In this information age, it’s no surprise that a specialization like data science has become one of the world’s most sought-after and lucrative career options. Analysts predict that the demand for skilled professionals in this multidisciplinary field will continue increasing exponentially in the foreseeable future. That’s why getting a professional degree in this field can only increase your chances of being happily employed for a long time.
If Australia is where you want to get such a degree, you should check out our list of the five best universities offering a master’s degree in data science in this country!
Top Schools Offering Data Science Master’s Programs in Australia
1. Monash University
Multiple major rankings recognize Monash University as one of the top 100 universities in the world. It also has one of the best master’s programs in data science in Australia. Founded in 1958, the public research institution has eight campuses, with the largest two located in the Melbourne suburbs of Clayton and Caulfield. It is the alma mater of ten percent of the country’s top 50 CEOs. Its total student enrolment currently stands north of 86,000 from 150 countries, and its staff number is approximately 17,000.
This Australian higher institution offers a Master of Data Science program at its Clayton campus. This full-time program may take one to two years, depending on a student’s prior qualifications. It is structured in three parts: foundation studies, core studies, and advanced studies. Those with qualifications in a related field may choose to exempt themselves from the foundation studies.
The core studies help students gain a critical understanding of data science issues, both theoretical and practical. At the advanced studies level, students have two options: they can either write a master’s thesis research project or participate in an industry experience team project.
2. RMIT University
The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, commonly known as RMIT University, started as a night school in 1887 but gained university status in 1992. It has three campuses in Australia, the original and main one being the City campus, which lies in the heart of Melbourne, Victoria. RMIT offers its Master of Data Science program at the City campus.
A full-time student generally takes two years to complete the program. The first year involves developing a solid foundation in computer science and statistics. The second year, on the other hand, deals with advanced core courses and electives. It also includes a significant project that can be undertaken either on campus as an industry or research project or off campus as an intern data scientist in the industry. RMIT’s master’s degree is considered one of the top Australian data science programs.
This institution also offers a Master of Analytics program on campus. The duration of this second program is also the same as the first one. The program includes seven core courses in statistics and operations research and nine electives that allow students to specialize in computer science, economics, or marketing or acquire a broader understanding of every field.
3. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney was established in the Land Down Under in 1850. It has multiple campuses, the largest one in the western Sydney suburb of Camperdown. The 2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings ranked the school first in the country and fourth globally for graduate employability. Moreover, the public research institution has an approximate student population of 69,000, including more than 400,000 alums from over 170 nations. Its notable alums include Nobel laureates John Cornforth and John Harsanyi and seven prime ministers of Australia.
USYD’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies oversees its Master of Data Science program, which is offered in evening sessions at the Camperdown campus. Its programs are considered among the best in Australia. A full-time student can complete it in one year, while a part-time student can do so in two years. The program consists of four core units, two elective units, and a capstone project in which students apply their skills to real-world problems in data science.
4. University of Melbourne
Founded in 1853, just three years after USYD, the University of Melbourne is the second oldest institution in Australia. The Parkville campus is the primary one of several campuses across Melbourne. The public research institution is the alma mater of several Nobel laureates, including Elizabeth Blackburn and Sir John Eccles.
According to the 2022 QS World University Rankings, the institution is the second-best in Australia for computer science and statistics. It offers its Master of Data Science program at its Parkville campus. It is a two-year program for full-time students and a four-year program for part-time students.
To successfully complete the program, a student must gain 200 credit points, including 37.5 points each from core statistics subjects and core computer science subjects, 50 points from elective subjects, and 25 points from the data science capstone project. The capstone project finds a student working on a practical research question in the field for over 12 months, independently or as part of a team.
UniMelb also offers a Master of Business Analytics program that focuses on quantitative methods and the role of data in decision-making. The one-year, full-time program is administered by Melbourne Business School.
5. University of Adelaide
The final university in Australia that offers a Master’s in Data Science is the University of Adelaide. Established in 1874 as the country’s third university, it has four main campuses, but most students and staff are based at the North Terrace campus in the city center. It is ranked among the top 150 universities globally by almost every significant university ranking.
This public research institution offers its Master of Data Science program at its North Terrace campus, with the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering, and Technology administering it. The 48-unit program usually takes two years or four semesters of full-time study. As part of the 48 units, students have to undertake a research project, which is normally completed over two consecutive semesters. The project also includes delivering a public presentation and writing a report on the particular research.
As mentioned above, data science will continue growing exponentially as a study field in the next few years, increasing the demand for qualified professionals and experts in this specialization. If you want to pursue this degree, consider these top five Australian universities and upgrade your data science knowledge to a master’s degree!
We hope this article on the best universities in Australia with a Master’s in Data Science was helpful. Also, make sure to check out our Study in Australia and the Available Programs for International Students for some of the currently open data science courses around the world!
