Master of Computing

The Master of Computing at Southern Cross University is a two-year postgraduate degree for people who want to work in information technology, whether they are moving into the field or building on an existing qualification. You study the core of modern computing: programming, data management, networking, cybersecurity and the design of software systems. Later units let you specialise, with options that typically include software engineering, data analytics, network security and IT project management. Teaching mixes lectures and tutorials with lab work where you write code, configure systems and work through problems in teams.

How the degree is structured

Australian master's degrees by coursework are usually built from units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. At Southern Cross, the academic year runs across study periods, and you can often choose how many units you take each period, which means you can finish faster or spread the load around work. A full-time load is normally four units per study period. To graduate, you complete the required core units plus electives, and many students finish with a capstone project or a professional placement unit in their final year. The capstone lets you apply what you have learned to a real problem, often for an outside organisation, and the placement unit puts you in a workplace for a set number of weeks.

What you learn

By the end, you should be able to write and test software, design and query databases, secure networks and systems, and manage IT projects from start to finish. You also learn to explain technical decisions to people who are not technical, which is the skill that separates graduates who get promoted from those who do not. Assessment is a mix of exams, assignments, group projects and practical work, and some units are delivered online or in blended mode, which suits students who live away from campus or work while they study.

Who it suits

This degree suits three groups: graduates from other fields who want a formal IT qualification, IT professionals who want to move into senior or specialised roles, and international students looking for an Australian qualification that is recognised by employers here and overseas. It is also a pathway for people who want to work in Australia after study. On a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work for a period that depends on your qualification and circumstances. Entry normally requires a bachelor's degree, and international applicants need to meet the university's English requirements — IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common coursework-postgraduate standard, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 113013M. Check the official Southern Cross University page for current entry requirements, unit offerings and study period dates before you apply.

• Software developer or engineer — building and maintaining applications for technology companies, banks, government agencies and consultancies.
• Data analyst or data engineer — working with large datasets in retail, health, finance and the public sector.
• Cybersecurity analyst — monitoring systems and responding to incidents for banks, insurers, telcos and managed security providers.
• Network administrator or cloud engineer — managing infrastructure for organisations that run their own systems or use AWS, Azure or Google Cloud.
• IT project manager or business analyst — translating business needs into technical solutions across almost every industry.
• Systems analyst or integration specialist — connecting software platforms in government, education and healthcare.
• Web or mobile developer — working in agencies, startups and product teams.
• IT support or service delivery manager — running help desk and support functions in large organisations.

Australian employers in these areas include technology firms, the big four banks, telcos, health providers, government departments and a large consulting sector. Demand is steady across most capital cities and regional centres, and the qualification is recognised for skilled migration purposes where the occupation appears on the relevant list. Confirm current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant assessing authority.