Program Requirements
The Master of Computer Science requires the completion of 96 units, of which:
A minimum of 36 units must come from completion of 8000-level courses.
The 96 units must consist of:
36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
COMP6250 Professional Practice 1
COMP6442 Software Construction
COMP6710 Structured Programming
COMP8110 Managing Software Projects in a System Context
COMP8260 Professional Practice 2
MATH6005 Discrete Mathematical Models
6 units from one of the following software development courses:
COMP6120 Software Engineering
COMP8190 Model-Driven Software Development
6 units from one of the following database courses:
COMP6240 Relational Databases
COMP6420 Introduction to Data Management, Analysis and Security
6 units from one of the following computer networks courses:
COMP6331 Computer Networks
COMP6340 Networked Information Systems
12 units from one of the following project courses:
COMP8715 Computing Project
COMP8755 Individual Computing Project
Either:
30 units from completion of further courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science, or non-COMP courses included in specialisation lists.
Or:
6 units from completion of further courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science
24 units from completion of one of the following specialisations:
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Human Centred Design and Software Development
Unless otherwise stated, a course used to satisfy the requirements of one specialisation may not be double counted towards satisfying the requirements of another specialisation.
Specialisations
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | COMP6710 Structured Programming 6 units | COMP6250 Professional Practice 1 6 units | MATH6005 Discrete Mathematical Models 6 units | Computing Elective 6 units |
| COMP6442 Software Construction 6 units | COMP8260 Professional Practice 2 6 units | COMP6240 Relational Databases 6 units | Specialisation Course/ Computing Elective 6 units | |
| Year 2 48 units | COMP 8715 Computing Project 6 units | COMP8110 Managing Software Projects in a System Context 6 units | COMP6331 Computer Networks 6 units OR COMP6340; | Specialisation Course/ Computing Elective 6 units |
| COMP 8715 Computing Project 6 units | COMP6120 Software Engineering 6 units | Specialisation Course/ Computing Elective 6 units | Specialisation Course/ Computing Elective 6 units |
Admission Requirements
A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0
Or a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a GPA of 4.0/7.0, with at least 3 years of relevant work experience.
English Language Requirements
All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.
Assessment of Qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met. Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au
ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.
Indicative fees
- Annual indicative fee for domestic students
- $32,256.00
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $43,200.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
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.
The Master of Computing is a 2-year full-time (or equivalent part-time) degree with two target audiences: graduates without a computing background who wish to acquire a solid knowledge of computing, and graduates with a computing or information technology background who wish to broaden and deepen or refresh their knowledge. The program is professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
Master of Computing graduates will develop a deep knowledge and understanding of professional software development and computing practices. Students have the opportunity to participate in many cutting edge courses and, depending upon their background and interests, may choose to specialise in artificial intelligence, human centred design and software development, or data science. The program culminates in a capstone project: either working in small groups with industry partners, with researchers, or in start-ups; or by undertaking a small research project supervised by an academic.
Students with a computing or information technology Bachelor degree or Graduate Diploma may receive up to 48 units of credit allowing them to complete the program in less than the usual 2-year time frame.
On completion of 48 units, students may exit with a Graduate Diploma of Computing.
Students completing the Master of Computing with a GPA greater than 6 may transfer to the Master of Computing (Advanced) with up to 48 units of credit.
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
Computing jobs are currently projected to be amongst the fastest growing occupations of our time - so there is no shortage of jobs. This degree can be utilised to access wider a corporate career, as well as a path to further academic undertakings.
Graduates are ideally positioned to take on challenging roles in their chosen sectors and become leaders in the ICT industry. They can work across a range of industries in a variety of roles, including Data Mining Specialist, Big Data Analyst, Human-Computer Interaction Specialist, Software Developer, Embedded systems developer, Network Architect, Systems Analyst, Computer Engineer, Advanced Software Solutions Engineer and Software Architect.
Our graduates work in many organisations including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Intel, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Accenture Australia, Bloomberg, National Australia Bank, Citigroup, Deloitte, Unisys and the Australian Government.Students seeking professional accreditation with the Australian Computer Society should complete COMP8715 Computing Project, which is 12u taken as 6u in the student's final two semesters.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
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Professionally apply systematic computing approaches to address complex, multi-disciplinary real-world computing problems in a variety of domains.
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Synthesise and proficiently apply advanced, integrated technical knowledge from their specialisation and other elective areas of study and the underpinning sciences and computational methods.
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Identify and critically evaluate current developments and emerging trends within their specialization and other elective areas of study.
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Understand the contextual factors that influence professional computing practice, and identify the potential societal, ethical, and environmental impact of computing activities.
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Communicate effectively with colleagues, other computing professionals and the broader community employing a range of communication media and tools.
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Engage in independent investigation, critical reflection and lifelong learning to continue to practice at the forefront of the discipline.
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Work effectively and proactively within cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams, demonstrating autonomy, ethical conduct, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility to achieve computing outcomes at a high standard.
Further Information
Students with a Bachelor degree or Graduate Diploma that includes formal programming courses may receive credit or exemption for COMP6710 Introduction to Software Systems; those with an equivalent mathematics course may receive credit or exemption for MATH6005 Discreet Mathematical Models; and those able to demonstrate professional work experience may receive credit or exemption for COMP6250 Professional Practice I. Students who possess demonstrable, significant professional and management experience may receive credit or exemption for COMP8260 Professional Practice II.Credit or exemption for other required courses will be considered on a case by case basis.
Courses for which a student has received an exemption are replace by additional COMP courses.
Unless otherwise stated, a course used to satisfy the requirements of one specialisation may not be double counted towards satisfying the requirements of another specialisation.
About this degree
Study options
- Typically students will enrol in 24 units per semester (four courses): a full-time load.
- Domestic students may enrol in fewer courses each semester, known as part-time study. Part-time study will extend the duration of the degree and there are limitations to how long you can take to complete the degree.
- International students must always study full-time.
- You cannot study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
Electives
- Elective COMP courses can be found on the School Masters course page.
- You should read the appropriate enrolment patterns mentioned below to see how many electives you may choose and where they fit in your programme.
- When choosing elective courses, check the course listing on Programs and Courses to ensure that you have the required and assumed knowledge before enrolling. If you don't, change your planned enrolment to make sure you take the pre-requisite course.
Study Options
Please refer to the enrolment pattern in the Study tab
Academic Advice
Important things to keep in mind when planning your enrolment
- You need to enrol in courses in both First and Second Semester.
- When selecting what courses to enrol in, you should read the following depending on when you commenced your programme:
Specialisations
- Students are not required to complete a specialisation but may do so if they wish and they have space in their programme.
- Available specialisations for this degree
Credit/Exemptions
- Students with a Bachelor degree or Graduate Diploma that includes programming or maths may be able to obtain exemption or credit for some of the introductory courses included in the core. Note: applying for exemption is essentially a statement that should you take the ANU exam for that course you would achieve 60% or greater.
- Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma of Computing with a GPA of 5 may articulate into the MCOMP with up to 48 units of advanced standing.
- Instructions on how to apply for credit/exemptions can be found here.
- Students with extensive professional work experience may be able receive credit or exemption for COMP8260 Professional Practice 2.
- Exemptions and credit for COMP6250 Professional Practice 1 are handled through a diagnostic test in Week 1.
- Where a student has received credit for courses, a maximum of one may be counted towards a specialisation.
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact CECS Student Services at studentadmin.cecs@anu.edu.au