Graduate Diploma in Foundational Data Science

From January 2025, this course will be renamed to Graduate Diploma in Foundational Data Science. All students who commence this program in 2025 will enter under the new course name.

The Harvard Business Review has labelled data science the "sexiest job of the 21st century".

We're creating more than 2.5 exabytes of data every day. Someone needs to make sense of it all.

The Graduate Diploma in Foundational Data Science is an ideal starting point if you’re interested in joining this booming industry and don't have a background in computer science or statistics.

Your first step towards a new career

Through this course you’ll develop fundamental skills in both computer science and statistics, so you can keep pace with the rapidly changing demands of a data-driven job market – and world.

You’ll be shown how to use statistical tools, techniques and methods along with in-depth analysis and evaluation, learning to solve real-world problems in the data realm.

Option to transition into the Master of Data Science

When you successfully complete the Graduate Diploma, you can supercharge your qualification by enrolling in the Master of Data Science (subject to meeting the requirements).

You’ll receive course credit, meaning that you can complete both the Graduate Diploma and the Master of Data Science in just 2.5 years.

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• English language test score requirements

• If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

  IELTS

  6.5

  ---

  with no band less than 6.0

  TOEFL

  79+

  ---

  with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

  PEARSON

  64+

  ---

  with no communicative skill below 60

  CAMBRIDGE

  176+

  ---

  with no skill less than 169

  *Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

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