Overview

Advance your knowledge and understanding of data analytics with the Master of Data Science. This course is designed for postgraduate students who want to gain meaningful insights from data that comes from a variety of sources. You’ll develop skills in leading-edge techniques and learn the contemporary tools that relate to a data management lifecycle. After graduating you’ll be skilled to work at the forefront of data-driven decision-making and forecasting.

View the Master of Data Science course handbook
Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?

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Stretch your career further

  • Statistician
  • Business Analyst
  • Data Engineer
  • Data Architect

Key codes

CRICOS course code
099117B
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.

Strong industry connections and co-creation

In the Master of Data Science course program, participating in the industrial-based project units is mandatory. By undertaking the capstone project, students are deeply involved in project execution with industry clients from external organisations or businesses to deliver usable solutions to real-world problems. Students achieving a credit average are eligible to apply for taking the internship project unit (ICT80004) to be the intern in the industry.

Professional accreditations

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

Qualifications

The admission requirements for Master of Data Science consist of:

  • A completed bachelor's degree (or higher award) in any discipline
  • Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Data Science from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent OR
  • Successful completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program at Swinburne

The admission requirements for Master 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 the Postgraduate Qualifying Program at 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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

How credit points work

To qualify for the Master of Data Science, students must complete 200 credit points comprising by:

  • Twelve (12) core units (175 credit points)
  • Two (2) electives (25 credit points)

Your units

Graduate Certificate

Completing 8 core units entitles you to the graduate certificate.

8
Core 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
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate of Data Science

Graduate Diploma

Completing 2 core units and 1 elective unit entitles you to the graduate diploma.

8
Core units
+
2
Core units
+
1
Elective unit
=
Graduate diploma
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Technology Innovation Research and Project
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
COS70008
Big Data
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
COS80023

Masters degree

Completing 2 core units and 1 elective unit entitles you to the Masters.

10
Core units
+
1
Elective unit
+
2
Core units
+
1
Elective unit
=
Masters degree
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Machine Learning
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
COS80027
Technology Application Project
Core unit, 25.0 credit points
COS80029
Elective units
Cyber-Ethics
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
CYB70001
Internship Project
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
ICT80004
Research Paper
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
ICT80007
Minor Thesis
Elective unit, 25.0 credit points
ICT80014
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$33,280

Total fee* ($AUD)

$66,560

Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)

$9,314

Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)

$18,628

2024 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 2024 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 2024.

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 in the capped amount for 2024.

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

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 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.

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.

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
MA-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
MA-DATASC
Apply directly
Course code
MA-DATASC
CRICOS code
099117B
Apply directly
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
February intake
Location
Sydney
Last date to apply
23-January-2025
Start dates
28-January-2025
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
February intake
Location
Sydney
Start dates
28-January-2025
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024