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Bachelor of Data Science
This degree combines statistics, computing and data management to find useful patterns in large data sets.
- How long it takes
- 3 years
- full time
- Entry ATAR
- From 50.2
- Lowest offered at RMIT University, 2026
- How you can study
- Online or on campus
- Includes a work placement
- Leads on to
- Data Analyst
- $101,400 (estimate) median pay
- Taught by
- 6 providers
- NSW, VIC, QLD
Is this course right for you?
What the Bachelor of Data Science asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in finding patterns in data
- comfort with numbers and logical thinking
- patience for solving problems step by step
- attention to detail when working with information
Before you start
Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.
Bachelor or Undergraduate Certificate?
This is the higher level qualification, a bachelor degree. The undergraduate certificate is at a lower level, but other differences are not set out here.
See the courseWhere this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Data Analyst
Data analysts query, clean and visualise an organisation's data so the people making decisions can see what it shows.
What else you need
Complete relevant data-science coursework and projects. Data engineering also requires practical database and programming capability; employer requirements vary.
Median pay$101,400 (estimate)
Data Engineer
Data engineers build the pipelines and storage that move an organisation's data from the systems that create it to the analysts and machine learning teams who use it.
What else you need
Complete relevant data-science coursework and projects. Data engineering also requires practical database and programming capability; employer requirements vary.
Median pay$111,800 (estimate)
In demand
Data Scientist
Data scientists build the statistical models and machine learning systems that forecast demand, sort customers and automate decisions for an organisation.
What else you need
Complete relevant data-science coursework and projects. Data engineering also requires practical database and programming capability; employer requirements vary.
Median pay$124,800 (estimate)
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.
Where you can study this course
There are 6 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Website for Western Sydney University (opens in a new tab)
Western Sydney University
Parramatta, NSW
4.2from 1,872 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 72.05 lowest
- (77.5 median, 2023)
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
What students like
- Staff are friendly and supportive
- Good academic experience and learning
What to weigh up
- Admin can be slow to respond
- Website for Deakin University (opens in a new tab)
Deakin University
Melbourne Burwood, VIC
4.4from 2,192 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 58.5 lowest
- (67.3 median, 2026)
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- (full or part time)
- Next intake
- Feb 2027
What students like
- Lecturers are approachable, supportive and knowledgeable
- Support services are helpful for students
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
Victoria University
Footscray Park, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
- Next intake
- Feb 2027
Swinburne University of Technology
Hawthorn, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 61.5 lowest
- (66.75 median, 2026)
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
RMIT University
City, VIC
3.8from 1,757 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 50.2 lowest
- (70.2 median, 2026)
- How you study
- On campus
- (full or part time)
- Next intake
- Feb 2027
- Website for Queensland University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
Queensland University of Technology
Gardens Point/ Online, QLD
4.5from 896 Google reviews
- ATAR
- 74.75 lowest
- (80.65 median, 2026)
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- (full or part time)
- Next intake
- Feb 2027
- Fee
- $7,500 a year
- (Government-supported place)
What students like
- Students are friendly and approachable
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find staff less helpful
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Bachelor of Data Science.
- Statistics and modelling
- Programming and data management
- Machine learning
- Data visualisation and communication
- Data ethics
- Work placement or client projects
Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Who arranges the work placement, and how many hours does it involve?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It suits people who want to work with data at a bachelor degree level. No roles are listed, so it is best to check the course details for the work it prepares you for.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
Entry requirements are set by each provider, so check with the provider you choose before you apply.
How is it different from Undergraduate Certificate in Data Science?
This is the higher level qualification, a bachelor degree. The undergraduate certificate is at a lower level, but other differences are not set out here.
How is it different from Graduate Certificate in Data Science?
This is a bachelor degree. The Graduate Certificate in Data Science is a separate qualification at graduate certificate level, and the two are not compared beyond that here.