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best universities in new zealand for data science

Masters in Data Science in New Zealand is a 1.5 to 2-year long full-time program. The average course fee for this degree ranges between 19.3 lakh to 42 lakh INR. Only 3 universities in New Zealand offer Masters in Data Science. It is available as a Master of Data Science, Master of Business in Data Science, and Master of Professional Studies in Data Science. 

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  • An undergraduate degree in fields of science like mathematics, physics, or computer science is required to apply for universities offering Masters in Data Science in New Zealand.
  • The entry-level salary for an individual with a degree in MS in Data Science in New Zealand is 26 lakhs INR per annum. 
  • Some of the job roles offered to graduates of Masters in Data Science are Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Statistician, etc.

Why Study Masters in Data Science in New Zealand?

Here’s why you should consider studying MS in Data Science in New Zealand: 

  • Three universities offering Masters in Data Science in New Zealand rank among the top 350 universities of the world, according to THE Ranking of 2020. 
  • Graduate Employability Ranking 2020 of these three universities, where institutions are ranked on the basis of placement opportunities available to their alumni, are tabulated below:
UniversityRanking 2020
University of Auckland59
University of Otago251 – 300
University of Canterbury301 – 500
  • Qualification in New Zealand is recognized by NZQF (New Zealand Qualification Authority) which makes sure to maintain the quality level of education. This gives international recognition to the degree.
  • An up-gradation from bachelor’s to masters in data science in New Zealand increases the salary of a Data Analyst by 39% whereas, for other professions, it is only 29%.

Best Universities In New Zealand For Data Science

Given below are the three universities that offer Master in Data Science in New Zealand along with their THE Ranking and total program fees: 

THE Ranking 2020UniversityProgram Offered & DurationTotal Program Fees (in INR)
179University of AucklandMaster of Professional Studies in Data Science: 1 year20.1 lakhs
Master of Data Science (180 points): 1.5 years31.2 lakhs
Master of Data Science (240 points): 2 year41.6 lakhs
201 – 250University of OtagoMaster of Business Data Science (240 points): 1.3 year33.9 lakhs
Master of Business Data Science (180 points): 1 year23.7 lakhs
301 – 350University of CanterburyMaster of Applied Data Science: 1 year19.3 lakhs

University of Canterbury also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Data Science. The duration of this program is 2 semesters and it costs around 12.9 lakhs. 

Masters in Data Science in New Zealand: Highlights

Duration1 – 2 Years
EligibilityBachelors in data science or equivalent (computer science/ statistics/ economics/ mathematics)
Average Course Fee19.3 lakhs – 42 lakhs INR 
Starting Salary26 lakhs INR per annum
Job ProfileData scientist, data analyst, application or infrastructure architect, data engineer, machine learning scientist, statistician, machine learning engineer.
Field of RecruitmentTechnology solution companies, banks, MNCs, entertainment or social media industry, eCommerce platforms
Top Recruiting OrganizationAccenture, IBM, Oracle, Bank of America, Walmart, Apple, Nike, Google, PayPal, Uber, Spotify.

Admission Process for Masters in Data Science in New Zealand

Students can apply to New Zealand universities in January and July, with the exception of a few universities offering multiple intakes in September and November. Ideally, international students should start their admission process around six months before the application deadline. 

Admission requirements for universities offering Masters in Data Science in New Zealand are provided below: 

Admission Requirements for the University of Auckland Masters in Data Science 

For Master of Data Science

  • Bachelor of Science degree in data science or the relevant field
  • Minimum 4.5 GPA or 70% in an undergraduate degree
  • Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 as a proof of English proficiency

For the Master of Professional Studies in Data Science

  • Must have one of the following in a relevant field:
    • 4-year bachelors degree
    • 3-year bachelors degree and 1-year of a masters degree
    • Bachelors degree and 3 years of professional experience
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA or 60% at the undergraduate level
  • Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 as a proof of English proficiency

Admission Requirements for University of Otago Masters in Data Science

  • A bachelors degree in relevant field
  • Minimum 6.0 GPA or 75% at the undergraduate level
  • Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 as a proof of English proficiency
  • Applicants without a relevant bachelors degree having practical experience in data science are also considered

Admission Requirements for University of Canterbury Masters in Data Science

  • A bachelors degree in relevant field
  • Minimum 6.0 GPA or 75% at the undergraduate level
  • Approval from the Academic Dean of Science
  • Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 as a proof of English proficiency

Visa Requirement for International Students

If you are going to New Zealand for studies and stay is more than 3 months long, you will need a New Zealand student visa. The process here takes hardly 20-25 days to complete.

Fees of online student visa application fees are 14,609 INR + 722 INR (approximately). In the New Zealand Embassy of New Delhi, payment is accepted through a draft or credit card. International students applying for the student visa via post are required to pay 9,828 INR + 1087 INR (approximately). 

The documents you need to provide are as follows:

  • Valid passport: Must be valid for at least three months beyond your period of stay in New Zealand
  • Completed Student Visa Application Form 
  • Application fee payment receipt
  • Offer letter of the institution approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
  • Health insurance receipt
  • Character certificates
  • Two passport-sized photographs
  • Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
  • English Proficiency Test score
  • Proof of fund

Additional documents may be requested during the visa interview. These may be required to prove your academic and financial status.

Cost of Studying Masters in Data Science in New Zealand

Cost of studying abroad can be divided into three parts: Pre-departure Costs, Tuition Fees, and Cost of Living.

Pre Departure Cost

Pre-departure expenses include the fees of various tests you undertake for studying in New Zealand, visa fees, airfare, etc. Some of these are provided below:

Type of ExpenseCost (in INR)
New Zealand Visa FeesOnline: 14,609 + 722; 
By Post: 9,828 + 1087 
IELTS Fees16,999
TOEFL Fees20,101
PTE Fees17,044
Application FeesVaries

Typical flight charge from India to New Zealand is 47,284 INR, the amount varies depending on your city.

Tuition Fees for Masters in Data Science in New Zealand

Average tuition fees of universities offering masters in data science in New Zealand ranges between 19.3 lakhs INR to 27.15 lakhs INR per annum.Tuition Fees

Cost of Living in New Zealand

Living cost in New Zealand is 126% higher than India. Cities like Wellington, Auckland, and Queenstown can be pretty expensive. International students need a comprehensive financial plan to manage their expenses since travel and accommodation cost in New Zealand is 126% higher than in India.

Cost of living varies from one city to another. Given below is a comparison of the accommodation expenses of three cities where universities offering Masters in Data Science in New Zealand are located. The costs mentioned below are a rough estimate so the actual value may vary slightly.

CityAverage Cost of Living per Annum (in INR)
Auckland (University of Auckland)63,001-90,002
Christchurch (University of Canterbury)45,001-63,001
Dunedin (University of Otago)36,000-58,501

Besides rent, the other expenses that you need to take into account are food, transportation, phone and internet bills, etc. The table given below will give you a brief idea of what an international student should expect while living in New Zealand:

Types of ExpensesAverage Expenditure per Month (in INR)
Food8,965
Transportation5,379
Phone & Internet2,241
Medical Expenses2,241-4,482
Clothing8,965-13,447
Entertainment2,241-4,482
Miscellaneous Expenses4,482

Scholarships for Masters in Data Science in New Zealand

New Zealand offers scholarships to international students at all levels of study. Few of these scholarships are university-specific. Some of them are funded by the New Zealand Government.

Below mentioned are some of the scholarships that a student of MS in Data Science in New Zealand can apply for are as follows: 

ScholarshipUniversityScholarship Stipend (in INR)
International Students Excellence ScholarshipUniversity of Auckland4.9 lakhs 
Coursework Masters ScholarshipUniversity of Otago4.9 lakhs
Otago International Excellence ScholarshipUniversity of Otago4.9 lakhs
Alison MacGibbon FundUniversity of Canterbury14,700

The New Zealand Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade funds a bunch of scholarships meant for students in undergraduate and postgraduate studies. These scholarships usually cover tuition fees, return economy air travel, an establishment allowance upon arrival in New Zealand, medical insurance, basic living costs, etc.

Scope of Masters in Data Science in New Zealand

Over the last decade, our Global focus has become more and more data-oriented. As a result, the demand for data science personals has grown tremendously. According to the Harvard Business Review, the hottest job of the 21st century is that of a Data Scientist.

Statistics predict the increasing demand for data scientists coupled with a lack of adequate experts in this field will create an additional 11.5 million job openings by 2026. If Linkedin’s findings are to be believed, data science has the highest demand in the field of computer science. 

Following are the available jobs in New Zealand for data science graduates: 

JobsAverage Salary per Annum (in INR)Recruiting Field
Statistician68.4 lakhsNational Governments, Research Institutes, Consulting Companies
Data Analyst43.9 lakhsTelecommunication, Finance, Manufacture, Construction or Utility Companies
Business Intelligence Analyst39.1 lakhsTechnical, Finance, Reporting Companies
Data Scientist38.2 lakhsFinance, Software Companies, Government Agencies
Information Security Analyst47.2 lakhsSoftware, Technical, Entertainment, Retail, Trade 

Students can work for 12 months with any employer after their studies get over in New Zealand. If one gets a relevant job according to the specialty of the student, one can apply for a Post Study Work Visa (employee assisted). Also, New Zealand is one of the top 20 countries in the world to offer an excellent education to its students. To answer your question, yes pursuing your masters in data science is worth it and will eventually pay off. 

university of auckland msc data science

The ability to turn data into information, knowledge and innovative products is a skill in high demand within industry. By completing a strong core of Computer Science and Statistics courses, you will gain a unique combination of skills in Data Science and be able to comprehend, process and manage data effectively to extract value from it. Graduates will be critical, reflective practitioners able to pursue professional goals and further postgraduate study.

We also offer the Master of Data Science (MDataSci) as a 240-point taught masters as a March intake only. This is suitable for students who have a background in either Computer Science or Statistics, but not both. Students who have majored in Data Science, or a combination of computer science and Statistics, should apply for the 180-point taught masters. 

Programme structure

180-point taught masters

60 points:

  • COMPSCI 752 Big Data Management
  • COMPSCI 760 Datamining and Machine Learning
  • STATS 762 Regression for Data Science
  • STATS 769 Advanced Data Science Practice

At least 15 points from:

  • STATS 705 Topics in Official Statistics
  • STATS 730 Statistical Inference
  • STATS 763 Advanced Regression Methodology
  • STATS 784 Statistical Data Mining
  • STATS 786 Time Series Forecasting for Data Science
  • STATS 787 Topics in Statistical Computing

At least 15 points:

  • COMPSCI 711 Parallel and Distributed Computing
  • COMPSCI 720 Advanced Design and Analysis of Algorithms
  • COMPSCI 734 Web, Mobile and Enterprise Computing
  • COMPSCI 750 Computational Complexity
  • COMPSCI 753 Uncertainty in Data

Up to 45 points from:

  • COMPSCI 705 Advanced Topics in Human Computer Interaction
  • COMPSCI 715 Advanced Computer Graphics
  • COMPSCI 732 Software Tools and Techniques
  • COMPSCI 761 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
  • COMPSCI 765 Interactive Cognitive Systems
  • COMPSCI 767 Intelligent Software Agents
  • ENGSCI 711 Advanced Mathematical Modelling
  • ENGSCI 755 Decision Making in Engineering
  • ENGSCI 760 Algorithms for Optimisation
  • ENGSCI 761 Integer and Multi-objective Optimisation
  • ENGSCI 762 Scheduling and Optimisation in Decision Making
  • ENGSCI 763 Advanced Simulation and Stochastic Optimisation
  • ENGSCI 768 Advanced Operations Research and Analytics
  • HLTHINFO 723 Health Knowledge Management
  • HLTHINFO 728 Principles of Health Informatics
  • HLTHINFO 730 Healthcare Decision Support Systems
  • INFOSYS 700 Digital Innovation
  • INFOSYS 720 Information Systems Research
  • INFOSYS 722 Data Mining and Big Data
  • INFOSYS 737 Adaptive Enterprise Systems
  • INFOSYS 740 System Dynamics and Complex Modelling
  • MATHS 715 Graph Theory and Combinatorics
  • MATHS 761 Dynamical Systems
  • MATHS 765 Mathematical Modelling
  • MATHS 766 Inverse Problems
  • MATHS 769 Stochastic Differential and Difference Equations
  • MATHS 770 Advanced Numerical Analysis
  • OPSMGT 752 Research Methods – Modelling
  • OPSMGT 757 Project Management
  • OPSMGT 760 Advanced Operations Systems
  • OPSMGT 766 Fundamentals of Supply Chain Coordination
  • SCIENT 701 Accounting and Finance for Scientists
  • SCIENT 702 Marketing for Scientific and Technical Personnel
  • SCIENT 705 Research Commercialisation
  • STATS 701 Advanced SAS Programing
  • STATS 710 Probability Theory
  • STATS 726 Time Series
  • STATS 731 Bayesian Inference
  • STATS 770 Introduction to Medical Statistics
  • STATS 779 Professional Skills for Statisticians
  • STATS 780 Statistical Consulting
  • Other 700-level courses approved by the programme director

45 points:

  • DATASCI 792, 792a, 792b Dissertation

240-point taught masters

The intake for the 240-point taught masters is in March only.

60 points:

  • COMPSCI 717 Fundamentals of Algorithmics*
  • COMPSCI 751 Advanced Topics in Database Systems
  • COMPSCI 762 Advanced Machine Learning*
  • STATS 707 Computational Introduction to Statistics
  • STATS 762 Regression for Data Science
  • STATS 765 Statistical Learning for Data Science
  • STATS 782 Statistical Computing
  • Or other approved 700-level courses offered at this University

60 points:

  • COMPSCI 752 Big Data Management
  • COMPSCI 760 Datamining and Machine Learning
  • STATS 762 Regression for Data Science
  • STATS 769 Advanced Data Science Practice

At least 15 points from:

  • STATS 705 Topics in Official Statistics
  • STATS 730 Statistical Inference 
  • STATS 763 Advanced Regression Methodology
  • STATS 784 Statistical Data Mining
  • STATS 786 Time Series Forecasting for Data Science
  • STATS 787 Data Visualisation

At least 15 points from:

  • COMPSCI 711 Parallel and Distributed Computing
  • COMPSCI 720 Advanced Design and Analysis of Algorithms
  • COMPSCI 734 Web, Mobile and Enterprise Computing
  • COMPSCI 750 Computational Complexity
  • COMPSCI 753 Uncertainty in Data

Up to 45 points from:

  • COMPSCI 705 Advanced Topics in Human Computer Interaction
  • COMPSCI 715 Advanced Computer Graphics
  • COMPSCI 732 Software Tools and Techniques
  • COMPSCI 761 Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
  • COMPSCI 765 Interactive Cognitive Systems
  • COMPSCI 767 Intelligent Software Agents
  • ENGSCI 711 Advanced Mathematical Modelling
  • ENGSCI 755 Decision Making in Engineering
  • ENGSCI 760 Algorithms for Optimisation
  • ENGSCI 761 Integer and Multi-objective Optimisation
  • ENGSCI 762 Scheduling and Optimisation in Decision Making
  • ENGSCI 763 Advanced Simulation and Stochastic Optimisation
  • ENGSCI 768 Advanced Operations Research and Analytics
  • DIGIHLTH 701 Principles of Digital Health
  • DIGIHLTH 702 Health Knowledge Management
  • DIGIHLTH 704 Healthcare Decision Support Systems
  • INFOSYS 700 Digital Innovation
  • INFOSYS 720 Information Systems Research
  • INFOSYS 722 Data Mining and Big Data
  • INFOSYS 737 Adaptive Enterprise Systems
  • INFOSYS 740 System Dynamics and Complex Modelling
  • MATHS 715 Graph Theory and Combinatorics
  • MATHS 761 Dynamical Systems
  • MATHS 765 Mathematical Modelling
  • MATHS 766 Inverse Problems 
  • MATHS 769 Stochastic Differential and Difference Equations
  • MATHS 770 Advanced Numerical Analysis
  • OPSMGT 752 Research Methods – Modelling 
  • OPSMGT 757 Project Management 
  • OPSMGT 760 Advanced Operations Systems
  • OPSMGT 766 Fundamentals of Supply Chain Coordination
  • SCIENT 701 Accounting and Finance for Scientists
  • SCIENT 702 Marketing for Scientific and Technical Personnel
  • SCIENT 705 Research Commercialisation
  • STATS 701 Advanced SAS Programming 
  • STATS 710 Probability Theory 
  • STATS 726 Time Series 
  • STATS 731 Bayesian Inference
  • STATS 770 Introduction to Medical Statistics
  • STATS 779 Professional Skills for Statisticians
  • STATS 780 Statistical Consulting 
  • Or other approved 700-level courses offered at this University

45 points:

  • DATASCI 792 Dissertation
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