Graduate Certificate in Data Science
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 6 months -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$14,880 (2021 total)
Next intake
FebruaryEntry score
Not applicable
Duration
Not applicableLocation
Not applicableFees
Not applicable
Next intake
Not applicable
Overview
Data science is an emerging area that drives economic growth, public policy and corporate strategy. Data scientists manage large collections of data to extrapolate insights that benefit businesses and society.
As a data scientist, you'll work with many different programming languages, including R and Python, and will look for order and patterns in data. Using these trends, you'll influence a business' bottom-line using analytical techniques, such as machine learning, deep learning and text analysis.
Gain practical skills that allow you to handle data through the analysis lifecycle, from access and processing to modelling and visualisation. Learn about fundamental statistical concepts and build on this with sampling and hypothesis testing methods. Using open source software, you’ll have the skills to turn complex, real-world data into meaningful information.
Study entirely online
The Graduate Certificate in Data Science is also available via online delivery.

Details
Your learning involves a varied mix of study modes, such as project work, seminars, online and flexible learning. Assessment in this course includes assignments and projects, reflective journals, assessed tutorials and presentations and self or peer assessment.
You'll learn about applied mathematical and statistical knowledge and methodologies, how to use critical analysis to solve a range of data science problems, analyse problems, use a range of communication skills to interpret data and insights and be able to reflect on your practice.
- Dr Minyi li, Senior Lecturer, Computer Science
- 6 months full-time
Choose a program structure
Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Certificate in Data Science | City Campus |
0.5 years full-time or part time equivalent
|
0.5 years full-time
|
GC173 |
Choose a program structure
Program code: GC173
Career
Excellent opportunities exist for graduates. You may be qualified for roles such as:
- Analytics specialist
- Business intelligence analyst
- Business intelligence development
- Data analyst or architect
- Data engineer, miner or scientist
- Web analyst
Admissions
You must have:
- an Australian bachelor degree or equivalent
OR
- you may also be considered if you have a minimum five years (full-time equivalent) of work experience.
If you wish to have industry or employment experience assessed as part of meeting the entry requirements you will need to provide a detailed CV/resume listing previous positions, dates of employment and position responsibilities; a statement from your employer confirming these details (or contact details of employer so RMIT can seek confirmation); and evidence of any relevant professional development undertaken.
International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
You must have:
- an Australian bachelor degree or equivalent
OR
- you may also be considered if you have a minimum five years (full-time equivalent) of work experience.
International qualifications are assessed for comparability to Australian qualifications according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Further study
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Data Science can continue their studies in the Master of Data Science or the Master of Analytics and receive full credit for their completed studies.
Fees
This program has full-fee places, with a limited number of Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available for 2021 (only).
Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.
2021 indicative fees
- Full-fee places: AU$14,880.
- Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$3,950 to AU$14,500*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amount quoted is the 2021 total program tuition fee, and is based on a total annual load of 48 credit points. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
If you are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place, you may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students commencing their program in 2021. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2021 for commencing students
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2021 |
---|---|
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture |
$3,950 per standard year $493 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology |
$7,950 per standard year |
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science |
$11,300 per standard year |
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture |
$14,500 per standard year |
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP, HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2021 is $313.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$18,240.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.