How to become a data scientist

Key summary

Data scientists use programming, statistics, machine learning and analytical thinking to solve complex problems and help organisations make better decisions. To become a data scientist, study a bachelor degree in data science or a related area, or pivot from another discipline through postgraduate study.

From patterns to predictions, transform raw data into meaningful insights and practical solutions.

Data scientists use statistics, programming and analytical thinking to find patterns, answer complex questions and support better decisions across industries such as health, business, technology, finance and government.

As a data scientist, you could help develop smarter systems, improve healthcare outcomes, understand customer needs or address major social and environmental challenges.

What's the difference between a data scientist, data analyst and data engineer?

Data scientist

Data scientists use statistics, programming and machine learning to find patterns and make predictions. They solve complex problems and help organisations understand what could happen next.

Data analyst

Data analysts examine data to identify trends, answer questions and support better decisions. They create reports and dashboards that explain what the data means.

Data engineer

Data engineers build and maintain the systems that collect, store and organise data. They make sure reliable data is available for analysts and data scientists to use.

Becoming a data scientist

To become a data scientist in Australia, you will need at least an undergraduate qualification, though some employers may prefer a postgraduate qualification.

Step 1. Apply to a data science course

RMIT's data science degrees will develop your skills in data analytics, statistics, computer science, machine learning, programming, mathematics, and data wrangling that will enable you to be central to business decision-making, corporate strategy and government planning.

#7 in Australia and top #100 universities globally for Data Science & Artificial Intelligence*.

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026

Undergraduate degreeInformation technology, Science, Business

Bachelor of Data Science

ATAR 70.20*
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

Undergraduate degreeInformation technology

Bachelor of Data Science (Professional)

ATAR 83.40*
February
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 4 years or Part-time equivalent

Explore RMIT’s data science courses

Pathway courses

The Associate Degree in Information Technology is a two year degree that provides a pathway into the Bachelor of Data Science.

You'll build foundational knowledge in cyber security, artificial intelligence, programming and data handling, gaining in-demand tech skills, problem-solving abilities, and career flexibility.

Learn more about pathway options

Step 2. Gain practical experience

Apply your knowledge through internships, RMIT's work-integrated learning opportunities, industry projects or personal projects. This can help you develop technical and communication skills, build a portfolio and grow your professional network.

Step 3. Keep developing your skills

Data science is a changing field, so continue learning after you graduate. Stay up to date with new tools, technologies and approaches to strengthen your skills and support your career growth. It is also worth considering postgraduate study to extend your expertise.

Postgraduate studyInformation technology, Science

Master of Data Science

Not applicable
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years

Postgraduate studyInformation technology

Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Not applicable
February, July
Melbourne City
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years

Do I need a specific degree, or can I pivot from another field?

You don’t need to come from one specific degree to become a
data scientist. Aside from a degree in data science, degrees in computer science, information technology, mathematics and statistics can provide a strong foundation, but skills from fields such as science, engineering, business and economics can
also be valuable.

If you’re changing careers, you can build your data science
knowledge through postgraduate study. Your previous experience may also give you useful insight into a particular industry or type of problem.

Explore RMIT's IT courses

Can international students study data science at RMIT?

Yes, international students can study data science courses at RMIT.

RMIT's data science courses align to international standards and cover data analytics, statistics, computer science, and more. Flexible course options (a wide selection of majors and minors) and work integrated learning help students gain practical experience and build professional networks.

Study data science in Australia

What does a data scientist do?

Common tasks and responsibilities

Collect, clean and organise data from different sources
Explore data to identify patterns, trends and relationships
Define questions and choose suitable methods to investigate them
Build, test and improve statistical and machine learning models
Write code to analyse data and automate repetitive tasks
Create charts, dashboards and reports to communicate findings
Explain results and recommendations to non-technical stakeholders
Check data quality and assess the accuracy, fairness and limitations of models
Document processes, results and decisions so work can be understood and repeated
Monitor models and update them as new data becomes available.

What skills does a successful data scientist need?

A good data scientist needs strong technical skills to work confidently with data. This includes programming languages such as Python or R, statistics and mathematics, machine learning, SQL and data visualisation. Data scientists also need to know how to collect, clean and organise data, assess the reliability of their results, and use data responsibly by considering privacy, bias and security.

Soft skills are just as important. Data scientists need to explain complex findings in plain language so non-technical stakeholders can understand and use them. Curiosity and critical thinking help them ask the right questions, challenge assumptions and recognise the limits of their analysis. They also need to collaborate with different teams, present their findings clearly and understand the industry or business context behind each problem.

Career outcomes

Data science skills are in demand across industries that use data to improve decisions, develop new products and solve complex problems. Graduates can pursue careers in technology, finance, healthcare, government, retail, logistics, consulting, science and engineering.

As organisations adopt new data and artificial intelligence technologies, new roles and career opportunities continue to emerge. With practical experience and ongoing learning, you can develop the expertise to contribute to data-driven projects, lead innovation and help organisations make better informed decisions.

How much do data scientists earn?

The average salary for a data scientist in Australia is $125,000 per year*.

*Source: Seek.com.au 2026

How long does it take to become a data scientist?

If you are studying full-time it takes a minimum of 3 years of study to complete the Bachelor of Data Science. The Bachelor of Data Science (Professional) takes 4 years of full-time study to complete. If you continue to postgraduate study, it can take a further 6 months to 2 years of full time study, depending on the qualification.

In total, it takes 3 to 6 years of full-time study to become a data scientist.

Related careers

Data analyst

As the sheer volume of collectable data increases, so too does the demand for qualified analysts to provide qualitative insights. To become a data analyst you will need a degree in a relevant discipline. RMIT's data analytics courses provide hands-on experience with the latest tools and technologies and are guided by industry experts.

Undergraduate degreeBusiness

Bachelor of Commerce

2027 Guaranteed ATAR 80.00, 2026 ATAR 80.05*
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

Postgraduate studyInformation technology, Science, Business

Graduate Certificate in Analytics

Not applicable
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City, Online
Full-time 6 months, Part-time 1 year

Postgraduate studyInformation technology, Science, Business

Master of Analytics

Not applicable
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years

Postgraduate studyBusiness

Master of Business Analytics and AI Strategy

Not applicable
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 2 years, or part-time equivalent, Reduced duration available

The average salary for a data analyst in Australia is $105,000 per year*.

*Source: Seek.com.au 2026

Data engineer

To become a data engineer, you will need a bachelor's degree in computer science or an IT discipline, although postgraduate study is also advantageous. With an emphasis on programming and software development, RMIT's computer science courses include hands-on learning and input from industry representatives.

#10 in Australia and top #120 universities globally for Computer Science & Information Systems*.

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026

Undergraduate degreeInformation technology

Bachelor of Computer Science

ATAR 75.10
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

Undergraduate degreeInformation technology

Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours)

Not applicable
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years

Undergraduate degreeInformation technology

Bachelor of Computer Science (Professional)

ATAR 90.55*
February
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 4 years or Part-time equivalent

Undergraduate degreeInformation technology, Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering(Electronic & Computer Systems Engineering)(Hon)/Bachelor of Computer Science

ATAR 83.00
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 5 years, Part-time 10 years

Undergraduate degreeInformation technology

Bachelor of Information Technology

2027 Guaranteed ATAR 70.00, 2026 ATAR 70.15*
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 3 years

Undergraduate degreeInformation technology

Bachelor of Information Technology (Professional)

ATAR 83.35*
February
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 4 years or Part-time equivalent

Postgraduate studyInformation technology, Business

Graduate Certificate in Cloud Applications in Business

Not applicable
Not applicable
On campus
Melbourne City
Part-time 1 year

Postgraduate studyInformation technology

Master of Information Technology

Not applicable
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years

The average salary for a data engineer in Australia is $130,000 per year*.

*Source: Seek.com.au 2026

Learn more about your data science study options

Whether you're a Year 12 student weighing up your options, thinking about switching careers or a professional looking to expand your skills, RMIT will equip you with the skills and knowledge that can help you succeed as a data scientist in Australia.

Explore RMIT’s data science courses

Have more questions?

Our friendly staff at Study@RMIT are available five days a week to assist you.

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How to become a data scientist