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Access top universities in the UK with NCUK Foundation
For Bangladeshi students with national qualifications, gaining direct admission to study bachelor’s in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence courses in the UK is somewhat challenging due to differences in the academic standard, subject requirements (such as strong base in STEM subjects), and language proficiency. The NCUK Foundation is a globally recognised pre-undergraduate programme that offers a quicker route to access top universities in the UK.
Completing a Foundation year not only opens scope to top UK universities, but also prepares the student with the right subject base to perform their best in at foreign university curriculum, rather than just gain admission. In other words: the Foundation year helps the student build a strong base in mathematics, computing, English academic skills and critical thinking, so that when they start their degree in Data Science & AI, they are ready to succeed and build a rewarding career ahead.
For Bangladeshi students, enrolling in a recognised pathway programme locally or from abroad can help them progress to their chosen UK undergraduate degree, increasing the chances of receiving unconditional offer letters, and benefiting from scholarships designated for NCUK graduates.
Let’s have a quick read at 10 globally ranked universities for studying Data Science & Artificial Intelligence in the United Kingdom.
Top UK Universities Offering Undergraduate Degrees in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
Students who pursue university degrees in Data science and A.I can establish their future career across a range of fields, such as technology, finance, healthcare, charities and government positions.
Below is a list of 10 strong UK universities that offer undergraduate degrees in Data Science and/or Artificial Intelligence, along with key facts such as university world rankings, location of main campus, tuition fees (for the year 2026/2027), available scholarships for NCUK graduates, & learning facilities.
1. University of Manchester
Studying BSc Data Science at the University of Manchester delivers a rigorous mix of practical and theoretical training with options for a year in industry and accredited degrees. The university is also one of the founding members of NCUK.
| Rankings | 67th in the world. (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025), 4th in Europe by Edurank 2025 |
| Location | Manchester, England |
| Tuition Fees | International: £37,800(per year) 2025/2027 |
| Study Duration | 3 Years (Full-time) |
| Scholarships |
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| Facilities & technological features |
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2. University of Bristol
The BSC degree in Data Science at University of Bristol is accredited by IMA (Institute of Mathematics) and RSS (Royal Statistical Society) with an excellent reputation for teaching and learning. Bristol's data science expertise means that you'll be taught the sophisticated theory and methods needed to address modern data-analytic challenges.
| Rankings | 19th in the world &
5th in Europe (Edurank by Subject 2025) |
| Location | Bristol, England |
| Tuition Fees | International: £31,300 (per year) |
| Study Duration | 3 Years (Full-time) |
| Scholarships | £6,500 Think Big about Science and Engineering |
| Facilities & technological features | Study units involve a blend of theoretical background and practical skills designed especially for this new course, including Mathematical Tools for Data Science, Advanced Linear Modelling and Classification, and Algorithms and Machine Learning. |
3. University of Edinburgh
For international students, the University of Edinburgh is the number 1 university in Scotland that offers a strong reputation in AI and data science. For internationals it offers a major research platform with high credibility and excellent industry links.
| Rankings | 23rd in the world & 4th in the UK for Computer Science (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) |
| Location | Edinburgh, Scotland, UK |
| Tuition Fees | International: £38,900 (per year) |
| Study Duration | 4 years (Full-time) |
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| Facilities & technological features | Access to high-spec computer laboratories in Appleton Tower and quality software support. You will also be able to use the University’s facilities, including libraries and common student spaces. |
4. University of Sheffield
Become a critical data professional by studying BSC in Data Science at University of Sheffield. Develop ethical data-driven solutions which can provide a positive impact on the society and get you placement at evolving disciplines where data science skills are in strong demand.
| Rankings | 92nd in the world & 15th In the UK (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) |
| Location | Sheffield, England. |
| Tuition Fees | International: £26,820 (per year) |
| Study Duration | 3 Years (Full-time) |
| Scholarships | Up to £10,000 International Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 |
| Facilities & technological features | Students have access to a high-quality, specialised learning environment including cutting-edge computing suites and our iLab usability testing facilities. |
5. University of York
Learn the principles and practices of Data Science & A.I at University of York. Build your academic career in computational and engineering skills , making significant contributions for the society.
| Rankings | 169th in the world & 25th in the UK (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) |
| Location | Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England |
| Tuition Fees | International: £32,350 (per year) |
| Study Duration | 3 Years (Full-time) |
| Scholarships | Dean's Global Excellence Scholarship - £10,000 Int. UG Achievement Scholarship - £10,000 International Undergraduate Regional Scholarship |
| Facilities & technological features | University of York has modern, self-contained building houses four software laboratories, two hardware laboratories and a range of social learning spaces to help students prepare for industrial placements. |
6. University of Birmingham
Prepare for a digital future at University of Birmingham by studying BSC in Data science & Artificial Intelligence. The degree course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS) that develops your basic understanding of the field of data science while learning theoretical grounds of A.I.
| Rankings | 76th in the world & 11th in the UK (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) |
| Location | Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England |
| Tuition Fees | International: £32,160 (per year) |
| Study Duration | 3 Years |
| Scholarships | 125th Anniversary Scholarships - £5,000 |
| Facilities & technological features | Benefit from state-of-the-art teaching and research spaces - including our very own particle accelerator. Take part in coding-heavy data science laboratory projects throughout your degree. |
7. University of Liverpool
From the underlying principles to the very edge of modern technology, the BSc degree of Data Science and A.I at University of Liverpool ensure that when you graduate, you will know exactly what is and what's possible with computers.
| Rankings | 147th in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) 27 in Europe (Edurank by Subject 2025) |
| Location | Liverpool, England |
| Tuition Fees | International: £29,900 (per year) |
| Study Duration | 3 Years (Full-time) |
| Scholarships | Liverpool Bursary - £2,000 for each year of UG Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship |
| Facilities & technological features | Facilities include tools to operate Big Data Analysis, Machine Learning and Data Mining, Databases and Knowledge Bases, Knowledge-based Systems, High-Performance Computing, Knowledge Graphs and Web-Scale Ontologies, Image Processing, and Neural Networks. |
8. University of Leeds
For a Bangladeshi student seeking Data Science & AI, Leeds offers strong curriculum, good scholarship potential via NCUK, and well-equipped facilities in a manageable UK city.
The University of Leeds is one of the founding members of NCUK, and accepts IFY certificates that have been completed from any of the 135+ NCUK Study Centres across the globe.
| Rankings | 86th (QS WOrld University Ranking 2026) |
| Location | Situated in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. |
| Tuition Fees | International: £29,500 (per year) for 2025/26 |
| Study Duration | 3 Years (Full-time) |
| Scholarships | NCUK Excellence Scholarship” (one-off £3,000 fee waiver) for those achieving A*AA or above. Additional Scholarships available. Link |
| Facilities & technological features | Access excellent facilities and computing equipment in collaborative hackathon-style workshops, complemented by social areas, communal problem-solving spaces and quiet study rooms. |
9. Newcastle University
Studying Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Newcastle University provided international students with Cutting-edge curriculum blending theory and practice, equipping you with computational, statistical and AI skills used to turn complex datasets into real-world solutions.
| Rankings | 36th in Europe (Edu Rank 2025) 134th Globally (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) |
| Location | Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England |
| Tuition Fees | International: £30,700 (per year) |
| Study Duration | 3 Years (Full-time) |
| Scholarships |
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| Facilities & technological features | Access to our state-of-the-art facilities, including our computing labs in the Urban Sciences Building. The Catalyst at Newcastle Helix. Develop experimental, analytical, and research skills through computational and project-based modules. |
10. Cardiff University
One of the top universities in Wales, Cardiff University offers a BSC degree that can offer a strong foundation in programming, statistics, and machine learning, letting students build practical skills in data collection, analysis, and modelling.
| Rankings | 40th in Europe (Edu Rank 2025) Ranks 181st (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025) |
| Location | Wales, England |
| Tuition Fees | International: £29,500 (per year) |
| Study Duration | 3 Years |
| Scholarships | Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarships |
| Facilities & technological features | Facilities include dedicated resources for high performance computing, internet of things, 3D face scanning and computational music. |
For the latest information on admission dates and updated tuition, it is always recommended for students and their parents to check the university’s official website for the latest offerings.
Things to consider before selecting university:
- Entry requirements (mathematics, programming, language) and ensure your Foundation year covers these.
- Know about the latest tuition fees for international students for the year 2026 (as the rate may vary and increase with inflation).
- Available scholarships & wavier for NCUK graduates.
- Look for resources such as industry links, data-science labs, computing clusters and AI research centres in the university.
- Location, living costs, student support for international students.
Pathways for Local Opportunity with global possibilities
In Bangladesh, students can prepare their basics for studying in Data Science & A.I with a pathway programme, such as the NCUK Foundation Year (also called the International Foundation Year). This preparation degree was developed by UK universities to provide higher education access for international students and is only offered by MIE Pathways, the only NCUK accredited Study Centres in the country.
An effective pathway programme such as NCUK Int Foundation Year can open up opportunities to fulfil the academic requirements (Specially STEM subjects) that might otherwise be a barrier for many Bangladeshi students with non-standard national qualification.
Successfully completing this programme means the student now meets the required academic and English requirement to get direct progression to his/her preferred undergraduate/ bachelor’s degrees at one of 70+ NCUK partner Universities across top nations such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and many more.
International Pathway degrees provided locally can save study year, hefty tuition, & support building confidence to study at UK university curriculum.
By enrolling in an NCUK-recognised Foundation programme (which may be offered in your home city or region via certified centre), Bangladeshi students will be able to meet the same level of qualification as A-levels and begin their UK university journey locally, spend one year completing the Foundation with additional academic support, then directly progress to the UK for your undergraduate three-year Bachelor in Data Science & AI.
Additionally, NCUK partner universities offer scholarships for NCUK graduates (for example, many offer fee-waivers, discounts or special awards) which may make the UK journey more affordable.
By choosing this pathway, Bangladeshi students can launch their dream of studying Data Science & AI at a top UK university with a structured, assured progression route — not only aiming to gain admission but also to perform strongly and build a lasting career in the global data & AI field.
Wrap Up
The UK remains a leader in AI, big data science, analytics, and related technological innovation. There are hundreds of tech companies that are looking to hire talented individuals who have completed their bachelors in this field. The UK universities offer further professional degrees such as MSc & PhD and even job placements after graduation. By studying the International Foundation Year you gain a reliable, recognised stepping-stone into these UK universities, especially beneficial if your background is HSC or secondary schooling needs strengthening in STEM subject-areas.
Finally, a student's goal should not be just getting entry into a top UK degree, but performing well in the degree. This is where NCUK Foundation comes into play, giving you a solid foundation of knowledge to start bachelor’s in Study Data Science & Artificial Intelligence at top universities in the UK.
FAQ
Is the UK popular for DATA science and AI study?
Ans: UK is one of the most popular destinations for studying Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, thanks to its globally ranked universities, advanced research facilities, and strong industry links with leading tech companies.
What is the length of studying BSC in the UK?
Ans: BSc degree in the UK takes 3 years to complete for full-time students. However, some universities offer a 4-year programme if it includes an optional placement year or a study abroad component.
How long is the IFY and where can it be studied?
Ans: Typically the IFY is a 9-month course (in many centres) though delivery can vary by study centre. In Bangladesh, the partnership between NCUK and MIE Pathways offers it locally in Dhaka before progression abroad.
Does completing the IFY guarantee entry into a UK university?
Ans: If you meet the required grades and conditions at IFY, you can progress to an NCUK partner university.