Top Data Science Universities in Australia (2026)
Best universities for Data Science, Analytics and Business Intelligence masters programs in Australia. We rank 34 universities by QS standing, fees, scholarships and post-study work outcomes for international students.
Get a Data Science shortlist for Australia.
Share your phone or email and get matched Data Science universities, fee bands, scholarship options, and visa-risk checks before you compare rankings.
Data Science shortlist
For Australia applicants
Australian National University
📍 Canberra, Australia
Central Queensland University
📍 Rockhampton, Australia
Charles Darwin University
📍 Darwin, Australia
Curtin University - Australia
Deakin University
📍 Melbourne, Australia
Edith Cowan University
📍 Perth, Australia
Federation University
📍 Ballarat, Australia
Flinders University
📍 Adelaide, Australia
Griffith College
📍 Brisbane, Australia
International College of Management Sydney
Kaplan Business School - Adelaide
📍 Adelaide, Australia
La Trobe University
📍 Victoria, Australia
Macquarie University
📍 Sydney, Australia
Monash University
📍 Melbourne, Australia
NATIONAL ACADEMY PARTNERS NETWORK FOR STUDENT RECRUITMENT FOR NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (NAPS)
📍 Commission = 13.6% of course fees for the duration of the course. , Australia
Queensland University of Technology
📍 Brisbane, Australia
RMIT University
📍 Melbourne, Australia
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
📍 Melbourne, Australia
School of Economics and Public Policy
Southern Cross University
📍 Melbourne, Australia
Swinburne University of Technology
📍 Victoria, Australia
The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
The University of New South Wales
📍 Sydney, Australia
The University of Western Australia
📍 Perth, Australia
University of Canberra
📍 Australian Capital Territory, Australia
More top courses in Australia
An MS in Data Science in Australia is a Master of Data Science (or Data Science and Decisions) costing AUD 45,010 a year at Swinburne (about ₹30 lakh) to AUD 62,000 at UNSW (about ₹42 lakh) for 2026-27, plus AUD 29,710 a year in living costs (about ₹20 lakh). Entry depends on how quantitative your bachelor degree was, with IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) and no GRE listed. Indian graduates of a coursework masters can get a 3-year Temporary Graduate (485) visa, but only if the course meets the two-academic-year (92-week) study requirement, so a shorter 1.5-year track can cost you the visa.
What is an MS in Data Science in Australia, and who is it for?
Australia has no degree called "MS". The equivalent is a 96-credit-point coursework Master of Data Science at Monash, UQ, RMIT, QUT, Deakin and Swinburne, or UNSW's Master of Data Science and Decisions, which adds economics and decision-making for STEM graduates. Monash, Deakin and RMIT state ACS accreditation on their course pages. Entry is on your bachelor percentage and English score, and four of the seven accept any discipline. It is still a statistics, programming and machine-learning degree: expect calculus, probability and Python from the first semester.
How much does a masters in data science in Australia cost? 2026-27 fees at 7 universities
Each figure is the international fee on the university's own course page on 26 September 2026, for the fee year it labels. Leave headroom for increases.
| University and programme | Annual fee (AUD) | Approx. INR / year | Duration and fee year |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNSW — Master of Data Science and Decisions | AUD 62,000 | ₹41.7 lakh | 2 years; 2026 indicative first year (AUD 128,000, about ₹86 lakh, to complete) |
| University of Queensland — Master of Data Science | AUD 60,952 | ₹41.0 lakh | 1.5 or 2 years; 2027 fee for 16 units |
| Monash — Master of Data Science | AUD 57,540 | ₹38.7 lakh | 1.5 or 2 years; 2027 fee per 48 credit points |
| RMIT — Master of Data Science | AUD 47,040 | ₹31.7 lakh | 2 years full-time; 2027 indicative annual fee |
| QUT — Master of Data Science | AUD 46,500 | ₹31.3 lakh | 2 years full-time (page lists 1.5 years for IT, mathematics or biomedical science graduates); 2027 fee (AUD 44,200, about ₹29.7 lakh, in 2026) |
| Deakin — Master of Data Science | AUD 45,800 | ₹30.8 lakh | 2 years (shorter with credit); estimated first-year fee |
| Swinburne — Master of Data Science | AUD 45,010 | ₹30.3 lakh | 2 years; 2026 international yearly fee |
Sources: course pages checked 26 Sep 2026; AUD 1 = ₹67.3 (Wise). Two-year budget: about AUD 155,000 (₹1.05 crore) at Swinburne and AUD 193,000 (₹1.3 crore) at UNSW, adding living costs of AUD 59,420 (₹40 lakh; AUD 29,710 or ₹20 lakh a year), OSHC of about AUD 1,440 (₹97,000), the AUD 2,500 (₹1.68 lakh) visa charge and AUD 2,000 (₹1.35 lakh) travel funds. Casual work at the AUD 26.44 (about ₹1,780 an hour) minimum wage for 48 hours a fortnight earns about AUD 1,269 before tax (about ₹85,000). Sydney is not tabulated (see the warning below).
Eligibility for a data science masters in Australia: what each university asks
This is where the programmes differ most: a degree you cannot enter, or cannot finish, is the costliest option.
| University | Bachelor degree needed | Minimum result | Maths and programming |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNSW | cognate (business, engineering, science, mathematics, technology) with a substantial quantitative component | overall average 70 | one university course each in several-variable calculus and linear algebra |
| UQ | 2 years: relevant discipline or any degree with the content below; 1.5 years: relevant discipline with 3 maths, 2 statistics, 4 computing courses | GPA 5.0 on a 7-point scale | other degrees need calculus, linear algebra and statistics, or programming and databases |
| Monash | 2 years: any discipline; 1.5 years: IT, or business, engineering or science with an IT major | credit (60%) average | shorter track needs Python, databases, algorithms and maths |
| RMIT | computing, data science, AI, software engineering, IT or statistics; or any bachelor degree plus 3 years' relevant professional experience | GPA 2.0 out of 4.0 | no separate prerequisite subjects listed |
| QUT | 2 years: any discipline; 1.5 years: IT, mathematics or biomedical science | GPA 4.0 on a 7-point scale | none listed |
| Deakin | 16 credit points: any discipline; 12 or 8: related degree, honours or 2 years' work | not stated as a percentage | none listed |
| Swinburne | any discipline, or a Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Data Science | not stated as a percentage | none listed |
Sources: university course pages, checked 26 Sep 2026. Meeting the minimum does not mean an offer will follow. Confirm RMIT's work-experience route on its international course page.
Can I do a data science masters in Australia with BTech, BSc, BCom or BCA?
BTech and BE graduates in computer science, IT, electronics, electrical or mechanical engineering are the likeliest fit: UNSW lists engineering and technology among its accepted fields, UQ takes relevant disciplines, and the shorter Monash and Deakin tracks list related or IT degrees. Whether a 3-year BSc, BCA, BCom, BBA or BA is accepted is decided per university: Deakin states it needs at least a three-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from an approved institution, and Monash says it accepts degrees from the Indian institutions in NOOSR Sections 1 to 3, with eligibility varying by course. Monash, QUT, Deakin and Swinburne list any-discipline entry to their 2-year programmes, while UNSW and RMIT ask for a quantitative or computing degree (RMIT also considers any degree plus 3 years of relevant work experience). Ask each admissions office to confirm your degree in writing before you pay an application fee.
Monash states a credit (60%) average and UNSW sets 70; UQ and QUT use GPA scales, and UQ's program page has a tool that converts your Indian university and qualification into its GPA equivalent. Backlogs and grading scales are assessed from your transcripts. English is IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 (Monash, UQ, QUT, Deakin, Swinburne); Home Affairs does not accept IELTS Online or at-home tests for the visa.
Intakes and deadlines for MS in Data Science in Australia (2027 entry)
Most programmes start in February or March and again in July or August; UNSW runs terms and Deakin trimesters. Dates are from university pages checked on 26 September 2026.
| University | Intakes | Published closing date or start | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Queensland | Semester 1 (22 Feb 2027), Semester 2 (26 Jul 2027) | International: 30 Nov 2026 and 31 May 2027 | ask UQ to consider you for the longer track too |
| UNSW | Terms 1 and 3 | Varies by programme; check the course page | have your WAM and maths evidence ready early |
| Monash | February and July | Apply directly (C6004) | shorter track needs the cognate units listed |
| Swinburne | 1 Mar 2027 and 2 Aug 2027 | Last date: 24 Feb 2027 and 28 Jul 2027 | allow several weeks for the visa after the CoE |
| Deakin, QUT, RMIT | Deakin: trimesters 1–3; QUT and RMIT: Feb and Jul | Check each course page | apply early for scholarships |
Scholarship deadlines are often earlier than admission deadlines. Lodge the student visa as soon as the Confirmation of Enrolment is issued.
How to apply for an MS in Data Science in Australia from India
Start 10 to 12 months before the intake.
Check your degree against each university's quantitative requirement
List the calculus, linear algebra, statistics and programming courses on your transcript and match them to the eligibility table. A match can shorten the course, but ask for its CRICOS duration in weeks first.
Sit IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT at a test centre
Aim for 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band (PTE 58 or 64, TOEFL 79 or 87 by university). You need a fresh result from the previous 12 months for the 485 later.
Apply to two or three universities with semester-wise transcripts
Upload 10th and 12th marksheets, semester marksheets, degree certificate, passport, CV and a statement of purpose naming your maths and programming background. Check each university's page for application fees.
Compare offers on total cost, not rank alone
The same two-year degree costs AUD 45,010 (₹30.3 lakh) a year at Swinburne and AUD 62,000 (₹41.7 lakh) at UNSW, a gap of about ₹11 lakh a year. Ask which merit scholarship you were assessed for.
Accept, pay the deposit, arrange the loan and get the CoE and OSHC
After the CoE, buy OSHC for the whole visa period. If asked, show AUD 29,710 (₹20 lakh) for living costs, 12 months of tuition and AUD 2,000 (₹1.35 lakh) for travel. Banks differ on collateral rules and university coverage: compare public-sector banks such as SBI with international lenders such as MPOWER or Prodigy Finance (examples, not endorsements) and ask for a sanction letter covering tuition and living costs. Check current LRS and TCS rules before remitting the deposit.
Lodge the subclass 500 visa in ImmiAccount
The charge is AUD 2,500 (₹1.68 lakh) from 1 July 2026. Attach the CoE, OSHC, financial and English evidence and the Genuine Student answers.
Scholarships for a data science masters in Australia for Indian students
Australia Awards Scholarships are limited to the countries DFAT lists as participating. We could not confirm India's status from that page, so check it before counting on one; most Indian applicants rely on university awards, usually automatic or one-form. Details are from official pages checked on 26 September 2026.
- Swinburne: when you apply, you are automatically considered for an international scholarship of up to 20% off course fees; no separate application.
- Deakin Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship: 100% or 50% of tuition for new coursework students with at least an 85% average in previous studies; apply at least one month before the trimester. A 50% award on AUD 45,800 saves about AUD 22,900, about ₹15.4 lakh a year.
- Monash: more than 360 scholarship types, the largest worth up to AUD 280,000 (about ₹1.88 crore) over a course.
- RMIT Future Leaders Scholarship (India and subcontinent): value and criteria are set each intake.
Jobs after an MS in Data Science in Australia: official labour-market data
We quote only Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), drawing on the ABS earnings survey (May 2025). ANZSCO has no "data scientist" page, so we use the nearest groups. These are whole-occupation medians, not graduate starting pay.
| Occupation (ANZSCO) | Employed | Median full-time weekly earnings | Other indicators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians (2241) | 12,600 | AUD 2,072 (≈ ₹1.39 lakh; about AUD 108,000 or ₹73 lakh a year) | annual employment growth 500; 83% full-time; median age 38 |
| ICT Business and Systems Analysts (2611) | 51,000 | AUD 2,697 (≈ ₹1.82 lakh) | annual employment growth 800; 90% full-time; median age 44 |
| Software and Applications Programmers (2613) | 203,200 | AUD 2,537 (≈ ₹1.71 lakh) | annual employment growth 13,700; 94% full-time; median age 38 |
| All occupations (JSA benchmark) | — | AUD 1,852 (≈ ₹1.25 lakh) | 69% full-time; median hourly earnings AUD 47 (about ₹3,200) |
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles, checked 26 Sep 2026. AUD 1 = ₹67.3.
The post-study work route: the 485 visa and its study requirement
Apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work stream, from inside Australia within 6 months of completing the masters. You must be 35 or under, show IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band (or PTE Academic 55, TOEFL iBT 81) from a test in the previous 12 months, and have health insurance and a police check. Indian nationals get 3 years for a masters by coursework under AI-ECTA; most other nationalities get 2. The application charge is in the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.
The catch is the Australian study requirement. Home Affairs requires at least two academic years of study, meaning 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered study completed in no less than 16 calendar months, met by a single qualification or a combination. A 2-year degree meets it on its own; a 1.5-year or 1-year track is shorter than 92 weeks, so it needs other Australian study added. Ask the university in writing for the course's CRICOS duration in weeks and check it against the Home Affairs study-requirement page before you accept.
Course length, student-visa access and the 485: check before you accept
Frequently asked questions
How much does a masters in data science in Australia cost for Indian students?
Published international fees for 2026-27 run from AUD 45,010 a year at Swinburne (about ₹30 lakh) to AUD 62,000 at UNSW (about ₹42 lakh), with Monash at AUD 57,540 (₹38.7 lakh), UQ at AUD 60,952 (₹41 lakh) and QUT at AUD 46,500 (₹31.3 lakh). Add AUD 29,710 (₹20 lakh) a year in living costs; a 2-year degree totals roughly ₹1.0 to ₹1.3 crore.
Can I do a masters in data science in Australia without a computer science background?
Yes, at some universities. Deakin, Swinburne, QUT and Monash accept a bachelor degree in any discipline. UNSW wants a quantitative degree with calculus and linear algebra, and RMIT usually expects a computing, data, AI, software, IT or statistics degree (or any degree plus 3 years' relevant work).
Which is the cheapest university for a data science masters in Australia?
Among the seven checked, Swinburne is lowest at AUD 45,010 a year for 2026 (about ₹30 lakh), then Deakin at an estimated AUD 45,800 (₹30.8 lakh) and QUT at AUD 46,500 (₹31.3 lakh) for 2027. UNSW is highest at AUD 62,000 (₹41.7 lakh). Compare entry rules and scholarships too.
What percentage or GPA is needed for a data science masters in Australia?
It varies: UNSW asks for an overall average of 70, Monash a credit (60%) average, UQ a GPA of 5.0 on its 7-point scale, QUT a GPA of 4.0 of 7 and RMIT a GPA of 2.0 out of 4.0. Deakin and Swinburne state degree requirements rather than a percentage.
How much do statisticians and data analysts earn in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings of AUD 2,072 a week for Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians (about ₹1.39 lakh a week) and AUD 2,697 (₹1.82 lakh) for ICT Business and Systems Analysts, against AUD 1,852 (₹1.25 lakh) for all occupations. These are not graduate starting pay.
When should I apply for the February 2027 intake of a data science masters in Australia?
Start 10 to 12 months ahead. UQ closes on 30 November 2026 for Semester 1 (22 February 2027), Swinburne's last date is 24 February 2027 for a 1 March start, and Monash starts in February and July. Scholarships often close earlier than admission, so aim to apply by November 2026.
Official sources used on this page
- UNSW — Master of Data Science and Decisions (program 8959: 2026 indicative fees, WAM, assumed knowledge, terms) — UNSW Sydney · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Queensland — Master of Data Science 5660 (2027 fee, durations, GPA, English, closing dates) — University of Queensland · checked 26 September 2026
- Monash University — Master of Data Science C6004, international view (2027 fee, entry and English requirements, ACS) — Monash University · checked 26 September 2026
- RMIT University — Master of Data Science MC267, international view (2027 indicative fee, entry, ACS accreditation) — RMIT University · checked 26 September 2026
- QUT — Master of Data Science IN31 (2026 and 2027 international fees, GPA, English) — Queensland University of Technology · checked 26 September 2026
- Deakin University — Master of Data Science, international students (fee, entry pathways, intakes, ACS accreditation) — Deakin University · checked 26 September 2026
- Swinburne University of Technology — Master of Data Science MA-DATASC (2026 international fee, entry, start dates) — Swinburne University of Technology · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Sydney — Master of Data Science (course page: duration and student-visa availability) — University of Sydney · checked 26 September 2026
- RMIT University — Cost of studying in Australia for international students (2026: living costs, OSHC, visa charge, scholarships) — RMIT University · checked 26 September 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500): living costs, work hours, English evidence — Australian Department of Home Affairs · checked 26 September 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work stream — Australian Department of Home Affairs · checked 26 September 2026
- Fair Work Ombudsman — Minimum wages (National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026) — Fair Work Ombudsman · checked 26 September 2026
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation profile: Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians (ANZSCO 2241) — Jobs and Skills Australia · checked 26 September 2026
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation profile: ICT Business and Systems Analysts (ANZSCO 2611) — Jobs and Skills Australia · checked 26 September 2026
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation profile: Software and Applications Programmers (ANZSCO 2613) — Jobs and Skills Australia · checked 26 September 2026
- Australian Computer Society — ACS accredited programs — Australian Computer Society · checked 26 September 2026
- Deakin University — Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship (100% or 50% of tuition) — Deakin University · checked 26 September 2026
- Study Australia — Scholarships (provider scholarships for international students) — Australian Government (Austrade) · checked 26 September 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa: meeting the Australian study requirement — Australian Department of Home Affairs · checked 26 September 2026
- Deakin University — Entry requirements for international students (masters by coursework: three-year undergraduate degree or equivalent) — Deakin University · checked 26 September 2026
- Monash University India — Application process (postgraduate degree recognition and application checklist) — Monash University · checked 26 September 2026
- DFAT — Australia Awards Scholarships: about the scholarships — Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade · checked 26 September 2026
- DFAT — Australia Awards Scholarships: participating countries — Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade · checked 26 September 2026
- Wise — AUD to INR mid-market rate (AUD 1 = ₹67.3 on 26 Sep 2026) — Wise · checked 26 September 2026
Ready to study in Data Science in Australia?
Get a free profile evaluation, personalized university shortlist, and expert visa guidance from our counselors.