Master of Data Science
Overview
Become job-ready and prepared to tackle complex data science challenges and play a leading role in the future development of data science solutions globally.
This is the most comprehensive data science program in Australia, combining high-level analytical and technical skills with industry-specific knowledge and essential professional attributes. It's also one of the few programs in the world to offer you a cross-disciplinary education with direct industry contact and practical experience in the exciting field of data science.
You'll study advanced topics from computing, statistics and mathematics, and your choice of electives from business, finance, health or science. Across the program, you'll learn how to make informed decisions in data-intensive environments.
You'll use relevant big data tools and technologies and develop essential knowledge about the ethical use of data, legal considerations, communication and more. In your final year, you'll also complete projects relevant to industry.
Since data underpins the digital economy, there are enormous opportunities for data scientists to revolutionise the way we work, live and communicate. With a Master of Data Science you'll be expertly prepared to work in Australia or overseas across a large number of industry sectors, government agencies and high technology companies, as well as consulting and market research firms.
If you come from a business background, our Master of Business Analytics may be the program for you. While both programs address the function of data analytics, the Master of Data Science provides technical expertise, while the Master of Business Analytics will teach you how and why to make business decisions using data.
State-of-the-art facilities
The school is home to facilities including a big data lab with relevant tools and technologies; more than 400 Windows, Unix and Apple workstations; more than 20 specialist computer labs (including 10 with 24-hour access); and a university-wide 802.11ac Wi-Fi network.
Program highlights
- Benefit from the most comprehensive data science program in Australia.
- Study advanced topics from computing, statistics and mathematics.
- Learn how to make informed decisions in data-intensive environments.
- Graduate with a combination of high-level technical skills and a capacity for creative and disruptive thinking.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Research experience
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Introduction to Data Science
- Responsible Data Science
- Data Analytics at Scale
- Machine Learning
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Market researcher
- Data scientist
- Risk analyst
- Supply chain analyst
- Business intelligence analyst
- Data miner
- Big data engineer
- Portfolio manager
- Actuarial and analytics consultant
- Software developer
Average annual salary range
Data Scientist
seek.com.au
Average annual salary range
Data Engineer
seek.com.au
Next steps after graduation
Master of Data Science graduates will be expertly prepared to work in Australia or overseas across a large number of industry sectors, government agencies, and technology companies, as well as in consulting and market-research firms.
In China alone, the market for big data is experiencing an annual growth of more than 30 per cent based on expenditure of 10 Billion RMB since 2015.
The median salary of data scientists is typically reported in six-digit figures and in China it is reported to be 3.5 times higher than in comparable positions.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in 2 years or 1.5 years depending on your qualifications and experience.
You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.
2-year degree (32 units of study)
To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), or
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) which includes all of the relevant discipline content (see below), or
- to have successfully completed 3 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, with a formal pathway to the Master of Data Science.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification
1.5-year degree (24 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below) with studies in at least 3 courses in mathematics, 2 courses in statistics or probability and 3 courses in computer sciences.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification
Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications
Relevant disciplines include information technology, computer science, statistics, mathematics, engineering, physics and actuarial studies.
If your bachelor's degree was not awarded in a relevant discipline, you must have successfully completed the following discipline content in your tertiary studies (for entry into the 2 year degree only):
- calculus or advanced mathematics or higher mathematics or mathematical analysis, and
- at least 2 courses from the following content areas (courses must be from two different content areas):
- linear algebra
- programming or C Language or object oriented (OOP) or java/software engineering
- databases or data structures or algorithms or data mining
- probability or statistics
- computational mathematics or numerical analysis or differential equations or multivariate analysis
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Data Science are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$8,180
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
$8,180
2025
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $53,760
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
AUD $53,760
2025
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Master of Data Science are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Data Science is 5660.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Data Science is 5660.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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