's Future of Work Report 2020 predicted that the Data Science profession will see the biggest growth and highest demand in the industry by 2025. Some of the career paths for MSc Data Science graduates are as follows: 

• Data Scientist 

• Data Engineer 

• Machine Learning Engineer 

• Marketing Analyst 

• Financial Analyst 

With the exponential growth of data generation, the demand for data science professionals is expected to continue rising, offering lucrative salaries and diverse career opportunities worldwide. 

MSc Data Science at Chandigarh University 

The University Institute of Sciences at Chandigarh University imparts a postgraduate M.Sc. degree in Data Science. UIS, ranked among the top colleges in North India, facilitates learning with a rich academic curriculum, hands-on training, dynamic faculty, leveraged technology and much more. The two-year postgraduate degree programme at Chandigarh University emphasises pure and applied mathematics paired with computational applications.  

The program promotes opportunities for interdisciplinary research in collaboration with other key departments. Furthermore, the regular extra-curricular events like industrial visits, international conferences, workshops, competitions, etc. promote hands-on learning experiences. The department also has various research groups, where like-minded individuals can get together and research their ideas. 

Under this program, a student also has the option to choose CU’s Advanced Credit Program, which offers 3-level career-oriented certifications. The Advanced Credit Program allows the student to earn university credits before beginning their course, while also helping them get deep insights into the most demanding skill sets.  

Key Features of the Program: 

• Industry-Oriented Curriculum – Apart from the industry-sponsored labs, CU has 30+ advanced centers of learning, including the Centre of Excellence in Data Science and Cognitive Computing for high end computations, simulation and modelling in collaboration with INTEL. 

• Experiential Learning & Flexible Choice-Based Credit System (FCBCS) – With over 70 open electives available, CU’s M.Sc. Data Science course promotes hands-on learning with a project-based approach and a Flexible Choice-Based Credit System (FCBCS). 

• Advanced Technologies & Integration – Flagship projects for PG students focused on advanced technology-driven innovation, offering hands-on experience with cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world problem-solving.  

• Interdisciplinary Approach – Collaborations across engineering, management, science domains and compulsory General Proficiency, Value Added, Domain Aptitude, employability enhancement, professional ethics and massive open online courses. 

Career Pathways & Industry Readiness 

The MSc Data Science program at CU prepares students for top-tier careers by offering: 

• Internship & Placement Opportunities – CU has an impressive track record in campus placements, having generated 9000+ placement offers and hosting 900+ recruiters. Also, the university’s industry partnerships are instrumental in helping students pursue internship opportunities.   

• Advanced Research & Innovation Exposure – With over 14700 research publications and 4300+ patents filed, CU remains one of the research intensive institutes in the country. Along with access to research grants and projects, CU has 30 Industry Sponsored Advanced Labs and 200 Departmental Research Groups. 

• Global Academic Opportunities – The only university in India with 515+ tie-ups in over 100 countries, CU offers various international programs to students to enhance their exposure and employability. Some of those programs are Semester Exchange, Summer Internship, Articulation programs, etc.  

Chandigarh University’s Rankings & Recognitions 

• Ranked #20 among Top Universities in India by NIRF 2024. 

• Ranked 10th in Computer Science & Information Systems by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. 

• Ranked #1 among India’s Private Universities by QS Asia 2025. 

• Ranked #1 among India’s Private Universities by QS World University Rankings 2024. 

Eligibility & Fee Structure 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• A bachelor’s degree in B.A./BCA/B.Sc./B.Com (Statistics)/Commerce/Mathematics/Computer Science/B.E/B.Tech OR equivalent undergraduate degree. 

• Minimum of 50% marks in aggregate with any one of the following subjects: Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics. 

Fee Details for MSc Data Science course at Chandigarh University: 

• Semester Fee: ₹60,000  

• Examination Fee: ₹2,500  

• Security Deposit: ₹2,000  

Scholarships & Financial Assistance 

From regional to international, Chandigarh University offers a range of scholarships, including: 

• CUCET Scholarships – Offering up to 100% merit-based scholarship. 

• Scholarships for Defence Personnel Wards 

• Sports Scholarships 

• CUET Scholarship for UG & PG Aspirants in 2025-26 

• Kalpana Chawla Scholarship for Girls  

• Education Loans 

A Step Towards a Data-Driven Future 

The MSc Data Science program at Chandigarh University offers a well-rounded curriculum, industry exposure, and global recognition, making it a compelling choice for aspiring data professionals. With an interdisciplinary approach and strong industry integration, students gain the expertise needed to excel in the fast-evolving field of data science. If you are looking for a program that blends academic excellence with real-world application, MSc Data Science at CU is an option worth exploring. 

Note: The views expressed in this article are of Chandigarh University and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha