Graduate Certificate of Data Science

Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Data Science is for students who want to expand their knowledge of computer science and data analytics. This course will build on a student's undergraduate qualifications or relevant industry experience, with an emphasis on managing, interpreting and visualising data sets. Students will study a project-based learning unit and graduate ready to work in data-driven decision-making roles.

View Graduate Certificate of Data Science course handbook

Get a copy of our course guide

Upgrade your skills

The Graduate Certificate of Data Science course trains the students to develop fundamental knowledge and practical skills in data preparation, visualisation, and superficial analysis. It provides students with skill set for processing big data, operating in projects, and application creation at the entry-level.

Stretch your career further

Data engineer
Junior data scientist
Junior data analyst

Key codes

CRICOS course code

099118A

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

Ranked top 10 Australian university for Computer Science and Electronics

85.1% of students found employment within 4 months of graduating

The median income for PG graduates nine years out is $105.5K

Ranked top 100 in the world for Computer Science and Engineering

ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022

Source

Qualifications

The admission requirements for Graduate Certificate of Data Science consist of:

a completed bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent

The admission requirements for Graduate Certificate of Data Science consist of:

a completed bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about RPL

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security

Discover more (Graduate Certificate of Cyber Security)
Graduate Certificate of Business Information Systems

Discover more (Graduate Certificate of Business Information Systems)

How credit points work

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate of Data Science, students must complete 100 credit points comprising of:

Core units

Graduate Certificate

Nested programs

The Graduate Certificate of Data Science forms the first stage in a nested suite of programs. Continue studying with the:

Master of Data Science

Your units

Graduate certificate

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Creating Web Applications Core unit, 12.5 credit points	COS60004
Introduction to Data Science Core unit, 12.5 credit points	COS60008
Data Management for the Big Data Age Core unit, 12.5 credit points	COS60009
Technology Inquiry Project Core unit, 12.5 credit points	COS60010
Technology Design Project Core unit, 12.5 credit points	COS60011
User-Centred Design Core unit, 12.5 credit points	COS70004
Cloud Engineering Core unit, 12.5 credit points	COS80001
Data Visualisation Core unit, 12.5 credit points	COS80025

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$33,280

Total fee* ($AUD)

$33,280

Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)

$9,314

Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)

$9,314

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$43,280.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

Two types of loans are available to assist with student study fees. Depending on eligibility, you’re able to apply for one of the loans outlined below.

FEE-HELP is a loan that’s available for full-fee paying higher education students. Depending on your eligibility, the Commonwealth Government can help pay all or part of your loan directly to Swinburne.
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme that’s available if you’re enrolled in a Commonwealth-supported place. Depending on eligibility, a HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

log in to My Finances
check your Australian bank account details are correct
check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
pay using your preferred payment method.

Learn more about paying your fees

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Learn more about FEE-HELP

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Learn more about SSAF

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents

GC-DATASC

Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!

Course code

GC-DATASC

Apply directly

Course code

GC-DATASC

CRICOS code

099118A

Apply directly

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Semester 2

Hawthorn

30-July-2025

04-August-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

Semester 2

Hawthorn

04-August-2025

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Upgrade your skills

Stretch your career further

Key codes

International student visa

Why Swinburne?

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Master of Data Science

Graduate certificate

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Total fee* ($AUD)

Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)

Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)