Why Study / Key Benefits

• Develop a broad foundation in computer science, including programming, computer systems, web technologies, object-oriented programming and networking.
• Specialise in cybersecurity through subjects covering encryption, access control, malware, network security, IT security and cyber resilience.
• Gain practical experience through professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• The Professional degree incorporates a 12-month paid work placement, providing an opportunity to gain workplace experience while earning academic credit.
• Develop cybersecurity testing, cybersecurity strategy, problem-solving, critical-thinking, communication and teamwork skills.
• Study in Swinburne's technology-focused learning environment and laboratories.
• The course is professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
• Swinburne currently reports #1 in Australia for Computer Science and Engineering in the ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025 and #1 in Victoria for Graduate Employability and Salary in the QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. These are university-level measures and are not guarantees of an individual graduate's employment outcome.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Professional degree requires 375 credit points.

The structure is:

• 100 credit points Computer Science core
• 100 credit points Cyber Security major
• 100 credit points Professional Placement
• 75 credit points other studies, such as minors, advanced minors or electives.

These subjects cover areas including:

• cloud infrastructure and architecture
• database systems
• malware analysis
• cybersecurity applications
• network security
• security resilience
• IT security
• software architecture
• computing technology projects.

Indicative study sequence

The current published indicative sequence is identified as a Semester 1, 2026 sequence. Swinburne notes that unit offerings and sequencing can change and that students should use their course planner and study plan when enrolling.

Year 1 includes:

• Computer Systems
• Introduction to Programming
• Web Technology Project
• Technology in an Indigenous Context Project
• Object Oriented Programming
• Networks and Switching
• Cloud Computing Architecture
• one elective.

Year 2 includes:

• Database Design Project
• Internet and Cybersecurity for Engineering Applications
• Malware Analysis
• Computing Technology Innovation Project
• four elective/other-study units in the published sequence.

The professional placement follows the academic component and contains four placement units.

The final academic year includes:

• Computing Technology Project A
• Network Security and Resilience
• Software Architectures and Design
• Computing Technology Project B
• IT Security
• one elective.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected major is:

• Cyber Security

The Bachelor of Computer Science (Professional) currently offers the following majors:

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

Programme Highlights

• 4-year professional bachelor's degree
• Cyber Security major
• 375 total credit points
• Hawthorn campus, Melbourne
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry
• ACS professional accreditation
• 12-month paid professional placement
• 100 credit points allocated to professional placement
• 1,672–1,976 hours of professional placement
• Computer programming and systems foundations
• Cloud computing
• Database design
• Malware analysis
• Network security and resilience
• IT security
• Industry-linked computing projects.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically identifies the following career opportunities for the Cyber Security major:

• Security consultant
• Information security analyst
• Cyber security penetration tester
• Network administrator
• Systems administrator.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: BA-CSPROF.
• Current CRICOS code: 095880K.
• Current duration: 4 years full-time.
• Current campus: Hawthorn.
• 2027 starts: 1 March and 2 August 2027.
• 2027 application deadlines: 24 February and 28 July 2027.
• Current international English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no individual band below 6.0.
• Mathematics prerequisite: two VCE Units 1 and 2 Mathematics units, or equivalent.
• Applicants without the required mathematics prerequisite must successfully complete MathsLink Methods.
• The Professional degree requires four mandatory professional-placement units.
• Professional placement is subject to eligibility and placement availability. Swinburne's professional-placement information states that eligibility includes a weighted course average of at least 60% and completion of at least 12 units/150 credit points, with at least three units/37.5 credit points remaining when the placement is completed.
• Students are required to secure a Professional Placement; the course handbook contains additional academic-progress rules if a student has not secured a placement by the specified point in the course.
• The current course sequence is indicative and is specifically identified as a Semester 1, 2026 sequence; future unit availability and sequencing may change.
• The course is a professional degree with a mandatory placement component, which is important for international students because Swinburne explains that international students who obtain professional placements need to be enrolled in the corresponding Professional Degree where the placement is a registered course component.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this CRICOS-registered programme in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500), subject to their individual circumstances.

Core Student visa requirements

The Student visa process generally requires:

• enrolment in a CRICOS-registered course
• a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies
• satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement
• applicable health and character requirements
• evidence of financial capacity where requested
• compliance with the conditions attached to the visa.