Master of Information Technology (Extension)

The Master of Information Technology (Extension) is a two-year postgraduate degree for people who want to work in IT, whether they're coming from a computing background or switching into the field. The "Extension" tag generally means you take the core IT material and then go further, more units, a longer course, and room for a substantial final project or research component. At Kaplan Business School, the course is delivered to Australian standards, with units of study and credit points that add up to a full master's qualification on the AQF.

Australian master's degrees usually run one to two years full-time, and this one sits at the two-year end. That longer structure gives you time to build depth rather than just sample subjects. You'll typically study across trimesters or semesters, completing a set number of units each term. Core units cover the fundamentals, programming, databases, networking, systems analysis, project management, and then you choose electives or a specialisation. The Extension version often includes a capstone project or a minor thesis where you work on a real problem, sometimes with an industry partner. Assessment is a mix of exams, assignments, group work and that final project.

Work-integrated learning is common in Australian IT master's programmes. That might mean an internship, a live industry project, or a placement with a tech company or IT department. Kaplan Business School has industry connections, and the course is designed so you graduate with evidence of practical work, not just theory. You'll pick up skills in software development, data management, cybersecurity basics, cloud computing and IT governance, the sort of things employers actually ask for. Group projects also build the communication and teamwork habits that IT teams rely on.

This degree suits two groups. First, people with an undergraduate degree in something else who want a formal IT qualification and a career change. Second, IT graduates who want to go deeper, specialise, or move into more senior technical or management roles. It's also a pathway for international students who want to study in Australia and then use the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream to gain local experience. While you study, a student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight. English requirements are set by the institution and the Department of Home Affairs, check the official CRICOS page and the Kaplan Business School website for the exact scores and tuition, since those details can change.

• Software developer or engineer, building and maintaining applications for tech companies, banks, government agencies and startups.
• Systems analyst, working out what an organisation needs from its IT and designing the systems to deliver it.
• IT project manager, running technology projects in consulting firms, large enterprises or the public sector.
• Network administrator or cloud engineer, managing infrastructure and cloud services for businesses of all sizes.
• Cybersecurity analyst, protecting data and systems, a growing role in finance, health, defence and government.
• Data analyst or database administrator, handling data storage, reporting and analytics for organisations that rely on information.
• IT consultant, advising clients on technology strategy and implementation, often with consulting firms or as an independent.
• Business analyst (IT), bridging the gap between technical teams and business units in banks, insurers, retailers and government.

Australian industries that hire IT master's graduates include professional services, banking and finance, telecommunications, healthcare, education, government and the fast-growing tech startup scene. Many graduates also use the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) to work in Australia after finishing their degree.