The University of Newcastle College of International Education (CIE) offers pathway programs that prepare international students for successful progression into undergraduate degrees at the University of Newcastle, Australia. The Degree Transfer Extended courses are highly supportive pathways that replicate the first year of a bachelor’s degree while including an extra bridging semester to strengthen academic foundations and English language skills before progressing.

 

Degree Transfer programs are the same level as the first year of a related university degree, and after successful completion students enter directly into Year 2 of their chosen degree without needing additional external English tests (like IELTS) for progression.

 

Why Study Degree Transfer Extended Information Technology?

• Smooth transition to Year 2: Helps students who need additional preparation before studying core IT/Computer Science courses at university level.
• Extra academic support: Includes a foundational trimester focusing on essential math, computing basics, programming and academic English.
• World-ranked subject area: University of Newcastle’s computing and information technology subjects are ranked in the Top 200 globally (THE Rankings by Subject).
• Career-relevant topics: Prepares you for practical IT & computing disciplines with real-world relevance in software, web, database and systems fields.
• Access to university life: Study on the main campus with access to facilities, support services and student clubs.

 

Programme Structure

Degree Transfer Extended IT includes an initial bridging semester and then core computing topics:

Bridging Semester (non-credit) — foundations:

• Academic English

• Core Mathematics

• Programming

• Computing

• Statistics

Core & Directed Courses (Semesters 2–3):

Six Core Courses:

• COMP1010 – Computing Fundamentals

• COMP1140 – Database and Information Management

• SENG1110 – Object Oriented Programming

• SENG1050 – Web Technologies

• Academic English A

• Academic English B

Four Directed Courses (choose from):

• ACFI1001 – Accounting for Decision Makers

• ENGG1003 – Introduction to Procedural Programming

• MATH1110 – Maths for Engineering, Science and Tech 1

• MATH1510 – Discrete Mathematics

• SENG1120 – Data Structures

• STAT1060 – Business Decision Making

 

Disciplines & Degree Progression

After successful completion, you can progress into Year 2 of the following University of Newcastle undergraduate degrees:

• Bachelor of Information Technology (various streams)
• Bachelor of Information Technology (Business Technology)
• Bachelor of Information Technology (Systems Development)
• Bachelor of Information Technology / Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Computer Science

 

Highlights & Benefits

• Extended preparation: Extra bridging semester helps strengthen mathematical, computing and academic communication skills before core IT study.
• Equivalent to Year 1 university curriculum: You study the same subjects as direct first-year students, plus supportive content.
• Direct Year 2 progression: Saves time and cost compared to starting the degree from zero.
• Tech industry focus: Prepares you for careers in software, web, systems, data and digital products.

 

Career Outcomes

Graduates from related IT and computer science degrees often work as:

• Software Developer / Engineer
• Web & Multimedia Developer
• Digital Product Manager
• Database Administrator
• Systems Analyst
• IT Project Manager
• Mobile App Designer
• Technical Consultant
• Infrastructure or Enterprise Analyst

 

Visa Requirements

International students must obtain an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) to study this program on campus. Usual visa requirements include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from CIE
• Proof of tuition and living funds
• OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover)
• Valid passport and documents

 

Latest Notes & Updates

• Intakes: April and September each year.
• If you meet academic and English requirements for the standard (non-extended) pathway, that option (12 months) may be available as an alternative.
• The Degree Transfer programs allow progression without needing additional Pell-type English tests once you complete your pathway.