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Online Master of Data Science

student looking at screen with graphs and code

create data driven solutions with data science

Explore a career in tech with an online Master of Data Science from La Trobe University. Designed with tech professionals in mind, equip yourself with the leadership skills that help convert complex data into meaningful strategies that will shape Australian industry.

Ranked above world standard1

Ranked in the top 400 CS courses worldwide*

Choose an industry-focused specialisation

Learn more today

Complete the form to learn more about this program.

Choose an industry-focused specialisation

Choosing a specialisation gives you more knowledge and experience in the area you want to focus on in your career. This can make you a top candidate for the role you want after graduation.

At La Trobe, you can choose from two specialisations featuring coursework aligned with the most in-demand skills in data science.

Gain advanced skills and experience in meta and spatial analysis, cloud-based web applications, data mining and machine learning.

Gain deeper knowledge and experience in analysing repeated measures, data in finance, healthcare, bioinformatics, spatial applications and more.

Curriculum

Course structure: gain real-world experiences

16 subjects

240 credit points

Our 100 per cent online Master of Data Science gives you the knowledge, skills and experience you need to step into data science and analyst roles with confidence. And you don’t need to have studied or worked in data science before.

Course completion options

You’ll complete your online Master of Data Science course in a way that makes sense for your career path. Choose from:

  • Industry-based learning. Complete part of your learning through your workplace or at another organisation.
  • Project-based learning. Use La Trobe’s extensive network to complete a real-world project with one of our partner organisations.
  • Research-based learning. Complete a thesis research project that adds to the CSE5BDC Big Data Management on the Cloud

Subject Highlights:

  • STM4PSD Probability and Statistics for Data Science
  • CSE5DEV Data Exploration and Analysis
  • CSE4IP Introduction to Programming
View Complete Curriculum

Entry requirements

Entry requirements: enrol today

No cognate degree required

No application fee

To enrol in La Trobe’s online Master of Data Science course, you’ll need:

successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent)
transcripts from all prior universities
View the Application Process

Tuition fees & fee HELP

Fee details: invest in your future

$4,350 per subject

16 subjects

Scholarships available

It’s not too late to step into the lucrative data scientist roles. The online Master of Data Science at La Trobe provides learning pathways based on the cognate area of your undergraduate degree. So regardless of your background, you can start building the skills, knowledge and experience you need to accept in-demand data scientist positions with high-paying salaries.

Fees are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Scholarships are available.

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Graduate Certificate and Diploma options

Early exit points mean that every part of your degree contributes to your future career. Exit after six months with a Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Fundamentals, or after one year with a Graduate Diploma in Data Science.

Course outcomes

When you graduate from La Trobe’s online Master of Data Science, you’ll be ready for roles in this rapidly growing sector with the advanced skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience in:

  • Data science Get practical experience with open-source software and platforms, including Python, R and Hadoop. Understand database fundamentals, programming languages such as Java and Python, and cloud-based services offered by Amazon, Google, IBM and Microsoft.
  • Mathematics and statistics Learn how to create complex models and use powerful tools for advanced analysis and problem-solving. Build your skills using real data sets from our industry partners and learn how to solve data challenges facing businesses and organisations.
  • Project management Learn how to manage large-scale IT projects and work in a team to develop a small-scale, industry-based system.
  • Complementary skills in other disciplines Boost your knowledge through electives in business, health sciences, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Career spotlight: master of data science

DATA ANALYST

AU $111,000 annual salary3

MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER

AU $125,000 annual salary4

Your teachers

Learn from experienced researchers and practitioners who can guide you through real-life examples and provide industry insights. They’ll provide expert guidance in the online Master of Data Science so that you can take on in-demand roles with confidence.

Dr. Andriy Olenko’s research interests cover a broad range of topics from the theory of stochastic processes, spatial statistics, Shannon and wavelets stochastic approximation, statistical inference and statistical applications focusing on signals processing and cosmology.

He is currently supervising research students on topics in spatial stochastic modelling and applications. Andriy actively collaborates with several research groups in France, UK, Canada, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine.

Andriy is a current editorial board member for the International Journal on Wavelets and Multiresolution Processing, Journal of Classical Analysis, and the Theory Probability and Mathematical Statistics.

What’s it like to learn online?

As an online student, you’ll work with the same accomplished teachers who deliver our on-campus subjects. You’ll receive one-on-one support and benefit from the same opportunities as our students on campus. However, you’ll get to learn where and when it’s most convenient for you.

Discover more

Study assist

La Trobe online courses are eligible for FEE-HELP for domestic students. Speak with an enrolment adviser. We can help you discover what’s available to help you pay for your course.

Talk to us

Frequently asked questions

We’re always happy to chat with you. If you’d rather talk one-on-one or have a question you don’t see answered here, request more information or call (+61 3) 9917 3009.

Tuition fees do not include health insurance or living expenses such as food, accommodation, transport, medical costs, personal expenses and other fees you might incur. Individual subjects may include an additional fee. You can review all fee details here.

Students are also required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). You can explore the current SSAF rates here and available payment options here.

If you’ve completed previous study, you may qualify to reduce the number of required subjects to complete your course, so you graduate sooner and spend less. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your studies and the number of subjects completed. You can review the full policy and search for credit here.

You can learn more about our entry requirements here.

Our online Master of Data Science is designed for maximum flexibility. That means you can study full time and two subjects may be taken every seven weeks.

To see the curriculum, view our subjects page.

Our online course is designed for professionals who work full-time and is offered part-time with one subject every seven weeks. This allows you to achieve a realistic balance between work, study, and personal responsibilities. To see the curriculum, view our subjects page.

The requirements for the online Master of Data Science include a completed application and the following:

  • an undergraduate degree in any discipline
  • transcripts from all prior universities

You can learn more about our entry requirements here.

The first step is to start your application.

Visit our FAQ page

Sources

*by Times Higher Education (THE), 2020, World University Rankings 2021 by subject: computer science.

  1. Times Higher Education (2026). World University Rankings 2026: Computer Sciencehttps://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2026/subject-ranking/computer-science
  2. Grand View Research (2024). Smart Cities Market Size and Share: Industry Report, 2030https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-cities-market
  3. Glassdoor. Data scientist salarieshttps://www.glassdoor.com.au/Salaries/data-scientist-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
  4. Glassdoor. Machine learning engineer salarieshttps://www.glassdoor.com.au/Salaries/machine-learning-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm