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University of New South Wales (UNSW)

  • 34% international / 66% domestic

Master of Data Science and Decisions

  • Masters (Coursework)

Our world contains an unimaginably vast amount of digital information. Extracting meaning from this data can drive business forward, enable next-generation scientific breakthroughs and produce benefits that make a positive difference in our world.

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Duration
2 - 2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Fees
$8,500 per year / $112,500 total

About this course

Overview

Our world contains an unimaginably vast amount of digital information. Extracting meaning from this data can drive business forward, enable next-generation scientific breakthroughs and produce benefits that make a positive difference in our world. But it's a challenging task which requires strong skills and training.

Data scientists are the people with that expertise, which explains why they have become key players in today's job market. From industries as varied as health, defence, finance, transport and logistics, to agriculture, media and technology, there's a growing reliance on data science professionals to deliver meaningful business insights. There's a range of reasons to study data and technology

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Prepare yourself for excellent employment opportunities in this fast-growing field with the Master of Data Science and Decisions. Your study will explore programming languages, problem-solving and processing/interpreting/presenting data using qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Key features
  • Suitable for launching or accelerating your career
    This degree is designed for STEM graduates who are looking to enter the field and professionals who are looking to upskill. If you've recently graduated with a Bachelor of Mathematics, a Bachelor of Science (with a major in mathematics, statistics or computer science) or a Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions, this degree is a great next step on your professional journey. If you have industry experience in computer science, statistics or business analytics, this master's program will expand your skills and knowledge to position you as a leader in your field.
  • Foundational skills, specialisations and project work

    This program will consolidate your skills across three key areas: mathematics and statistics, computer science and economics. You'll gain deeper knowledge in your area of interest by pursuing a specialisation in computational, business, behavioural or quantitative data science and decisions. You'll also develop research and communication skills in data science through project work.
Why study this degree at UNSW?

Learn with the best

  • We're ranked #1 in Australia and #44 in the world for Mathematics.*
  • We're ranked #1 in Australia and #31 in the world and 1st in Australia for Engineering & Technology.*
  • We're ranked #3 in Australia and #37 in the world for Economics and Econometrics.*

Harness the expertise of three schools
You'll benefit from the expertise of educators across three different schools at UNSW: Mathematics and Statistics

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, Computer Science and Engineering
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and Economics
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Leverage our industry connections
Advance your career with industry relevant skills and experience. Tap into our network of 400+ industry and research partners to expand your professional connections.

Join a supportive student community
At UNSW, equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to our success. We're also committed to inspiring women to pursue an enriching career path in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

Program Code
8959
CRICOS Code
0101866
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
96
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements

For entry into this degree, you must have one of the following:

  • a Bachelor of Mathematics
  • a Bachelor of Science with a major in mathematics, statistics or computer science
  • a Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions
  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline as determined by the program authority

You also need to have a sufficient background in mathematics and/or statistics and/or data science, as indicated by an average of 70 or above in appropriate level III university courses.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • English language tests and university English courses
  • Prior study in the medium of English
  • Other qualifications

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

For entry into this degree, you must have one of the following:

  • a Bachelor of Mathematics
  • a Bachelor of Science with a major in mathematics, statistics or computer science
  • a Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions
  • an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline as determined by the program authority

You also need to have a sufficient background in mathematics and/or statistics and/or data science, as indicated by an average of 70 or above in appropriate level III university courses.

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • English language tests and university English courses
  • Prior study in the medium of English
  • Other qualifications

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program
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Study locations

Kensington

Career pathways

Future careers

The era of Big Data

With quintillion bytes of data generated each day, it's safe to say that we're in the era of big data. Social media, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning and artificial intelligence are driving the trends in data and influencing the role of data scientists.

As the big data boom rolls on, your skills will be central to a range of roles in information-rich industries including:

  • internet search
  • fraud detection
  • targeted advertising
  • logistics planning
  • speech recognition
  • image analysis
  • genetic risk prediction
  • virtual reality
  • customer loyalty
  • product development
  • autonomous vehicles.

What does a career in this field look like?

Data science is a multidisciplinary field of study that blends mathematical methods, statistics, computing, business decisions and communication. Data scientists translate user data into insights that help companies understand their audience and personalise their products or services. Uncovering new insights and predicting trends has become vital in the retail, environmental, not-for-profit, IT and professional services sector.

Career opportunities in data science span across many industries from start-ups to established corporations including Coles, AirBnB, Spotify, Netflix and Greenpeace, to name a few. As a data scientist, you might be asked to calculate the price of new products for the market, determine warehouse or retail employee schedules, make predictions of environmental phenomena and model the spread of new diseases.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Computing & Information Systems courses at University of New South Wales (UNSW).
70.6%
Overall satisfaction
73.7%
Skill scale
50.3%
Teaching scale
90.5%
Employed full-time
$110k
Average salary