Apart from being a great holiday destination, Australia is also a popular study abroad destination for Indian and international students. Australia offers great education & teaching, along with high quality of living. With the buzz (and overhyped to some extent) around data science and big data, a lot of students are considering to pursue Masters in Data Science and Analytics in Australia. According to the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia (IAPA) survey report, data scientists can earn up to AUD $200, 000 annually. The current job market in Australia is quite promising for Data Scientists and Big Data Analytics professionals. Apart from offering high-quality education and training, the top Australian universities are also very active in terms of industry and Government collaborations, including in the field of data science.

The business analytics field is also gaining a lot of interest. Business analytics takes a data-driven approach using statistics and data modelling to develop new business insights. This blend of technology and business makes it an ideal study option for anyone with an interest in programming or working with big data. Business analytics is used in most of the world’s major companies and technology start-ups to exploit any data-driven advantage for growth hacking. Some larger businesses may not have their own in-house business analysts, but there is also a notable range of business analytics companies which offer their services on a consulting basis. Due to the rising interest in business analytics in the tech sector, more and more business schools have begun to offer a Master’s in Business Analytics.

As postgraduate programs, both data science and business analytics are relatively new. I have made this list after referring to course content, industry links, university profile, alumni reviews (LinkedIn, Quora & Reddit), and job prospects. I have excluded few programs (e.g. ANU) that are not open to the international students.

Best Masters Programs in Data Science & Analytics in Australia | Top 15 Universities

Master of Data Science – University of Melbourne

The 2-year program combines management and analysis of big data in a single co-ordinated track. While the first year concentrates on the basics – Programming, Algorithms, Mathematical Modelling, Statistics, and Data Mining, the second year focuses on Cluster & Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing. Another good thing about the Melbourne program is that students will have the opportunity to undertake two Capstone projects in Data Science.

The program is open to international students with a minimum 65% in data science, statistics or computer science. Career opportunities are available in IT & Communications, Scientific Research, Education, Health & Medical Industry, Business & Financial Services, Sales & Marketing, Engineering & Mining, Climate, Energy & Environment, and Government.

Program Fees: AUD $77, 750 (Typical course fee for 2018: $37, 920 AUD / year)

Scholarships: Up to 50% tuition fee scholarships are available for high-achieving international students.

Program Link

For the folks who are interested in Analytics, and not too keen on Programming, consider the Masters in Business Analytics program, delivered by the Melbourne Business School (see below).

Master of Business Analytics – University of Melbourne

It’s a full-time 1-year intensive course, designed to equip professionals with a full analytics skillset including data management, statistical modelling, machine learning and advanced analytics techniques applied to practical business problems. In contrast to the Data Science program, the Business Analytics program focuses on focuses on quantitative methods and the role of data in decision-making.

Students will learn to use SAS, R, Python, Tableau and other tools from the experts in computer science, statistics, mathematics and business management. 64% of the 2017 batch had a work experience of 3 years. So, if you are a fresh graduate, this might not be the right program for you. The Master of Business Analytics program at Melbourne also grabbed the 5th spot in the QS Masters in Business Analytics World University Rankings 2018.

Program Link

MSIT: Business Intelligence & Data Analytics – Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Australia

It’s a 21-month full-time post-graduate program open to both freshers and experienced professionals. The program is a blended business-technology degree that combines a comprehensive information technology and management curriculum, along with 400 hours of compulsory internship and an industry-based Capstone project in Data Analytics.

It’s a great program for the folks seeking to develop cutting-edge skills in IT Management and data analytics. The program will provide you with knowledge of how technology interacts with business processes, strategy, and policy.

Core modules include Big Data & Large Scale Computing, Data Mining, Data Warehousing, E-Business, Finance, Information Systems, Internet of Things, Programming, Statistics etc. Students can also choose electives on Distributed Systems, NoSQL, GIS, Economics, Supply Chain Management, and Consulting.

CMU Australia has got excellent industry tie-ups. Internship and employment opportunities are available with big brands like Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, Oracle, GM, KPMG, IBM, HP, Citibank, Heinz, Boeing, eBay to name a few.

Program Fees: AUD $93, 360

Scholarships: Up to 40% tuition fee scholarships are available for the international students, depending on their academics, work experience, test scores, and essays.

Program Link

Master of Data Science – University of Sydney

The 1-year program is an ideal one for the students who are looking at to refine their technical and analytical skill set in the field of data science. Students will get exposed to advanced training in data mining, machine learning, and data visualization. It’s a great place to be if you are interested in Natural Language Processing or Human-Computer Interaction. The University and the Department have got excellent research facilities along with strong links with the industry and Government.

Prospective students need to have a 4-year Bachelor degree (with minimum 65%) in Mathematics, Engineering or other Quantitative fields (s) along with basic knowledge of programming and data management. Students with 3-year Bachelor degrees need to demonstrate a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience in IT, Data Science or Analytics.

Alternatively, 3-year Bachelor degree holders can apply for Graduate Diploma in Data Science instead of Masters. The Graduate Certificate in Data Science can provide students with the data science capability and provide a pathway to the Master’s program.

The University of Sydney is one of the top 50 universities in the world and ranks 1st in Australia in terms of graduate employment.

Program Fees: AUD $41, 000

Program Link

Master of Business Analytics – Deakin University

Deakin might not be as reputed as universities like Melbourne or Sydney. But, the Master’s program in Business Analytics at Deakin is an excellent industry-oriented program. Besides, Deakin does feature within the Top 300/350 universities in the world. Deakin’s business analytics program has been developed in partnership with organizations like IBM, Microsoft, SAS, Altis Consulting, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, PBT Group and PwC.

This course introduces you to a range of internationally-recognized business intelligence and analytics tools and has a very strong practical focus. You’ll learn how decision-making problems in business can be solved using modern modelling & solution techniques, and business analytics software tools, such as IBM Cognos, IBM SPSS Modeler and IBM Watson, SAS Enterprise Miner, Microsoft Excel, and Tableau. Additionally, students can also opt for analytics certification programs offered by IBM, Microsoft, and SAS.

The curriculum is quite flexible as students can finish the degree either in 18 or 24 months. Students also need to complete a capstone project with one of the industry partners.

Prospective students need to have a degree in a relevant discipline. Students from any discipline can also apply, provided they have at least 3 years of full-time work experience.

Program Fees: AUD $31, 600 per year

Scholarships: Scholarships are competitive but available for international students to cover fees, living expenses, and study materials.

Program Link

Deakin also offers Master of Data Analytics.

Master of Data Science – University of Queensland

It’s one of the best programs in Australia for data science. The 1.5-year program combines a cross-disciplinary education with direct industry contact and practical experience in the exciting field of data science. Students will gain a strong understanding of theoretical concepts and practical applications, along with the opportunity to undertake two industry-based capstone projects in the final year. Besides advanced topics in data science, analytics, machine learning, computing, statistics, and mathematics, students can also choose from a wide range of electives in the field of business, finance, health, science, and biotechnology.

The program is offered by the School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. The school has got an excellent Big Data infrastructure, which collaborates extensively with the industry on various commercial projects.

Program Fees: AUD $42, 250 per year

Scholarships: Scholarships are available from the University for meritorious and deserving candidates.

Program Link

MSIT with Specialization in Data Science & Engineering – University of New South Wales (UNSW)

The 2-year Master’s program provides students with a broad IT education and specialized knowledge that enables them to work in a range of positions. It is suitable for students with minimal prior computing experience, or students with a computing-related bachelor degree who want to gain a broader understanding or specialize in a particular area. The Master’s in IT at UNSW allows students to specialize in two areas from the following:

■ Artificial Intelligence

■ Bioinformatics

■ Database Systems

■ e-Commerce Systems

■ Geospatial

■ Data Science & Engineering

■ Internetworking

The majority of great research work in the area of Machine Learning in the New South Wales comes from an exclusive agreement between the UNSW and NICTA. Under this agreement, NICTA researchers have adjunct research title in UNSW allowing them to get PhD students. In reality, these students only get their certificate for UNSW while their whole PhD study is in one of NICTA offices. UNSW also has a well-known research group in Artificial Intelligence under the direction of Professor Claude Sammut who has won many RoboCup titles.

Program Fees: AUD $92, 500

Program Link

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