Why Study / Key Benefits

• Study an AI-specialised undergraduate degree rather than taking AI only as a major within a general computer science degree.
• Develop knowledge in computer science and mathematics alongside machine learning and natural language processing.
• Learn to design, develop, deploy and manage intelligent systems.
• Develop practical skills in AI solution design, data analysis, intelligent application development, machine learning and statistical modelling.
• Address ethical, legal and societal considerations associated with artificial intelligence.
• Work on industry-engaged, project-based coursework.
• Develop multidisciplinary teamwork and professional communication skills.
• The course is accredited by the Australian Computer Society at professional level.
• Swinburne currently reports #1 in Australia for Computer Science and Engineering in the ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025 and #6 in Australia for Artificial Intelligence in the US News Best Global Universities ranking. These are university-level ranking claims and should not be interpreted as guarantees of individual graduate outcomes.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The standard degree consists of 300 credit points:

• 100 credit points core
• 100 credit points Artificial Intelligence major
• 100 credit points other studies, such as a co-major, minor, advanced minor or electives.

The currently published indicative sequence is for Semester 1, 2026 and Swinburne notes that unit availability and sequencing can change.

Year 1 – Computing foundations

Core subjects include:

• Computer Systems — COS10004
• Introduction to Programming — COS10009
• Web Technology Project — COS10026
• Technology in an Indigenous Context Project — COS10025
• Object Oriented Programming — COS20007
• Networks and Switching — TNE10006

The remaining study in the standard first year is elective study.

Year 2 – Artificial Intelligence foundations

The current indicative sequence includes:

• Database Design Project — COS20031
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence — COS30019
• IoT Programming — SWE30011
• Computing Technology Innovation Project — COS30049
• Intelligent Systems — COS30018
• Natural Language Processing and GenAI — COS30081
• Elective study.

These subjects introduce AI, intelligent systems, natural language processing, generative AI and connected-device programming.

Year 3 – Professional placement structure

The published professional-degree sequence includes:

• Integrated Professional Placement A – Information and Communication Technology — ICT20013
• Work Experience in Industry A — WEI20001
• Integrated Professional Placement B – Information and Communication Technology — ICT20014
• Work Experience in Industry B — WEI20002

Together, these represent the 12-month professional placement structure.

However, this part of the structure is not available to international students holding an Australian Student visa in this course. Swinburne's handbook expressly states this restriction.

Year 4 – Advanced AI and computing

The published sequence includes:

• Computing Technology Project A — COS40005
• Artificial Intelligence Engineering — COS40007
• Applied Machine Learning — COS30082
• Computing Technology Project B — COS40006
• Elective study.

Recommended AI-related electives

The handbook lists recommended electives such as:

• Artificial Intelligence for Games
• IT Security
• Games Programming
• Data Visualisation
• Concurrent Programming
• Calculus and Applications
• Linear Algebra and Applications
• Mathematics for Computing
• Quantitative Prediction
• Stochastic Modelling
• Numerical and Computational Mathematics
• Optimisation
• Software Testing and Reliability
• IoT Programming
• Software Deployment and Evolution
• Advanced Switching.

The final elective availability can vary.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The main specialisation is:

• Artificial Intelligence

The AI curriculum focuses on:

• Artificial intelligence
• Intelligent systems
• Machine learning
• Natural language processing
• Generative AI
• AI engineering
• Data analysis
• Statistical modelling
• Computer science
• Software development
• IoT and connected technologies
• Ethical, legal and societal aspects of AI.

Programme Highlights

• AI-focused undergraduate degree
• Professional-level ACS accreditation
• 300 credit points in the standard degree
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne
• 2027 Semester 1 and Semester 2 intakes
• Computer science and mathematics foundations
• Machine learning
• Natural language processing and GenAI
• Intelligent systems
• AI engineering
• Applied machine learning
• Industry-engaged project learning
• Professional placement structure for eligible students
• International Student visa restriction on the professional placement component.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following career opportunities:

• AI consultant
• AI engineer
• Data scientist
• Machine learning specialist
• Software developer
• Technology innovator.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: BA-AIPRF.
• Current CRICOS code: 121175D.
• Current 2027 starts: 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• Current application deadlines: 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• Current English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, no individual band below 6.0.
• Mathematics prerequisite: two VCE Units 1 and 2 Mathematics units or equivalent.
• The standard degree is 300 credit points and typically 3 years, while the Professional course is displayed as 4 years because of the professional-placement structure.
• International students holding a Student visa cannot undertake the Professional Placement in this course under the current course handbook.
• Professional placement is also subject to course rules and competitive selection where applicable.
• Swinburne says students undertaking professional placement incur additional course fees.
• The detailed unit sequence currently published is an indicative Semester 1 2026 sequence and may change.
• 2027 tuition fees are currently being finalised by Swinburne and the university says to check back in October 2026. Therefore: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

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

Core Student visa requirements

The Australian Department of Home Affairs currently states that Student visa applicants must, among other requirements:

• be enrolled in an eligible course and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided
• maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies
• satisfy the Genuine Student requirement
• meet applicable health requirements
• meet applicable character requirements
• comply with other visa requirements relevant to their circumstances.