The Data Lab Academy Programme Funding Call for 2023-24

Scottish Universities are invited to apply to become part of The Data Lab Academy programme for AY 23-24, providing the opportunity for students to receive scholarships to participate in a programme of employability, networking and skills training alongside their academic studies, improving opportunities and better preparing them for the fast-paced and changing world of work.

Background

The Data Lab Academy programme differs from other academic courses as it focuses on applying academic knowledge to the world of industry, and on developing non-technical skills that are essential to becoming a data scientist. Around 1,000 students have benefitted from the programme since AY 15-16 and we have worked with every university which provides data courses in Scotland over that period.  You can view  the list of approved The Data Lab Academy courses for AY 22-23 here.

Students on our programme have access to our highly regarded employability enhancing, networking and skills programme which includes:

• More than 50 hours of training spread across the academic year designed to maximise students’ employability.
• Access to networking events with industry experts.
• The opportunity to apply to undertake a paid industrial placement in Scotland.
• An industry-sponsored residential ‘Innovation week’ challenge.
• An interactive master class on Data Ethics.
• Access to a network of expertise through The Data Lab MSc Alumni and The Data Lab Community.
• Activities linked to digital badges to demonstrate skills in networking, employability, ethics and innovation and participation in the programme.

Entering the 2nd year of a two-year pilot in AY 23-24, The Data Lab Academy is continuing to support a wider range of students onto our programme through SFC funding and additional funding from new The Data Lab partners including Keboola, Accenture and Public Health Scotland.

Apply to join the Programme

Scottish Universities are invited to apply to become part of The Data Lab Academy programme for AY 23-24 through our annual review process. We invite applications for MSc and Integrated Masters courses in data, AI and related subjects.  Integrated masters students join the programme on successful completion of year 3 of their 5-year programme. Acknowledging that the demand for data engineering skills is high, we are keen to see new course applications from MSc and Integrated Masters courses in computer science and software engineering in addition to the more data and AI focussed programmes of study.

To be eligible to apply for students to join The Data Lab Academy, courses must be ready for delivery to commence in AY23-24.  Successful applications should demonstrate;

• a strong focus on data science, data engineering, AI, software engineering and computer science with data elements e.g. Databases, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing/Cloud Technologies, SQL, NoSQL, Python, R.  Related courses eg data analytics, business analytics and STEM data orientated courses can also apply
• innovation and creativity in course delivery;
• high standards and the teaching of data ethics with responsible data science/AI embedded throughout the course;
• a demonstrable commitment to maximising diversity in applicants (examples of initiatives to reach out to underrepresented applicants);
• strong industry engagement; and
• willingness (for new courses) and evidence (for existing courses) of strong engagement with The Data Lab Academy programme and support of The Data Lab Academy placement programme.

The course review and allocation process will remain the same as in previous years, with successful universities awarded scholarship numbers to select the best candidates for their course. We will prioritise courses which clearly meet The Data Lab Academy application criteria and provide strong evidence of industry relevance and demand for the skills being taught.

Where your university offers a suite of courses with shared core content, please submit one application eg MSc AI and MSc AI with Big Data should be considered, for the application process, as a single course with specialisms.

We will continue to ask that potential scholarship candidates identified by universities are required to complete a short application form for review and approval by The Data Lab Academy prior to scholarships being confirmed with students. This is to ensure that all successful applicants to the programme are committed to its aims and are best placed to maximise the opportunity, including the placement programme.

We normally only accept courses that commence in October.

Funding opportunities available

Scottish Universities are invited to apply for their students to gain access to The Data Lab Academy programme. You can apply for one or all funding options.

MSc students who meet SFC eligibility

Around 75 scholarships will support £6000 per student to cover MSc course tuition fees for The Data Lab approved courses for the academic year 2023-24.  Any shortfall between the University’s tuition fee and the £6000 scholarship must be met by the University, and not by the student or any other third party.  All students join The Data Lab Academy programme. Currently, funding from the SFC is not confirmed but we would expect to receive the same number of scholarships as last year. Refer to this SAAS advice (Eligibility Section) for guidance on who can be considered for a fully funded scholarship.

MSc students not eligible for SFC funding and Integrated Masters students

MSc students ineligible for SFC funding: We have a limited number of places for students on The Data Lab approved MSc courses who may not be eligible for SFC funding to join The Data Lab Academy programme. Students must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work (RTLW) in the UK.  Priority will be given to home students but tier 4 students may also be considered.

Integrated masters students: We are expanding the number of integrated masters places to around 20 for AY 23-25 (from 5 in AY 22-23).  To be considered for a place, students must have successfully completed the 3rd year of their integrated masters programme.

Next step

• Apply using this form.
• You can apply for any or all of the scholarship options.
• The closing date for applications is 16 January 2023 at 24:00
• Universities will be notified on the success or otherwise of their application w/b Monday 30 January 2023.

Information Session
We will hold an information on The Data Lab Academy programme, funding options and application process at 12:00 on Wednesday 7 December 2022. Please register here.

If you have any questions, please contact The Data Lab at TDL-Academy@thedatalab.com