Pursuing a doctorate in Australia allows graduate students to immerse themselves in academic excellence and a vibrant cultural environment. Thanks to the country’s excellent universities and thriving research communities, having a Ph.D. can pave the way to many opportunities for a learner in their future.
Moreover, there is a rising need for data scientists worldwide because of the progressing technology and the ever-changing area of data science as a study field. That’s why studying this in its doctorate program can provide more groundwork for those who want to work in data science-related careers.
Moreover, a Ph.D. in Data Science is testimony to deepened knowledge in the field that is producing the most lucrative jobs in the world right now. Getting this specific degree in Australia, where some well-known universities are, is a good idea. This article has listed some of the seven best institutions in this country that offer this degree, so make sure to read carefully.
Top Schools Offering Ph.D. in Data Science Programs in Australia
1. Monash University
There’s hardly any global ranking where Monash University doesn’t rank among the top 100. The public research institution was established in 1958 and has a student population north of 86,000. Two of its largest campuses are located in Melbourne, in the suburbs of Clayton and Caulfield, while several others lie across the state of Victoria.
At Monash, students can attain a Ph.D. in Data Science in Australia by developing a research problem within the field that the Faculty of Information Technology approves and then independently investigating it. A supervisory team consisting of at least two supervisors will support the student throughout the program.
Students will undertake compulsory coursework that covers advanced training in IT research methods. The standard duration of the Ph.D. program is four years in full-time format and eight years in part-time format. It takes place at the Clayton and Caulfield campuses.
2. University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is the oldest institution in Australia, beginning its journey in 1850. Its main campus occupies around 178 acres of land in the inner-west Sydney suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington. QS World Rankings 2022 ranks the school first in the country and fourth in the world for graduate employability. Moreover, it is the alma mater of two Nobel laureates and seven Aussie prime ministers.
The university’s Faculty of Engineering allows students to earn a Ph.D. in Data Science in Australia by submitting a thesis that is an original contribution to the field of data science. Students will have access to two research centers: the Centre for Distributed and High-Performance Computing and the UBTECH Sydney Artificial Intelligence Centre. The Ph.D. program in Australia is available in full-time study mode and ideally takes three years to complete.
3. RMIT University
RMIT University is a Melbourne-based public research institution with nearly 87,000 students. It was founded as a night school in 1887 but had to wait more than 100 years to become a full-fledged university in 1992. According to QS World Rankings 2022, it is seventh in Australia and is in the top 100 in the world for graduate employability.
One of the many research areas at the university’s Ph.D. in Computer Science program is data science and analytics. Doctorate students with a topic in a particular research area get to use the RMIT Data Analytics Lab as their research incubator. The program usually takes three to four years in a full-time and six to eight years in a part-time format.
4. University of Melbourne
Established in 1853, the University of Melbourne has its primary campus in the Melbourne suburb of Parkville and other campuses across Victoria. According to Times Higher Education World Rankings 2019, it is the best institution in the country and 32nd in the world. The student population is over 53,000, with 45 percent hailing outside Australia. Multiple Nobel laureates and Australian prime ministers have graduated from this university.
UniMelb’s Melbourne Centre for Data Science allows students to focus their studies in data science in Australia. It provides a nurturing environment where Ph.D. learners across campuses can share their knowledge and ideas about data science through various resources, such as presentations, workshops, masterclasses, etc.
5. University of Technology Sydney
Founded in 1988, the University of Technology Sydney has been recognized by QS World Rankings as one of the top ten young universities in the world. Its main campus is situated in the Sydney suburb of Ultimo. At UTS, students can pursue a Ph.D. degree, which requires completing three distinct phases.
The program takes four years in full-time study mode and eight in part-time mode. In the first phase, students must validate their candidature by completing a formal test. The second phase sees students develop their research program to guarantee their work is up to par, while the third phase involves preparing and submitting the thesis.
Research students are advised to check in with their supervisor(s) once a month to review their updates. Moreover, various academic disciplines require learners to participate regularly in on-campus or off-campus research projects.
6. University of Queensland
The University of Queensland was founded in 1909. Its main campus, located in St Lucia, Queensland, occupies over 281 acres of land. According to multiple international rankings, it deserves a spot among the top 50 universities in the world. The institution has over 55,000 students, with nearly 40% international students enrolled since 2023, according to UQ’s official statistics.
With UQ’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, students can earn a Ph.D. in data science in Australia. The program is only available full-time and takes three to four years to complete. Two or more supervisors oversee each student’s work throughout the program. Under their management, you will conduct research, write a thesis of 80,000 words, and pass an oral test.
7. University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia, which started its journey in 1911, was the sixth institution established in the country. Its main campus lies in the suburb of Crawley in Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Two other campuses are in the Perth suburb of Claremont and the port city of Albany. The public research university has earned the 77th spot in the QS World Rankings 2024.
Like the universities mentioned above, UWA also provides students with the opportunity to earn a Ph.D. in Data Science through an independent, supervised research program. The program is undertaken after a research topic has been mutually agreed upon by a student, their supervisor, the head of the Physics, Mathematics, and Computing, and the Board of the Graduate Research School. It is available in full-time and part-time study modes, with a four-year duration for full-time students.
In conclusion, a Ph.D. in data science from an Australian institution provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get a quality education and experience a diverse culture in one setting. Thanks to the increasing demand for this field, your career and research advancement opportunities will always be present. So, if you want to pursue data science in Australia, consider the universities we listed below and start your application as soon as possible!
We hope this article about the top universities in Australia with the Ph.D. in Data Science was helpful. Make sure also to check out our Study in Australia Page for learning opportunities in the country and the Available Programs for International Students for some of the currently open courses around the world!
