Program Overview

Master of Data Science and Decisions

The Master of Data Science and Decisions is a two-year program designed for STEM graduates and professionals seeking to specialize in data science. The program consolidates skills across three key areas: mathematics and statistics, computer science, and economics.

Program Overview

The program explores methods for organizing, modeling, and analyzing large and complex data for business, governments, or other organizations. Students will study core foundational knowledge combined with a specialization in quantitative, computational, business, or behavioral data science and decisions.

Key Features

• Accelerate your data science career: This degree is designed for STEM graduates looking to enter the field and professionals seeking to upskill.
• Hone your skills through foundational courses and project work: The program consolidates skills across three key areas: mathematics and statistics, computer science, and economics.
• Harness the expertise of three schools: Students benefit from the expertise of educators across three different schools: Mathematics and Statistics, Computer Science and Engineering, and Economics.

Why Study at UNSW?

• Learn with the best: UNSW is ranked #2 in Australia and #48 globally for Mathematics, #1 in Australia and #25 globally for Engineering & Technology, and #2 in Australia and #40 globally for Economics and Econometrics.
• Leverage our industry connections: Advance your career with industry-relevant skills and experience, and tap into our network of 400+ industry and research partners.
• Join a supportive community: UNSW Science provides plenty of support as you lay the groundwork for a successful career, including peer tutoring programs and 16 different clubs and societies.

Program Details

• Program Code: 8959
• CRICOS Code: Not specified
• Campus: Kensington
• Total Units of Credit (UOC): 96
• Duration: 2 years
• Delivery Mode: Face-to-face (includes blended)
• Commencing Terms: Term 1 & 3

Entry Requirements

• Recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification): With a substantial quantitative component in a cognate discipline.
• Overall average of 70 or higher: As determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Calculator.
• Assumed knowledge: A mathematical background of a minimum of one course in several variable calculus and one course in linear algebra at the university undergraduate level.
• Cognate disciplines:
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Social science
  • Commerce
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Technology
• English language requirements: Students may be asked to provide evidence of their English proficiency to study at UNSW, depending on their educational background and citizenship.

What Will I Study?

The Master of Data Science and Decisions program explores the methods for organizing, modeling, and analyzing large and complex data for business, governments, or other organizations. Students will study core foundational knowledge combined with a specialization in quantitative, computational, business, or behavioral data science and decisions.

Program Structure

• Core courses: Students must take 54 Units of Credit (UOC) of the following courses:
  • Database Systems (6 UOC)
  • Data Visualisation (6 UOC)
  • Fundamentals of Data Science (6 UOC)
  • Business Economics (6 UOC)
  • Economics of Strategy (6 UOC)
  • Multivariate Analysis (6 UOC)
  • Statistical Inference (6 UOC)
  • Foundations of Computer Science or Principle of Programming (6 UOC)
  • Machine Learning and Data Mining or Data Mining and its Business Applications (6 UOC)
• Specialisations: Each specialization comprises 30 UOC, including core courses (24 UOC) and prescribed electives (6 UOC). Students must complete one of the specializations:
  • Computational Data Science and Decisions
  • Behavioural Data Science and Decisions
  • Business Data Science and Decisions
  • Quantitative Data Science and Decisions
• Research project: Students must take 12 UOC of the following courses:
  • Data Science and Decisions Project A (6 UOC)
  • Data Science and Decisions Project B (6 UOC)
  • Or Data Science and Decisions Project (12 UOC)

Future Careers

Career opportunities in data science span across many industries, from start-ups to established organizations. As a data scientist, you might be asked to calculate the price of new products, determine optimal schedules, make predictions of environmental phenomena, and model the spread of new diseases. Job prospects for data scientists are robust, with 11% projected growth over the next five years.

Jobs in Data Science and Decisions

• Internet search
• Fraud detection
• Targeted advertising
• Logistics planning
• Speech recognition
• Image analysis
• Genetic risk prediction
• Virtual reality
• Customer loyalty
• Product development
• Autonomous vehicles

Fees & Scholarships

• Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP): 2026 Indicative CSP First Year Fee: $10,000, 2026 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree: $20,000
• Full Fee: 2026 Indicative First Year Full Fee: $62,000, 2026 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree: $128,000
• Scholarships: UNSW awards over $83 million in scholarships each year, with a range of scholarships, prizes, and awards available to support your journey.