Master of Data Science

The Master of Data Science at Sydney Polytechnic Institute is a two-year postgraduate degree for people who want to work with data at a professional level. You'll study statistics, programming, machine learning, data management and how to turn messy data into decisions a business can act on. The course is built around units of study, each with a credit point value. You need to pass a set number of credit points to graduate, and the exact unit list and rules are on the official course page.

Australian master's degrees by coursework usually run over four semesters, or trimesters at some institutions. This one takes two years full time. Most master's programmes include a capstone unit or a minor research project in the final stage, where you pull together what you've learned on a real data problem. Many also offer work-integrated learning or an industry placement, which is common in data science because employers want to see you handle actual datasets, not just textbook exercises. Check the official page for whether a placement or capstone is part of this course and how it's assessed.

You'll build skills in Python or R, SQL, statistical modelling, data visualisation and machine learning. You'll also learn how to communicate findings to people who don't code, which is often the part that gets graduates hired. The course suits people with a bachelor's degree in IT, maths, science, engineering or a related field who want to specialise. It can also suit career changers who have some quantitative background and are willing to put in the work on programming and statistics.

As an international student, you'll need to meet the English requirement. The published standard for coursework postgraduate courses is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the institute's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While you study, your visa allows 48 hours of work per fortnight. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Always confirm fees, entry requirements and course structure on the official page before you apply.

• Data scientist
• Data analyst
• Machine learning engineer
• Business intelligence analyst
• Data engineer
• Quantitative analyst

These roles sit in banks, insurers, hospitals, government agencies, retailers, tech companies and consultancies across Australia. Data skills are in demand in Sydney and Melbourne in particular, and many graduates move into analytics teams or start as analysts and specialise later.