Master Mathematiques Appliquees, Statistique — Data Science (DS)

Aix-Marseille University is the largest multidisciplinary French-speaking university, hosting 80,000 students and 8,000 staff across five large campuses. It is a research-intensive institution known for its international outlook and commitment to academic excellence.

Master Mathematiques Appliquees, Statistique — Data Science (DS) is a two-year master's degree offered by Aix-Marseille Université in Marseille Cedex 3, France, taught in French. This specialization sits within the broader field of applied mathematics and statistics and focuses specifically on data science: the methods used to extract information and build predictive models from data. Students in this area typically study probability and statistical inference, linear algebra, optimization, and the mathematical foundations of machine-learning methods, alongside programming and software tools used for data analysis, data visualization, and building models at scale. Coursework generally also covers topics such as regression and classification methods, statistical learning theory, data management, and increasingly the handling of large or complex datasets, sometimes described as big data. Because data science draws on multiple disciplines, students in this track usually combine rigorous mathematical and statistical training with applied, project-based work, often analyzing real datasets from areas such as business, health, or the sciences. The emphasis on mathematical foundations distinguishes this kind of programme from more purely applied data-analytics training, giving graduates a strong grounding in why methods work and not just how to apply them. Career paths for graduates commonly include data scientist, statistician, data analyst, machine-learning engineer, or quantitative research roles across sectors such as finance, technology, healthcare, and consulting, as well as further study toward a doctorate for those aiming at research careers. The programme begins in September and carries a yearly tuition fee of 250 EUR. As courses are taught in French, applicants should be prepared to study technical material in that language.