Data science courses

A data science course brings together elements of several disciplines, including mathematics, statistics, artificial intelligence, computer science and engineering.  

The exact topics you’ll study will vary depending on your data science course, but may include:  

• Big data management 
• Machine learning and AI  
• Data mining 
• Programming languages  
• Statistics 
• Big data visualisation  

Almost all industries need data scientists to guide their decision making, but there is a shortage of qualified candidates in Australia. You will likely find plenty of job opportunities after graduating from your data science course.  

Your earning potential will also be high, with data experts attracting an average salary of $93,000 to $120,000 a year.  

You’ll enjoy studying data science if you have an analytical mind, a strong attention to detail, and a passion for solving problems.  

Data science is a broad discipline that includes aspects of mathematics, statistics, and software engineering.  

Data analytics is a task that sits within this discipline and refers specifically to the act of extracting information from datasets.  

If you work as a data scientist, you might do data analysis as part of your job, alongside other tasks such as building statistical models and algorithms. Or you might find work specifically as a data analyst, in which case your role will be narrower in focus.   

It varies, so be sure to read the entry requirements on each course page for more information.   

If you only want to upskill in a specific area, consider enrolling in a single subject in data science. These are open to everyone and have no entry requirements.  

To get advice about your eligibility for an online data science course, book a chat with an Open Universities Australia student advisor.  

With the right qualification, you could pursue work as a: 

• Data scientist
• Data engineer 
• Machine learning engineer 
• Data architect 
• Software engineer 
• Business analyst  
• Data modeler  

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

If you’re generally interested in data or information technology but not quite sure what course to choose, you may like to explore these other, related study areas: