Data Science remains among the most sought-after professions as companies shift their focus toward leveraging data to enhance performance and generate value. UpGrad has established itself for learners who want to start a career in a particular field or want to switch jobs by offering flexible and relevant courses. In this article, we are going to look at each of the 10 UpGrad Data Science courses that are appropriate for beginners as well as professionals. Whether you are seeking to enhance your technical efficiency or diversify to receive a leadership position, this guide will assist you in choosing the most suitable course.
Before we unwind the top UpGrad Data Science courses, let us have a brief overview of UpGrad.
Overview of UpGrad
UpGrad is a relatively young online learning platform that addresses the need to develop new skills in the constantly evolving professional environment.
Set with the idea of a transition from the conventional method of learning, the UpGrad Education Tech startup has managed to create a positive niche for itself in the EdTech space mainly focusing on online courseware that is relevant to working professionals and students.
In 2024, UpGrad continues to be relevant in the market through its efforts in innovation that is supported by its collaborations with reputable universities and companies around the world. Due to the emphasis on industry-oriented courses, it provides practical exposure that enhances the learners in their respective areas of specialization.
UpGrad offers a diverse range of courses covering fields such as Data Science, Digital Marketing, Software Development, and Management, however, the UpGrad Data Science courses are one of the most popular fields on offer largely due to the growing need for big data in the modern world.
Key Features of UpGrad
Global Reach and Accreditation:
UpGrad has designed partnerships with recognized institutions like IIT Madras, Liverpool John Moores University, and Deakin University, which guarantees that the programs offered will hold value in both national and global economies.
Industry-Aligned Curriculum:
The programs incorporate inputs from professionals in their various fields so that the learners are not only informed academically but also empowered skill-wise to address real business concerns.
Mentorship and Career Support:
The key strength that has been identified for UpGrad is the fact that this learning platform offers a mentorship program whereby experienced professionals accompany learners through their learning process, providing them with guidance and expertise and sharing their experience from the industry.
Moreover, it provides professional and comprehensive career services including mock interviews, resume construction, and job search facilities.
Flexible Learning Environment:
UpGrad is aware that the majority of the learners are professionals engaged in full-time employment and hence its courses are structured in such a way as to accommodate their needs.
Students have the flexibility to learn at their convenience, and thus, can improve their skill levels without necessarily leaving the workplace.
A key focus on being two steps ahead of the competition makes UpGrad the go-to option for individuals seeking a career in fields such as Data Science. In 2024, as Data becomes even more critical to decision-making in all spheres of life, the relevance of the UpGrad Data Science courses has only amplified.
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UpGrad Course Plans
UpGrad has a variety of course plans that are well organized to ensure they suit the needs of the learners depending on the stage they are in their careers. In case you are a fresher aspiring to make an entry into the field of Data Science or a professional who seeks to sharpen his/her knowledge and skills, UpGrad has the right solutions for these diverse requirements.
Types of Courses Available
Short-Term Certification Courses:
These courses are suitable for learners who want to earn an introduction or specific competencies in Data Science. These sets of courses are usually short and range from 3 to 6 months, they are usually specialized areas such as Python for Data Science, Fundamental of Machine Learning, and Data Visualization among others.
These certifications are ideal for those who wish to acquire certain skills as quickly as possible and add them to their resume.
Executive Programs:
The executive programs provided by UpGrad are designed for those who have a certain level of prior experience in Data Science or related areas.
These typically range from 6-12 months long and cover topics such as artificial intelligence, deep learning, and big data analysis. They feature real-life examples, demonstration projects, and personal coaching, which provides participants with a holistic perspective on modern applications of Data Science.
Postgraduate Diplomas:
These programs are intended for those who desire a more structured and comprehensive credential in Data Science. Delivered in partnership with leading universities like IIT Madras or Liverpool John Moores University, these postgraduate diploma courses span 12 to 18 months and offer comprehensive coverage in almost all areas of data science starting from statistics to machine learning, data manipulation, and prediction modeling. Participants also participate in case strategies, capstone projects, internships, and real-life case studies.
Master’s Degree Programs:
For those who wish to engage fully in academia, UpGrad has Master’s degree programs in Data Science in collaboration with foreign universities. Most of these programs, which take 18 to 24 months to complete, offer a comprehensive education in Data Science right from the basics to the more complex applications.
The master’s programs also offer experiences in research, internships, and direct industry interface which is advantageous for people who may be striving to change their career path to the next level.
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Pros of UpGrad
There are several reasons UpGrad has a competitive edge amongst many EdTech companies today making it the go-to for anyone interested in upskilling especially in Data Science.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum:
The content offered at UpGrad is always being revised from time to time to meet the contemporary market needs and requirements.
The courses are developed in collaboration with industries, companies, and top-ranking universities so that the learners are equipped with knowledge and skills that are highly relevant to the corporate world they are working in.
It enhances the student’s competitiveness in the highly dynamic job market since the lessons learned in class are in line with the current trends in the respective industries.
Global Collaborations with Renowned Universities:
Another significant advantage of UpGrad is the company’s excellent collaboration with reputable institutions like IIT Madras, IIIT Bangalore, and Deakin University. These partnerships give the courses credibility while those who complete the courses have recognized credentials that they can list in their resume either locally or internationally.
Personalized Mentorship and Career Support:
UpGrad also involves one-on-one mentorship, making it possible for a learner to have a complete learning experience. Each learner is assigned a tutor with the help of whom he or she accomplishes the course.
Also, for the learners, the platform offers career services where learners can build their resumes, go through mock interviews, and find job placements making it easier for learners to find new jobs or promotions in their current organizations.
Practical Learning with Real-World Projects:
Practical learning is one of the special features impacting UpGrad courses. This involves the use of assignments in the form of live projects, case studies, and capstone projects.
This teaching approach makes it easier to close the gap between knowledge and implementation, thus guaranteeing that learners are not only memorizing information but also using it in real-life scenarios.
Flexibility for Working Professionals:
Another crucial feature of UpGrad is that its learning model is primarily online and it caters to working professionals. The course is online and self-scheduled, this means that the learners can complete it while working or engaging in other activities. Learners can complete their assignments anytime anywhere, without disturbing their ongoing engagements thus the learning process can go at a learner’s pace.
Financial Flexibility:
UpGrad has flexible payment options such as EMI and financial aid that enable learners to pay for the courses in installments. This financial flexibility helps minimize the entry barriers to the platform so that anyone willing to learn can learn on the platform regardless of his/her financial capabilities.
Ongoing Access to Learning Resources:
Learners also have continuing access to lessons when a course is done and can thus easily review the content of the course as well as follow developments that may occur in the future with the course. This long-term access is beneficial for learners because it allows them to keep accessing the information provided by UpGrad data science courses as they advance in their careers.
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Cons of UpGrad
While UpGrad is an excellent platform for learning and upskilling, there are a few potential drawbacks that learners should be aware of:
Cost of Courses:
While taking the UpGrad data science courses, especially the executive programs and postgraduate diplomas, might be cheaper than traditional schooling, it is relatively costly when compared to the cost of other online learning platforms.
Like all the other players in the market, UpGrad does provide payment flexibility, but for most learners, especially those seeking more affordable courses, the investment amount may still remain rather high.
Limited Interaction with Professors:
Compared to conventional education where students have more interaction with professors physically, UpGrad’s model of education has limited physical interaction with faculty members.
Despite the presence of mentors and live sessions, there may be certain students who might feel the lack of prompt feedback and direct academic contact which they might encounter in conventional education.
Technical Requirements:
UpGrad being an online platform depends majorly on a good internet connection and access to a computer or laptop. In particular, the learners in those areas that experience weak internet connection or limited access to technological devices may experience some difficulties in their completion of the coursework.
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How UpGrad Works
UpGrad is an online learning firm that follows a more structured and collaborative model that ensures maximum engagement and practical application. Here’s how it works:
Enrollment Process: The first step involves the choice of course depending on the career path a student wants to undertake. There are numerous fields of study available in UpGrad and they include Data Science, Management, Marketing, etc.
When you have decided on a certain course, you can then progress to seeing the content and even determine the payment methods to be used. UpGrad also provides scholarships and EMI options for payment so the aspirants can afford the courses easily.
Course Structure and Content Delivery: The UpGrad data science courses are further segmented into lessons focusing on different aspects related to the field. This approach to learning integrates the use of videos, readings, quizzes, assignments, and projects that mimic real-life scenarios.
One aspect of each module is to expand and progress from a previously learned concept for a cohesive understanding of the subject matter.
Mentorship and Feedback: During a given semester, learners are assigned tutors from their respective fields, who help in giving them feedback. Such mentors assist in clearing any confusion concerning course materials, offer custom guidance, and make certain that learners are on the correct path. To sum up, UpGrad has a more effective system of learning as it focuses on the concept of mentorship.
Practical Application Through Projects: UpGrad emphasizes hands-on learning. The students can apply assignments on live projects, simulations, and cases on existing live scenarios. Such practical components assist in creating the connection between theory and practice, enabling learners to apply the concept.
Assessments and Certifications: Quizs, assignments, and course/project assessments are commonly used at the end of each module or course. After completing each course offered under the partnership, the learners are awarded a certificate from the partnering university which is valuable and marketable when it comes to job hunting.
List of Top 10 UpGrad Data Science Courses
UpGrad’s courses are categorized based on the proficiency level provided to the learners ranging from the basic level to the advanced level. Below are the top 10 UpGrad Data Science courses:
1. Executive PG Programme in Data Science (IIIT Bangalore):
This flagship program is intended for working professionals seeking to pivot into the Data Science discipline. It includes topics like statistics, machine learning, Python programming, and data visualization as the base level.
The course extends over a year and currently, there are more than 60+ projects and assignments which give an insight into the working environment and practices prevalent in industries.
This course is perfect for learners who want to have a mentor and get other kinds of help related to their career, this course also provides them with more and deeper knowledge.
2. Master of Science in Data Science (Liverpool John Moores University):
This program offers learners internationally recognized academic qualifications from Liverpool John Moores University.
The applied content of the course is complemented by the theoretical framework, and it includes topics such as deep learning, data visualization, and Big Data analysis.
Students complete more than 18 months of coursework in a program designed for Data Science careers on the international scene.
3. Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science:
UpGrad data science courses with certificates are 7 months for early professionals interested in advancing in Data Science. They include data management and manipulation, machine learning, and predictive modeling among others, with the advantage of being certified by IIT which has a lot of value in the Indian employment market.
4. PG Diploma in Data Science (IIIT Bangalore):
This program is a 12-month diploma program designed to teach learners the basic tools required to become a Data Scientist.
Their UpGrad data science courses contain more than 400+ hours of material and provide comprehensive coverage of machine learning algorithms, data preprocessing, and cloud services.
It is an excellent solution for those learners who seek comprehensive data Science courses flexible enough to fit into their schedules.
5. Data Science for Business Decision Making (IIM Kozhikode):
For business executives and managers, this program provides an understanding of how data can be used to improve business decisions.
The course lasts 10 months and also touches upon topics like predictive analytics, data interpretation, and data storytelling, which are critical to achieving business goals in the modern world.
6. Python Programming and Data Science Bootcamp:
This is a boot camp targeted at entry-level to learn Python programming language and foundational concepts in Data Science.
The course is rather compact and time-consuming, lasting approximately 3-4 months but delivering data cleaning, data manipulation, and a brief overview of basic ML algorithms. That means it is ideal for anyone without any previous programming background or experience.
7. PG Certification in Data Science (Caltech):
This global certification from Caltech offers an official recognition in the field of Data Science. The course is very practical as learners complete projects on various issues from different organizations such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft among others.
It takes 9 months and comprehensively covers such subjects as artificial intelligence, natural language processing, neural networks, etc.
8. Big Data Analytics:
Offering concentration in Big Data, this program provides a focus on data engineering, Hadoop, Spark, and cloud computing. It is intended for Data Science and Big Data professionals who are looking for a course to hone their skills in processing big data and mastering tools for working with unstructured data.
It takes 12 months to complete and is suitable for those who want to be a Data Engineer or Big Data Analyst.
9. Data Science and Machine Learning Bootcamp:
This course is intensive and structured like a boot camp and it places a strong emphasis on the use of Data Science and machine learning.
Within a span of six months, learners master Python programming, deep learning, and state-of-the-art advanced machine learning techniques through effective lab and project training.
It would be most beneficial for mid-career professionals who would like to focus on machine learning as their area of expertise.
10. Data Science Specialization:
As a partner of IBM, this specialization centers on the utilization of IBM’s tools and technologies in Data Science such as IBM Watson. AI, deep learning, and automation are taught in the course, and they best suit those learners who wish to obtain modern skills. The specialization is 10 months long and includes live classes and projects.
UpGrad Data Science Curriculum
- Python Programming
- Data Wrangling and Preprocessing
- Statistics for Data Science
- Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)
- Data Visualization (using tools like Tableau or PowerBI)
- SQL and Database Management
- Machine Learning Algorithms (Supervised and Unsupervised)
- Regression Analysis
- Decision Trees and Random Forests
- Clustering Techniques (K-Means, DBSCAN, etc.)
- Time Series Analysis
- Natural Language Processing (NLP)
- Deep Learning and Neural Networks
- Big Data Technologies (Hadoop, Spark)
- Data Engineering
- Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure)
- Business Analytics and Intelligence
- Data Storytelling and Communication
- Capstone Projects and Case Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to register for UpGrad Data Science courses?
Almost every course includes math and statistics as prerequisites, but most programs are entry-level and offer core-level content in coding and analytics.
How many weeks do UpGrad Data Science courses take?
Durations vary from three months (boot camps) to twenty-four months (Master’s programs) based on the level of intensity and degree of focus.
Is there certification at the end of the program?
Yes, UpGrad offers credible certifications in collaboration with universities and institutions such as IIIT Bangalore, Liverpool John Moores University, and so on.
Are there any placement guarantees after pursuing UpGrad data science courses?
Yes, UpGrad offers career support, including resume writing, job search, and mock interviews for the candidates who completed the UpGrad Data Science courses.
Conclusion
The courses offered by UpGrad are designed keeping in mind the current industry needs and more importantly, how they can be applied. Many of these programs also have components such as live industry projects, industry mentorship and networking, and career services which makes these programs particularly appealing to those seeking to either transition into the Data Science profession or those interested in enhancing their current Data Science jobs.
Furthermore, UpGrad’s affiliations with universities and technology firms from around the world give an extra layer of accreditation to their courses. This is an advantage to learners because they can select the UpGrad data science courses that meet their career needs, experience, and time restrictions. Regardless of whether you are stepping into the field for the first time, or if you would like to build on your existing skills, UpGrad has a program that can guide you towards success in Data Science.

Vanthana Baburao
Currently serving as Vice President of the Data Analytics Department at IIM SKILLS......
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