Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
Overview
The Master of Data Science will further develop your technical and analytical skills needed to manage and interpret useful insights from large data sets. Your coursework will include project-based assessments allowing you to focus on what you are passionate about.
Career opportunities
Graduating from Master of Data Science may lead to career opportunities as a business analyst, data scientist, data analyst, data engineer or data manager.
Professional recognition
The Master of Data Science is accredited by Australia Computer Society at the level of ICT Professional and therefore recognised internationally under the Seoul Accord.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2024 is AUD $31,688.00. This equates to $ $3,961.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University, the #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024).
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University, the #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024).
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
What will I study?
The core units of this program will allow you to explore a range of data science concepts. Specialist elective units will allow you to explore complementary areas of interest through additional coursework units, an industry placement unit or a research thesis unit.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
Core
| 150cp
| Compulsory Core units totalling 150 credit points as detailed below: Plus either: Practice Experience Option OR Research Project Option |
Specialist Electives
| 10cp
| Specialist Elective units totalling 10 credit points selected from one of the options detailed below: BUS508 Business Analytics (replaces BUS501 from 2022) PHM553 Biostatistics PRT532 IT Service Management STA510 Business Statistics |
| Course Total | 160cp |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
2024 - Course Changes and Transitional Arrangements
From 2024, the course structure has changed as outlined below:
- Research units have moved to become core unit requirements
- Increase in the core unit requirement from 11 units (110cp) to 12-13 units (150cp)
- New Practice Experience Option and units PRT604 Professional Experience (20cp0 and PRT840 IT Thesis have been introduced
Transitional Arrangements
- Students that have already completed Part A of the PRT820 Master Thesis MUST enrol and complete Part B of PRT820.
- From 2024, students will have the option of completing either the Professional Experience or Research option.
Any student who believes they will be disadvantaged by these changes should contact the course coordinator for assistance.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | R = Research |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| HIT234 Database Concepts | CO | HIT137 Software Now | CO |
| PRT520 Principles of Computing Systems | CO | HIT140 Foundations of Data Science | CO |
| PRT531 Business Intelligence and Data Mining | CO | HIT220 Algorithms and Complexity | CO |
| PRT551 Project Management, Risk and Reliability | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| PRT564 Data Analytics and Visualisation | CO | PRT563 Advanced Data Management | CO |
| PRT574 Security Assessment in Software Development | CO | PRT565 Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms | CO |
| PRT604 Professional Experience (20cp) or PRT840 IT Thesis (20cp) OR PRT820 Master Thesis (20cp) x 2 | CO | PRT604 Professional Experience (20cp) or PRT840 IT Thesis (20cp) OR PRT820 Master Thesis (20cp) x 2 | CO |
Students commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| HIT137 Software Now | CO | ||
| HIT140 Foundations of Data Science | CO | ||
| HIT220 Algorithms and Complexity | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| HIT234 Database Concepts | CO | PRT563 Advanced Data Management | CO |
| PRT531 Business Intelligence and Data Mining | CO | PRT565 Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms | CO |
| PRT551 Project Management, Risk and Reliability | CO | PRT604 Professional Experience (20cp) or PRT840 IT Thesis (20cp) OR PRT820 Master Thesis (20cp) x 2 | CO |
| PRT564 Data Analytics and Visualisation | CO | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| PRT520 Principles of Computing Systems | CO | ||
| PRT574 Security Assessment in Software Development | CO | ||
| PRT604 Professional Experience (20cp) or PRT840 IT Thesis (20cp) OR PRT820 Master Thesis (20cp) x 2 | CO | ||
Students Commencing in Summer Semester
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in Summer Semester and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| HIT137 Software Now | CO | ||||
| PRT551 Project Management, Risk and Reliability | CO | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||
| HIT234 Database Concepts | CO | HIT140 Foundations of Data Science | CO | ||
| PRT520 Principles of Computing Systems | CO | HIT220 Algorithms and Complexity | CO | ||
| PRT531 Business Intelligence and Data Mining | CO | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 3 | |||||
| PRT564 Data Analytics and Visualisation | CO | PRT563 Advanced Data Management | CO | ||
| PRT574 Security Assessment in Software Development | CO | PRT565 Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms | CO | ||
| PRT604 Professional Experience (20cp) or PRT840 IT Thesis (20cp) OR PRT820 Master Thesis (20cp) x 2 | CO | PRT604 Professional Experience (20cp) or PRT840 IT Thesis (20cp) OR PRT820 Master Thesis (20cp) x 2 | CO | ||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification.
International entry pathway
Applicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01), the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1) or the ZMPP01 International Masters Preparation Program are eligible for entry.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
I have decided to stay in Darwin because I found an amazing job here. I wouldn’t be exposed to this variety of roles and experience anywhere else in Australia.
Srijana
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
I have decided to stay in Darwin because I found an amazing job here. I wouldn’t be exposed to this variety of roles and experience anywhere else in Australia.
Srijana
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about information technology at CDU
Kalyani is from India studying a Master of Information Technology (Information Systems and Data Science) at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about information technology at CDU
Kalyani is from India studying a Master of Information Technology (Information Systems and Data Science) at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
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