As new technologies emerge, companies and organisations around the world are changing how they collect and use large amounts of data for things like market research, predicting disasters, planning investments, shaping policies, and stopping diseases before they spread.
That’s why now is a great time to start a career in data science. Just ask Zainab Khudoir.
She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in data science and is now working as a data analyst at a leading system software company in Denmark. Her journey began at the IT University of Copenhagen, where she gained analytical and technical skills to turn data into smart decisions.
“I was drawn to ITU’s Data Science programme because of its unique blend of technical depth and interdisciplinary focus,” she says. “The curriculum offered a strong foundation in machine learning, statistics, and programming while also encouraging critical thinking about the societal and ethical implications of technology.”
Students taking on the Bachelor of Science in Data Science gain a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, programming, machine learning, algorithm design, and data management.
“The aim is for students to become acquainted with a broad range of classical and modern methods for analysing data while also gaining the skills to understand the methods in depth,” Associate Professor and Head of BSc in Data Science at The IT University of Copenhagen Therese Graversen says.
The first year of the programme has been thoughtfully restructured to deepen your grasp of core techniques in mathematics, probability, and statistics, even equipping you to carry out meaningful data analyses by the end of it. This prepares you for the the second year, when the curriculum moves into more advanced territory, offering rigorous insight into machine learning algorithms and their applications.
The first two years of study are focused on theories, while the third year is when you do more hands-on projects. Source: IT University of Copenhagen
By the third year, you’re ready for electives and project work. Many choose to work with companies, often through student jobs, getting early exposure to professional environments and building valuable industry links along the way.
“During my studies, I worked on real-world projects, including an empirical audit of racial and gender disparities in US traffic stops and a thesis on aligning large language models with psychological frameworks to assess well-being,” Khudoir says. “These experiences helped me develop practical problem-solving skills and learn how to translate complex data insights into actionable recommendations.”
More than 29% of the university’s student body is international. Source: IT University of Copenhagen/Facebook
Here, soft skills are seen as important as technical ones. In this programme, you will work on projects with a group of people from a wide range of cultural and professional backgrounds. This approach will teach you how to communicate complex ideas, manage different perspectives, and build solutions as part of a team.
“Being part of ITU’s international environment was incredibly enriching. With classmates from all over the world, every project team brought together a mix of perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking,” Khudoir says. “This diversity pushed me to approach problems with a more inclusive and global mindset, considering not only the technical aspects of a solution but also its cultural and ethical implications.”
Learn more about the Data Science programme at The IT University of Copenhagen.
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