Bachelor of Data Science
BDataSc
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Bachelor of Science with Honours
- Master of Science
- Master of Applied Data Science
Download Brochure
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Bachelor of Science with Honours
- Master of Science
- Master of Applied Data Science
Download Brochure
Overview
Data is used by organisations of all sizes to make better decisions. In this degree, you will learn how to analyse and interpret data to inform decision-making and forecast trends.
With big data comes big responsibility, and you will learn the importance of data security, ethics, and strategy. You will learn skills in programming, mathematics, and statistics from experts in biology, computing, geography, linguistics, and many other fields. As a result, you will be able to contribute your diverse skillset across many cross-disciplinary fields.
- Depending on your chosen major, you will have a range of hands-on learning experiences that may take place from our modern laboratories to our field stations.
- Project work in your final year will give you real world experience in applying data science to create workplace solutions.
- We have research centres that specialise in data science, with projects like climate change prediction models in Antarctica, geospatial mapping for urban planning in rural Aotearoa, and VR simulation training systems for firefighters.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on gaining admission to UC please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
The Bachelor of Data Science is open to anyone with entry to the University.
A background in secondary school subjects such as maths, statistics, computing, and IT will be especially useful. UC offers introductory courses if you have little or no background in these areas.
Bachelor of Data Science – example degree structure
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Compulsory courses
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Major courses
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Courses from Science or other degrees
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Data Science.
The Bachelor of Data Science requires a minimum total of 360 points:
- 195 points of compulsory Data Science courses
- 165 points of courses towards your major.
At least 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 105 points at 300-level.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
The Bachelor of Data Science includes introductory courses in programming, mathematics, statistics, and computer sciences, as well as hands-on lab work and group projects.
You will also complete courses towards a major subject, completing with a final capstone project in the third year with supervision from industry.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
100-level
- DATA101 Introduction to Data Science
- COSC121 Introduction to Computer Programming
- COSC122 Introduction to Computer Science
- MATH102 Mathematics 1A
- SCIE101 Science, Society and Me
Plus complete the required 100-level courses from your chosen major.
200-level
- DATA201 Data Wrangling
- DATA203 Data Science Multivariable Methods
- COSC262 Algorithms
- PHIL240 Bioethics: Life, Death and Medicine
- STAT201 Applied Statistics OR STAT202 Regression Modelling
Plus complete the required 200-level courses from your chosen major.
300-level
- DATA301 Big Data Computing and Systems
- DATA303 Computational Data Methods
- STAT315 Multivariate Statistical Methods OR STAT318 Data Mining
Plus complete the required 300-level courses from your chosen major.
UC offers postgraduate studies in Data Science:
- Bachelor of Science with Honours
- Postgraduate Certificate in Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science
- Master of Science
There are also specialist applied studies available:
- Project work in your final year involves applying data science to create solutions.
- Gain skills in project implementation, research, critical analysis, problem- solving, and communication to discuss and explain data findings.
- Graduates will be ready to work in roles such as data scientist, analyst, software architect, IT consultant, business analyst, statistician, and software developer.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $7,136 |
| 2022 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,945 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
| 2022 | 120 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $35,725 | $31,065 |
| 2023 | 120 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $37,163 | $32,316 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Data Science.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).