MSc in Big Data Technology

MSc Big Data Technology
MSc Big Data Technology
FTSS 2026-27 Fall Intake_Poster
FTSS 2026-27 Fall Intake_Poster
Overview
This unique program is jointly offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Department of Mathematics. The program integrates a variety of disciplines to allow students to learn all the important facets of big data and how it is used in the real world. Students will learn the major components of big data, including infrastructure, data integration, storage, modeling and management, computing systems, analytic and mining systems, security, policy and social implications, as well as human factors and big data applications in various fields (data science).

 

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Curriculum

Students are required to complete a total of 30 credits of coursework, including 12 credits of core courses and 18 credits of elective courses.  Subject to approval, students may take a maximum of 6 credits of courses from the Master of Science in Information Technology. All the courses are normally held on weekday evenings as well as Saturday mornings or afternoons at HKUST campus. For details, please refer to the Postgraduate Program Catalog and Course Catalog.

Distinct Features of the Program

  • First of its kind in Hong Kong and has been a leader among many similar programs in the region

  • Well balance between the foundations of the subjects and popular topics with state-of-the-art knowledge

  • Hands-on independent project with industry partners engaging students with practical applications for future career or PhD study

Admission and English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics or a related field from a recognized university or tertiary institution. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in other disciplines must have relevant working experience in IT and Mathematics related fields. For English Proficiency Requirements, please refer to HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School.

Program Fee

The nominal program fee of Fall 2026/27 intake for full-time study is HK$330,000 (paid in 2 instalments) and part-time study is HK$290,000 (paid in 4 installments) respectively.  

Application

All applications are considered on a competitive and rolling basis. Early online application is strongly recommended. For admission details and procedures, please refer to HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School.

For 2026/27 Fall Intake (September 2026)

  Application Deadline
All Applicants

1 December 2025 (Round 1)

1 March 2026 (Round 2)

 

Career Prospect

Upon completion of this program, graduates could take up roles such as Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Database Administrator, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Statistician, and Business Analyst, etc applying top big data applications in industries such as e-commerce, education, finance, healthcare, media and entertainment, retail, travel, telecom and many more.

Majority of students had been landing jobs in various well-known financial or technology companies in home country while some would stay in Hong Kong cultivating different cultural experiences.  Meanwhile, some students have continued to pursue PhD studies at HKUST or other universities.

HKUSTx's Big Data Technology MicroMasters® Program for Fall 2025/26 Intake  

With effect from 2023/24 academic year, applicants who have met the program admission requirements and with a certificate of MicroMasters Program in Big Data Technology from HKUST and edX would be eligible to apply for:

  • credit transfer of 9 credits;
  • exemption of 4 core courses but with substitution of a MSBD5014 Independent Project; and
  • tuition fee reduction of HK$13,000

Details of the MicroMasters program are available here. When submitting online application for MSc BDT program, please also upload the MicroMasters Program Certificate and send an email notification to mscbdt@ust.hk as well. Please ensure that the full name in English on the MicroMasters Program Certificate matches the name on your HKID/ passport. For those who have accepted the program's offer, students would be required to complete the MicroMasters Program before July 28, 2025 and submit the Qualtrics application https://ust.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9FhM0jCD6QRvJMW before Aug 15, 2025 to seek for approval for credit transfer and arrange the deduction of tuition fee in the second term. Note that completion of individual course separately cannot apply for credit transfer.

Prospective students can visit program LinkedIn Page and program video page for further information.

HKUST Bachelor's plus MSc Pathway
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Program & Course Catalog
Program Brochure
Program Videos
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
#1 in Hong Kong for 2 consecutive years
Program News
Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme
The Hong Kong Government has recently launched the Hong Kong Future Talent Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies (FTSS), and HKUST is recruiting outstanding local students for 2025/26 Fall Intake. Candidates who are interested in applying for the FTSS scholarship should submit the application for 2025/26 academic year by 22 June 2025 (Sunday).
https://fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/hong-kong-future-talents-scholarship-scheme-advanced-studies
BDT Graduate, HUI Ho Yin, shared his study experience about the support from the Targeted Taught Postgraduate Programmes Fellowships Scheme at the interview with The University Grants Committee.
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It was a fabulous faculty-student gathering to celebrate the commencement of Spring term study! Another opportunity to have a chit-chat with our alumni as well!
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A break from the assessments and assignments and enjoyed the scenery along the Hong Kong Island.
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MSc BDT Program Job Fair & Cocktail 2022 was held successfully by inviting HR and Engineering professionals for latest industry update and company introduction. Our students also got to connect with them at the cocktail session!
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Fall 22 term was kicked off by the SENG MSc MegaWelcoming event and the MSc BDT program induction at the end of August. It was the first time ever to have the face-to-face meeting ever since the outbreak of COVID-19. Now is the time to gain momentum and get back on track! We will continue to tackle the challenges and strike for excellence altogether! Here we go!
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The program mixer event across MSc BDT, IT and TLE Programs was held last month on Aqualuna Cruise. Alumni and current students were invited to celebrate this happy moment with our soon-to-be graduates.
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Student Sharing
The MSc in Big Data Technology program was transformative and intense that well prepared me for a technical career in quantitative finance.

The curriculum is both comprehensive and flexible, allowing me to build a strong foundation in data manipulation and machine learning while specializing in areas relevant to quantitative finance. The balance of theory and hands-on project work was perfect—through various projects, I gained practical experience in model building, data processing, and big data systems, which was crucial for my job path.

Immediately after graduation, I joined Qube Research & Technologies as a Quantitative Developer. In my role, I focus on low-latency systems for trading and work on implementing strategies and machine learning models. The technical depth and problem-solving approach I developed in the program were directly applicable from day one.

I would recommend this program to anyone seeking a rigorous, practical, and fast-paced gateway into data science and technology roles in top-tier industries.
PAN Jingxiang
The Mainland of China - Class of 2025
My journey in the MSc in Big Data Technology (BDT) program has been exceptionally rewarding. The curriculum stands out for its flexibility and diversity, allowing students from varied professional backgrounds to tailor their learning path, including selecting courses from other programs. The BDT course selection is also dynamic, constantly evolving to integrate the newest technologies and providing high freedom of choice.

The professors are highly experienced and responsible, ensuring a rigorous yet manageable learning curve. Through targeted assignments and dedicated TA tutorials, students quickly master complex concepts. A key practical advantage is the option to undertake an Independent Project (IP) with a supervisor, gaining deep, hands-on expertise in a specialized field.

Beyond academics, the program offers flexible study planning that aids employment and internships. The thoughtfully organized student activities, including company visits and networking events, are invaluable for enriching professional relationships and gaining clearer insights into both local culture and future career development.
LING Keke
The Mainland of China - Class of 2025
My year in the MSc(BDT) program has been both challenging and deeply rewarding—a journey I will cherish for years to come. I once struggled with self-doubt about my abilities, but through this program, I've rediscovered how to learn and regained my confidence. This transformation was made possible by the program’s student-centric curriculum, my supervisor’s professional guidance and the professors’ thoughtful instruction.

The comprehensive curriculum covers key areas like Database Systems, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing. Professors present complex concepts in accessible ways, reinforcing them with well-designed exercises and projects that solidify understanding. The program also encourages hands-on experience, offering a chance to engage with cutting-edge technologies; in my case, I focused on applying large language models to Cantonese-Mandarin translation. This allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge to a meaningful task and gain practical insight.

I am deeply grateful to all the teachers and fellow students who made this year so supportive and inspiring. For anyone looking to grow both technically and personally, I wholeheartedly recommend joining this program.
ZHANG Lu
The Mainland of China - Class of 2025
The BDT program provided me with a unique and powerful advantage by combining rigorous, solid engineering training with immediate exposure to front-line technologies. The courses are exceptionally well-designed, ensuring that we build a strong foundation in core machine learning and data science principles, but also that we stay current with the latest trends, like the application and theory behind Large Language Models (LLMs). This comprehensive and future-proof approach truly prepared me for the fast-paced, evolving tech landscape.

The greatest lesson I took away from the program, however, was the importance of remaining open-minded. BDT offers a wide-range of elective choices across different departments, giving students the freedom to explore various applications of data technology. This flexibility allowed me to discover and cultivate my specific passion. By selecting courses at the intersection of quantitative analysis and computer science, I was able to shape my own study path, which directly led me to my fulfilling role today in the Fintech industry.
LIU Wentao
The Mainland of China - Class of 2025
My time in MSc. BDT program (part time) at HKUST has been excellent! The program maintained a good balance in both theorical and application knowledge. Ultimately, it equipped me with the knowledge and skills I needed to enter the industry and work confidently with data and AI.

The curriculum starts with 4 core engineering foundation courses that cover all the essential background we needed to deep dive into specialized topics. A major strength of the program is the flexibility of the elective courses. They cover very wide variety of topics and domains, allowing us to build expertise in areas that match our interests and career goals. The course content are also refreshed up to date, including the newest and hottest topics in the field, such as GenAI and LLMs.
LIU Lap Kin
Hong Kong - Class of 2025
Recommended by a colleague, I enrolled in the part-time MSc in Big Data Technology (BDT) at HKUST, and the two-year journey has been highly rewarding. The curriculum has given me a solid foundation in big data engineering, machine learning, and mathematics, while keeping me up to date with cutting-edge topics such as reinforcement learning and large language models.

The knowledge gained was immediately applicable to my work, enabling me to implement new tools and best practices in real-world projects. The program’s schedule is very accommodating for me with a full-time job, with evening and weekend classes as well as recorded lectures, making it easy to balance work and study. Overall, this program has deepened my expertise in big data and AI and helped me stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field.
TAM, Kiu Fai
Hong Kong - Class of 2025
My time in the BDT program has been incredibly rewarding. The program strikes a perfect balance between theoretical depth and practical application, preparing students to excel in the fast-evolving field of data science.

The courses are exceptionally well-designed, providing a solid foundation before diving into advanced topics. The curriculum covers a wide range of various topics like LLMs, deep learning, big data computing, distributed systems, and data storage. This breadth ensures you gain a holistic understanding of the entire data pipeline.

A standout feature is the program's focus on applying what we learn to solve real-world problems. We didn't just work with theoretical models; we tackled hands-on projects that mimicked industry challenges, which was invaluable.

The flexible course schedule is a significant advantage, especially for those balancing studies with other commitments. It allows you to tailor your learning pace to your personal and professional life.

Overall, the program is great for both pursuing better career development and academic development. Whether your goal is to land a top-tier industry position as a data scientist or engineer, or to pursue further academic research, this program provides the knowledge, skills, and connections to get you there.
PAN, Jingrui
The Mainland of China - Class of 2025
The curriculum of the BDT program equipped me with the skills to become a professional big data analyst. The program covers a wide range of topics and up-to-date technology such as natural language processing, blockchain technology and so on.

I can choose the courses that suit me the best. The knowledge I learned here is very beneficial to my career development. Besides, the independent project in this program gives me the hands-on experience to apply my knowledge to solve real-world problems.
LEUNG Cheuk Hei
Hong Kong - Class of 2022
HKUST MSc BDT program provides a variety of courses including mathematical, statistical and programming choices which allow all students from different background to equip well as an all-rounded data professional.

Meanwhile, it doesn’t only cover theoretical knowledge but also practical exercises so that everyone can have their chances to apply what they learnt from the lessons to tackle the real-world problems.

Moreover, there are several foundational courses provided so that you don’t need to be worried if this is the first time you learn big data. Apart from the course contents, professors are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about teaching. Classmates from both full time and part time are helpful as well so you can definitely meet new friends with similar interest on big data
WONG Ka Chun
Hong Kong - Class of 2022
HKUST MSC BDT gives you a taste of the industrial revolution 4.0. I learned the basic theory and math of data mining and machine learning. Topics like Data Visualization, Parallel Computing, and Natural Language Processing teach me the skills I need for work. Offering a wide range of topics in Big Data, it's great for people of all backgrounds. Getting to know people from different backgrounds and working on projects with them helps me grow my social network and friendships. Buckle up your seatbelts and get ready to be a part of the fourth wave of the industrial revolution.
WONG Tsz Ho
Hong Kong - Class of 2022
If you want to be a data scientist, data engineer, machine learning engineer, big data engineer or any other data science positions, then this program is perfect for you.

When I first got my full-time job, I was lucky to have a project related to data science. I found it very fun and I soon became passionate about data science. I wanted to become an actual data scientist so I can continue to work on data science everyday. However, most companies require their scientists to have at least an MSc. So I searched on the internet, and found this program. Additionally, the Targeted Taught Postgraduate Fellowships Scheme covers more than 70% of the tuition fees. I immediately applied for the program as well as the fellowship scheme. Luckily, I was chosen and this helped me a lot financially.

The program offers different elective courses for us to choose from, so you can pick those that fit your purpose the most. In my case, I want to be a data scientist with strong machine learning knowledge, so I have picked elective courses such as machine learning, natural language processing and artificial intelligence. Combined with the 4 core courses focused on data analysis, data mining, data engineering and maths, I built a strong foundation of data science. Eventually I landed my first job as a data scientist.

Last but not least, students participating in this program are passionate about the subject and they are the brightest minds in technology in Hong Kong. During my study, I have made a lot of friends who are also pursuing similar career paths. We are still closely in touch and are growing together. Studying this program helped to build my network, and helped me in advancing my career.
WONG Tsz Fung
Hong Kong - Class of 2022
The university life is not only lessons and assignments here, but also the activities which offer you an opportunity to meet smart people who may inspire you a lot.
PARK Seoyoung
Korea - Class of 2019
What I find special about the program is the option to take an independent project. This means that if you have a cool project idea you want to work on, you can do so by seeking guidance from some of the professors and gaining practical research experience.
LEUNG Terence Yin Kiu
Canada - Class of 2019
I strongly recommend Big Data Technology to anyone who is interested in computer science and artificial intelligence in general. The knowledge and experience is relevant for industrial needs, and can become a starting point for a research career as well.
Daniil CHEPENKO
Russia - Class of 2018
Having been working on all the projects, I obtained hands-on experience on real-world data science problems and learnt to communicate my ideas as a data scientist.
GAO Xun
Mainland China - Class of 2018
The courses offered by the world-class professors are well designed, which address both the theoretical and practical perspectives of topics related to big data technologies.
LAU Tsz-Kit
Hong Kong - Class of 2017
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