The Bachelor of Arts is the most diverse, most flexible, and most popular degree at The Australian National University. Each of its more than forty majors, in fields throughout the arts, humanities and social sciences, is taught by truly outstanding scholars to ensure that each student receives the very best education, is engaged with cutting-edge research, and learns to think like a researcher. These majors can be coupled with more than seventy minors and specialisations to broaden or deepen your study. Regardless of your choices, your Arts degree will provide you with core skills in critical analysis and in written and oral communication, while developing your adaptability and ability to help shape change and prepare you for a multifaceted career or further study.
The Bachelor of Arts can be combined with all other ANU undergraduate degrees except the PhB as a Flexible Double Degree.
Look around, Information Technology (IT) is everywhere - your TV, laptop, gaming system, mobile phone, watch, music, movies, kitchen, car, bank and your next gig tickets. It is changing the way we live, learn, work and even socialise.
If you are interested in driving this exciting revolution, within a truly globalised and fast changing industry, then the ANU Bachelor of Information Technology is for you.
You will get a strong grounding in computing fundamentals to tackle the progressive nature of IT. With IT being an intrinsic part of all industries, knowledge of software development and information systems is highly sought after by the best employers.
This degree can also be taken as a flexible double with almost any other degree at ANU.
Career Options
Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.
The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Arts, graduates will be able to:
- critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understanding national and international issues and problems;
- identify, including through interrogation of databases, relevant sources of information from across a variety of media (print and digital, written and audio-visual) and judge the importance and reliability of those sources;
- evaluate ideas and develop creative solutions to problems, including through independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods;
- communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media; and
- understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions.
On successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Analyse well defined problems, and design, implement and evaluate solutions that demonstrate an understanding of the systems context in which software is developed and operated including economic, social, historical, sustainability and ethical aspects.
2. Recognise connections and recurring themes, including abstraction and complexity, across the discipline.
3. Adapt to new environments and technologies, and to innovate.
4. Demonstrate an operational understanding of the foundations of computer science including programming, algorithms, logic, architectures and data structures.
5. Communicate complex concepts effectively with diverse audiences using a range of modalities.
6. Work effectively within a team in order to achieve a common goal.
7. Demonstrate commitment to professional conduct and development that recognises the social, legal and ethical implications of their work, to work independently, and self- and peer-assess performance.
Admission Requirements
Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:
• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.
Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.
More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found HERE.
The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.
- ATAR:
- 80
- QLD Band:
- 10
- International Baccalaureate:
- 28
Domestic applicant entry requirements
Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.
International applicant entry requirements
International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants
The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.
Pathways
There are a range of pathways available to students for entry into Bachelor of Information Technology:
-ANU College: An Associate Degree from ANU College might be a pathway into Bachelor of Information Technology for eligible students.
-ANU Diploma: A Diploma of Computing from ANU is a pathway into Bachelor of Information Technology for eligible students.
-Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT): A Diploma in Information Technology from CIT might be a pathway into Bachelor of IT for eligible students and might also provide advance standing into the program.
-International agreements/pathways: College of Engineering and Computer Science has a range of articulation agreements with institutions around the world. Students completing the appropriate qualification in these institutions may be approved for entry and credit exemptions towards Bachelor of Information Technology.
-Maths Bridging course: ANU College offers a Maths Bridging course for students who do not meet pre-requisite for Maths for entry into Bachelor of IT. Successful completion of the Maths Bridging course meets the Maths pre-requisite for entry into this program (other entry requirements still apply).
Prerequisites
ACT: Maths Methods major
NSW:Mathematics
SA/NT: Mathematics 1 (single)
TAS: Mathematics Stage 2
QLD: Maths B or Maths C
VIC: Mathematical Methods 3/4 or Specialist Mathematics
WA: Applicable Mathematics or Calculus
IB: Mathematics (SL) or Mathematics (HL)
Adjustment Factors
The National Access Scheme 2014
ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.
Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.
Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.
How to apply
Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.
Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to http://www.uac.edu.au/eas/ for more information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Arts - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Information Technology - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $39,024.00
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must consist of:
48 units from the completion of one Arts major
Australian Indigenous Studies Major
French Language and Culture Major
Gender, Sexuality and Culture Major
German Language and Culture Major
Human Evolutionary Biology Major
International Communication Major
Italian Language and Culture Major
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Major
Either:
24 units from the completion of one Arts minor or specialisation:
Advanced Hispanic Culture Minor
Advanced Hispanic Linguistics Minor
Advanced Hispanic Studies Specialisation
Advanced Italian Studies Minor
Advanced Spanish Studies Minor
ANU Leadership and Research Minor
Australian Indigenous Studies Minor
Climate Science and Policy Minor
French Language and Culture Minor
German Language and Culture Minor
Health, Medicine and the Body Minor
Heritage and Museum Studies Minor
International Communication Minor
Italian Language and Culture Minor
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Minor
24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major, minor, or specialisation and the following list:
ESEN1101 Essential University English
Or:
24 units from completion of ANIP3007 Australian National Internships Program D
24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major, minor, or specialisation and the following list:
ESEN1101 Essential University English.
Or:
48 units from completion of a second Arts major
The Bachelor of Information Technology flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
30 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:
COMP1600 Foundations of Computing
COMP2100 Software Design Methodologies
COMP2300 Computer Organisation and Program Execution
COMP2420 Introduction to Data Management, Analysis and Security
MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models
6 units from completion of course from the following list:
COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving
COMP1130 Programming as Problem Solving (Advanced)
6 units from completion of course from the following list:
COMP1110 Structured Programming
COMP1140 Structured Programming (Advanced)
30 units from completion of a 3000- and 4000-level courses from the following subject areas:
COMP Computer Science
INFS Information Systems, only if completing the Information Systems major
A minimum of 6 units and a maximum of 24 units from completion of further courses from the following subject areas:
COMP Computer Science
INFS Information Systems, only if completing the Information Systems major
A minimum of 0 units and a maximum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list:
MATH1013 Mathematics and Applications 1
MATH1014 Mathematics and Applications 2
MATH1115 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 1
MATH1116 Advanced Mathematics and Applications 2
MATH2301 Games, Graphs and Machines
STAT1003 Statistical Techniques
STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods
A minimum of 0 units and a maximum of 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:
ENGN1211 Discovering Engineering
VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity
Majors
Bachelor of Arts Majors
- Environmental Studies
- European History
- French Language and Culture
- Gender, Sexuality and Culture
- Geography
- German Language and Culture
- Hindi Language
- History
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Human Rights
- Indonesian Language
- International Communication
- International Relations
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language
- Korean Language
- Latin
Bachelor of Information Technology Majors
Minors
Bachelor of Arts Minors
- Advanced Ancient Greek
- Advanced Arabic
- Advanced French Studies
- Advanced German Studies
- Advanced Hispanic Culture
- Advanced Hispanic Linguistics
- Advanced Italian Studies
- Advanced Latin
- Advanced Spanish Studies
- Advanced Studies
- American Studies
- Ancient Greek
- Ancient History
- Anthropology
- ANU Leadership and Research
- Applied Linguistics
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Art Theory
- Asian Art History
- Asian Studies
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- Australian Politics
- Biological Anthropology
- Burmese Language
- Chinese Language
- Classical Chinese
- Climate Science and Policy
- Contemporary Europe
- Criminology
- Demography
- Development Studies
- Digital Humanities
- Economic Studies
- English
- Environmental Studies
- European History
- Forensic Anthropology
- Forensic Linguistics
- French Language and Culture
- Gender and Sexuality
- Geography
- German Language and Culture
- Health, Medicine and the Body
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- Hindi Language
- History
- Human Ecology
- Human Evolutionary Biology
- Human Rights
- Indonesian Language
- International Communication
- International Relations
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language
- Korean Language
- Latin
- Latin American Studies
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
- Music
- Music Technology
- Pacific Studies
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Philosophy and Science
- Political Science
- Popular Music
- Russian
- Sanskrit Language
- Social Psychology
- Social Research Methods
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Sustainable Development
- Thai Language
- Urdu Language
- Vietnamese Language
- Visual Arts Practice
Bachelor of Information Technology Minors
Specialisations
Bachelor of Arts Specialisations
Bachelor of Information Technology Specialisations
Study Options
| Year 1 | Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving 6 units OR COMP1130; | MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models 6 units |
| Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | COMP1110 Structured Programming 6 units OR COMP1140; | COMP1600 Foundations of Computing 6 units | |
| Year 2 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | COMP2100 Software Design Methodologies 6 units | COMP2300 Computer Organisation and Program Execution 6 units |
| Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Computing elective | Computing elective | |
| Year 3 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | COMP2420 Introduction to Data Management, Analysis and Security 6 units | 3000 level Computing elective |
| Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | 3000 level Computing elective | 3000 level Computing elective | |
| Year 4 | Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | 3000 level Computing elective | Computing elective |
| Arts Major 2000/3000 level Course 6 units | Arts Elective 6 units | 3000 level Computing elective | Computing elective |
Honours
For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
The BInfTech program with honours requires an additional year of study after the pass degree of Bachelor of Information Technology. Admission is by invitation based on performance in the best 48 units of 2000- and 3000- level Information Technology and Mathematics courses and generally requires an average performance at better than Credit level. The honours program includes advanced coursework and a major individual project worth 50% of the year. Honours grades are awarded on the result of the whole year's work. For more details refer to http://cs.anu.edu.au/honours/
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Information Technology Honours program requires the completion of 48 units from the completion of INFT4005.
Degree Structure
| Year 1 48 units | Semester 1 | Coursework 12 units | Research Project 12 units |
| Semester 2 | Coursework 12 units | Research Project 12 units |
A single Honours grade and mark is awarded of either first class honours (H1); second class honours, division A (H2A); or second class honours, division B (H2B) on the result of the whole year's work. This is the only grade and mark which appears on your academic transcript.
H1 - 80 - 100%
H2A - 70 - 79%
H2B - 60 - 69%
Single degree
Three years full time (144 units)
Four Courses per semester
A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
One Arts major (48 units)
One Arts minor, specialisation or a second Arts major (24 units/48 units)
Elective courses from Arts & Social Sciences and/or from another ANU College
Double degree
This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
One Arts major (48 units)
One Arts minor, specialisation or a second Arts major (24 units/48 units)
Elective courses from the College of Arts and Social Sciences
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Arts program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take one Arts major (8 courses) and one Arts minor (or specialisation) (4 courses), and four Arts electives (4 courses). If you'd like to, you can use your Arts electives to extend your Arts minor into a second Arts major. You'll also get to choose eight electives from courses right across ANU. You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.
Double degree
In a Bachelor of Arts double degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Bachelor of Arts degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take one Arts major (8 courses) and one Arts minor (or specialisation) (4 courses), and four Arts electives (4 courses). If you'd like to, you can use your Arts electives to extend your Arts minor into a second Arts major.
Enrolment Status
While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one major or minor.You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
• You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
• You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential Arts major
• You need to enrol in courses for at least one potential Arts minor or a second potential Arts major
• You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Arts half of the double degree.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses.
These courses have‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as
ARTS1234.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
There are over one hundred Arts majors, minors and specialisations available for you to study, from Ancient Greek to Visual Arts Practice.
If you aren’t sure what you want to study for your whole degree, that’s fine. You don’t need to commit to majors or minors until after your first year. Using electives can help to keep your options open.
From the list of Bachelor of Arts majors and minors choose the 1000 level courses you need to enrol in.
Because there are so many options available, you will need to take your time choosing what you want to study.
Electives
While you only need to enrol in courses for one Arts major and one Arts minor, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors. That way you keep your options open. Once you've selected courses for an Arts major, and an Arts minor or second Arts major, you should choose electives to make up the balance of your courses.
To find 1000-level courses, use the catalogue finder. Remember you can choose up to 8 courses from another ANU College at the University if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Arts program.
Study Options
Bachelor of Arts - Single
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Art with one Arts Major and one Arts minor.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
| Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Course 6 units | Elective Course 6 units |
Bachelor of Arts - Double Degree
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
| Arts Major 1000 level Course 6 units | Arts Minor 1000 level Course 6 units | Degree B 6 units | Degree B 6 units |
Back to the Bachelor of Information Technology page
The ANU
Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) program is accredited by the Australian
Computer Society. The three year degree prepares graduates to enter the
computing industry work force as novice practitioners to develop software or to
apply computing in human organisations. The BIT can also be taken as a part of
many double degrees.
Single degree
- This degree requires 144 units (each course is typically 6 units)
- Typically you will study four courses per semester (total of 24 units)
- You can study a computing major (48 units) or minor (24 units)
- You have 48 units (eight courses) of electives that can be taken from Computer Science or from any other area of the university.
Double degree
- This degree requires 96 units (each course is typically 6 units) from the BIT rules
- Typically you will study four courses per semester (total of 24 units)
- You can study a major (48 units) or a minor (24 units).
- There are no university electives in the double degree.
- You can choose your double degree with BIT from Programs and Courses
About this degree
Typically you will study 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 courses across your whole degree
- The degree is made up of compulsory requirements (seven courses) and an additional suite of computing requirements (nine courses)
- You can choose to study a computing major or minor – note that completing a major
- In the single degree program you will have 48 units (eight courses) of electives. You may use these to study further computing courses, courses from elsewhere in the university, or a major or minor from another area of the university.
- In the double degree, you have no electives - your other degree requirements use up all of these.
Enrolment Status
While it is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international study you must always be full-time
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
- When you enrol for the first time you will typically study '1000-level' courses. These courses have '1' as the first number in their course code, such as COMP1100.
- You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester though note that you can change your Semester 2 courses all the way until July.
- You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year, and international students cannot study less than 24u a semester.
- You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your BIT half of the double degree.
- In choosing your first year programming courses you will have a choice of doing COMP1030, COMP1100 or COMP1130 in Semester 1, and COMP1040, COMP1100, COMP1110 or COMP1140 in Semester 2. The standard courses are COMP1100/1110 but if you have a strong maths background, and/or significant programming experience, you might like to choose COMP1130/1140. Note that you choose COMP1130 you will be able to drop back to COMP1100 in the first 2 weeks. Similarly if you are not confident in your maths or computing ability, you will be able to enrol in COMP1030 in Semester 1 and then COMP1100 in Semester 2, followed by COMP1110 in Semester 1, 2018.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
You have the option to complete a major as a part of your BIT – note that a major is required for Australian Computer Society Accreditation:
Electives
- If you are in the single degree then in your first year you have two electives to choose.
- To find 1000-level (first year) elective courses, use the catalogue search.
- You have four electives to choose in your first year. These can be additional computing courses (eg: COMP1720, COMP1710, COMP2400, INFS1001), other electives that may count as COMP courses (MATH1013 MATH1014, STAT1003, STAT1008, ENGN1211), engineering oriented electives (such as PHYS1001 or PHYS1101 or ENGN1218 ).
- If you have an interest in another area (eg management, mathematics, psychology, languages) then you should explore first year courses in these areas and in particular, look at the majors and minors in these areas. These will give you an idea of the first year courses that you should study.
- Students whose first language is not English and who feel they would benefit from not only some additional English assistance but who would like to learn more about the Australian academic style (eg essay structure, oral presentations, critical thinking, plagiarism and poor academic practice), might like to seek enrolment in ESEN1101 Essential University English
Study Options
Bachelor of Information Technology - Semester 2 Commencement
This study plan is for those students commencing in semester 2. Due to the different offering of courses, your study plan is different from those students who commence in semester 1.Bachelor of Information Technology single degree
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving 6 units OR COMP1130; | MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models 6 units | Elective course 6 units | Elective course 6 units |
| COMP1110 Structured Programming 6 units OR COMP1140; | COMP1600 Foundations of Computing 6 units | Elective course 6 units | Elective course 6 units |
Bachelor of Information Technology double degree
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving 6 units OR COMP1130; | MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models 6 units | Other Degree course 6 units | Other Degree course 6 units |
| COMP1110 Structured Programming 6 units OR COMP1140; | COMP1600 Foundations of Computing 6 units | Other Degree course 6 units | Other Degree course 6 units |
Academic Advice
For assistance, please email: studentadmin.cecs@anu.edu.au
