Master of Data Science

Une's master of data science will expand your expertise, allowing you to confidently solve complex challenges in science, health, business and beyond. Through a combination of engaging coursework subjects and a comprehensive capstone project experience, you will hone your skills allowing you to adapt to change, innovate, and play a leading role in the future development of data science solutions globally.

Why study the Master of Data Science with UNE?

• Data is a vital asset prized by virtually every organisation worldwide, which is why skilled data scientists are in high and rising demand. Data science is one of the fastest growing – and best paid – professions. Deloitte Access Economics research indicates a data scientist with a postgraduate degree in Australia can expect toearn over $130,000 a year.
• Streams of data have grown so much in volume and complexity that only specialists can extract the greatest value from them in the modern workplace. Data scientists who can build intelligent systems, master intuitive processes and bring structure to vast quantities of data provide the foundations for evidence-based decision making – unlocking the potential for improvement and competitive advantage.
• Choose our Master of Data Science if you are looking to change career direction or if you want to enhance your data science skills. If you're seeking a career change, you can enter the course with no relevant background in data science and graduate ready for employment in a broad range of positions in private industry, government agencies or research organisations.
• If you have a relevant background, you can update your qualifications with several entry options available that recognise your previous study and allow you to reduce your study time.
• With a strong backbone of statistics and computer science, the Master of Data Science at UNE will take you beyond simply applying technology to data analysis. You will gain in-depth knowledge and experience of the inner workings of databases, machine learning and artificial intelligence, so you can more effectively extract meaning and insights from large and diverse data sets.
• By choosing UNE, you will be studying with an industry leader in the provision of online lifelong learning. Year after year, students award UNE the maximum 5-star ratings in The Good Universities Guide for Overall Experience and Student Support. 

What makes our course different?

• Building on your existing experience, you will upskill for positions that have a rigorous quantitative aspect. Our course will help you hone your software and database development skills, and gain expertise in programming languages such as R, Python and Matlab.

Our flexible course gives you opportunities to:

• Tailor your studies to match your career goals by selecting from a range of relevant units.
• Put your knowledge of data science, statistics and software development into practice in a research-based project for industry.
• Sharpen your understanding of the ethical and legal responsibilities of the practice of data science in a professional environment.
• Hone your communication skills to more effectively gather requirements for data analysis strategies and present complex scientific concepts to collaborators and expert audiences.
• Choose between studying on campus or online, allowing your to balance your studies with your other commitments.
• Exit with the Graduate Diploma in Data Science or Graduate Certificate in Data Science if you choose not to complete the full master course at a stage where you fulfil the requirements of either graduate course.

UNE's Master of Data Science has been granted Professional Level accreditation by the Australian Computer Society and, through the Seoul Accord, is recognised in other countries.

Study online

• Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.

Study on campus

• Many of our students choose to take advantage of the on-campus lifestyle in Armidale, in the beautiful New England region, with access to unparalleled support, accommodation and sporting facilities. These students are often starting their first degree and have left school recently. Through access to academic and career support they get a fantastic start to their careers.

Career outcomes

• Data science is a rapidly growing field with outstanding employment prospects for appropriately qualified professionals. 

You will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to advance your career in positions such as:

• Data scientist
• Business intelligence analyst
• Data engineer or architect
• Data strategist
• Healthcare data manager
• Bioinformatics analyst

Professional recognition

• UNE’s Master of Data Science has been granted Professional Level accreditation by the Australian Computer Society and, through the Seoul Accord, is recognised in other countries.

Course aims

• The Master of Data Science is designed for graduates from all disciplines to complement their existing skills with a solid background in statistics and computer science, preparing them for advanced subjects in these areas along with discipline-specific data science units. The degree provides access to a back-bone of statistics and computer science units, provided within the course.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the key tools, methods and theories used in data science to a level of depth and sophistication consistent with advanced professional practice;
• Synthesise information from data and analyse the lifecycle of data within an organisation;
• Apply problem solving skills and advanced knowledge to implement data analysis solutions for real-world problems;
• Communicate effectively with expert and non-expert audiences to understand issues and gather requirements for the development of data analysis strategies and related systems within an organisation;
• Integrate theories and methods related to data science, statistics and software development by planning and executing a research-grounded industry project;
• Evaluate information from a range of sources, such as peer-reviewed literature and technical documentation, to assess current developments in the area of data science; and
• Demonstrate a sophisticated awareness of the ethical and legal issues that relate to the practice of data science.

Graduate attributes

• Knowledge of a Discipline- Graduates will understand scientific practice and have sophisticated knowledge of the methods, theories and technologies in data science.
• Communication Skills- Graduates will be able to effectively communicate complex ideas and issues to a variety of audiences in order to implement data analysis solutions and present scientific outcomes. Communication skills are developed through a combination of class participation, independent learning and the completion of a capstone project.
• Problem Solving- Graduates will be able to apply specialist knowledge in areas of data science, statistics and software development to solve challenging problems. Problem solving is embedded throughout the course and rigorously assessed through coursework and open-ended projects.
• Information Literacy- Graduates will be able to evaluate information from a range of sources, including peer-reviewed literature and technical documentation, to develop their insight within the data science discipline. This key attribute is developed through class participation, individual assessment and the execution of project work.
• Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility- Graduates will have a deep understanding of the ethical responsibilities related to the practice of data science. They will be able to assess the impact of their actions on the community and behave in a socially responsible manner in a professional environment. This awareness is developed incrementally within the course to give graduates an appreciation of the ethical and social issues that surround the different aspects of data science.
• Lifelong Learning- Data Science is a very rapidly expanding field of study. Graduates have the fundamental skills which enable them to supplement their knowledge and adapt to the changes in methodology and technologies. This is taught and practised by providing core skills and exposing students to a variety of technologies, environments and specialised systems.
• Independence and Collaboration- Graduates will have the ability to operate individually with a high level of autonomy and effectively as part of a team. These skills are developed through research-based projects, individual assessment and class participation.