Bachelor of Computer Science (Advanced)

The Bachelor of Computer Science (Advanced) at Western Sydney University is a three-year degree for students who want to go further than a standard pass degree. It's built for people who are strong in maths and logic and who want to spend more time on the hard parts of computing: algorithms, data structures, programming languages, operating systems, networks, databases, software engineering and artificial intelligence. You'll write a lot of code. You'll also study the theory that sits underneath it, because that's what lets you pick up a new language or framework without starting from scratch.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. A three-year degree usually adds up to 240 credit points, split across two semesters a year, with a mid-year intake at many universities. Advanced degrees typically include a research or capstone unit in the final year, where you work on a substantial project under supervision rather than sitting another exam. Some advanced programs also require you to maintain a higher grade average to stay enrolled. Check the official course page for the exact unit list and credit point rules.

Skills you build

You learn to design and analyse algorithms, build and query databases, write secure and maintainable software, and work with the mathematical foundations of computing. Group projects and lab work mean you practise version control, code review and explaining technical decisions to people who aren't programmers. Those are the skills employers actually test in interviews.

Who it suits

This degree suits school leavers with a strong maths background, and also mature-age students returning to study with some coding experience already. If you want to work as a software engineer, data engineer, security analyst or researcher, this is a direct path. It's also a good base for honours, which adds a fourth year of research training, or for a master's later on.

Practical matters for international students

Western Sydney University is based in Sydney's western suburbs, close to a large technology and health precinct around Parramatta and Westmead. International applicants need to meet the university's English requirement, IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall is the common undergraduate standard, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, a student visa generally allows 48 hours of work per fortnight during term. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream lets eligible graduates stay and work in Australia. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 061245G. Confirm all details, including English scores and unit structure, on the official page before you apply.

• Software engineer or developer, building applications and systems for banks, consultancies, government agencies and tech companies across Australia.
• Data engineer or data analyst, working with large datasets in finance, retail, health and the public sector.
• Cybersecurity analyst, monitoring and defending networks for organisations in banking, defence and critical infrastructure.
• Systems or network administrator, keeping IT infrastructure running in universities, hospitals and large enterprises.
• Machine learning engineer, developing models and pipelines in research teams and product companies.
• Research assistant or PhD candidate, continuing into honours or a doctorate in computer science.
• IT consultant, advising businesses on software selection, integration and digital projects.