Course at a glance
| Degree awarded | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Data Science |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years, then NYSC |
| Faculty / college | Faculty of Computing / Science |
| Regulatory body | Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria) — CPN; curriculum aligned to the NUC CCMAS |
| Professional body | Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) |
| UTME subjects | Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, and one other science subject |
| Competitiveness | Competitive and in high demand |
On this page
- What Data Science is about
- A brief history of the discipline
- What you will study
- Why study Data Science & who it suits
- Careers & where graduates work
- Licensing, professional bodies & further study
- How to get in (UTME requirements)
- Practise the UTME subjects free
- Related & alternative courses
- Frequently asked questions
What Data Science is about
Data Science is the field of extracting insight and building predictive models from data. It brings together statistics, programming and machine learning to answer questions and support decisions — from forecasting sales to detecting fraud to understanding customers.
A brief history of the discipline
Data Science grew out of statistics and computing as organisations began collecting huge amounts of data (“big data”) and needed people who could make sense of it. It is now a distinct, fast-growing programme, with strong demand across finance, telecoms, health and government.
What you will study
Core areas include programming (typically Python or R), statistics and probability, databases and SQL, data wrangling and visualisation, machine learning, and big-data tools — often with an introduction to artificial intelligence, plus SIWES and a final-year project.
Why study Data Science & who it suits
Data Science suits students who are strong in Mathematics and statistics, enjoy coding, and are curious about finding patterns and telling stories with data.
Careers & where graduates work
Graduates work as data analysts, data scientists, machine-learning engineers, business-intelligence analysts and data engineers across banking, fintech, telecoms, health and the public sector — with strong remote opportunities.
Licensing, professional bodies & further study
B.Sc Data Science (with SIWES) → internships and a portfolio of real projects → NYSC → industry. Register with the CPN and add certifications (analytics, cloud, machine learning) to stand out.
How to get in: Data Science UTME requirements
The JAMB UTME combination is Use of English, Mathematics, Physics, and one other science subject. You need five O’Level credits including English Language, Mathematics and Physics.
Practise the UTME subjects free
Prepare with free official-syllabus notes and timed CBT practice for your UTME subjects:
- Use of English — practise CBT
- Mathematics — practise CBT
- Physics — practise CBT
- Plus your fourth subject (one other science subject)
Related guides
- How to choose the right course for JAMB
- Good courses you can study with a low JAMB score
- Understanding the JAMB brochure & subject combinations
- How to use the JAMB eligibility checker
- How to change your course or institution on JAMB
Related & alternative courses
If you like Data Science, you may also want to explore these related courses:
Frequently asked questions
How long is Data Science in Nigeria?
4 years for the B.Sc, plus the one-year NYSC.
What are the JAMB subjects for Data Science?
Use of English, Mathematics, Physics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Economics or Geography.
Is Data Science hard?
It is demanding — it needs solid Mathematics and coding — but very rewarding, with strong demand and pay.
What jobs can I get?
Data analyst, data scientist, machine-learning engineer, BI analyst and data engineer across many industries.
Do I need Mathematics for Data Science?
Yes — statistics and mathematics are at the heart of the field, and Mathematics is a required subject.
Sources: Summarised from Nigerian universities, the NUC (CCMAS) and the CPN; admission requirements from the official JAMB UTME brochure. Last checked: 22 Sept 2026. Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB, the NUC or any professional body. Programme structure, duration and requirements vary by university — always confirm details with your chosen institution and the official JAMB brochure.