GENERAL

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Fees , Top Colleges, Admissions, Placements & Salaries

Samrat Ray • 14 Mins read • 25 Jul 25

Masters in Data Science in Australia

A Masters in Data Science in Australia (MS in Data Science or Master of Data Science) is a postgraduate program to equip students with industry-relevant data science skills. It is a 2-year program in most universities, with a yearly fee of A$35,000 to A$50,000. You must clear the IELTS/TOEFL exam to prove English language proficiency for admission to a Masters in Data Science in Australia.

The cutoff in IELTS for Masters in Data Science in Australia is usually 6.5, and that in the TOEFL exam ranges from 75 to 100. Apart from that, the cutoff score in the Bachelor’s program is up to 75%, depending on the university. In some cases, based on your work experience and a qualified UG course, you can get an accelerated course of 1 to 1.5 years for a Masters in Data Science in Australia.

Indian students of Masters in Data Science in Australia can get scholarships of up to A$135,000 or full-tuition fee waivers. The average entry-level salary packages range from A$75,000 to A$100,000 per year. Google, Deloitte, Atlassian, Accenture, and EY are some of the prominent recruiters in this stream. The tentative last date for application to Masters in Data Science in Australia is in November 2025.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Highlights

Check the key details related to Masters in Data Science in Australia shown in the table below.

Particulars	Details
Degree Type	MS in Data Science / Master of Data Science (MDS)
Duration	1.5 to 2 years
Top Universities	University of Melbourne, UNSW Sydney, Monash, University of Sydney, University of Queensland
Eligibility (Freshers)	UG in CS/Math/IT/STEM. IELTS score of 6.5 - 7.0. GPA 2.7–3.0+ (on 4.0 scale).
Eligibility (Experienced)	Preferred for roles in ML/AI. Experience in IT/Data/Analytics can boost your profile.
Entrance Exams	IELTS/TOEFL mandatory; GRE optional (rarely required)
Tuition Fees	A$35,000 – 50,000 per year (₹19–27 lakhs/year)
Living Expenses	A$15,600 – 27,600/year (₹8.5–15.1 lakhs/year)
Scholarships	Merit-based, need-based, and international scholarships
Post-Study Work Visa	2–3 years (Temporary Graduate Visa – Subclass 485)
Job Roles After Graduation	Data Scientist, Data Analyst, ML Engineer, BI Analyst, Data Engineer
Average Starting Salary	A$75,000 – 100,000/year (₹INR 42–56 LPA)
Top Recruiters	Google, Deloitte, Commonwealth Bank, Atlassian, EY, Accenture
Intakes	February and July (a few unis also conduct intakes in November)

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Important Dates and Events

Check the table below for the general application start and end dates for Masters in Data Science in Australia across the available institutions for the winter intake.

Events	Important/Tentative Dates
Deadline for application	November 2025
Course intake (winter)	November 2025

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Visa Application Timeline

Check the tentative dates for the visa application and departure for Masters in Data Science in Australia in the table below.

Events	Important/Tentative Dates
Application for student visa	August 2025
Departure to Australia	November 2025

Why Choose a Masters in Data Science in Australia?

You can choose a Masters in Data Science in Australia for the following reasons:

Global recognition: It offers you a globally recognised degree and allows you to find career opportunities in many different countries.
High-quality education facilities: In Australia, you can find world-class universities with advanced facilities for studying Masters in Data Science.
Industry-relevant syllabus: The syllabus for Masters in Data Science in Australia is industry-specific. That can provide an advantage to you in the job market.
High demand: The high demand for Data Science in Australia means that you will have great career opportunities there after completing your degree.
Permanent residency: You can gain permanent residency in Australia after finishing a Masters in Data Science.
Availability of scholarships and financial aid: In case of financial constraints, you can get scholarships and financial aid in Australia for completing your Masters in Data Science.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Admission Process

Here are the steps to apply for a Masters in Data Science in Australia and gain admission to universities.

Visit the official website of the institution: You can usually find the application portal for the universities on their respective official websites.
Fill out the application form and upload documents: Enter your academic and personal details as asked for in the application form. You must also upload the scanned documents asked for to complete the application requirements.
Pay the application fee: The universities will usually charge a fee for your application, which is required to submit your application successfully.
Accept the admission letter: The university will send an admission letter to you upon selection. Once you receive it, you must proceed to apply for a student visa.
Apply for a student visa for Australia: You must have an ImmiAccount to apply for an Australian student visa. Visit the official website of the Department of Home Affairs to complete this step.
Report to the institution within the deadline: After getting a student visa, you must travel to Australia and get enrolled in the course within the date specified by the university.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Eligibility Criteria

Here are the general eligibility criteria for admission to Masters in Data Science in Australia across the available universities for freshers and experienced candidates.

Criteria	Freshers (0–1 year exp)	Experienced (2 or more years)
Academic Background	Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Math, Engineering, or related fields	Bachelor’s in any field + relevant work experience (data, analytics, tech, etc.)
Minimum percentage	65–70% in most cases.	60%+ is accepted based on experience.
Program Duration	1.5 - 2 years (depending on relevance of UG course studied).	Can apply for accelerated 1-1.5 year courses based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Work Experience	Internships/project work are recommended, but no work experience is required.	Minimum 2 years of professional experience in the relevant fields.
IELTS Requirement	6.5 overall.	6.5 overall.
TOEFL iBT Requirement	79–85 (Writing: 21+, Reading: 18+, Listening: 17+, Speaking: 20+)	79–85 (Writing: 21+, Reading: 18+, Listening: 17+, Speaking: 20+)
Additional Skills	Should know Python, R, SQL, Statistics, and Data Structures (via UG or certificate courses)	Work experience can be considered as a substitute for technical UG courses in some cases.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: SOP, LOR, and Resume Guidelines

The SOP (statement of purpose), LOR (letter of recommendation), and the resume are important documents for your admission to a Masters in Data Science in Australia. The table below shows the guidelines and areas of focus in these documents.

Component	Freshers	Experienced Applicants
SOP	Academic project, career intent, and course strengths.	Leadership, growth, and real-world analytics projects.
LORs	Must be from professors familiar with your academic potential.	Managers or team leads who can speak to actual data impact & skills Must be provided by a manager or team leads familiar with your skills.
Resume	Coursework, internships, and academic competitions	Full-time roles, leadership, and real-world data outcomes

Masters in Data Science in Australia Fees

Check the average tuition fee and 2-year total fees for public and private universities for a Masters in Data Science in Australia in the table below.

University Type	Average Tuition (AUD/year)	2-Year Total
Public	A$40,000 – 55,000	A$80,000 – 110,000
Private	A$60,000 – 75,000 (limited)	A$120,000 – 150,000+

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Top Entrance Exams

You must take some mandatory and some optional entrance exams for a Masters in Data Science in Australia. Check the table below for the notable entrance exams accepted for this course.

Exam	Required?	Purpose	Typical Cutoff
IELTS	Yes (mandatory)	English proficiency test.	Overall 6.5 or 7.0 (no band < 6.0)
TOEFL iBT	Yes (alternative to IELTS)	English proficiency test.	79–100 (Writing ≥ 21)
PTE Academic	Yes (alternative)	English proficiency test.	58–65
GRE	Optional	General aptitude test.	300–320+ (if asked)
Duolingo English Test	Sometimes	English test (at-home)	110–120+

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Entrance Preparation Strategy

You can try the following tips to ensure success in the entrance exams for Masters in Data Science in Australia:

Strengthen the core concepts: You must focus on the core concepts related to the course and stream to ensure the best performance in the entrance exams.
Practice your language skills: Since IELTS and TOEFL will be the main entrance exams for admission to Masters in Data Science in Australia, language skills must be a key area of your focus.
Enhance your data analysis skills: Continuous improvements in your data analysis skills will help you increase your chances of selection for studying Masters in Data Science in Australia.
Work on your quantitative skills: In the case of data science courses, it is essential to keep improving your quantitative skills, as they are an important skill in this stream.
Gain expertise in programming languages: You may face challenges in gaining admission to Masters courses in Data Science without expertise in a relevant programming language. Hence, you must try to master a programming language.
Practice mock tests: The more you practice, the more you will understand the exam pattern, the type of questions, and the high-yield topics. Along with that, this will help you develop a time management strategy for the specific exam.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Cutoff

The cutoffs for Masters in Data Science in Australia include the minimum marks required in the Bachelor’s exams and those in IELTS/TOEFL, among other entrance exams. The tables below show the exam-wise cutoffs and the cutoffs for various prominent universities.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: General Cutoffs

Check the table below for the cutoffs in the mandatory and optional entrance exams required for Masters in Data Science in Australia.

Requirement Type	Typical Cutoff Range
Bachelor’s GPA /%	65 – 75% (Australian equivalent of GPA 5.0/7.0), usually from Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Statistics, or Math fields.
IELTS	Overall 6.5 – 7.0 (no band <6.0)
TOEFL iBT	79 – 100 (Writing ≥ 21)
PTE Academic	58 – 65
GRE (if required)	300 – 320+ (Quant ≥ 160 preferred)

Masters in Data Science in Australia: University-Wise Cutoffs

Check the university-wise cutoffs for Masters in Data Science in Australia in the qualifying exams and IELTS in the table below.

University	Minimum % / GPA	IELTS
University of Melbourne	75%+ / GPA 6.0+	6.5
University of Sydney	65%+	7.0
Monash University	65–70%	6.5
UNSW Sydney	70%+	7.0
University of Queensland	65%+	6.5
RMIT University	60–65%	6.5
Deakin University	60%+	6.5
University of Adelaide	65–70%	6.5
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)	60–65%	6.5

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Course Seats

The table below shows the estimated seat capacity for international students across different universities for Masters in Data Science in Australia.

University	Estimated Intake (International students)
University of Melbourne	250–400
University of Sydney	200–350
UNSW Sydney	200–300
Monash University	180–250
University of Queensland (UQ)	150–220
University of Adelaide	120–180
University of Western Australia	100–150
Deakin University	150–200
UTS (Sydney)	150–200
RMIT University	100–150
Carnegie Mellon Australia	30–50

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Syllabus

Check the core and elective courses available under Masters in Data Science in Australia in the table below.

Year	Semester	Core Courses	Elective Courses (Choose based on interest/specialization)
Year 1	Sem 1	Statistical Modelling for Data Science Cluster & Cloud Computing	Introduction to Programming Practice of Statistics Data Wrangling
	Sem 2	Multivariate Statistics Advanced Database Systems	Optimization for Industry Data Warehousing Knowledge Management
Year 2	Sem 1	Statistical Machine Learning Data Science Capstone Project Part 1	AI Planning Mobile Computing High-dimensional Data Analysis
	Sem 2	Data Science Capstone Project Part 2	Cryptography & Security - Mathematics of Risk Elective Internship

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Top Universities/Colleges

Given below are the top public and private universities in Australia for Masters in Data Science and their QS global and subject rankings.

Institution	Type	QS Ranking (Global Subject)
University of Melbourne	Public	#26 in Data Science
University of Sydney	Public	#43 in Data Science
UNSW Sydney	Public	#51–70 in Data Science
Monash University	Public	#34 in Data Science
University of Queensland (UQ)	Public	#40 in Data Science
University of Adelaide	Public	#82 global (#96 subject)
University of Western Australia (UWA)	Public	#77 global (#109–150 subject)
RMIT University	Public	#104 global subject
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)	Public	#90 global subject ranking
Carnegie Mellon University Australia	Private	U.S.-affiliated elite private university.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Scholarships

You can apply for national and university-level scholarships while studying a Masters in Data Science in Australia. Check the following tables to know about the prominent scholarships available in these categories.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Government Scholarships

Here are the national scholarships offered by the Australian government that are available for Masters courses in Data Sciences.

Scholarship	Coverage	Eligibility
Australia Awards Scholarships	Full tuition + living & travel allowance	Citizens of partner countries. Merit-based. Obligation to return post-study.
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP / AGRTP)	Tuition + stipend (A$34,000/year)	Master’s by research or PhD candidates, including international students.
Destination Australia Scholarship	Up to A$15,000/year	International students studying in regional Australian universities.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: University Scholarships

Given below are the university-level scholarships available for Indian students studying Masters in Data Science in Australia, along with their benefits and eligibility requirements.

Scholarship	Value / Benefits	Indian Applicant Eligibility
Melbourne School of Engineering Scholarship	A$5,000–20,000/year	Merit-based for Data Science Master's applicants.
Graduate Research Scholarships	Full tuition + stipend up to A$135,000	Research-based Data Science master’s program students.
MS of Data Science Entry Scholarship	One-time A$6,000 rebate	High academic performance in quantitative subjects.
Future of Change Scholarship	A$5,000/year	Strong academic records.
Monash International Merit Scholarship	A$10,000/year	High academic achievement.
UQ PG High Achievers Scholarship (India stream)	A$5,000 rebate (Sem1 & Sem2)	GPA 6.0/7 required.
Global Academic Excellence Scholarship (Faculty-level)	50% tuition waiver	ATAR 98 or GPA 6.8.
International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship	100% tuition waiver	Meritorious international students are eligible.
Future Leaders Scholarship	20% tuition fee reduction	Open to students from India/Pakistan/Bangladesh, etc.

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Scholarship Deadline for 2025

Here are the tentative deadlines for the scholarships available to you for studying a Masters in Data Science in Australia.

Scholarship	Deadline
Graduate Research Scholarships (e.g. RTP, MRS)	October 2025 (tentative)
UQ RTP Scholarship (India Stream)	November 2025 (tentative)
ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship	August 2025 (tentative)

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Placements

The recruiters for data science roles come from various sectors and offer a wide variety of roles. Check the specific notable recruiters along with their industry and typical roles offered in the table below.

Recruiter / Employer	Industry Sector	Typical Graduate/Career Roles
EY, KPMG, Accenture	Consulting/Audit	Graduate Data Analyst, Analytics Consultant, BI roles
CBA, NAB, ANZ Banking Group	Finance/Risk	Analyst, Risk Data Scientist, Strategy Analyst
Microsoft, VMware, SAP	Tech/Software	Data Scientist, ML Engineer, Cloud Analytics Engineer
Telstra, Alinta Energy	Telecomm/Energy	Data Scientist, Operations Analytics, Forecasting Analyst
Australian Government Agencies	Public Sector	Graduate Data Scientist, Statistician, Data Analyst
Kantar, FactSet, GHD	Research/Analytics	Quantitative Researcher, Data Analyst, GIS Analyst

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Salary Package

Check the roles and salary ranges based on the experience level after completing a Masters in Data Science in Australia in the table below.

Experience Level	Roles	Salary Range (AUD/year)
Entry/Graduate	Data Analyst, Junior Data Scientist, etc.	A$75,000 – 100,000
Mid-Level (2–5 years)	Data Scientist, BI/Analytics Engineer, etc.	A$105,000 – 130,000
Senior/Leadership	Senior DS, Lead Data Scientist, etc.	A$140,000 – 160,000+

Masters in Data Science in Australia vs India

The key points of comparison between studying Masters in Data Science in Australia and India are given in the table below.

Aspect	Australia	India
Top Universities	University of Melbourne, UNSW, Monash, University of Sydney, UQ	IITs (e.g., IIT Madras, IIT Hyderabad), IIITs, ISI, BITS Pilani
Duration	1.5 – 2 years	1.5 – 2 years
Eligibility	3–4 year UG degree, IELTS/TOEFL, strong Math/CS background	UG in Engineering/Science/Maths; some require GATE
Entrance Exams	IELTS/TOEFL GRE (in some universities)	GATE / University entrance test (some may have interviews)
Curriculum	Focus on applied data science, capstone projects.	Strong theoretical foundation.
Industry Exposure	High, with access to multinational firms.	Moderate, with fewer global internships.
Tuition Fees	A$35,000 – 50,000 per year (₹19–27 lakhs/year)	₹1 – 5 lakhs total for government universities ₹8–15 lakhs for private universities.
Living Costs	A$20,000 – 25,000 per year (₹10–13 lakhs/year)	₹1 – 3 lakhs/year (in metro cities)
Scholarships	Available based on merit, diversity, or university funding.	Limited to top scorers and specific categories.
Work Opportunities	Part-time jobs during study. Post-study work visa (2–3 years)	Limited on-campus job opportunities.
Job Market	Competitive but strong. Top recruiters include EY, CBA, Accenture, and Microsoft.	Booming but crowded. Top employers: TCS, Infosys, Flipkart, and Zoho.
Average Starting Salary	A$75,000 – 100,000 (₹42–56 LPA)	₹8 – 20 LPA in IITs and ISI. ₹5–10 LPA in others.
Immigration & PR Path	Available via work visa & PR in the STEM shortage list.	NA

Masters in Data Science in Australia: Living Costs for Indian Students

Go through the monthly costs given in the table below to estimate the overall monthly costs for studying a Masters in Data Science in Australia.

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (AUD)
Accommodation (shared)	A$500 – 1,500
Food & Groceries	A$300 – 600
Transport (public)	A$00 – 250
Utilities & Internet	A$100 – 300
Health Insurance (OSHC)	A$50 – 70
Misc. (mobile, clothing, leisure)	A$150 – 350

Career Scope After Masters in Data Science in Australia

Check the various job roles and their descriptions after the completion of your Masters in Data Science in Australia.

Job Title	Description
Data Scientist	Builds models to extract insights from data for decision-making.
Data Analyst	Works with structured data, dashboards, and reporting for trends and KPIs.
Machine Learning Engineer	Designs and deploys ML algorithms and models.
Data Engineer	Develops infrastructure (pipelines, ETL, databases) for data storage and access.
Business Intelligence Analyst	Bridges data and business operations; often uses tools like Power BI/Tableau.
AI Specialist	Applies deep learning, NLP, and advanced AI in tech or research settings.
Quantitative Analyst (FinTech)	Uses statistics and modeling in financial services and trading.

FAQs for Masters in Data Science in Australia

Ques: How do Masters in Data Science programs in Australia compare with those in Canada?

Ans: If you are looking for higher-ranked universities with strong industry connections, Australia might be a better destination for you to study Masters in Data Science. On the other hand, Canada offers more affordable courses and easier processes for permanent residency.

Ques: Should I go for part-time or full-time options for Masters in Data Science in Australia in 2025?

Ans: The right choice for you will depend on your work commitments, learning pace, and financial considerations. You can go for a 4-year part-time course if you have work commitments and want a slower learning pace. Otherwise, a full-time course that runs for 2 years can be the best option.

Ques: What is the accreditation of Masters Data Science programs in Australia

Ans: The Australian Computer Society (ACS) accredits most of the Masters courses in Data Science in Australia. This accreditation is based on the standards that the universities meet.

Ques: Are there Data Science Masters programs in Australia for students with a non-STEM background?

Ans: Yes, even non-STEM students can study a Masters in Data Science in Australia. UNSW, Monash University, Deakin University, and University of Adelaide can provide you with data science courses for non-STEM students.

Ques: Which are the best Masters in Data Science programs in Australia in 2025?

Ans: The courses offered by the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, UNSW, and Monash University are some of the top-ranked courses in data science for Indian students. You can consider them based on your specific requirements like learning pace, financial considerations, and others.