Digital technologies pretty much run the modern world. From our phones and computers to manufacturing, finance, and retail, so many aspects of life rely on machines crunching unimaginable quantities of data.
As a discipline at the core of this digital era, data science is still expanding its scope. Leading organizations in this sector never seem to get enough of new talent, and the demand for data science specialists is constantly rising.
Luckily, the same digital-first environment that depends on data science also gives ample opportunities for learning this essential trade. You can easily find a data science course online, and the same goes for certifications. Better yet, there are Masters programs you can take without leaving your home.
If the prospect of online data science courses sounds exciting, this article will recommend some of the best available programs.
Top Data Science Online Courses
There’s no shortage of options to learn data science online. The courses that made our list come from prestigious institutions and offer the most comprehensive approach to the subject.
When choosing the top courses, we followed straightforward criteria. We looked into institution reputation, hands-on experiences, lecture quality, and comprehensiveness. Here are the best online data science courses that excelled in these categories.
Metis – Data Science & Analytics Training
If you’re looking for an online course with live lectures, then Data Science & Analytics Training from Metis will be a great choice. The lecturers come from leading tech companies, giving lessons that cover the complete data science process.
While there are advanced bootcamps on offer, Metis provides a comprehensive beginner data science online course with certificate, which lasts for six weeks. The price for this course is $750 (roughly 695 euros at time of writing). This course offers an accredited certificate.
Dataquest – Introduction to Python Programming
Dataquest is somewhat unique as it represents a knowledge repository for standalone learning or as a supplementary resource. If you want to learn data science with this platform, the Introduction to Python Programming course is a quality choice.
The class is brief, informative, and suited for beginners. It consists of six lessons and a practical project, with an estimated 12 hours needed to complete the self-paced course. While the introductory course doesn’t offer certification, it will open up a learning path with Dataquest that does end up in winning an expert-reviewed credential.
A third of the learning resources is available for free. The full access to Dataquest courses will require a subscription to the service with a monthly or yearly model.
Harvard University – CS109 Data Science
Getting education from Harvard is about as elite as one can get. The CS109 Data Science course embodies all the benefits of learning from a prestigious institution like Harvard. The course teaches data science essentials, including Python programming, statistics, and machine learning. The complete material is accessible on dedicated GitHub pages. You can clone the repository to get access to the entire curriculum.
Since this is just the repository of resources, going through them won’t give you a certificate. However, it’s free and completely available online, making it an educational opportunity you shouldn’t miss. With the detailed knowledge of the basics under your belt, you’ll progress to more complex (and pricier) courses with ease.
Online Data Science Master’s Programs
You might think that getting a master’s diploma requires you to physically attend a college. And while that used to be the case only a few decades ago, you can enroll in a master’s program online. Better yet, you may do so at a reputable institution with a world-leading data science department.
We picked several top-tier online data science masters programs online. Our choice was based on similar criteria as for the courses:
- How reputable is the institution?
- Does the program offer practical knowledge?
- Are the lectures comprehensive and quality-made?
With all that in mind, here are our top choices of online master’s programs in data science.
University of Aberdeen – Data Science MSc
The University of Aberdeen is one of the leading educational institutions in the UK. The Data Science MSc program is the university’s regular MSc data science online program that’s also completely available online. The curriculum includes vital skills concerning algorithms, data analysis, mathematical modeling, and more.
With full-time learning, the degree can be completed in one year. However, you can study at your own pace and take as much time as you need between individual courses. The limit for completion is six years, and enrolling in the program will cost £14,920.
Rome Business School – International Online Master in Data Science
The International Online Master in Data Science from the Rome Business School represents an excellent opportunity to learn, get in touch with industry-leading companies, and build a professional network. The school houses bootcamps across Europe and worldwide, which may increase your job market reach.
The participation fee for this program is €6,700. If paid after starting the course, applicants can split the cost into six installments, free of interest. Covering the fee in installments in advance will grant you a 5% discount. Paying in a lump sum comes with a 10% discount.
European Leadership University – Professional Master in Data Science & Leadership
The European Leadership University offers a comprehensive program that includes individual and group work, as well as interactive workshops. Completing the Professional Master in Data Science & Leadership program will earn you a master’s degree and two recognized certificates: in data science and leadership.
The program is priced at €5,000, with the option to pay the fee in five installments during the study period. Upfront payments come with a 10% discount. The program includes classes on machine learning, statistics, data collection and handling, Python programming, and more. This master’s course lasts for 19 months.
Key Skills to Learn in Data Science
Data science consists of numerous fields, some of which are more theoretical while other lean heavily towards practical applications. The later data science aspects include essential skills that you can use in the market:
- Programming languages
- Data visualization and reporting
- Machine learning and AI
- Big data
- Statistics
In programming, languages like Python, R, and SQL are used to create program environments and write specific commands. As a data science skill, the study of programming languages explores the limitations and possibilities of existing and new languages.
Data visualization deals with representing complex datasets in a more comprehensive way. It’s related to reporting and may be viewed as its subset. Visualization tools include charts, graphs, and presentations.
Machine learning might be the most well-known aspect of data science. Technologies like deep learning are at the core of AI development, enabling machines to learn from limited data input. Recently, great advances were made in unsupervised learning, which doesn’t require human input at all.
Big data refers to processing and analyzing large amounts of information. Handling massive data volumes presents specific challenges in terms of computational capacity and error reduction.
Finally, statistics form one of the cornerstones of practical data science use. Statistical analysis is helpful in business, demographics, and numerous social and natural sciences. Reliable statistics help researchers create predictive models and projections, allowing for efficient planning down the line.
Benefits of Earning a Data Science Certificate or Degree
Getting a degree or certificate in data science offers you an edge both in professional improvement and in the job market. The very process of gaining credentials is an opportunity to learn and practice essential skills. Plus, you can build a respectful portfolio along the way.
A degree or certificate means better job opportunities. Every reputable employer in the field will want to see recognized credentials from their applicants, and that’s particularly true when hiring for better-paid positions.
If you’ve already got a starting-level job in data science, credentials from reputable institutions will help advance your career. That kind of growth also creates a potential for better salaries and work benefits.
Finally, once you enroll in a data science degree or certificate program, you’ll meet other people pursuing similar interests. This will be an excellent opportunity for networking. Combined with the credentials, your new network of colleagues can help you advance even further.
Tips for Choosing the Right Data Science Online Course or Program
When you start searching for the right program online, it’s vital to consider several factors:
- The content and curriculum of the course
- Instructor expertise and reputation in the industry
- The duration of the program
- How flexible the course is
- Pricing and whether there are options for financial aid
- Testimonials or reviews from previous students
Besides these considerations, you should account for your personal preferences. Define your goals and what you want to achieve with the program. Also, it’s important for the program to match the learning style that suits you the best.
Gain the Essential Skills for the Hottest Profession Today
Our data science course suggestions include a selection of programs from the most respected industry leaders. With the high-quality courses on offer, all you’ll need to do is pick the program that matches your career goals.
Today’s job market has a high demand for data science experts. Getting certified or earning a degree in the field will help you start a career easier, which is why you should consider this important move as soon as possible.
Related posts
2025 has come to a close, with 2026 already underway. There are many exciting events ahead and future milestones to aim for and look forward to. But it’s also the ideal time to look back over the last 12 months, exploring the most notable achievements we’ve made, lessons we’ve learned, and important moments to reflect on as the new year continues for OPIT’s staff, students, and broader community.
1. Student Commitment
Studying isn’t always easy. It involves long days, and even long evenings sometimes, with a seemingly never-ending series of tasks to accomplish and goals to aim for. It can take a lot out of even the most hard-working and dedicated individuals.
Yet, despite the hardships and challenges, OPIT students demonstrated remarkable resilience, continuous curiosity, and indefatigable determination throughout 2025. Looking back on the year, students at all levels of the OPIT community should feel proud and celebrate their accomplishments.
2. Podcast Launch
2025 saw a lot of new arrivals at OPIT, with fresh projects and innovations arriving on the scene. Chief among them was the OPIT EDGE Podcast, an exciting addition to the institute’s ever-expanding multimedia offerings.
There have already been several episodes of the podcast for students and technology enthusiasts in general to enjoy, with the first episode of this student-driven project involving an in-depth discussion with industry expert Matteo Zangani on the potential of quantum AI technology.
3. Success Stories
While many new students have joined the OPIT ranks in 2025 and will also do so in 2026, others have now achieved their educational objectives and are already moving on to the next exciting steps and chapters in their personal and professional lives.
There are so many inspiring success stories from the last 12 months, it’s impossible to list them all. But just one notable example has to be Maria Brilaki, who recently concluded her Master’s in Responsible AI, defending a powerful thesis related to non-invasive glucose monitoring through near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning.
4. Graduation in Malta
2025 was a big year of firsts for OPIT, including the institute’s first official graduation ceremony, which took place on March 8 at a grand ceremony in Malta, honoring the achievements of dozens of applied data science and AI graduates.
The hybrid event was open to both in-person and virtual attendees, bringing together members of the OPIT community from across the world. It was a huge moment for the graduates themselves and a thrilling milestone for OPI – a testament to all the hard work that has gone into building this institute.
5. OPIT AI Copilot
Artificial intelligence is the technology of the moment, and OPIT isn’t just dedicated to teaching the next-generation of technology leaders how to work with AI responsibly and efficiently; it’s also interested in harnessing the powers and potential of AI to improve its educational offerings, too.
This culminated in the development and release of OPIT AI Copilot in 2025. This groundbreaking AI tool now provides real-time, personalized learning support, along with contextual assistance, and is available on a round-the-clock basis for students to turn to, as and when they feel the need.
6. Hackathons
2025 also saw OPIT students and faculty take more active roles in various events, including hackathons. In November, for example, OPIT got involved with the 6th edition of the ESCP Hackathon, with several students entering as developers.
This was an exciting and unique opportunity for those students to meet up in person, put the skills they’ve honed during their time at OPIT to the test in a challenging environment, and learn from one another. OPIT will surely participate in more hackathons in the years to come, so stay tuned for more details on upcoming events and how you can play your part.
7. Strengthening Collaboration
From day one, OPIT has focused on building a strong network of established technology and business partners, opening doors and providing opportunities for both education and employment for its students.
This continued throughout 2025, with OPIT strengthening its connections with a number of world-leading organizations, including Accenture, AWS, Hype, Buffetti, and more. Through events like hackathons, career fairs, and more, OPIT makes the most of its ever-expanding and increasingly impressive professional network.
8. Online Career Fair
Another big first for 2025 was the inaugural OPIT Online Career Fair, an event that was held on November 19 and 20, with more than a dozen established and emerging companies from around the world in attendance, including the likes of Deloitte, Tinexta Cyber, Datapizza, RWS Group, Planet Farms, and Nesperia Group.
The only nature of this event ensured that students all enjoyed equal access, no matter where they were based, and everyone was able to hear from industry experts and enjoy the unique array of opportunities on offer, forging their own connections and learning more about brands they might like to work with or for in the future.
9. Education Innovation
OPIT has always been about innovating, delivering newer and smarter ways to learn for students across the globe, no matter their background, budget, or social class. And the institute has continually innovated over the course of 2025, helping students learn skills and broaden their knowledge efficiently and intuitively.
As we enter 2026, OPIT’s innovation is set to be on full display once more, with no less than two new courses for new applicants to choose from: AI-Driven Software Development (Elective) and Business Intelligence and Decision Making (Elective).
10. The Power of the OPIT Community
Perhaps the crowning achievement for OPIT in 2025 was the demonstrable success of not just individual students or faculty members, but the entire OPIT community, as a whole. Everyone, from alumni to new students and seasoned staff members, played their part in the institute’s success, paving the way for more great things and major milestones in 2026 and beyond.
As OPIT Rector and former Italian Minister of Education, Francesco Profumo, puts it:
“What inspires me most is the mindset of our students: forward-looking, responsible, and driven by a desire not just to succeed, but to contribute. Their dedication reminds us why education remains one of the most powerful forces for shaping the future.”
Bring talented tech experts together, set them a challenge, and give them a deadline. Then, let them loose and watch the magic happen. That, in a nutshell, is what hackathons are all about. They’re proven to be among the most productive tech events when it comes to solving problems and accelerating innovation.
What Is a Hackathon?
Put simply, a hackathon is a short-term event – often lasting just a couple of days, or sometimes even only a matter of hours – where tech experts come together to solve a specific problem or come up with ideas based on a central theme or topic. As an example, teams might be tasked with discovering a new way to use AI in marketing or to create an app aimed at improving student life.
The term combines the words “hack” and “marathon,” due to how participants (hackers or programmers) are encouraged to work around-the-clock to create a prototype, proof-of-concept, or new solution. It’s similar to how marathon runners are encouraged to keep running, putting their skills and endurance to the test in a race to the finish line.
The Benefits of Hackathons
Hackathons provide value both for the companies that organize them and the people who take part. Companies can use them to quickly discover new ideas or overcome challenges, for example, while participants can enjoy testing their skills, innovating, networking, and working either alone or as part of a larger team.
Benefits for Companies and Sponsors
Many of the world’s biggest brands have come to rely on hackathons as ways to drive innovation and uncover new products, services, and opportunities. Meta, for example, the brand behind Facebook, has organized dozens of hackathons, some of which have led to the development of well-known Facebook features, like the “Like” button. Here’s how hackathons help companies:
- Accelerate Innovation: In fast-moving fields like technology, companies can’t always afford to spend months or years working on new products or features. They need to be able to solve problems quickly, and hackathons create the necessary conditions to deliver rapid success.
- Employee Development: Leading companies like Meta have started to use annual hackathons as a way to not only test their workforce’s skills but to give employees opportunities to push themselves and broaden their skill sets.
- Internal Networking: Hackathons also double up as networking events. They give employees from different teams, departments, or branches the chance to work with and learn from one another. This, in turn, can promote or reinforce team-oriented work cultures.
- Talent Spotting: Talents sometimes go unnoticed, but hackathons give your workforce’s hidden gems a chance to shine. They’re terrific opportunities to see who your best problem solvers and most creative thinkers at.
- Improving Reputation: Organizing regular hackathons helps set companies apart from their competitors, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and their willingness to embrace new ideas. If you want your brand to seem more forward-thinking and innovative, embracing hackathons is a great way to go about it.
Benefits for Participants
The hackers, developers, students, engineers, and other people who take part in hackathons arguably enjoy even bigger and better benefits than the businesses behind them. These events are often invaluable when it comes to upskilling, networking, and growing, both personally and professionally. Here are some of the main benefits for participants, explained:
- Learning and Improvement: Hackathons are golden opportunities for participants to gain knowledge and skills. They essentially force people to work together, sharing ideas, contributing to the collective, and pushing their own boundaries in pursuit of a common goal.
- Networking: While some hackathons are purely internal, others bring together different teams or groups of people from different schools, businesses, and places around the world. This can be wonderful for forming connections with like-minded individuals.
- Sense of Pride: Everyone feels a sense of pride after accomplishing a project or achieving a goal, but this often comes at the end of weeks or months of effort. With hackathons, participants can enjoy that same satisfying feeling after just a few hours or a couple of days of hard work.
- Testing Oneself: A hackathon is an amazing chance to put one’s skills to the test and see what one is truly capable of when given a set goal to aim for and a deadline to meet. Many participants are surprised to see how well they respond to these conditions.
- Boosting Skills: Hackathons provide the necessary conditions to hone and improve a range of core soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, organization, and punctuality. By the end, participants often emerge with more confidence in their abilities.
Hackathons at OPIT
The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) understands the unique value of hackathons and has played its part in sponsoring these kinds of events in the past. OPIT was one of the sponsors behind ESCPHackathon 6, for example, which involved 120 students given AI-related tasks, with mentorship and guidance from senior professionals and developers from established brands along the way.
Marco Fediuc, one of the participants, summed up the mood in his comments:
“The hackathon was a truly rewarding experience. I had the pleasure of meeting OPIT classmates and staff and getting to know them better, the chance to collaborate with brilliant minds, and the opportunity to take part in an exciting and fun event.
“Participating turned out to be very useful because I had the chance to work in a fast-paced, competitive environment, and it taught me what it means to stay calm and perform under pressure… To prospective Computer Science students, should a similar opportunity arise, I can clearly say: Don’t underestimate yourselves!”
The new year will also see the arrival of OPIT Hackathon 2026, giving more students the chance to test their skills, broaden their networks, and enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that these events never fail to deliver. This event is scheduled to be held February 13-15, 2026, and is open to all OPIT Bachelor’s and Master’s students, along with recent graduates. Interested parties have until February 1 to register.
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