Post Graduation in Data Science is a popular option for graduates who want to build careers in data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data engineering, and business intelligence. Depending on the institution, students can pursue an M.Sc. in Data Science, M.Sc. in Data Science and Analytics, PG Diploma, or specialized postgraduate programme.
What Is Post Graduation in Data Science?
A postgraduate programme in Data Science combines concepts from:
- Statistics
- Mathematics
- Programming
- Data Analytics
- Machine Learning
- Artificial Intelligence
- Database Management
- Data Visualization
- Big Data
- Cloud Computing
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The programme is designed to help students understand how to collect, process, analyze, and interpret large datasets and use them to solve real-world problems.
Most full-time master’s programmes in Data Science have a duration of 2 years, while PG Diploma programmes are often completed in 1 year.
Eligibility for Post Graduation in Data Science
Eligibility requirements vary between universities and programmes.
Generally, candidates need:
- A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
- Usually 50–60% marks or equivalent CGPA
- Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related subject may be required by some universities
- Some programmes accept students from broader science, social science, commerce, or engineering backgrounds
- Certain institutions require Mathematics at Class 12 or undergraduate level
- Some universities conduct entrance examinations
For example, IGNOU’s M.Sc. Data Science and Analytics accepts candidates with a bachelor’s degree of at least three years from a recognized institution.
Requirements can be much more specific at individual institutions. VIT’s 2026 M.Sc. Data Science programme, for instance, requires relevant undergraduate backgrounds such as Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Statistics, Data Science, or Engineering/Technology, along with Mathematics at the required level and 60% marks.
Can Students From Any Bachelor’s Degree Apply?
Not always.
This is an important point because Data Science postgraduate eligibility differs significantly between universities.
Some programmes accept graduates from a wide range of disciplines, while others specifically require a background in:
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Engineering
- Physics
- Computer Applications
For example, the M.Sc. Data Science programme at Madras School of Economics accepts undergraduate degrees in social sciences, commerce and management, sciences, engineering, mathematics, or statistics, but requires Mathematics at Class 12 level or an equivalent mathematical background.
Therefore, students should check the eligibility requirements of each university before applying.
Data Science Postgraduate Course Fees in 2026
The cost varies considerably depending on the university, programme format, and mode of study.
Approximate ranges are:
| Programme Type | Approximate Total Fee |
|---|---|
| Government/Open University | ₹50,000–₹1.5 lakh |
| Affordable Private Universities | ₹1–3 lakh |
| Established Private Universities | ₹2–5 lakh |
| Premium Institutes | ₹4–10 lakh+ |
| International programmes in India | ₹10 lakh+ |
For example, IGNOU’s M.Sc. Data Science and Analytics currently lists a fee of ₹13,000 per semester, excluding certain additional charges.
VIT lists its M.Sc. Data Science programme at ₹80,000 per year for the Vellore and Chennai campuses, with different fee categories for VIT-AP.
For comparison, IIIT Hyderabad’s online M.Sc. in Data Science lists the complete programme fee at approximately ₹4 lakh plus applicable GST.
Examples of Data Science Postgraduate Programmes in 2026
Students can find Data Science programmes at different fee levels and formats.
IGNOU
Programme: M.Sc. Data Science and Analytics
Duration: Minimum 2 years
Mode: Open and Distance Learning
Fee: ₹13,000 per semester
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree of at least three years.
VIT
Programme: M.Sc. Data Science
Duration: 2 years
Mode: Full-time
Eligibility: Relevant undergraduate background with Mathematics and required marks
Fee: Approximately ₹80,000 per year at Vellore/Chennai.
Madras School of Economics
Programme: M.Sc. Data Science
Duration: 2 years
Eligibility: Relevant bachelor’s degree with Mathematics requirement
Admission: Entrance examination
Fee: The 2026–27 programme has a semester fee of ₹2,36,903 plus ₹30,000 infrastructure development fee and a one-time admission fee.
IIT Indore–IIM Indore
Programme: M.S. in Data Science and Management
Duration: 2 years
Eligibility: Includes degrees such as B.Tech, BE, BS, B.Pharm, B.Arch, B.Des, four-year B.Sc., M.Sc., MCA, or MBA, subject to the programme’s academic requirements. A qualifying test score such as CAT, GATE, GMAT, GRE, or JAM is required through the applicable route.
Entrance Exams for Data Science PG Courses
Depending on the institution, admission may be based on:
- CUET-PG
- University-specific entrance examinations
- GATE
- JAM
- CAT
- GRE/GMAT
- Merit-based admission
Some universities may also conduct interviews after the entrance examination.
Subjects in Postgraduate Data Science
A typical curriculum may include:
Foundation Subjects
- Probability and Statistics
- Linear Algebra
- Calculus
- Programming
- Database Management
- Data Structures
Core Data Science
- Data Mining
- Machine Learning
- Statistical Computing
- Data Visualization
- Predictive Analytics
- Big Data Analytics
Advanced Areas
- Deep Learning
- Artificial Intelligence
- Natural Language Processing
- Cloud Computing
- Big Data Technologies
- Generative AI
- Data Engineering
Students may also complete a research project, industry project, internship, or dissertation.
Skills Required for Data Science
Students should develop both technical and analytical skills.
Important skills include:
- Python
- SQL
- R
- Statistics
- Machine Learning
- Data Visualization
- Excel
- Power BI/Tableau
- TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Git
- Cloud platforms
Among these, Python, SQL, statistics, and machine learning provide a strong foundation.
Career Options After Post Graduation in Data Science
After completing a postgraduate programme, students can pursue roles such as:
- Data Scientist
- Data Analyst
- Data Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- AI Engineer
- Data Consultant
- Business Analyst
- Quantitative Analyst
- Research Scientist
The actual role a graduate qualifies for will depend on their technical skills, projects, specialization, and previous academic background.
Data Science Salary in India
Salary varies considerably according to experience, organization, location, specialization, and technical skills.
Indicative ranges are:
| Experience | Approximate Salary |
|---|---|
| Fresher | ₹4–8 LPA |
| 1–3 years | ₹6–15 LPA |
| 3–5 years | ₹10–25 LPA |
| 5–8 years | ₹15–35 LPA |
| 8+ years | ₹25 LPA–₹50 LPA+ |
Professionals with strong expertise in AI, machine learning, data engineering, cloud computing, and advanced analytics may find opportunities at higher salary levels.
Data Science vs Data Analytics
These fields are related but not identical.
Data Analytics primarily focuses on examining existing data, identifying trends, creating reports, and supporting business decisions.
Data Science generally involves a broader combination of statistics, programming, machine learning, predictive modelling, and advanced data analysis.
A student interested in business reporting and visualization may prefer Data Analytics, while someone interested in machine learning, programming, and predictive models may prefer Data Science.
Career Scope in 2026
Data Science continues to intersect with several rapidly developing technology areas, particularly:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Generative AI
- Machine Learning
- Big Data
- Cloud Computing
- Data Engineering
- Business Intelligence
- Automation
As organizations increasingly use data for decision-making and AI applications, professionals who combine data science fundamentals with programming, statistics, cloud, and AI skills can pursue a wide range of career paths.
Is Post Graduation in Data Science Worth It?
A postgraduate degree can be useful for students who want structured academic training and deeper knowledge of statistics, programming, machine learning, and data analysis.
However, the degree alone is not sufficient for a successful Data Science career. Students should also build:
Strong fundamentals + programming skills + practical projects + internships + relevant tools + problem-solving ability
Before selecting a programme, compare eligibility, curriculum, total fees, entrance requirements, mode of study, faculty, projects, internships, and placement opportunities rather than choosing a programme based only on its name.
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