Master of Data Science
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.
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo
Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.
Stretch your career further
- Statistician
- Business Analyst
- Data Engineer
- Data Architect
Key codes
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 2022Qualifications
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:
- 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.
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.
-
Master of Business Information Systems
-
Master of Financial Technologies
-
Master of Project Management
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.
| 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 |
Graduate Diploma
Completing 2 core units and 1 elective unit entitles you to the 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.
| 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.
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$33,280
Total fee* ($AUD)
$66,560
Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)
$9,314
Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)
$18,628
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($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.
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 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
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.
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.
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!