Key facts
3 years full-time
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Propel yourself into the thriving field of data science with Deakin's Bachelor of Data Science.
With every click, swipe, search, share and stream data is created. The rate of data generation is phenomenal and its volume and complexity gives rise to considerable opportunities as businesses strive to harness the power of big data to remain competitive. Throughout this course you will explore the entire lifecycle of data to develop a deep understanding of how information is created, gathered, processed, analysed and used to generate insights and inform strategic decisions.
You will study innovative course content covering the latest data science trends, insights and emerging topics to ensure you graduate with a specialist, technical and highly relevant skill-set that is sought-after by employers across the globe. Explore different analytical methods, tools and techniques as you learn key concepts and deep dive into advanced topics in machine learning, AI and predictive analytics.
Want to hone your analytical skills for a rewarding career in data science?
Designed in collaboration with industry, the Bachelor of Data Science gives you ample opportunity to sharpen your skill set under the guidance and direction of our supportive teaching staff. You’ll explore fundamental concepts across maths, stats and programming at the beginning of the course, before diving into more advanced topics in data wrangling, capture and mining; machine learning; deep learning and AI. You’ll also have opportunities to undertake a professional placement as part of studies and to work in teams with an industry partner to tackle authentic business challenges using real-world data sets as part of a capstone project in your final year. These real world learning opportunities enable you to deepen your knowledge, technical and problem-solving skills building your preparedness to enter the workforce and hit the ground running.
To differentiate your studies and focus your career towards the area that interests you most, you will also have the opportunity to undertake minor studies in a topic of your choosing.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Data Science
- Year
2024 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400511361 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400611361 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) - Deakin code
- S379
- CRICOS code?
- 109274B Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Data Science, students must attain 24 credit points, which must include the following:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- seventeen (17) credit points of core units
- 3 credit points of Data Science capstone units
- and one of:
- a minor (4 credit points) OR
- four open elective units (4 credit points)
- no more than ten (10) credit points at level 1
- minimum of 14 credit points over levels 2 and 3
- six (6) credit points at level 3.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
17
Core units
3
Capstone units
4
Minor/Elective units
24
Total
Core
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Plus one (1) minor or elective unit (one (1) credit point)
Year 2 - Trimester 2
One (1) minor or elective unit (one (1) credit point)
Year 3 - Trimester 1
One (1) minor or elective unit (one (1) credit point)
Plus, one (1) credit point from the following capstone options:
OR
One (1) SIT elective unit (1 credit point)
Year 3 - Trimester 2
One (1) minor or elective unit (one (1) credit point)
Plus, two (2) credit points from the following capstone options:
OR
^ Offered in Trimester 1, trimester 2 and trimester 3
# Corequisite of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)
+ Students must have completed STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit) and SIT223 Professional Practice in IT.
~ Note: Students are recommended to undertake SIT374 and SIT378 in consecutive trimesters. Students should seek advice from the unit chair if they are unable to complete SIT374 and SIT378 consecutively.
Electives
Select from a range of elective units offered across many courses. In some cases you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).
Minor sequences
Refer to the details of each minor sequence for availability.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Additional course information
For information regarding hardware and software requirements, please refer to the School of Information Technology.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Participation requirements
Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
This course includes a compulsory work placement where you will be required to undertake a minimum of 100 hours in industry, providing professional work experience with an approved host organisation. Alternatively, high achieving students may have the opportunity to undertake an extended full-time paid industry-based learning placement (conditions apply).
Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Senior certificate of education
Academic requirements
If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
Year 12 prerequisite subjects
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL
ATAR
- Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Higher education study
Academic requirements
If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Polytechnic study
Academic requirements
If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet at least one of following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- completion of a certificate IV or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a diploma or higher in any discipline
- at least 50% completion of a diploma or higher in a related discipline
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Work and life experience
Academic requirements
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and haven't undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.
Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter - it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 30 in any English, any Information Technology or any Mathematics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 10 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about international student fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
International students who are currently completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas should apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), as well as directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect – Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
All other international students apply directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
Further study options
The Bachelor of Data Science and Bachelor of Data Science (Honours) may be used as further study pathways into a postgraduate preservice teaching qualification through the Master of Applied Learning and Teaching and the Master of Teaching, which has options for Primary and Secondary teaching.
A Bachelor of Data Science may also lead to a Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) or Bachelor of Data Science (Honours) in order to pursue a research pathway to Higher Degree by Research.
Careers
Career outcomes
Data professionals are in high demand as organisations increasingly rely on skilled specialists to unlock hidden patterns in big data to provide meaningful insights that inform decisions, drive business growth and increase their strategic advantage in the competitive business world.
No longer found solely amongst the big tech giants, data analysts are needed across every industry, opening a world of opportunities for your career.
As a graduate, you will have the skills, knowledge and industry connections to build a varied and sustainable career as a data analyst, data scientist, business strategist, data engineer, data architect, data visualisation specialist, information analyst or reporting analyst in the public and private sectors. Depending on what industry or sector you choose to find employment in, you could be optimising digital marketing campaigns, developing new and innovative products and services, predicting customer sales patterns, or increasing productivity in areas such as sales or supply chain management.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop a broad and coherent knowledge of data science, with detailed knowledge of the data analytics principles and approaches and knowledge, skills, tools, and methodologies for professional practice. |
| Communication | Communicate in a professional context to inform, motivate, and effect change, and to drive sustainable innovation, utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Utilise a range of digital technologies and information sources to discover, analyse, evaluate, select, process, and disseminate both technical and non-technical information in data science projects. |
| Critical thinking | Evaluate information and evidence, applying critical and analytical thinking and reasoning, technical skills, personal judgement, and values, in decision making processes. |
| Problem solving | Apply theoretical constructs and skills and critical analysis to real-world and ill-defined problems and develop innovative data analytics solutions. |
| Self-management | Work independently to apply knowledge and skills to new situations in professional practice and/or further learning in the field of data science with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility, and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner. |
| Teamwork | Contribute effectively as a skilled and knowledgeable individual to the processes and output of a work unit or team, applying specific knowledge and skills and using professional practices associated with the information technology industry. |
| Global citizenship | Apply professional and ethical standards and accountability in the preparation, handling, and analysis of data. |
Approved by Faculty Board 17 February 2022