Is a Master’s in Data Science worth it for a Career Switch in Singapore?

In Singapore in 2025, data science is no longer confined to tech companies—it’s a driving force across nearly every industry, from finance and healthcare to logistics and retail. As organisations increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, many mid-career professionals in Singapore are rethinking their career paths and exploring opportunities in the dynamic field of data science. This demand is also evident from their salaries – the average monthly base pay of a data scientist in Singapore is SGD 8957, and it can range up to SGD 11,516 based on various factors.

This blog will discuss whether a master’s in data science is worth it for a career switch. It will also highlight the skills they can acquire in these programs, the top career paths they can pursue following graduation, and the salaries they can expect to earn in those careers. 

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Is a Master’s in Data Science Worth It for a Career Switch?

The payoff for professionals who decide to pursue a career in data science with a master’s degree in the discipline is substantial. For companies, having an online master’s degree in data science carries weight because it signals a commitment to and knowledge of the field. Graduates of these programs can also earn well, and it also helps that job roles in the domain are constantly expanding, perhaps the most prominent among all data science benefits.

High Demand Across Industries

Singapore is rapidly transforming into a data-driven economy, and sectors such as finance, logistics, healthcare, and government are investing significantly in analytics. This transformation is creating numerous job opportunities where the salary can more than offset the cost of a student’s data science course fees. By pursuing a master’s program in data science, professionals can equip themselves with in-demand skills, including machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and data engineering.

Career Growth

The career path for a data scientist is a great one because they receive many opportunities to grow their professional profile, something that they may not be able to do in a conventional role. A master’s degree in data science provides students with advanced analytical and technical skills that employers consistently seek.

Future-Proof Skill Set

As we mentioned earlier, there is no shortage of great jobs after earning a master’s degree in data science, because it offers more than just technical proficiency – it develops capabilities such as problem-solving, adaptability, and innovation. In the fast-evolving job market, these are essential traits to have.

Strong Ecosystem and Government Support

The government of Singapore provides a clear pathway for data science aspirants by actively supporting technological talent development through initiatives such as SkillsFuture, partnerships with leading universities, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) TechSkills Accelerator.

Interdisciplinary Opportunities and Flexibility

For students wondering if a master’s in data science is worth it or not, one of the most significant benefits of studying data science is that they can apply it across domains.

Also Read: How to Find a Data Science Mentor in Singapore – Tips for Networking and Guidance

Skills, Career Paths & Salaries with a Data Science Master’s

In these programs, especially when they are from the best colleges and universities, students learn a whole lot of essential data science skills, such as the following:

• Programming Languages – Python, R, and Structured Query Language (SQL)
• Statistical Analysis
• ML
• Data Visualisation
• Cloud Computing

Having such skills and knowledge also opens up diverse career paths with high pay, as there is an immense demand for these professionals, which guarantees a variety of opportunities as well.

Also Read: Building a Data Science Portfolio: Key Elements for Success

How upGrad’s Master’s in Data Science Can Support Your Career Change

Candidates in Singapore looking to switch careers and make themselves valuable commodities in the data science job market can always opt for the online data science and analytics courses offered through upGrad. These programs can help them elevate their data skills, and since they are from some of the world’s top universities, they can also help learners become masters of data science.

• Master of Science in Data Science, Liverpool John Moores University
• Post Graduate Diploma in Data Science (E-Learning), upGrad Institute
• Executive Diploma in Data Science and AI, IIIT Bangalore
• Post Graduate Certificate in Data Science & AI (Executive), IIIT Bangalore

For more information on these programs, email query@upgrad.com or call +65-6232-6730.

FAQs on Is a Masters in Data Science Worth It

Q: Can I pursue a data science master’s without a technical background?
Ans: Yes, students can continuously pursue a master’s degree in data science even if they do not have a conventional technical background.

Q: How long does it take to complete a Master’s in Data Science?
Ans: Typically, it takes two years to complete a full-time master’s program in data science. This period may increase if it is a part-time program.

Q: What’s the average salary after completing a Master’s in Data Science?
Ans: The average monthly base pay of a data scientist in Singapore is SGD 8957, and it can increase to SGD 11,516 depending on different factors.

Q: Is an online data science master’s as valuable as an on-campus one?
Ans: Yes, an online master’s in data science can be just as valuable as an on-campus program, but this depends on the student’s learning style, the specific program, and their career goals.

Q: What industries are hiring data science professionals?
Ans: Almost all industries are recruiting data science professionals actively, but the following are doing so more actively than others:

• Technology
• Healthcare
• Finance
• Retail
• Telecommunications