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what degrees do you need to be a data scientist

In the digital age, data is the new oil—and data scientists are the value engineers. With businesses using data-driven approaches more and more, demand for data scientists is higher than ever. A question many would-be professionals ask is: "What degrees do I need to become a data scientist?" This guide offers a definitive path to learning about the educational requirements, degrees, and certifications you can use to transition into this exciting profession.

Why Become a Data Scientist?

First, let's review why data science is the most in-demand career worldwide.

The main reasons are:

High Demand: Almost all industries—healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing, and IT—need data scientists.

Great Salary Packages: Salaries even at the entry level are competitive.

Future-Proof Skill Set: With AI, big data, and machine learning becoming increasingly popular, data science skills are future-proof.

Global Opportunities: Opportunities worldwide with possibilities for remote and onsite work.

Diverse Applications: From business analytics to healthcare diagnosis and fraud detection—data scientists are at the center of it all.

Educational Pathways to Becoming a Data Scientist

1. Bachelor's Degree – The Basis for Data Science

The majority of careers in data science start with a solid basis in STEM sciences. A bachelor's degree provides students with analytical reasoning, statistical expertise, and initial programming skills.

Popular Bachelor's Degrees:

  • B.Tech in Computer Science or IT
  • B.Sc in Statistics or Mathematics
  • B.Sc in Data Science
  • B.E. in Electronics and Communication
  • B.Sc in Physics with Data Analytics as an elective
  • BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)

Core Skills Acquired:

  • Programming fundamentals (Python, R, Java)
  • Linear algebra, probability, and stats
  • Data structures and algorithms
  • Fundamental data analysis using Excel, SQL

2. Master's Degree – Taking Your Career in Data Science Forward

Although not always necessary, a master's degree can really help augment your skills if your undergraduate degree was not data-oriented.

Master's Programs Recommended:

  • M.Tech in Data Science, AI, or Machine Learning
  • M.Sc in Data Science, Computer Science, or Applied Statistics
  • MBA in Business Analytics (for managerial position in data science)
  • Master of Data Analytics

Advantages of a Master's Degree:

  • Deeper knowledge of machine learning algorithms
  • Practical exposure to real-world data projects
  • Academic and research credibility
  • Improved job prospects and salary growth potential

3. Ph.D. in Data Science – For Research and Leadership Positions

While not necessary for most career roles in industry, a Ph.D. is perfect for:

  • Academic positions
  • Research-focused positions in AI/ML
  • Jobs in the government and defense industry
  • Data scientist roles with a focus on developing new algorithms
  • Additional Certifications and Online Programs

If you’re switching from a non-data background or want to upskill quickly, professional certifications can be game-changers.

Popular Certifications for Data Science:

  • Certification in Data Analytics
  • Certification in Python for Data Science
  • AI/ML Specializations
  • Business Intelligence Tools (Power BI, Tableau)
  • SQL & NoSQL database training
  • Data Engineering Certification (Big Data, Hadoop, Spark)

Key Platforms to Consider:

  • MOOCs like Coursera, edX, Udemy (choose regionally relevant ones)
  • Industry-approved certifications from well-known IT training centers
  • Digital skills development programs sponsored by the government in India

What If You Don't Have a Technical Degree?

One of the most common misconceptions is that you need a computer science degree to get into data science. That is not the case. With the appropriate mix of skills and certifications, non-technical background candidates can succeed too.

Non-Technical Backgrounds Making It to Data Science:

  • Commerce (B.Com, MBA Finance)
  • Economics and Business Analytics
  • Life Sciences (Biotech, Bioinformatics)
  • Psychology (for behavioral data analysis)
  • Digital Marketing (for web and campaign analytics)

Action Plan for Non-Tech Graduates:

  • Begin with Python and Excel
  • Learn Statistics for Data Science
  • Enroll in beginner-friendly data analytics courses
  • Practice real-time projects and create a portfolio
  • Network with data professionals through LinkedIn, workshops

Key Skills Needed Alongside a Degree

While degrees offer theoretical knowledge, practical and soft skills play a critical role as well.

Essential Technical Skills:

  • Programming Languages: Python, R, SQL
  • Data Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI
  • Big Data Technologies: Hadoop, Spark
  • ML Frameworks: TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, PyTorch
  • Databases: MySQL, MongoDB

Soft Skills:

  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Communication (particularly presenting data insights to non-tech stakeholders)
  • Business acumen

How to Select the Correct Degree Programme in India

India has an array of undergraduate and master's programmes in data science at both public and private universities.

Things to Consider:

  • Curriculum involving programming, statistics, and machine learning
  • Industry internship opportunities
  • Partnerships with technology companies for real-life projects
  • Lab facilities and faculty expertise
  • Hybrid/online opportunities for working professionals

Best Cities for Data Science Education in India:

  1. Hyderabad
  2. Bengalur
  3. Pune
  4. Chennai
  5. Delhi NCR

Tip: A few colleges provide integrated dual degrees such as B.Sc + M.Sc in Data Science or Data Analytics, which save time but give depth.

Career Options After a Data Science Degree

Depending on your degree and skill set, data science can open up different career options:

Entry-Level Positions:

  1. Data Analyst
  2. Business Analyst
  3. Junior Data Scientist

Mid-Level Positions:

  1. Machine Learning Engineer
  2. Data Engineer
  3. BI Developer

Senior Positions:

  1. Senior Data Scientist
  2. Data Science Consultant
  3. AI Product Manager
  4. Chief Data Officer (CDO)

FAQs on Data Science Degrees

Q1. Is it possible to be a data scientist without holding a computer science degree?

Yes, quite a number of data scientists are math, statistics, economics, or even non-computer science graduates. What matters is the attainment of the proper skills.

Q2. Is a master's degree essential for data science roles?

Not necessarily. A bachelor's degree along with relevant certifications and practical exposure is usually enough.

Q3. Are online data science certifications and degrees acceptable in India?

Yes, if done through reputable platforms or institutions. Make sure they're industry-approved and have project-based learning.

Q4. What is the best undergraduate degree for data science?

B.Tech in Computer Science or B.Sc in Statistics/Data Science is the best. But any STEM degree with related upskilling is just as useful.

Degrees That Shape a Successful Data Scientist

While a degree can open doors, your success as a data scientist depends on continuous learning, real-world experience, and the ability to adapt to evolving technologies. Whether you’re a student planning your academic future or a working professional considering a career switch, the data science path is full of opportunities.

Begin from where you are—capitalize on your experience, recognize your areas of learning, select the appropriate course or degree program, and learn from real-time data projects. Consistency, proper credentials, and keeping your mind on skills will make it absolutely possible to become a successful data scientist in India or elsewhere.

what are the qualifications needed to be a data scientist

The increasing need for skilled professionals in the technology sector has placed data science in the spotlight as one of the most desired career paths in the digital era. As more companies depend greatly on data-driven initiatives to develop, the position of a data scientist has turned into an imperative. However, for all those who are enthusiastic about pursuing a career in data science, one frequent question comes up: What are the requirements to be a data scientist?

This in-depth blog covers the academic foundation, technical competencies, certifications, and business-oriented experience you require to thrive as a data scientist—particularly if you are pursuing a career in India or other international labor markets.

Summary of Key Qualifications Needed for a Data Scientist Role

  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) or relevant field
  • Programming skills in languages such as Python, R, and SQL
  • Solid grasp of mathematics, statistics, and data analysis
  • Hands-on exposure to machine learning, AI, and data visualization software
  • Practical experience via projects, internships, or actual case studies
  • Optional: Master's/PhD or professional certification in data science or analytics

Introduction to Data Science as a Career

Data science is the process of extracting useful information from huge amounts of raw and structured data through statistical, computational, and machine learning methods. It's a combination of various disciplines such as mathematics, programming, analytics, and domain expertise.

With organizations still producing enormous amounts of data, the need for people who can interpret and make effective use of data is increasing by the day. This translates to the role of data scientists at the helm of business strategies, innovation, and digital change.

Qualifications for Education to Become a Data Scientist

1. Bachelor's Degree (Minimum)

To begin your career as a data scientist, a bachelor's degree is the starting requirement. The majority of organizations in India and overseas anticipate candidates to possess a degree in:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Statistics
  • Engineering (any discipline with a mathematics background)
  • Economics or Physics

Certain organizations might also welcome graduates from commerce or arts streams, as long as they possess good analytical skills and complementary certifications in data science.

2. Master's Degree (Optional but Advantageous)

Although not always required, a master’s degree can significantly enhance your profile. It’s especially valuable if you’re aiming for mid-to-senior-level roles or research-intensive data science positions.

Recommended postgraduate programs:

  • M.Sc. in Data Science / Applied Statistics
  • M.Tech. in Artificial Intelligence / Big Data / Computer Science
  • MBA in Business Analytics
  • MCA with specialization in data analytics or AI

Technical Skills to Become a Data Scientist

In addition to qualifications, employers look for good technical and applied knowledge in data scientists. Following are the most important skills needed:

✅ Programming Languages

Python: Most used programming language in data science.

R: Statistical computing and visualizations are best done using this.

SQL: Used for querying and database management.

✅ Mathematics and Statistics

  • Linear algebra
  • Probability and distributions
  • Hypothesis testing
  • Statistical inference

✅ Data Handling & Cleaning

  • Data wrangling with Pandas, NumPy
  • Missing values, outliers handling
  • Preprocessing techniques for data

✅ Machine Learning & AI

  • Supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms
  • Model training, evaluation
  • Deep learning platforms (TensorFlow, PyTorch)

✅ Data Visualization

  • Tools: Tableau, Power BI
  • Libraries: Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly

✅ Big Data Technologies (for senior roles)

  • Apache Hadoop
  • Apache Spark
  • NoSQL databases (MongoDB)

Certifications to Grow Your Data Science Career

Professional certifications can add credibility to your resume, mostly if you come from a non-traditional background.

Popular types of certifications are:

  • Data Science Bootcamps (Online/Offline)
  • PG Diploma in Data Science / AI
  • Cloud Certifications for Data (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)

Machine Learning Specializations

These course works are as broad and cover everything from the basics of statistics up to more advanced architectures with machine learning and involving real-world projects.

Tools Every Aspiring Data Scientist Must Learn

Learning platforms and tools is equally important as learning theory. As of 2025, the most in-demand tools include:

  • Jupyter Notebook
  • Google Colab
  • Git & GitHub
  • Kaggle for competitions & datasets
  • Excel (still widely used in analytics)

Pro Tip: Always implement your learning through hands-on projects to demonstrate your capabilities.

Soft Skills & Domain Expertise

Being a data scientist is not merely about number crunching. Recruiters seek soft skills as well as domain knowledge:

Communication Skills

Breaking down complex data to non-technical stakeholders is essential.

Business Acumen

Knowing business goals and mapping models to actual requirements.

Problem Solving

Critical and creative thinking to solve data problems from various perspectives.

Collaboration

Collaborating as part of teams with analysts, engineers, product managers, and clients.

Projects, Portfolios, and Internships: Your Real-World Qualification

While applying for data science positions, especially in India, a good portfolio may matter more than mere degrees and certificates.

Project Ideas to Add to Your Portfolio

  • Customer churn prediction with logistic regression
  • Sentiment analysis based on Twitter or YouTube data
  • E-commerce platform recommendation system
  • Sales or stock prices time series forecasting
  • Image classification with CNNs

Host your projects on GitHub, document your work with blogs, and post them on LinkedIn for eyeballs.

Career Path After Achieving the Qualifications

Once you've acquired the necessary skills and qualifications, your career as a data scientist could go like this:

  • Data Analyst / Business Analyst
  • Junior Data Scientist
  • Data Scientist
  • Senior Data Scientist / ML Engineer
  • AI Specialist / Lead Data Scientist
  • Chief Data Officer / Director of Data Science

Typical Eligibility Criteria in Job Descriptions (India & Global)

Here's what most recruiters include in their job postings:

  • Bachelor's/Master's degree in a related field
  • 0–2 years of experience or internship (for beginners)
  • Good Python, ML, SQL knowledge
  • Strong logic and analytical mindset
  • Personal or academic project portfolio

Geographical Scope – Data Science in India & Abroad

In India:

Data science opportunities are high in cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurgaon, and Mumbai. Most Indian IT firms and startups are actively recruiting certified data scientists with hands-on experience.

Globally: 

USA, Canada, Germany, Australia, and Singapore are the top employment destinations for data science professionals. International companies like to hire candidates who have independent work on a project and experience.

Tip: Acquisition of a well-known certification and enhancing your communication skills can unlock international data science positions.

Salary Range Based on Qualifications in India (2025)

  • Experience Level Average Annual Salary
  • Fresher / Entry ₹5 – ₹8 LPA
  • 2–4 Years ₹10 – ₹15 LPA
  • 5–9 Years ₹20 – ₹30 LPA
  • 10+ Years ₹35+ LPA

Note: Higher qualifications such as master's degree or international certifications may boost your pay even further.

✅ Final Checklist – Qualifications Required to Become a Data Scientist

Before applying for roles, make sure you check all the major qualification boxes:

✔️ Bachelor's degree (STEM or related field)

✔️ Programming skills: Python, SQL, R

✔️ Solid math and statistics background

✔️ Machine learning and visualization capabilities

✔️ Minimum 2–3 actual-world projects

✔️ Certification (optional but helpful)

✔️ Communication and business problem-solving skills

Chart Your Career as a Data Scientist Today

With the right mix of qualifications—education, skills, tools, and experience—you can build a highly rewarding career in data science. It’s not limited to a specific degree or background. What matters is your ability to work with data, derive insights, and solve real-world problems.

Whether you’re a fresh graduate, a working professional looking to upskill, or someone switching careers, the field of data science welcomes lifelong learners. Start your journey today by enrolling in a structured data science program, working on projects, and building a strong digital portfolio.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it possible to be a data scientist without a technical degree?

Yes, as long as you establish good technical competencies and undertake pertinent projects or certifications.

Q2. Do I need a master's degree to be a data scientist?

No, but it is beneficial in terms of career progression and research positions.

Q3. What is the least qualification required for a data scientist job?

A bachelor's in any science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or statistics-related field is mostly adequate to begin with.

Q4. How long does it take to become a data scientist?

It takes 6 to 12 months to become job ready with concerted effort through rigorous learning.

Q5. What type of jobs can I do after becoming a data scientist?

You can become a data analyst, junior data scientist, ML engineer, or business analyst based on your expertise.

Data scientist qualifications in india

In the current era of big data, data science has become one of the hottest career options across industries. From healthcare to finance, e-commerce to education, data scientists are assuming a leadership role in fueling insights, innovation, and business growth. If you're in India and aspire to be a data scientist, chances are you're asking yourself: What are the qualifications needed to become a data scientist in India?

In this comprehensive blog, we’ll break down the educational qualifications, technical skills, certifications, and real-world experience required to become a successful data scientist in India.

What Is Data Science?

Before diving into the qualifications, it’s essential to understand what data science is.

Data science is an interdisciplinary field that blends computer science, statistics, and domain knowledge to extract meaningful insights from structured and unstructured data. It involves various stages such as:

  • Data collection
  • Data cleaning and preprocessing
  • Statistical analysis
  • Machine learning modeling
  • Data visualization
  • Deployment and decision-making

A data scientist is a person who can perform all these steps efficiently and convert data into actionable intelligence.

Who Can Become a Data Scientist?

As it turns out, you do not necessarily have to be a computer science engineer or hold a Ph.D. to be a part of this career. Any graduate—engineering, mathematics, economics, statistics, or even arts—can switch over to data science with the correct frame of mind, proper training, and systematic effort.

Data Scientist Qualifications in India – A Snapshot

Following are the general qualifications that Indian aspiring data scientists must work towards acquiring:

✅ Educational Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree (B.Tech, B.Sc, BCA, B.Com with Math or Stats)
  • Master's Degree (Optional, but useful: M.Tech, M.Sc, MCA, MBA with Analytics)
  • Online Certifications or PG Diplomas in Data Science

✅ Core Technical Skills

  • Programming (Python, R, SQL)
  • Statistics & Probability
  • Machine Learning Algorithms
  • Data Visualization Tools (Tableau, Power BI, Matplotlib)
  • Big Data Tools (Spark, Hadoop)
  • Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)

✅ Soft Skills & Domain Expertise

  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem-Solving Skills
  • Communication Skills
  • Industry-Specific Knowledge

Educational Path to Become a Data Scientist in India

1. Bachelor's Degree (Minimum Starting Point)

A minimum bachelor's degree is the requirement for most data science job postings in India. Desired fields are:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Statistics
  • Physics
  • Engineering (from any stream with solid mathematics base)

Tip: It doesn't matter if you hail from a non-CS stream like commerce or humanities; you can still go into data science with online courses and projects.

2. Master's Degree (Optional, But Adds Value)

Many professionals pursue a master’s degree to deepen their understanding or to transition careers. Relevant options include:

  • M.Sc. in Data Science
  • MCA with focus on AI & ML
  • MBA in Business Analytics
  • M.Tech in AI/ML/Big Data

Must-Have Skills to Become a Data Scientist in India

Academic degrees alone aren’t enough. To land a job, you’ll need a strong skillset. Here's what Indian recruiters are actively looking for:

1. Programming Languages

Python: Preferred most for its extensive libraries (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn).

R: Ideal for statistical computing and visualization.

SQL: Essential for data extraction and manipulation.

2. Mathematics and Statistics

  • Linear Algebra
  • Probability
  • Hypothesis Testing
  • Descriptive and Inferential Statistics

3. Machine Learning & Deep Learning

  • Regression, Classification, Clustering
  • Decision Trees, Random Forests, SVM
  • Neural Networks, CNNs, RNNs

4. Data Wrangling & Cleaning

Knowing how to deal with missing values, outliers, and inconsistent data is an essential skill in real-world projects.

5. Data Visualization

Tools you should be familiar with:

  • Tableau
  • Power BI
  • Python libraries such as Matplotlib, Seaborn

Certifications That Aid in India

Certifications are not necessary, but they will enhance your CV and demonstrate your dedication. In India, popular certifications are:

  • Certified Data Scientist – Naresh i Technologies
  • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
  • IBM Data Science Certificate
  • PG Programs in Data Science by known institutes

Pro Tip: Prioritize hands-on capstone projects over mere certification logos on your CV.

Projects and Portfolios

Indian employers place a lot of importance on real-world experience. Create a portfolio with projects such as:

  • Predictive model for customer churn
  • Credit scoring analysis
  • Stock price forecasting
  • Sentiment analysis based on social media data
  • Market basket analysis for e-commerce

Host your projects on GitHub, and document them on LinkedIn or Medium to establish your credibility.

Internship and Experience Requirements

Most Indian companies prefer candidates with industry exposure. Here's how you can expose yourself to some experience:

  • Apply for internships during your college years
  • Volunteer for NGO or community projects
  • Freelance on platforms such as Upwork, Internshala, or Fiverr

Job Eligibility Criteria in Indian Companies

Every employer is unique, but most data science job postings in India will have:

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM or a related discipline
  • 0–2 years of experience (for junior roles)
  • Knowledge of Python, ML, SQL
  • Data pipeline work skills
  • Communication and presentation skills

Career Path After Qualification

The following is a typical career progression for Indian data scientists:

  • Data Analyst / Junior Data Scientist
  • Data Scientist
  • Senior Data Scientist
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • AI Specialist / Data Science Consultant
  • Chief Data Officer / Head of Data Science

Salary Expectations in India

Based on your qualifications and expertise, here's what you can expect:

  • Experience Level Average Annual Salary (INR)
  • Fresher / 0-2 years Rs. 4 – 8 LPA
  • Mid-Level (3-6 years) Rs. 10 – 20 LPA
  • Senior (7+ years) Rs. 20 – 40+ LPA

Pay scales differ across cities, with Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune paying the most packages.

Top Companies Hiring Data Scientists in India

  • IT and Software
  • E-commerce & Retail
  • Healthcare
  • Banking and Finance
  • Telecom
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Government & Policy

Do You Need a CS Degree to Become a Data Scientist?

No. Most successful data scientists in India have background in:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Economics
  • MBA (Finance/Marketing)
  • Physics or Chemistry

Most important is your skills, projects, and learning attitude.

Top Ways to Learn Data Science in India (2025 Guide)

  • Take a formal course (online or offline)
  • Learn from free resources (YouTube, blogs, podcasts)
  • Participate in communities and forums (Reddit, GitHub, Discord)
  • Practice regularly on Kaggle
  • Create and document real-world projects

Qualifications to Become a Data Scientist in India

Here's a quick checklist:

✔️ Master's degree (in STEM)

✔️ Good grasp of Python, Statistics, ML

✔️ Experience in data wrangling and visualization

✔️ Capstone projects or internship

✔️ GitHub or portfolio presence

✔️ Optional: Certification or PG Program

✔️ Soft skills and domain knowledge

Your Roadmap to a Data Science Career in India

The path to becoming a data scientist in India is challenging as well as rewarding. The need for skilled talent is booming in startups, MNCs, government bodies, and academia. While the requirement for a data scientist position does involve formal education as well as technical skills, it is your practical problem-solving skills and project portfolio that will make you stand out.

Whether you are a fresher, a working professional, or a career changer, the path to data science is open for those who are willing to learn, practice, and grow with the career.

FAQs – India Data Scientist Qualifications

Q1. Is it possible to be a data scientist without an engineering degree?

Yes, numerous professionals from non-engineering disciplines have shifted to data science through upskilling.

Q2. Do I have to be mathematically sound for data science?

Basic knowledge of linear algebra, statistics, and probability is a must.

Q3. How much time does it take to be a data scientist in India?

With regular hard work, it takes 6–12 months for most students to gain the skills to apply for entry-level positions.

Q4. Do I need a master's degree?

Not required, but it can make you stand out from the competition when it comes to finding jobs.