
You can study online for a masters degree or MBA in data science with your choice of Australian university. Graduate certificates and diplomas are also available through 100% online study.
- Data science is a rapidly growing field presenting enormous career opportunities.
- An excellent way to build a skills base for the future is with an online masters course. You'll learn how to use big data to inform business decisions.
Online data science programs are designed for busy people, and many students also work full-time. A graduate certificate is 4 units; a graduate diploma 8 units; while a masters consists of 12-16 subjects.
Data scientists build intelligent systems to manage, interpret, understand and derive knowledge from big data sets. The degree develops your analytical and technical skills in using data science to guide decisions. You explore the latest in data mining, machine learning and data visualisation, and develop skills to communicate data insights.
~ University of Sydney
Big Data and Data Science
Graduate Certificate in Data Science

A graduate certificate in data science is a flexible course that allows you to:
- gain entry to a masters program with fewer formal qualifications and
- build skills in data science without committing to a masters degree.
Online graduate certificate courses don't just provide a platform for launching a data science career. They also equip you for roles such as developing and managing data projects.
A requirement for many careers is the ability to make sense of data, the ability to leverage data for decision making, and the ability to work with all kinds of data.
~ Sarita Digumarti
University of Adelaide Graduate Certificate in Data Science (Applied)
The University of Adelaide’s Graduate Certificate in Data Science (Applied) allows you to build practical skills quickly. Students work with real datasets to complete the kinds of tasks you may encounter as a data science professional. The online course can be completed over 8 months of part-time, flexible study. As a graduate, you will have gained job-ready competencies, with the ability to do things such as clean data and program proficiently in Python.
JCU Graduate Certificate of Data Science
James Cook University's Graduate Certificate of Data Science is a convenient, affordable way to get started in data science. Each of the 4 units takes less than 2 months to complete and you have full control over when you study. An intuitive online platform allows you to easily connect with classmates and academic staff. Topics covered include an introduction to the data science discipline and fundamental concepts, statistical methods, visualising big data, and database systems.
Why Study Data Science?
If you have ability in maths and coding, studying data science may well be the best way to put your talents to good use. Masters students learn:
- how to structure databases and produce clean data for analysis
- programming skills for accessing and manipulating data
- computational statistics and data mining techniques
- mathematical and statistical modelling, and machine learning
- how to connect data analysis to decision making.
In acquiring data science skills, you prepare yourself for innumerable future roles to do with generating value from information assets.
Top Online Masters Programs

University of Adelaide Master of Data Science (Applied)
If you have a degree of any kind, you have the opportunity to become a data scientist with the University of Adelaide's Master of Data Science (Applied). The flexible, 100% online degree will have you extracting useful information from real-world datasets with Python and R. Students learn how to apply leading-edge tools and methods, meet industry demands and communicate with clients. Each subject in the 16-unit program takes just 6 weeks of study using an intuitive online platform. This degree is ideal if you want to study while working.
JCU Master of Data Science
James Cook University Online has a flexible degree for launching a successful data science career. You can start with a 4-unit graduate certificate, before moving on to do a graduate diploma (8 units) or the full Master of Data Science (12 - 16 units). The program is affordable and easy to manage. You're able to focus on one unit at a time and study year-round. Topics include data visualisation, database systems, data mining and machine learning, big data, and strategic decision making.
University of New England MBA (Data & Cyber Management)
If you envisage yourself as more leader / director than practitioner, an online MBA from the University of New England may be a great option. You gain a fantastic management qualification, a Master of Business Administration, while also learning how to manage data science and cyber security projects. The 100% online course can be completed in just 12 months. Topics covered include big data and the cyber mindset, global cyber security, digital operations and project management, and an applied industry project (supported by Ducere Global Business School).
Data Scientist Careers – Job Ad Snippets
Snippets from jobs ads. Random sample.
Data Scientist – en world
An innovative organisation within the machine learning behavioural analytics marketplace is seeking an experienced Data Scientist who wants to stretch themselves beyond just applying theory! The company is a small, motivated, highly intellectual group who have taken the behavioural analytics marketplace by storm! Come and help them drive this forward, very good remuneration and equity on offer.
Spatial data scientist/programmer – CSIRO
The EODS Team develops the data tools, processing techniques and information products for improved management of natural resources through the merging of Earth observations, ground-based measurements and biophysical modelling. We tailor geospatial information products for policy, planning and decision support around managing Australian environmental assets.
Data Scientist – IMDA
Conceptualisation through to model deployment in the telco cybersecurity field. Work across the spectrum of data science-related tasks, such as data mining, engineering, statistical analysis, developing machine learning models and evaluating the outputs. Should be familiar with big data streaming tools, database frameworks and visualisation tools such as Apache NiFi, Storm, Spark, Hadoop and Airflow.
Data Scientist (Fraud and Attribution) – Leadbolt
About the Role: Provide performance-based product recommendations including data driven improvements, product features, system optimizations or data usage for Fraud and Attribution products. Data analysis including data modelling, competitor or 3rd party product and market reviews to ensure best in class performance.
Data Scientist – Kmart
To help deliver our plans and vision, we've created an Advanced Analytics team. With solid experience in advanced statistics, analytics and machine learning methodologies, coupled with your passion for delivering insights, this is a unique opportunity to impact and shape the discipline from the ground up.
Data Scientist – The Iconic
We are looking for an experienced Data Scientist to work across several business areas including Recommendations, Customer Profiling, Forecasting and Optimisation. You will be part of a highly innovative team working on interesting and difficult problems, leveraging cutting edge technology to build solutions and customer facing products.
Data Scientist – Nearmap
Want to do petabyte scale deep learning and ship product to real customers? We have petabytes of high quality aerial imagery (covering half a million square kilometres a year at 5-7cm resolution). We've also started producing automated 3D models of entire cities.
Data Scientist – Horizon Power
Responsibilities include: (i) Develop and promote the use of Data, Data Science, Analytics and Visualisation as a mechanism to increase Horizon Power’s value and support its objectives (ii) Work with stakeholders to understand their data analysis objectives, and assist them to formulate meaningful questions based on available data (iii) Create models that analyse data for insights and predictions.
Internet of Things (IoT) Training Courses

JCU Graduate Diploma of Data Science (Internet of Things)
Specialised training in the Internet of Things (IoT) is available as part of the popular data science program at James Cook University. JCU offers an 8-unit graduate diploma course, including the option of a 4-unit graduate certificate. Topics include IoT communication technology, a hands-on look at sensors and their embedded computing systems, and cloud computing security. Students complete each unit as part of a virtual class over a 7-week teaching period. To be admitted, you should have a strong background in one or more STEM fields.