Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2023
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2023
Program Code
LHSG
SATAC Code
434211 (Internal)
Study as
Full-time
or part-time
Entry Scores
2023 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 72.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,B
TAFE/RTO: DIP in IT
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2022 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 66.05
TAFE/RTO: Dip in IT
View full entry requirements
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
OR
Work and life experience
1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22, Computing and Information Systems – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.
2ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2020-21, Computing and Information Systems – Skills Development Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
3Deloitte Access Economics, ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2021
Fast paced and innovative, the software engineering industry has reshaped the world as we know it, creating disruptive technologies that impact society on every level. From connectivity, to e-commerce, artificial intelligence and automation, highly trained software engineers are sought after to solve the business challenges of today, and tomorrow.
Software engineers are engaged in the full life cycle of software development, from the initial planning stage, through to costing, designing, developing, testing and maintaining large and complex systems. They understand how software systems are designed and built, and require effective communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, as well as advanced technical knowledge.
Professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society, the Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours) offers a highly supportive learning environment, recognising the importance of developing the full range of skills to ensure you graduate with the knowledge and experience sought after by industry.
You will enjoy a modern, practical approach to your IT education, with significant opportunities to apply the skills learned in the classroom in real-world settings, including through a year-long project where you will develop a solution to an IT challenge faced by industry.
You will graduate highly skilled in programming, with employment opportunities available in defence primes, and IT companies and organisations that build large, complex software systems and solutions.
During your first year of study you will gain a solid foundation in networking, database development, programming fundamentals and systems requirements and design, before focusing on your software engineering specialty that will you see you studying:
You will build expertise in Python, Java, C++, ASP.Net and Agile methodologies – highly sought-after skills in the Australian job market¹.
As part of your honours year, you will put your skills into practice with a year-long IT project. You may have the opportunity to work directly with an industry client, drawing on the technical expertise gained throughout your studies and applying professional skills in a real-world setting to produce and deliver a quality software artefact for your client.
You will enjoy access to dedicated learning hubs where you can connect and collaborate, giving you the full workplace and project experience.
An honours degree is a higher-level qualification giving you a competitive edge in the job market and preparing you for further study, including Master of Research or a PhD, should you wish to pursue a career in research.
1Deloitte Access Economics, ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2021
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Our researchers are leading the way in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Industry 4.0, augmented and virtual reality, and Internet-of-Things (IoT), with their work not only informing the curriculum, but brought into the classroom through our experts, ensuring contemporary knowledge and skills are at the forefront of your education.
Throughout your program you will complete a unique series of collaborative, work-integrated courses, reinforcing the concepts learnt in the classroom in a supportive practice environment. Soft, non-technical skills are integrated into your learning to develop the qualities highly valued and sought after by industry. Topics include design thinking, system requirements, system design, agile development, and project management.
In your final year you may have the opportunity to work directly with an industry client – from brief through to project delivery – on a year-long IT Project undertaken as part of your honours year. You will draw on the software engineering principles, practices and research methods learned throughout your studies. You will also apply professional skills such as workplace communication and stakeholder relationship management to deliver work to an industry standard and to the satisfaction of a client.
The final year project is one of numerous chances you will have to engage with industry, with placements and internships also available.
Most of our IT programs share a common first year, so choosing this degree offers a level of flexibility. Should you wish to pursue a different specialty after completing your first year, you can switch to an alternative IT program and receive credit for the courses completed.
Hear from Swetha a UniSA software engineering graduate.
The number of technology workers in Australia is expected to pass 1 million in 2024. By 2026, it is predicted there will be nearly 300,000 more technology workers in the Australian workforce – an average annual growth rate of 5.4%.
Skills in software and applications programming are expected to be in particularly high demand, with an additional 65,000 workers needed between 2020 and 2026¹.
There are strong employment prospects for software engineers. Graduates of this degree may wish to consider the following career options:
Career progression may see you take on roles such as:
1Deloitte Access Economics, ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2021
This program is professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
Applying to study with us:
There are a wide variety of pathways into studying Information Technology at UniSA.
Find an Alternative Pathway
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
UniSA is ranked number one in South Australia for campus facilities in IT¹. During your studies you will have access to purpose-built learning spaces such as:
1ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2019-20 – Computing and Information Systems – Learning Resources Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
I’m passionate about building university degrees that help students further their careers. The biggest reward I get is meeting students later in their careers and having them say how useful what they learned at our University was for them. My Phd was in programming languages and concurrency. However, more recently I have been working with virtual reality technologies and the internet of things.
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.
Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.