Overview
Become an expert in analysing trends for business success with Victoria University's Bachelor of Data Science – and launch a career perfectly aligned to industry demand.
With market information and technology evolving at great speed, skilled professionals are needed to transform data into actionable insights for business.
The Bachelor of Data Science is designed to meet this demand, equipping you with high-level understanding of predictive models and the related technology. Throughout your study, you will learn how to wrangle, analyse, visualise, predict, and find insights into data to solve a host of real-world problems.
You will gain targeted expertise in:
- mathematics and statistics
- exploratory data analysis
- machine learning
- regression
- classification
- clustering techniques
- text analytics
- image and speech processing.
Victoria University degrees are internationally recognised and help you find a satisfying career within and outside Australia.
Industry-focused curriculum
Our industry-focused curriculum prepares you with practical expertise in using tools and numerous marketable technologies.
Specifically, the content includes:
- data science fundamentals
- machine learning and data mining
- predictive analysis
- advanced data science on applied NLP
- contemporary computer vision and speech processing
- time series, forecasting, anomaly detection, sentiment analysis, text analysis
- IT profession and ethics in data science
- data analytics for cyber security
- software development
- web and cloud application development.
Supporting women in data science
We support women and diversity groups in data science. We are proud to be part of the following groups:
- Stanford University Women in Data Science Networking
- R Ladies network
- CPA Australia Business Analytics.
In addition to our undergrad and postgrad courses, we also have strong partnerships with leading companies in the industry. These include but not limited to AWS, Cisco, Microsoft and Oracle. Victoria University is an academy for a multitude of certification courses from these leading industries. This means, as our students, you will have the opportunity to study certification courses taught by seasoned lecturers and research academics within the IT discipline with discounted certification examination fees. For more details, please visit the following links and contact your course chair.
- Amazon - AWS Training & Certification
- Cisco - Cisco Networking Academy
- Microsoft - Microsoft Education
- Oracle - Oracle Academy
Careers in data science
The Bachelor of Data Science course is designed to meet industry demand and prepare you to pursue careers in the following roles:
- data scientist
- data analyst
- business analyst
- market research analyst
- machine learning engineer
- machine learning scientist
- statistician
- business intelligence (BI) specialist.
Graduates can be employed across a broad range of professional sectors, such as:
- banking and finance
- telecommunications
- retail
- government
- planetary health research and applications.
Course structure
To attain the award of Bachelor of Data Science students will be required to complete
- 288 credit points of core units.
Course structure and units
Year 1, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- NIT1101
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT1102
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT1103
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT1104
- Credits
- 12
Year 1, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- NIT1201
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT1202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT1203
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT1204
- Credits
- 12
Year 2, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- NIT2112
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT2113
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT2151
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT2171
- Credits
- 12
Year 2, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- NIT2201
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT2213
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT2202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT2251
- Credits
- 12
Year 3, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- NIT3114
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT3151
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT3003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT3171
- Credits
- 12
Year 3, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- NIT3213
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT3202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT3251
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NIT3004
- Credits
- 12
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Understand and apply a broad and coherent body of data science in a wide range of applications from the following areas: data modelling, data exploration, machine learning, data visualisation, business analytics, predictive analytics, data analytics for cybersecurity, IT profession and ethics, text mining and NLP; | ||
| 2. | Analyse and adapt the latest data science technologies with intellectual independence, self- learning capabilities and creativity to identify and solve real-world problems with sound decisions and judgement in a broad range of sectors including ICT, government, banking and finance, retail, education, health, social network and marketing; | ||
| 3. | Exhibit a range of technical, analytical, managerial, leadership and interpersonal skills; in depth understanding to the codes of ethics and conducts of data science professions; and | ||
| 4. | Exhibit a capacity to undertake IT design and development practice in an independent or collaborative environment with a strong industry focus; and the responsibility and accountability as a lifelong learner for their own learning and professional practice. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Admissions
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
PLUS:
A study score of at least 20 in Mathematics (any).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.
Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.
Pathways & credits
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Pathways from VU courses
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Pathways from overseas institutions
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
Amity Global Institute, Singapore, Singapore
You will be credited for up to 144 credit points of study.
Wuyi University, China, China
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Amity Global Institute, Singapore, Singapore
You will be credited for up to 60 credit points of study.
Sunway College Johor Bahru, Malaysia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Prospects College of Higher Education, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
How to apply
We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.
Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.
If you have questions, please get in touch:
- Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
- Online: enquiry form
Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.
VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.
