• Length 5 years full-time
  • Minimum 240 Units
Admission requirements
  • Academic plan ASENG / BARTS
  • CRICOS code 079094C
  • UAC code 135010

Software Engineering is about building effective software systems that address complex problems in a broad range of domains including transport, communications, finance, medicine, science, entertainment and the arts.


The Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) is a four-year program accredited by Engineers Australia and the Australian Computer Society. Graduates will obtain skills and capabilities for professional software engineering practice, innovation and research. We adopt a systems approach to software engineering that not only covers the technical aspects of professional practice, innovation and research, but also the complex socio-technical context in which these activities occur. This includes approaches to dealing with uncertainty and risk, design, modern management practices, ethics and communication.          


BSEng students develop these skills and capabilities through a balance of theoretical study, practice in team projects with industry partners, and work experience. Students also have the opportunity to develop their innovation and entrepreneurial capabilities by working on their own start-ups with industry entrepreneurs as part of their degree.

The Bachelor of Arts is the most diverse, most flexible, and most popular degree at The Australian National University. Each of its some fifty 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.

Career Options

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates work as accredited, professional software engineers and are highly sought after by both large international organisations and local firms.

They are employed in a variety of roles, including but not limited to:

  • Software Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Software Consultant
  • Software Architect
  • Programmer
  • System Analyst
  • Project Manager
  • Product Manager
  • Application Developer
  • Database Analyst
  • Network 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
  • Australian Government (Australian Taxation Office, Reserve Bank of Australia, Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, etc.)

Graduates work as accredited, professional software engineers and are highly sought after by both large international organisations and local firms.

They are employed in a variety of roles, including but not limited to:

  • Software Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Software Consultant
  • Software Architect
  • Programmer
  • System Analyst
  • Project Manager
  • Product Manager
  • Application Developer
  • Database Analyst
  • Network 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
  • Australian Government (Australian Taxation Office, Reserve Bank of Australia, Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy, etc.)

Learning Outcomes

  1. Define and analyse complex 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 systems engineering and the foundations of computer science including programming, algorithms, logic, architectures and data structures.

  5. Apply an advanced understanding of software engineering practices in requirements engineering, system level architecture, data management, security, design, construction, evaluation, and project management.

  6. Communicate complex concepts effectively with diverse audiences using a range of modalities.

  7. Lead and work effectively within multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural and distributed teams in order to achieve a common goal.

  8. 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.

  9. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of research methodologies, including defining research problems, background reading and literature review, designing experiments, and effectively communicating results.

  10. Apply research methods to the solution of contemporary research problems in software engineering.

  1. critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understanding national and international issues and problems;
  2. 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;
  3. evaluate ideas and develop creative solutions to problems, including through independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods;
  4. communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media; and
  5. understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions.

Further Information

Learn more about the degrees offered at the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, read current student profiles to see what campus life is really like, and discover what our graduates have achieved since leaving the College - Visit the College of Engineering and Computer Science website

Learn more about the degrees offered at the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science, read current student profiles to see what campus life is really like, and discover what our graduates have achieved since leaving the College - Visit the College of Engineering and Computer Science website

Admission Requirements

ATAR:
85
International Baccalaureate:
31

Prerequisites

ACT: Mathematical Methods (Major)/Further Mathematics (Major)/Specialist Mathematics/Specialist Methods (Major), NSW: Mathematics or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

  • applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
  • undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
  • achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
  • not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Bachelor of Arts - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$46,910.00

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

This double degree requires the completion of 240 units.

The Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) flexible double degree component requires completion of 156 units, of which:

 

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

12 units contribute towards the requirement of the other double degree component

 

The 156 units must include:

96 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

COMP1600 Foundations of Computing

COMP2100 Software Design Methodologies

COMP2300 Computer Organisation and Program Execution       

COMP2310 Systems, Networks and Concurrency

COMP2120 Software Engineering

COMP2420 Introduction to Data Management, Analysis and Security

COMP3120 Managing Software Development

COMP3500 Software Engineering Project (12 units)

COMP3530 Systems Engineering for Software Engineers

COMP3600 Algorithms

COMP4130 Managing Software Quality and Process

COMP4450 Advanced Computing Research Methods

COMP4800 Industrial Experience (0 units)

ENGN1211 Discovering Engineering

ENGN3230 Engineering Innovation

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)

 

Either:

12 units from completion of COMP4500 Software Engineering Practice

12 units from completion of further 4000-level courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science

Or:

24 units from completion of COMP4540 Software Engineering Research Project

 

Either:

6 units from completion of further courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science

 Or:

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

 

Either:

6 units from completion of further 3000- and 4000-level courses from the subject area COMP Computer Science

 

Or:

6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

VCUG3001 Unravelling Complexity

VCUG3002 Mobilising Research

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 from the MAJORS list below.

MAJORS

Disciplines and Fields

Ancient History

Anthropology

Archaeology

Art History and Theory

Australian Indigenous Studies

Biological Anthropology

Criminology

Demography

Development Studies

Digital Humanities

Economic Studies

English

Environmental Studies

Gender, Sexuality and Culture

Geography

Global Security

History

Human Evolutionary Biology

Human Rights

International Communication

International Relations

Linguistics

Mathematics

Music

Music Technology

Peace and Conflict Studies

Philosophy

Political Science

Psychology

Screen Studies

Sociology

Technology, Networks and Society

War Studies

Languages

Ancient Greek

Arabic

Chinese Language

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Indonesian Language

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Japanese Linguistics

Korean Language

Latin

Persian

Sanskrit Language

Spanish

Thai Language

Vietnamese Language

Geographically Defined Area Studies

Asian Studies

Asian History

Asia and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender

Chinese Studies

Contemporary Europe

India Studies

Indonesian Studies

Japanese Studies

Korean Studies

Latin American Studies

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

Northeast Asian Studies

Pacific Studies

Southeast Asian Studies

 

48 units from completion of one of the following options:

48 units from the completion of two Arts minors, which must have different names to the major, from the MINORS list below.

Or

24 units from the completion of one Arts minor, which must have a different name to the major, from the MINORS list below.

24 units from completion of ANIP3007 Australian National Internships Program D *.

 

Or

24 units from the completion of one Arts minor, which must have a different name to the major, from the MINORS list below.

24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major or minor

 

Or

24 units from completion of ANIP3007 Australian National Internships Program D *.

24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major or minor

 

Or

48 units from completion of a second Arts major from the MAJORS list above.

 

MINORS

Disciplines and Fields

Advanced Studies

Ancient History

Anthropology

ANU Leadership and Research

Applied Linguistics

Archaeology

Art History and Theory

Australian Indigenous Studies

Biological Anthropology

Climate Science and Policy

Criminology

Demography

Design

Development Studies

Digital Humanities

Economic Studies

English

Environmental Policy

Environmental Studies

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Linguistics

Gender and Sexuality

Geography

Global Security

Health, Medicine and the Body

Heritage and Museum Studies

History

Human Ecology

Human Evolutionary Biology

Human Rights

International Communication

International Relations

Linguistics

Mathematics

Music

Music Technology

Peace and Conflict Studies

Philosophy and Science

Philosophy

Political Science

Popular Music

Screen Studies

Social Psychology

Social Research Methods

Sociology

Sustainable Development

Technology, Networks and Society

Visual Arts Practice

War Studies

Languages

Advanced Ancient Greek

Advanced Arabic

Advanced Chinese Language

Advanced English Language

Advanced French Studies

Advanced German Studies

Advanced Italian Studies

Advanced Japanese Language

Advanced Korean Language

Advanced Latin

Advanced Persian

Advanced Sanskrit Language

Advanced Spanish Studies

Ancient Greek

Arabic

Burmese Language 

Chinese Language 

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Hindi Language

Indonesian Language

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language

Japanese Linguistics

Korean Language

Latin

Literary Chinese

Mongolian Language

Persian

Russian

Sanskrit Language

Spanish

Tetum Language

Thai Language

Tok Pisin Language

Vietnamese Language

Geographically Defined Area Studies

American Studies

Asian and Pacific Anthropology

Asian and Pacific Linguistics 

Asian Art History

Asian History

Asian Studies

Asia and Pacific Archaeology

Asia and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender

Asia-Pacific International Relations

Asia and Pacific Literature and Film

Asia-Pacific Politics

Australian Politics

Chinese Studies

Contemporary Europe

India Studies

Indonesian Studies

Japanese Studies

Korean Studies

Latin American Studies

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

Northeast Asian Studies

Pacific Studies

Southeast Asian Studies

 

Note: You can complete additional Arts majors and minors using your 48 units of electives.

* Admission to ANIP is based on a competitive selection. See ANIP page for further details.

Majors

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) Majors

Bachelor of Arts Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Arts Minors

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) Minors

Specialisations

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) Specialisations

Study Options

Year 1 COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving 6 units ENGN1211 Discovering Engineering 6 units MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models 6 units Arts Degree Major Course 6 units
COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving 6 units OR COMP1140; COMP1600 Foundations of Computing 6 units Computing Elective 6 units Arts Degree Major Course 6 units
Year 2 COMP2100 Software Design Methodologies 6 units COMP2300 Computer Organisation and Program Execution 6 units Arts Degree Major Course 6 units
COMP2120 Software Engineering 6 units COMP2310 Systems, Networks and Concurrency 6 units Arts Degree Major Course 6 units
Year 3 COMP2420 Introduction to Data Management, Analysis and Security 6 units COMP3120 Managing Software Development 6 units Arts Degree Major Course 6 units
ENGN3230 Engineering Innovation 6 units COMP3530 Systems Engineering for Software Engineers 6 units Arts Degree Major Course 6 units Arts Degree Major Course 6 units
Year 4 COMP3500 Software Engineering Project 6 units COMP4130 Managing Software Quality and Process 6 units Arts Degree Minor Course 6 units Arts Degree Elective Course 6 units
COMP3500 Software Engineering Project 6 units COMP3600 Algorithms 6 units Arts Degree Minor Course 6 units Arts Degree Elective Course 6 units
Year 5 COMP4500 Software Engineering Practice 6 units COMP4450 Advanced Computing Research Methods 6 units COMP 4000 level elective 6 units Arts Degree Minor Course 6 units
COMP4500 Software Engineering Practice 6 units COMP 4000 level elective 6 units COMP/VC 4000 level elective 6 units Arts Degree Minor Course 6 units

Back to the Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) page

The Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)  (BSEng) is a four year single degree accredited by Engineers Australia and the Australian Computer Society.  The degree allows you to focus your study on Software Engineering and the software lifecycle, whilst also having the opportunity to explore other interests in computing, engineering, science or any discipline offered at ANU.  You will learn how to develop software, work for real-world clients, manage teams, design innovative solutions and implement them.

The BSEng can be studied as a double degree with a number of other degrees.

Single degree

  • This degree requires 192 units (each course is typically 6 units though some may be 12 units or higher)
  • Typically you will study four courses per semester (total of 24 units)
  • Majors and minors are not compulsory in the BSEng
  • You have 48 units of university electives (eight courses).  These courses can be used to study a computing specialisation, or a major or minor from another area of the university including Engineering.
  • You can study a maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses

Double degree

  • This degree requires 144 units  of the compulsory Software Engineering requirements (each course is typically 6 units though some may be 12 units or higher)
  • Typically you will study four courses per semester (total of 24 units)
  • Majors and minors are not compulsory in the BSEng
  • There are no university electives in the double degree and therefore it is not possible to complete a computing specialisation expect in certain circumstances in the double degree with the BSc.
  • Typically you can do a maximum of 72u 1000 level courses in your double degree
  • You can find your double degree with the BSEng from Program and Courses

About this degree

  • The degree is made of up compulsory requirements, additional computing electives,  and 48 units (eight courses) of electives
  • In the single degree you have 48 units of university electives (eight courses).  These courses can be used to study a computing specialisation, or a major or minor from another area of the university including Engineering. 
  • In the double degree, you have no university electives - your other degree requirements use up all of these

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. There are maximum time limits for completion of the degree on a part-time basis. If you are an international student 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 BSEng half of the double degree.
  • In choosing your first year programming courses you will have a choice of doing COMP1100 or COMP1130 in Semester 1, and COMP1110 and 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 1130 you will be able to drop back to 1100 in the first 2 weeks.

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

Majors, minors and specialisations are not compulsory in the BSEng and are only possible in the single degree. You can study an advanced Computing specialisation (third and fourth year courses), the Information Systems major, or any other major/minor from across the university using your university electives in a single BSEng. 

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.
  • If you enjoy and are good at  mathematics and do not plan to do a major from another area of study, then you are encouraged to consider doing the following:
  • Semester 1: MATH1013 Maths and Applications 1, or MATH1115 Maths and Applications 1 (Hons)
  • Semester 2: MATH1014 Maths and Applications 2, or MATH1116 Maths and Applications 2 (Hons)
  • Suggested electives in your first year if you are interested in Engineering are:
  • Suggested electives if you are interested in Information Systems:
  • 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
  • If you have an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship, creating your own business and/or using computing to tackle complex challenges and opportunities of local, national and global significance, then you should consider the Minor or Major in Innovation and Professional Practice - https://cecs.anu.edu.au/master-innovation-and-professional-practice

Study Options

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) single degree

Study Options

Year 1 48 units COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving 6 units OR COMP1130; ENGN1211 Discovering Engineering 6 units MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models 6 units University elective 6 units
COMP1110 Structured Programming 6 units OR COMP1140; COMP1600 Foundations of Computing 6 units Computing elective 6 units University elective 6 units

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) double degree

Study Options

Year 1 48 units COMP1100 Programming as Problem Solving 6 units OR COMP1130; ENGN1211 Discovering Engineering 6 units MATH1005 Discrete Mathematical Models 6 units Course from other degree 6 units
COMP1110 Structured Programming 6 units OR COMP1140; COMP1600 Foundations of Computing 6 units Computing elective 6 units Course from other degree 6 units

Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?

Contact Student Enquiries at studentadmin.cecs@anu.edu.au

Single degree

This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab.   Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.

Bachelor of Arts consists of 144 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.

A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1005 towards the International Relations Major and the Human Rights Major.

For the Bachelor of Arts you will need to complete:

  • One Arts major from the designated list (48 units)
  • One Arts minor and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    An Internship and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    A second Arts major (48 units)
  • Eight electives from across the ANU (48 units)

Please note that you are only permitted to count ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your program.

You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Arts. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.

Double degree

This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab.   Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.

Bachelor of Arts Double Degree program consists of 96 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load. During each semester you are likely to take two courses from your Bachelor of Arts degree and another two courses from the other half of your double degree – making up a total of four courses per semester.

A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1005 towards the International Relations Major and the Human Rights Major.

You will need to complete:

  • One Arts major from the designated list (48 units)
  • One Arts minor and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    An Internship and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    A second Arts major (48 units)

Please note that you are only permitted to count six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your degree.

You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Arts. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.

Enrolment Status

While it is possible for domestic students to enrol in fewer than four 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.

First year students are not permitted to study more than four courses (24 units) per semester.

If you are beginning your program in Semester 1, you should enrol for all your courses for both Semester 1 and Semester 2 (8 courses for full time), so that you can plan your study year.




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. Whilst it is important to take 1000-level courses in your first year (so that you can meet the pre-requisites for later year courses) they also can be taken later in your program.

You can only count a maximum of 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.

In your first year you need to enrol in:

  • 1000-level courses from your Arts major
  • 1000-level courses from your Arts minor or second Arts major
  • Elective courses for students undertaking the single degree.

Electives

For students in the single degree, your electives (48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU) can be additional courses from your discipline (including the option of a major or minor) or courses from another ANU College. If you have an interest in another discipline, for example management, psychology or mathematics, then you should explore first year courses in your area of interest. In particular look at the majors and minors. These will give you an idea of the first year courses you can study.

If you are interested in undertaking a language and have prior knowledge/experience with that language you may need to undertake a placement test – you should check with the relevant language area for further details.




Study Options

Study Plan

Please refer to the "Study" tab.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units - - - -
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Study Plan

Please refer to the "Study" tab.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units - - - -
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