Why Study/Key Benefits

The Graduate Diploma of Information Technology specialising in Software Development is designed for students who want to develop practical IT skills and specialise in software development.

Key benefits include:

• Practical skills in the design, construction, operation and support of IT solutions.
• Software development skills covering development and testing of computer programs.
• Focus on software quality management.
• Project-based learning and problem-solving.
• Development of research skills to assess the effectiveness of technology and IT solutions.
• Opportunity for students from non-IT backgrounds to transition into the IT industry.
• Exposure to ICT research in non-academic environments, including legal, government, commercial and software-production settings.
• A nested pathway to the Master of Information Technology.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

Students complete 150 credit points.

The nested structure is:

Graduate Certificate stage:

• 4 core units
• 4 Software Development specialisation units

Graduate Diploma stage:

• 1 additional core unit
• 1 additional Software Development specialisation unit
• 1 elective

The current Software Development specialisation units listed by Swinburne are:

• Technology Design Project — COS60011 — 12.5 credit points
• Programming Principles and Practices — COS60018 — 12.5 credit points
• Advanced Software Development — COS70006 — 12.5 credit points
• Software Quality and Testing — COS80022 — 12.5 credit points
• Technology Innovation Research and Project — COS70008 — 25 credit points

The Graduate Certificate core units currently shown are:

• Creating Web Applications — COS60004 — 12.5 credit points
• Data Management for the Big Data Age — COS60009 — 12.5 credit points
• User-Centred Design — COS70004 — 12.5 credit points
• Cloud Engineering — COS80001 — 12.5 credit points

The additional Graduate Diploma core unit is:

• Big Data — COS80023 — 12.5 credit points

The current elective choices include:

• Introduction to Data Science — COS60008
• Advanced Software Development — COS70006
• Internet Security — COS80013
• Software Quality and Testing — COS80022
• Data Visualisation — COS80025
• Machine Learning — COS80027
• Networks and Cybersecurity Frameworks — CYB60004
• Cyber Ethics — CYB70001
• Cyber Security Fundamentals and Practices — ICT60001

Disciplines/Specialisations

Primary discipline:

• Information Technology

Specialisation:

• Software Development

The Software Development specialisation focuses on:

• Software development
• Computer-program development and testing
• Software quality
• Programming
• Web applications
• Technology design
• IT research
• Problem analysis and solution development

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate Graduate Diploma in Information Technology.
• Software Development specialisation.
• 150 credit points.
• 1.5 years full-time.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS 083472C.
• Practical IT and software-development focus.
• Suitable for students transitioning into IT from non-IT backgrounds.
• Project work and problem-solving.
• Research skills applicable to non-academic ICT environments.
• Nested pathway to the Master of Information Technology.
• Electives covering data science, cybersecurity, machine learning, data visualisation and software testing.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne states that the qualification provides knowledge and skills for professional work in Information and Communication Technologies and can also provide a pathway to research and further learning.

The current course page highlights career areas including:

• Quantitative Research Analyst
• Digital Workplace Analysis
• Support Engineering
• Network Technician

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The current programme information confirms:

• Course code: GD-IT1.
• CRICOS code: 083472C.
• Hawthorn campus.
• 1.5 years full-time.
• 150 credit points.
• 2027 Semester 1 and Semester 2 intakes are currently published.
• International students in Australia on a Student visa must study full-time and on campus.
• Applicants may enter from a bachelor's degree in any discipline provided they have few or no IT studies, defined by Swinburne as less than one-third of the degree.
• The Graduate Certificate of Information Technology is an alternative entry qualification.
• The Postgraduate Qualifying Program is also an entry pathway for international applicants.
• Credit transfer and RPL are assessed individually.
• The Graduate Diploma forms the second stage of a nested suite, with the Master of Information Technology as the continuing programme.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this programme in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

Key requirements include:

• Enrolment in an eligible Australian course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Meeting the Australian Values Statement requirement where applicable.
• Demonstrating financial capacity where required by the Department of Home Affairs.