In this information age, it is no surprise that data science has become one of the world’s most sought-after career options. Organizations across technology, finance, health, government, and research continue to rely on qualified professionals who can manage, analyze, and communicate data effectively. That is why getting a professional degree in this field can strengthen your long-term career prospects.
If Australia is where you want to get such a degree, you should check out our list of these best universities offering master’s degrees 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 universities in the world. It is ranked 31st globally in the 2027 QS World University Rankings. Founded in 1958, the public research institution has six campuses and three international teaching locations. Its community includes about 86,000 students, 17,000 staff, and more than 500,000 alumni in over 150 countries.
This Australian higher education institution offers a Master of Data Science program on campus at Clayton. The full-time program takes 1.5 or two years, depending on a student’s prior qualifications. Students entering the two-year pathway complete foundation units before moving into core master’s study and advanced practice.
The core studies help students gain a critical understanding of data science issues, both theoretical and practical. In the advanced practice component, students can choose either a research pathway that includes a thesis or an industry experience studio project with an industry professional.
2. RMIT University
The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, commonly known as RMIT University, began as the Working Men’s College in 1887 and gained university status in 1992. It has three campuses and two sites in Australia, including its Melbourne City campus in the heart of Melbourne, Victoria. RMIT offers its Master of Data Science program at the City campus.
A full-time student generally takes 1.5 or two years to complete the program, depending on advanced standing. Without advanced standing, the program takes two years full-time or four years part-time for eligible students. The first year develops a solid foundation in computer science and statistics, while the second year includes advanced core courses, electives, and a major project that may be completed as an industry or research problem on campus or as an off-campus internship with an industry partner.
This institution also offers a Master of Analytics program on campus at Melbourne City. The program is listed as a two-year full-time degree, with part-time options available for domestic students. It includes seven core subjects and flexible electives that allow students to specialize in areas such as computer science, economics, finance, logistics, or marketing, or gain a broader understanding of analytics across fields.
3. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney was founded in 1850 and is Australia’s first university. Its current rankings include 28th in the world in the 2027 QS World University Rankings and 53rd in the world in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
USYD’s School of Computer Science offers the Master of Data Science through the Faculty of Engineering. The program requires 72 credit points and has a minimum full-time duration of 1.5 years. Students with eligible prior study may be able to reduce the duration to one year through recognition of prior learning. The program includes data science core units, professional core units, specialist or specialization units, and either capstone project units or a research pathway. Available specializations include Data Engineering and Machine Learning.
4. University of Melbourne
Founded in 1853, just three years after USYD, the University of Melbourne is the second-oldest university in Australia. The Parkville campus is its original and main campus. The public research institution is ranked 22nd globally in the 2027 QS World University Rankings and first in Australia for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
It offers its Master of Data Science program on campus at Parkville. The standard program takes two years full-time or four years part-time, with an accelerated 1.5-year option available for students assessed as having completed the equivalent of all foundation subjects through previous studies.
To complete the standard program, students must complete core subjects worth 75 credit points, capstone subjects worth 25 credit points, and 100 credit points from a formal specialization. Specialization options include foundational, statistical, computational, and computational and statistical data science. The final-year capstone lets students apply data science tools to a practical problem, working individually or in a group.
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 offered through Melbourne Business School.
5. Adelaide University
Adelaide University is a new institution that officially opened in January 2026 and builds on the legacy of its foundation institutions. Adelaide University is ranked 79th globally in the 2027 QS World University Rankings.
Adelaide University offers its Master of Data Science on campus at Adelaide City Campus and Mawson Lakes. The program takes two years of full-time study and comprises 96 units: 66 units of core courses, 18 units of discipline courses, and 12 units of work-integrated learning. In the final year, students design and execute a project for an industry client, applying their technical knowledge while building professional skills and industry connections.
As mentioned above, data science remains a fast-moving study field, and demand continues for qualified professionals who can turn data into useful insights. If you want to pursue this degree, consider these top Australian universities and upgrade your data science knowledge to a master’s level!
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 guide and the Available Programs for International Students!
