Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Data Science is designed for students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, not only Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science.
• It allows students to combine data-science capabilities with knowledge from their previous discipline.
• UC focuses on advanced analytical capability, problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork and communication, which are important professional skills for data scientists.
• The programme combines data management, programming, data mining, scalable data science and big-data concepts.
• Students can choose electives from a particularly broad range of disciplines, allowing them to apply data science to areas such as finance, health, environmental science, geography, psychology, economics and information systems.
• UC identifies a growing worldwide demand for data-science skills and says graduates can work across government, corporates, IT, market research, finance, agriculture and transport.
• Students who meet the relevant requirements can progress from the diploma to the Master of Applied Data Science.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme contains three main components.

Foundation courses – up to 45 points:

• DATA401 Introduction to Data Science
• COSC480 Computer Programming
• MBIS623 Data Management

Advanced Data Science Competencies – 60 points:

• DIGI405 Texts, Discourses and Data: the Humanities and Data Science
• STAT462 Data Mining
• DATA420 Scalable Data Science
• STAT448 Big Data

Electives – at least 15 points:

Electives can be selected from relevant 400- or 600-level courses in areas including:

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Digital Humanities
• Economics
• Environmental Science
• Finance
• Geography
• Geology
• Geospatial Data Science
• Health
• Information Systems
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Project Management
• Psychology
• Statistics

Examples of recent/popular electives include:

• COSC428 Computer Vision
• COSC401 Machine Learning
• COSC440 Deep Learning
• DATA415 Computational Social Choice
• DATA416 Contemporary Issues in Data Science
• DATA422 Data Wrangling
• DATA423 Data Science in Industry
• DATA424 Information is Beautiful
• DATA425 Foundations of Deep Learning
• GISC401 Foundations of Geospatial Data Science
• GISC404 Spatial Analysis
• GISC412 Advanced Methods in Geospatial Data Science
• GISC422 Foundations of Geographic Information Systems
• INFO621 AI in Business
• INFO634 Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
• STAT447 Official Statistics
• STAT455 Data Collection and Sampling Methods
• STAT456 Time Series and Stochastic Processes
• STAT463 Advanced Multivariable Statistical Methods and Applications

Disciplines / Specialisations

The PGDipADS does not have formal majors or minors.

However, students can effectively develop a study focus through their elective choices. Possible areas include:

• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Data Mining
• Big Data
• Computer Programming
• Data Management
• Computer Vision
• Data Wrangling
• Data Science in Industry
• Artificial Intelligence in Business
• Business Intelligence
• Geospatial Data Science
• Statistics
• Health Data
• Financial Data
• Environmental Data
• Digital Humanities

Programme Highlights

• 120-point postgraduate qualification.
• Designed for students from diverse academic backgrounds.
• February and July intakes.
• Full-time completion in a minimum of 1 year.
• Part-time study available for up to 5 years.
• On-campus, distance and fully online options.
• Foundation training in data science, programming and data management.
• Advanced study in data mining, scalable data science and big data.
• Wide choice of interdisciplinary electives.
• Options to combine data science with business, finance, health, environmental science, geography, psychology, computer science and other fields.
• Strong emphasis on analytical, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills.
• Potential progression to the Master of Applied Data Science.

Career Outcomes

UC says graduates can work in a wide range of sectors because data and analytics are increasingly important to organisational decision-making.

Potential employment areas include:

• Government
• Corporate organisations
• IT sector
• Market research
• Finance
• Agriculture
• Transport
• Data and analytics teams
• Technology and digital businesses

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current PGDipADS regulations came into force on 1 January 2026.
• The programme was first offered in 2017.
• The qualification requires a minimum of 120 points.
• The regulations permit approved substitutions for foundation and advanced competency courses where the student already has relevant knowledge.
• There are no formal majors or minors.
• UC currently offers the qualification on campus, by distance and fully online.
• The online version has different term dates and a more prescribed course list.
• Students with relevant prior data-science knowledge may receive exemptions from some foundation courses, but exemptions require appropriate approval.
• Students studying DATA420 and DIGI405 should have Python programming knowledge or have completed COSC480.
• Students studying STAT462 and STAT448 should have a statistics background or have completed DATA401.
• Students who have not graduated from the diploma and meet the requirements can transfer into the Master of Applied Data Science.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student coming to New Zealand to study the PGDipADS on campus, the relevant visa will generally be the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence that the student can pay tuition fees or has an acceptable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence concerning onward/return travel where required.