PGCP Data Science Course Guide 

The data has become the new oil, and companies from various sectors are all competing to tap its power for smarter decision-making, enhanced customer service, and efficient operations. The implication here is that the demand for data professionals who are highly skilled has gone through the roof, leading data science to become the most in-demand career option now. No matter if you are a fresh graduate, a working professional wanting to learn more skills, or someone searching for a job change, having proper qualifications can make a big difference in this competitive market. 

The PGCP Data Science online certification is designed for learners to gain the technical expertise and analytical thinking required to be successful in the data science and analytics fields. Online PGCP program at Online Manipal offers a comfortable and fully online format plus the industry-aligned curriculum by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) – an Institution of Eminence – to a future-proof data science career. 

This blog will discuss all that you need to know about PGCP in Data Science, and the one offered by MAHE at Online Manipal. You will learn about the eligibility, syllabus, benefits, career prospects, and more. 

What Is PGCP in Data Science and Why Should You Choose? 

A Post Graduate Certificate Program (PGCP) in Data Science is an intensive short-term course aimed at providing learners with skills that are highly sought after in data analytics, machine learning, data visualization, and statistical modeling. A PGCP Data science duration is generally 12 months, which is a more open choice for both new graduates and employees, unlike a full-time master’s degree. 

1. Industry-Relevant Curriculum 

PGCP programs provide a platform for collaboration with industry experts for the co-design of curriculum intending to empower students with the acquisition of practical skills openly aligned with market needs. The emphasis here is on actually doing rather than theory, with the use of tools and technologies which are current in implementing data science issues. 

2. Short Duration, High Impact 

Such courses in general have a duration of 6 to 12 months, giving you the ability to get the essential knowledge and switch to a data science position rapidly. This choice is suitable for professionals, who have no possibility to dedicate a great period of time to studying. 

3. Career Acceleration 

If you are a university graduate without any working experience or an employee of another domain, PGCP could become a means for a gateway to data science, a high-growth domain, thus assisting you to fast-track your career. Besides that, it is aimed at introducing you to different roles such as data analyst, machine learning engineer, business intelligence developer, and more. 

Also Read: Top data science companies in India for cutting-edge analytics and innovation 

4. Flexible Learning Modes 

Most of the PGCP courses are developed for online or hybrid modes of delivery, which makes it possible for learners to study at their own pace without any challenge of managing their personal and professional commitments. 

5. Practical Skill Development 

PGCP programs are majorly focused on practical learning. This is done through the use of real datasets, case studies, and lab sessions. In general, this hands-on approach allows learners to really understand and internalize the concepts and thus be able to solve complex business problems. 

6. Affordable Learning 

Post Graduate Certificate in Data Science online is much cheaper than traditional masters or MBA programs and they are also more time efficient. These programs enable learners to have a deep understanding of the subject and offer maximum benefit without being a financial drain or taking a lot of time. 

Who Should Go after PGCP in Data Science? 

This course is perfect for: 

• Recent graduates with a degree in engineering, mathematics, statistics, or computer science. 

• People who are already working in IT, finance, marketing, or consulting who are looking to change careers or just upgrade their skills. 

• Those who are switching their career from non-technical backgrounds and want to go to data-focused positions. 

• Entrepreneurs or business executives who are interested in using data to make strategic decisions. 

Also read: What is the data science lifecycle? 

Eligibility Criteria 

To apply for a PGCP in Data Science at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), candidates must meet the following criteria: 

Educational Qualification 

• A 10+2+3-year bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Technology, or any discipline with at least two years of Mathematics or Statistics as part of the curriculum. 

• The degree must be from a recognized university, or an institution approved by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). 

Minimum Marks 

• A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying degree. 

Work Experience 

• Not mandatory, but prior work experience is desirable, especially for working professionals seeking career advancement. 

For NRI and Foreign Candidates 

• Must meet the same academic and grade requirements. 

• Those who completed their 10+2 or undergraduate education outside India must obtain a certificate of equivalence from the AIU. 

• Candidates with NRE or PIO status may need to submit additional documents like a CV, address proof, valid visa, PR card, and passport copy and will be charged international fee rates. 

Curriculum Overview 

The curriculum for online PGCP in Data Science typically covers both foundational and advanced topics in data analytics and machine learning. Here is the MAHE’s PGCP Data Science course details 

Semester 1	Semester 2
Computational Mathematics	Linear Regression Models
Probability and Probability Distribution	Time Series Analysis
Programming with R and Python	Applied Multivariate Data Analysis
Statistical Inference	Machine Learning Methods
Database Management	Big Data Analytics
	Mini Project

Read more: Ethical Considerations in Data Science and AI 

Tools and Technologies You’ll Learn 

The PGCP in Data Science from MAHE provides students with tools and platforms that are relevant to the industry and are widely used by data professionals. They are: 

• Python – A programming language that is very flexible and is used extensively for data manipulation, analysis, and developing machine learning models. 

• R – A language for statistical programming that is perfect for data visualization, statistical computing, and exploratory data analysis. 

• SQL – A very efficient language for querying, managing, and manipulating structured data that are stored in relational databases. 

• Hadoop – The framework that is free and open-source for the processing and storage of data which is huge in size across the distributed computing environment. 

• Apache Spark – The cluster-computing system that is fast and general-purpose is utilized for big data processing, real-time analytics, and machine learning tasks. 

Also read: Popular AI-assisted data analytics tools of 2025 

Career Opportunities After PGCP in Data Science 

A PGCP is a great way to get into a lot of different jobs in various sectors. You can look for: 

Role	Average Salary (INR)	Key Responsibilities
Data Analyst	₹2–14 LPA	Analyze data trends, build dashboards, generate insights for business
Data Scientist	₹4–21 LPA	Build predictive models, interpret complex data, support decision-making
Business Intelligence Analyst	₹6–10 LPA	Develop BI reports, create dashboards, enhance business performance
Machine Learning Engineer	₹7– 20 LPA	Design ML algorithms, optimize models, deploy AI systems
Data Engineer	₹3.9–22 LPA	Design and maintain data architecture, manage data pipelines
Quantitative Analyst	₹5–40 LPA	Use statistical models to assess financial risks and opportunities
Data Architect	₹20–35 LPA	Design data frameworks, ensure secure and scalable data systems
AI/Deep Learning Engineer	₹3–24 LPA	Build and implement deep learning models for image, text, or speech data
Business Analyst	₹5–13.4 LPA	Bridge between data teams and business units, translate insights into strategy
Statistical Analyst	₹2–15LPA	Conduct statistical tests, analyze experimental data, support research
Big Data Analyst	₹2.7–18 LPA	Analyze large, complex datasets using Hadoop, Spark, etc.
Product Analyst	₹6–15 LPA	Analyze user data, measure product performance, support feature development
Research Analyst	₹3–8 LPA	Interpret research data, generate reports for business or academic purposes

Also read: Data Analyst Salaries in India: Key Factors & Industry Breakdown 

Conclusion 

The PGCP in Data Science is a perfect launchpad for anyone who wants to get a strong hold on data-based decision making and work in one of the fastest-growing tech fields. If you are a recent graduate or a working professional planning to upskill, this program comes with flexibility, practical training, and the industry’s relevance that you need to succeed. 

At Online Manipal, Manipal University of Higher Education (MAHE) offers a comprehensive Online PGCP in Data Science designed in collaboration with academic and industry experts. The program includes practical experience of working in environments such as Python, SQL, Spark, and Hadoop, together with the real projects and receiving the help of the mentor. Our PGCP Data Science online certification is designed to help you learn flexibly online, be taught by expert faculty, and get career assistance so you can confidently move into high-demand data science and analytics roles. 

Want to go further with your data science career? Discover the PGCP in Data Science at Online Manipal and open new avenues for your career today.