Data, Inequality and Society MSc Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Interdisciplinary Studies Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study On campus Full-time MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School Edinburgh Futures Institute College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Programme website Data, Inequality and Society (EFI) Study location Central Area Accreditation Not available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme What makes societies inclusive? How do data practices describe, amplify or confront problems of marginalisation and inequality?This innovative MSc programme from Edinburgh Futures Institute brings advanced, cross-disciplinary knowledge together with insights from sector leaders and experts who are committed to building inclusive and equitable global societies. Through a combination of critical analysis, creative thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, you will build the skills to investigate the roots of inequality, evaluate their impacts, and design data-informed strategies for positive social change.What you will studyInequality and exclusion lie at the heart of the ‘wicked problems’ that societies face today. Through this programme, you will examine the social, political, and economic forces that generate and maintain inequalities and investigate the effects of inequalities on people and communities across the globe. You will explore the role of data in creating and exacerbating inequality and exclusion, and will analyse how the rapidly changing data landscape is interacting with existing inequalities along multiple dimensions, including those of class, gender, ethnicity, religion, age, geography, and citizenship.Crucially, this programme goes beyond critique to consider how inequalities can be addressed. You will learn about inclusive practices that aim to create more just societies, meeting and interacting with professionals who are leading their own projects of inclusion. You will evaluate the possibilities for data systems and practices to contribute to efforts to address inequalities and will conduct your own project to dive deeper into a particular inequality issue or inclusive practice.Developing skills to lead changeOver the course of the programme, you will develop your own understanding and ability to lead in building future inclusive societies by:working with leading-edge knowledgeapplying insights to a project you care aboutdeveloping essential creative and practical skills to support your workYou will also have access to sector experts and leading researchers addressing how we build and sustain more equitable societies. By supporting you to engage critically, this programme will help you develop your ability to lead positive change.Postgraduate study at Edinburgh Futures InstituteThis programme is part of an interconnected portfolio of postgraduate study opportunities at Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). EFI supports interdisciplinary teaching, learning, and research that addresses today’s most complex global and social challenges. Find out more about studying this programme at Edinburgh Futures Institute Find out more about our MSc Data, Inequality and Society Programme benefits Learn from world-leading experts: Study with leading academics from across the University of Edinburgh and gain insights from practitioners leading real-world inclusion projects.Apply your ideas to real-world challenges: Collaborate with external organisations and apply your skills to a real-world issue of inequality, gaining valuable practical experience and professional connections.Graduate ready to make an impact: You will be ready to address complex problems through critical thinking, innovative approaches, teamwork and collaboration. Fees, costs and funding Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Full-time MSc Data, Inequality and Society (1 year) tuition fees Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Deposit You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme. Costs Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Funding opportunities Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.Postgraduate funding opportunities Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in any discipline.We will also consider your application if you have other professional qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply. In particular, we welcome applications from professionals with experience (e.g. working in companies, government, or third sector organisations) designing or implementing projects, programmes, or policies that aim to diminish inequalities. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details What you will study Students on this MSc programme will study a range of courses to complete 180 credits, including:core courses specific to your programmea choice of option coursesa project Core coursesYour core courses form a significant part of your studies. They provide essential knowledge and skills specific to your area of study and a strong foundation for the rest of your degree. In your core courses, you will explore topics such as: an interdisciplinary exploration of where social, political, cultural and economic exclusions and inequalities come from, and their effectsan introduction to the many inclusive practices that seek to build fairer and more just societies, within and sometimes outside the capitalist systemOption coursesAlongside your core courses, you’ll shape your degree by choosing from a wide range of EFI option courses, taught by academic staff from across the University. Our portfolio evolves each year in response to emerging trends, topics, and new research. You can choose from courses on themes such as:how the climate crisis is connected to healththe inter-relationship of place, people and nature in urban regenerationcritical perspectives on how new technologies are changing societydata, programming and research skills that build on your core expertisehow new and rapidly changing technologies and data sources are transforming the future of democracywhat the future of education might look likehow narratives drive the way we understand the worldservice design and service management in a data-driven societycurrent challenges and futures for the creative industriesThe projectYour final project brings together everything you have learned, giving you the opportunity to apply your learning in depth to a domain, issue or concern which drives you. Your final project can be:based on your own personal or professional interestsdefined by your employersponsored by one of the Futures Institute’s industry, government, or community partnersaligned to one of our research programmesYou will submit your final project as a written piece of work or combine text with other forms – for example:videovisualisationa digital artefactperformancecodeYou will begin to identify your project topic relatively early in the programme, and work on it in parallel with the taught courses. We expect you to take an interdisciplinary approach to your project to connect with the creative, data and future-orientated nature of EFI. Find courses for this programme Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed. The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme. Full-time MSc Data, Inequality and Society (1 year) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Disclaimer We regularly review and improve our degree programmes. As part of this process, we are currently reviewing EFI’s postgraduate programmes and expect to confirm any updates in April 2026.Informed by student feedback, these improvements are designed to make your experience even better; while keeping EFI’s focus on exciting, challenge-led, interdisciplinary learning. Teaching and assessment Teaching At EFI you will learn in ways designed to help you think differently, work across boundaries, and tackle complex challenges. Our teaching brings together people, ideas, and perspectives from across the University, creating an environment where you can experiment, collaborate, and explore new possibilities. You will work alongside academic experts, fellow students, and external partners such as charities, cultural organisations, businesses, and public bodies on real-world projects, where you can apply your knowledge in creative and practical ways. Collaboration is central to our teaching. You will regularly work in small groups that bring together students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Our approach is designed to help you develop skills in communication, teamwork, and co-creation, skills you will use across sectors.To support this collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, we use a variety of teaching methods, which can include:group workexpert lecturesdata skills and programming workshopsseminarsinteractive journal clubsexternal partner challengesdata visualisation exercisescreative and collaborative activitiesonline discussionbloggingpractical prototyping activities Learning outcomes On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:characterise and analyse the extent and dimensions of social inclusion in any given institutional and human situationdesign creative solutions for improving the inclusiveness of programmes, projects and policies, across sectorsdraw on and combine different disciplines/viewpoints when analysing the inclusiveness of societies and designing solutionswork efficiently on complex projects of inclusion, together with teams that are diverse and values-drivendraw fully on data in your work, maintaining a critical stance on data production and usage Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. How we support you Where you will study Study location You will be based at Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), an iconic setting in the beautifully restored Old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, a category-A listed landmark at the heart of the city.Our new home includes state-of-the-art teaching facilities, labs designed for innovation and prototyping, and exhibition and event spaces, making it a place where education, research, and creativity come together. Edinburgh Futures Institute Careers and further study Career opportunities You will develop a solid understanding of data-driven decision-making in projects of inclusion and development in a broad range of contexts, as well as the analytic, research, and creative skills required to approach challenges in new, robust, and data-informed ways.Graduates will be well-positioned to enter the job market as vital “translators”, bridging the gap between data scientists and decision-makers at strategic or operational levels, taking up roles across the private, public and third sectors.Potential roles include: project, programme and policy advisersanalystscoordinators For experienced professionals, the programme offers a platform for career progression or transition into leadership roles in projects with a strong data and/or inclusion focus.The core elements of the programme address the data and higher-order skills we know are important for the future of work, confident and critical citizenship, and a thriving, just society. Further study After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.Applying for research degreesMoving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service) Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Applying How to apply You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant. When to apply Programme start date Application deadline 14 September 2026 30 July 2026 We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts.If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete. Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply We will decide which applications to offer places to on the basis of:Educational achievementProfessional experience (where relevant)Quality of personal statementYour personal statement should include why you are interested in studying on this particular programme and, if relevant, how it will support your career development. The Edinburgh Futures Institute provides a space where students can pursue projects on issues they care about, so it would also be helpful (though not essential) if you could indicate the area on which you would most like to focus during your time in EFI. As part of your online application, you will need to provide: a personal statementdetails of relevant knowledge/training skillsYou will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.ReferencesYou do not need to provide a reference when you submit your application for this programme.There may be certain circumstances when a reference will be required, for example if we need to verify work experience. If that is the case, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application to request a reference. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -MSc Data, Inequality and Society (1 year) After you apply Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.Checking the status of your applicationWe will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.Receiving our decisionWhat to do if you receive an offer:Receiving an offerAccepting an offerSubmitting supporting documents Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply. College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Admissions Office Academic contact Ian Russell Programme Director Edinburgh Futures Institute Contact details Email: efi.education@ed.ac.uk Contact the Programme Director with questions about the academic content of the programme and how it relates to your interests.
