About Postgraduate Diploma In Applied Data Science in University of Canterbury

Data science is a new profession emerging along with the exponential growth in size, and availability of 'big data'. A data scientist provides insight into future trends from looking at past and current data. This is an essential skillset in a world where everything from education to commerce, communication to transport, involves large-scale data collection and digitalisation.

This Postgraduate Diploma is designed to accommodate students from a range of backgrounds (not just those with Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science majors), who want to enhance or build their data science capabilities and combine these with the skills and knowledge they bring from their previous studies. So long as you are data-hungry and industry-aware; this degree can add to your employability and career prospects.

Why study a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Data Science at UC?

• One of the few such programmes in Australasia that supports the development of students from a wider undergraduate background.
• There is also a focus on broader skills required of data scientists such as advanced analytical capability, problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills.
• UC has strengths in the area of data science, including a number of relevant research centres 

Career Opportunities

According to industry experts, data scientists know what the technology can offer, what analytics are possible, and can communicate on all those aspects to the wider business. This applies no matter the field or sector, as data and analytics have become so important and integral to organisational decision making. Graduates will be ready to work in a range of industries including: government, corporates, the IT sector, market research and finance, agriculture, and transport.

Aotearoa New Zealand and other countries are currently experiencing a skills shortage in this area, and the need for data savvy professionals with applied experience is growing.

A PGDipADS graduate's skills will include:

• advanced knowledge in data science
• the ability to use data to inform workplace solutions
• planning and implementing data-informed projects
• working in multidisciplinary teams
• have an understanding of what programming can offer.

Bachelors: No specific cutoff mentioned

• Postgraduate certificates and diplomas require a relevant bachelor's degree
• Candidates require a B average in relevant 300-level Bachelor's courses or evidence of achievement at postgraduate level
• Normally the minimum requirement is a three-year bachelor’s degree from a New Zealand university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered to be equivalent

English language requirements for postgraduate qualifications
If you want to study towards a postgraduate qualification, eg a Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, or PhD you must have one of the following:

ENGLISH TEST    

• IELTS -Academic    An average score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking
• TOEFL iBT    -Total minimum score of 90, minimum score of 19 in reading, writing and listening. Please note UC only accepts TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date, not MyBest scores.
• TOEFL PBT -    With a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5
• CCEL EAP-    Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade
• CAE or CPE-    Score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking
• Pearson Test of English (Academic)-    PTE with an overall score of 58 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50
• NZCEL-     Level 5

University of Canterbury Highlights

University of Canterbury Tuition fee

New Zealand Living Expenses

You'll require between $20,000 and $25,000 a year ($380–480 per week) for housing/rent, food, transportation, phone bills, internet usage, and entertainment, in addition to your tuition and insurance fees. The average living expense will be the same for everyone, regardless of their tuition or course price. Please keep in mind that these are only suggestions; the Immigration New Zealand requirement is $15,000 per year including return travel or an additional $2,000.