Introducing: QUT's Three New Data Science Majors

When you choose to study data science at QUT in 2026, you will have access to three new career-focused majors in artificial (AI) intelligence and machine learning (ML), data and decision analytics, and business data science.

Australia is facing a serious digital skills deficit, and we desperately need smart, skilled professionals to lead the charge. And the field that holds the key to the future? Data Science.

But this isn't just about meeting Australia's skills shortages; it's about future-proofing your career. Companies across every industry, from banking to healthcare, are scrambling to hire data scientists, confirming this is an exciting time to enter the field.

Ready to grab this opportunity? If you're considering going to uni next year, let's explore how our new specialised majors in the Bachelor of Data Science will turn you into the essential expert the world needs. The new majors are designed to give you the precise skills employers are desperate for right now, especially in the context of emerging technology.

Continue reading or head straight over to these course pages to learn more:

• Bachelor of Data Science (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)
• Bachelor of Data Science (Business Data Science)
• Bachelor of Data Science (Data and Decision Analytics)

Put QUT Bachelor of Data Science as your first preference

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML)

If you live for cutting-edge technology and want to build the future, this is your path.

Australia's core digital skills gaps are concentrated around AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Innovations in digital tech, particularly generative AI, are expected to be key drivers of productivity. Business leaders expect a monumental shift, with 60% of C-suite leaders planning to trial or use generative or agentic AI (AI that can autonomously execute complex tasks) within the next two years.

The AI and ML major trains you to design intelligent data solutions and drive innovation with the power of AI and machine learning.

• You learn how to design, build, and manage intelligent systems.
• You gain expertise applying cutting-edge AI and ML technologies to extract meaningful insights from vast, diverse data.
• Critically, you focus on ethical AI development, ethical practice, inclusivity, and social responsibility in the AI space.

Business Data Science

If you love the idea of using data to improve global brands, optimise company performance, and make smarter investment decisions, this is your focus.

Data science isn't just for tech companies; it's essential across every sector. A workforce survey found that core roles like Accountants (84% of working time) and Human Resource Professionals (71%) spend massive amounts of time on digital tasks, underscoring the universal need for data-driven insights. Demand for data analysts and business intelligence professionals has grown by over 45% in Australia in the past five years.

The business data science major teaches you to turn business data into actionable insights and strategic decisions.

• You master the core business data science process: sourcing, cleansing, analysis, data visualisation, and decision support.
• Crucially, you gain hands-on experience working with enterprise-level tools and platforms used by industry giants like SAP, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
• You learn how enterprise data governance frameworks ensure the responsible use of data.

Data and Decision Analytics

If you are a problem-solver who wants to leverage statistics and mathematics to deliver confident, high-impact strategies, this specialisation is for you.

The biggest negative impacts of digital skills gaps on Australian businesses include difficulty adopting new technologies (41%) and foregone revenue (40%). This highlights a massive need for decision-makers who can use data to optimise outcomes. Data analytics roles are expected to grow globally by over 30% by 2030. Industry and government are crying out for data scientists with training in university-level statistics subjects because it provides the theoretical understanding and rigour needed to analyse and validate results.

The data and decision analytics major blends advanced analytics, optimisation, and communication skills to transform complex data into confident decisions.

• You learn to model, analyse, and optimise decisions across real-world industries and problem contexts.
• You develop crucial written, oral, and visual communication skills to clearly explain and justify your solutions to stakeholders. This soft skill is super important for any data science professional.

What's next?

If you are curious, dedicated, and ready to tackle complex problems, a data science degree will open doors to rewarding, high-demand careers that will allow you to lead Australia's digital future.

Put QUT Bachelor of Data Science as your first preference

Sources:

• ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2025
• Data Science Hiring Trends Report: 2025 Outlook
• Data Science Review (November 2023) by Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute and Statistical Society of Australia