Master of Computer Science
Overview
Change is the only constant in the world of computing. If you're a computing professional looking to upgrade, update or deepen your knowledge of rapidly evolving technologies – this program is for you.
The Master of Computer Science is designed for applicants with a bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology (or a related field). There are other ways to meet admission requirements – see Entry Requirements.
You can focus on one or several areas of interest when choosing from the range of computer science courses, including an advanced research project at masters level.
You will be taught by a mix of internationally renowned lecturers, industry professionals and leading researchers. Our learning spaces are some of the most innovative in the world, allowing students to share ideas, help each other and socialise.
Join a growing industry
- Demand for technology workers will grow by 100,000 between 2018 and 2024 (ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2019, Deloitte)
- Computer science research jobs will grow 19% by 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Program highlights
- Complete your choice of courses that cover topics from advanced computer science, software engineering, information systems, communication systems, interaction design, research and more. In total, there are nearly 50 courses to choose from.
- Undertake a research project that addresses a specific topic or problem from the broad fields of electrical, computer systems or software engineering.
- Benefit from a program that offers a flexible study plan. Because the Master of Computer Science has such a large number of courses to choose from, you can tailor your studies to suit your interests, your industry, or your career goals.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Research experience
- Laboratory work
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Algorithms and Data Structures
- Artificial Intelligence
- Advanced Topics in Security
- Machine Learning
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Business analyst
- Data scientist
- Digital analyst
- Market analyst
- Big data architect
- Data migration specialist
- Social media data strategist
- Information architect
- Cloud architect
- Database administrator
Graduate salary
Computing & information systems (postgraduate)
compared.edu.au
Next steps after graduation
The Master of Computer Science equips students with advanced-level knowledge and skills in relevant areas, such as information systems, software engineering, distributed systems, networks, research and security.
Graduates work across a variety of fields and professions.
Some graduates choose to study higher degrees and go on to research positions at universities or other major research organisations. Other graduates work in industry – as analysts, engineers, administrators, developers, project managers and in specialist roles – with an increasing number of graduates employed in banking, finance and insurance.
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Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in 1.5 years or 1 year depending on your qualifications and experience.
You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.
1.5-year degree (24 units of study)
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in computer science or software engineering, or
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) which includes all of the relevant discipline content (see below).
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification
* Please note that if a graduate certificate (or graduate diploma) from the same program suite is used as the basis of entry into the program and you do not have a degree in the relevant discipline, you will not be eligible for credit towards the Masters program.
1-year degree (16 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor honours degree (or equivalent) in computer science or software engineering, or
- a bachelor honours degree (or equivalent) which includes all of the relevant discipline content (see below).
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 5.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification
Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications
1.5 year degree (24 units of study)
If your bachelor's degree was not awarded in computer science or software engineering, you must have successfully completed all of the following discipline content in your tertiary studies:
- data structures and algorithms
- at least 2 programming courses
- discrete mathematics or algebra
- at least 3 from the following:
- computer organisation or computer architecture or computer systems
- computer networks or communication networks
- operating systems
- databases or information systems
- probability and statistics
1 year degree (16 units of study)
If your bachelor honours degree was not awarded in computer science or software engineering, you must have successfully completed at least 16 courses with computer science and/or information technology discipline content in your tertiary studies. At least 2 courses must be at an advanced level in your final year of study.
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Computer Science are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$8,948
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
$8,948
2025
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $53,760
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
AUD $53,760
2025
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Master of Computer Science are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Computer Science is 5522.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Computer Science is 5522.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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