For professionals
Online Courses
Take the next step toward your organisation’s goals with our flexible online courses
We offer a range of cohort-based, self-paced, online learning courses through our online learning platform, and in partnership with top international organisations. Our online courses will help you take the next step toward becoming a data-driven organisation.
Enable your team to get transferable skills to help them progress in their career, enhance their data literacy and knowledge, and learn how data can help your organisation become more innovative, effective and profitable.
Is online learning right for my team?
Our online courses are designed for organisations in any industry and at any stage of their journey. They explore data at an introductory level and are not industry specific.
Through our data eLearning funding, we have also supported universities and industry partners in creating courses which focus on more specific subject areas. The skills taught in these courses will apply to many audiences and are easily transferable.
For online courses offered directly by The Data Lab, we use Canvas by Instructure, the world’s number one learning software.
Why study with The Data Lab?
The Data Lab is hosted by the University of Edinburgh and funded through Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government. We are a respected and trusted provider of professional development, business support and innovation within Scotland, the UK and beyond.
Our trainers and associates are leaders in their fields. They are highly experienced at helping teams see how data science can help them to do their jobs more effectively and to meet their strategic goals.
We also partner with industry and academia to offer other courses through their platforms to make learning as accessible as possible.
Our online course catalogue
We have a range of core courses that can be tailored to suit your organisation’s needs. Contact our team or follow the links below for further information about our offering.
Data for Entrepreneurs
This course by The Data Lab and Edinburgh Innovations focuses on the entrepreneurial journey, giving insights into what it takes to be successful and the role that data and AI can play in supporting that success.
Driving Value from AI
Driving Value from AI pulls together thought leadership, experienced practitioners and engaging activities that you need to work responsibly and ethically with AI. You’ll gain the confidence and credibility to make a real impact with AI for your organisation, customers, employees and stakeholders.
Introduction to Data Security
Our introduction to data security will guide you through the intricacies of data breaches, their causes, and how to avoid them. This course is supported by the Scottish Government and was developed with the National Cyber Resilience Leaders’ Board.
Data Management Fundamentals: A Beginner’s Guide to Data Success
This course provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the essential ideas in data management, including up-to-date examples and case studies to help you relate these ideas to what organisations are doing in this area.
Driving Value from Data
Driving Value from Data takes you through the growth opportunities presented by data. It will help you to champion data as a business opportunity to realise your company’s full potential. You’ll gain confidence to add value through better data use and be equipped with a complete data readiness assessment to integrate your learning.
Introduction to Big Data
Big data is an emerging technique for analysing human behaviour and natural phenomena. It is becoming widely used in various fields, ranging from business to cosmology. Our introductory online course explains what big data is, how it might affect you, and how you can use it.
People Power Data
People Power Data is designed for leaders, managers and HR professionals to help develop an understanding of their own data skills needs. It is a must-have in your professional development journey if you work with employees or teams who use data.
Speak to one of our team to find out more about our online courses
Online courses funded by The Data Lab
We fund the development of data courses by universities and industry partners. While many of these courses focus on a specific subject area, the skills taught are applicable to a wide range of audiences and are easily transferable.
Data Science for Ecologists and Environmental Scientists
Overcome code fear and statistics anxiety in this free, self-paced online course developed by the Coding Club and the University of Edinburgh. Funded by The Data Lab.
Data Ethics, AI and Responsible Innovation
Medical robots, smart homes, predictive policing, AI – all are fuelled by data, promising new benefits to society. But will these innovations benefit everyone? How can we ensure data is part of a just and sustainable world? This course was created by the University of Edinburgh and funded by The Data Lab.
Data Science in Stratified Healthcare and Precision Medicine
This free online course, created by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with leaders in the field of precision medicine, explores some of the different types of data and computational methods involved in stratified healthcare and precision medicine. Funded by The Data Lab.
EdinburghX: Breeding Programme Modelling with AlphaSimR
This free online course will equip participants with an understanding of computer modelling of breeding programmes to enhance genetic improvements in agriculture, with hands-on practice with key breeding operations using AlphaSimR. Developed by The University of Edinburgh and funded by The Data Lab.
The Power of Data in Farm Animal Practice
Discover the extraordinary power of data in livestock farming. A free short course to help farming professionals upskill with confidence.
Getting Started with Teaching Data Science in Schools
Learn the basics of data science and how to introduce data science in the classroom so that your students are prepared for the future. Developed by The University of Glasgow and funded by The Data Lab.
Hurricane Tracking with Satellite Data
Discover how to analyse satellite data of hurricanes and explore descriptive analytics. Developed by The University of Strathcyde and funded by The Data Lab.
Data Science in the Games Industry
Build better gaming experiences by learning how to use big data. Developed by the University of Dundee and funded by The Data Lab.
The Power of Data in Health and Social Care
The online course allows individuals and organisations working in health and social care to discover the principles of healthcare data analytics. Developed by the University of Strathclyde, UrbanTide and DHI, and funded by The Data Lab.
Multi-modal Data Science For Digital Health
The aim of this course is to provide students with the knowledge to critically appraise and develop decision-support systems for digital health. Developed by Robert Gordon University and funded by The Data Lab.
Computer Vision for The Energy Sector
The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge of techniques in machine learning and computer vision applied to the complex and time-consuming task of image/video analysis. Developed by Robert Gordon University and funded by The Data Lab.
Data Science in Colleges
This six-module free course, developed by the College Development Network (CDN) and the University of Stirling introduces teaching staff in colleges to the basics of data science. Funded by The Data Lab.
Youth Work Data Course
Gain a better understanding of data science principles, and how they can assist with tackling misinformation, decision making and skills for employment and education. This course, run by Fife College, is designed for youth workers, managers, volunteers and anyone interested in developing their knowledge of data in a youth work setting.
