Postgraduate

Master of Data Science

Gain the skills to transform data into intelligence and become a sought-after expert at the forefront of this rapidly expanding field.
1.5-2
Years Full Time

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

As the global demand for data expertise is booming and only set to grow further with the surge of big data and AI, you’ll graduate with the skills for an internationally mobile career.

The Master of Data Science prepares you for a career as a data scientist or data analyst and in roles such as: 

- Analyst

Business Intelligence Analyst

Management Consultant

Market Research Analyst

Statistician

You will be able to find employment in a large range of companies and organisations across the resources, finance, commerce and utility sectors. In Western Australia, Data Science graduates are required for specialised data mining within the resource sector.

As the global demand for data expertise is booming and only set to grow further with the surge of big data and AI, you’ll graduate with the skills for an internationally mobile career.

The Master of Data Science prepares you for a career as a data scientist or data analyst and in roles such as: 

- Analyst

Business Intelligence Analyst

Management Consultant

Market Research Analyst

Statistician

You will be able to find employment in a large range of companies and organisations across the resources, finance, commerce and utility sectors. In Western Australia, Data Science graduates are required for specialised data mining within the resource sector.

Further Study

Further study will allow you to gain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). It will open up opportunities in academia and research to help you to pursue your goals in a wide range of careers, depending on your area of research.
Further study will allow you to gain a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). It will open up opportunities in academia and research to help you to pursue your goals in a wide range of careers, depending on your area of research.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Full-Fee Paying Place $30,600.00

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$46,400.00
2025
$49,200.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent;
and
(c) completed ATAR Mathematics Methods, or equivalent, as recognised by UWA.

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

Course details

The demand for data specialists shows no sign of slowing. Big data and analytics now drive and inform strategic decision making and innovation in engineering, finance, health and almost every industry.

Take on the big data challenges of tomorrow and be a sought-after data specialist capable of making new discoveries through data analysis.

About the course

The Master of Data Science gives you the knowledge and skills to understand and apply appropriate analytical methodologies to transform the way an organisation achieves its objectives, to deal effectively with large data-management tasks, to master the statistical and machine-learning foundations on which data analytics is built, and to evaluate and communicate the effectiveness of new technologies.
Master of Data Science

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 12 hours per unit including contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 62530
CRICOS code
  • 093310E
Master of Data Science
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 12 hours per unit including contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 62530
CRICOS code
  • 093310E
Full time/part time duration
  • 1.5-2 years of full-time study (depending on the requirement to include conversion units).
Degrees course is available in
  • Master of Data Science

Why study this course?

  1. The course has been developed alongside our industry partners to ensure you will learn the latest skills and knowledge to further your career.
  2. You’ll make lifelong connections through our vibrant student and professional communities such as the UWA Data Science Student Club and Perth Machine Learning Community, which organise industry meet-ups to give you opportunities to network with future employers and industry partners.
  3. You’ll get hands-on experience working on real-world data sets and projects to harness the power in data, with opportunities to choose streamlined units in Business, Population Health, Artificial Intelligence, Systems and Statistics.

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Conversion
Students who have completed degree studies in a non-cognate area, or equivalent as recognised by the School, must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School.
Core
Take all units (48 points):
Option - Group A
Take unit(s) to the value of 24 points, including a minimum of 12 points at Level 5.

You'll learn to

  • harness existing data science technologies to manage and analyse large or complex data sets
  • evaluate emerging data science technologies and techniques and their potential application to a wide variety of problems
  • apply appropriate techniques for data management, representation, analysis and presentation
  • identify the trade-offs to be considered when planning a new data management project, using a combination of new and existing components
Work integrated learning

Hands-on experience

With a major data science project on your resume you’ll be an attractive candidate to future employers. The Data Science Capstone Project provides a unique experience where you can integrate and apply your skills to a substantial real-world data science project.

The Capstone Project will lead you through a sizeable team-based effort – mentored by academics and industry practitioners you’ll go through the full data science practice life cycle and gain invaluable professional skills for a career in data science.

Additionally, through the substantial individual research project, selected students will be able to further develop and demonstrate their research and implementation skills to address topics at the leading edge of data science. You will benefit from close interaction with our leading researchers in ‘Complex Data Modelling’, 'Machine Learning Applications for Physical Sciences' and 'Systems for Knowledge Discovery from Data' and their key industry partnerships.

*Enrolment in the Data Science Research Project is by invitation only.

Work integrated learning
Master of Data Science

UWA is Ranked 1st in WA for Computer Science and Information Systems

(QS 2023)
Master of Data Science

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Student clubs

Whatever you’re interested in, you’ll find people here to share your journey.

Enhance your employability while making lifelong friends and connections by joining one of our many student clubs, such as:

  • UWA Data Science Club
  • Computer Science Student's Club
  • Coders for Causes
  • Ethical Hackers Group
  • UWA Programming Competition Society (PCS)

Discover more about all our student clubs from the UWA Student Guild.

Find out more

Graduate Story

Prathyusha Sangam

Data Science graduate

Prathyusha Sangam is a graduate of the Master in Data Science program at UWA and is now working as a Data Scientist at Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers (WesCEF).

"The course at UWA offers a great mix of everything to become a successful data scientist, with the flexibility to specialise through electives. The highlight of the course for me was my Data Science Research Project on characterizing urban attractor hubs using Transperth ticketing logs. My supervisor was an amazing mentor. Outside of the classroom, my time as a volunteer at Robogals and as a postgrad student representative at the PMC education committee are on top of my list."

Graduate Story