Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Computer Science (Professional), majoring in Software Development, combines computer science fundamentals with advanced software development and professional industry experience. The Software Development major focuses on architecting large software systems, developing applications for mobile devices, scaling applications to cloud environments, and building secure, robust and reliable software.

Key benefits include:

• A four-year professional computer science degree with a 12-month paid work placement opportunity.
• Six professionally focused, industry-linked projects integrated into the degree.
• Practical development of software, cloud computing, application development and software architecture skills.
• Opportunities to gain full-time industry experience and academic credit through the professional placement.
• Study in industry-standard facilities and technology-focused learning environments.
• Professional accreditation by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The professional degree consists of four main components: Computer Science core studies, the Software Development major, electives and a 12-month professional work placement.

Computer Science core units include:

• Computer Systems
• Introduction to Programming
• Web Technology Project
• Technology in an Indigenous Context Project
• Object Oriented Programming
• Networks and Switching
• Computing Technology Project A
• Computing Technology Project B

These core units total 100 credit points.

Software Development major:

The Software Development major consists of 8 major units worth 100 credit points in total. The current handbook identifies the following major units:

• Cloud Computing Architecture
• Database Design Project
• Data Structures and Patterns
• Software Testing and Reliability
• Computing Technology Innovation Project
• Interface Design and Development
• Software Architectures and Design
• Concurrent Programming

Each listed unit is 12.5 credit points.

The major develops knowledge in areas such as:

• Software architecture
• Programming
• Data structures
• Cloud computing
• Database development
• Interface design
• Software testing and reliability
• Concurrent programming
• Secure and scalable software development
• Mobile and multi-platform application development.

Professional work placement:

The professional component is worth 100 credit points and represents a 12-month professional placement. It consists of:

• Work Experience in Industry A
• Integrated Professional Placement A – Information and Communication Technology
• Work Experience in Industry B
• Integrated Professional Placement B – Information and Communication Technology

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected specialisation is:

• Software Development

The Bachelor of Computer Science (Professional) also offers other major options including:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Cyber Security
• Data Science
• Games Development
• Internet of Things
• Software Development

Programme Highlights

• 4-year professional bachelor degree
• 375 credit points
• Hawthorn campus
• 12-month paid professional work placement opportunity
• 100 credit points allocated to professional placement
• Six professionally focused, industry-linked projects
• Software development, cloud computing and software architecture focus
• Mobile and multi-platform application development
• Secure and scalable software development
• Australian Computer Society professional accreditation
• Industry experience integrated into the degree.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career opportunities including:

• Programmer or software developer
• Software engineer
• Software architect
• Systems architect
• Data scientist

Potential professional areas include:

• Software development
• Application development
• Cloud computing
• Software architecture
• Systems development
• Technology project work
• Software testing
• Digital and technology consulting

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current Swinburne course page lists 2027 starts on 1 March and 2 August.
• The current course CRICOS code is 095880K.
• The degree is accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
• The professional component includes a 12-month paid work placement opportunity.
• Mathematics is a prerequisite; students who do not meet the prerequisite may need to complete MathsLink Methods.
• Swinburne states that course sequences are indicative and can change because of unit availability, prerequisites, advanced standing and exemptions.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this course in Australia generally require a Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements and conditions include:

• Enrolment in an eligible Australian course and a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the required period.
• Meeting the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• Meeting health and character requirements where applicable.
• Providing financial-capacity evidence when required by the Department of Home Affairs document checklist.
• Meeting applicable English-language requirements for the visa.