Study Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

Entry requirements

Entry to the Honours program will be available to students who have successfully completed a Bachelors degree in information technology or a related discipline. Applicants should have displayed a high level of academic achievement throughout their degree, normally achieving at least a credit level average.

Applicants are selected on the basis of academic merit and the availability of a supervisor in the proposed area
of research.

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

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Degree overview

No.1 in SA for graduate careers¹ and skills² in IT.
Extend your qualifications in IT with a one-year honours program.
Prepare for a professional career in computing, information technology or information systems.
Study advanced coursework topics and a major project in computer and information science.
Position yourself to study towards a PhD.

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.

Snapshot

If you have achieved excellent academic results in a Bachelor level IT degree such as our:

Bachelor of Information Technology
Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Development)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Networking and Cybersecurity)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Mobile Application Development)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Entertainment Design), or
an equivalent degree in IT or Computer Science at another university

you could be eligible for entry into our Honours program.

The Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) prepares you for higher level graduate jobs in IT. It may also lead to research or leadership roles in computing, information technology or information systems, as well as postgraduate and PhD studies. You can tailor your studies to suit your lifestyle and study some of this qualification online or remotely.

On-campus teaching for this program is based at the Mawson Lakes campus. Only 20 minutes from the city centre with easy parking. The Mawson Lakes campus is also accessible by bus and train with the Mawson Lakes train station only a short walk.

What you'll learn

Taught by world-class researchers, you will study advanced IT electives and research methods.

You will also work on a year-long project that uses your multi-disciplinary undergraduate skills in computer graphics, business intelligence, software, networking, information and security.

You will present your results both at a research seminar and in the form of a written document.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Research Methods	INFT 4017	4.5
Honours Minor Thesis Preparation	NASC 4019	4.5
Honours Minor Thesis 1	NASC 4017	4.5	Note(s): 5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3,4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3,4
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3,4
Honours Minor Thesis 2	NASC 4018	9	Note(s): 5

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units

Advanced Honours Topics 1	INFS 4010	4.5
Advanced Topics in Science 2	NASC 4006	4.5
Advanced Honours Topics 2	NASC 4016	4.5

Rules & notes

Notes

1. The schedule shown is for one year of full-time study. Part-time students must complete the program in a maximum of two years of study.

2. The program provides students with an opportunity for advanced study in areas including software engineering, human computer interaction, virtual and augmented reality (XR), game design, artificial intelligence, database, data science, IOT, industry 4.0 and cyber-physical systems, medical informatics, information systems, computer science, cloud computing, visualisation, cybersecurity, networking, mobile development, human factors, usability and human factors (UX).

3. At the beginning of the academic year, students will be advised of available and recommended courses. With the approval of the Program Director, students may select appropriate elective courses of equivalent value from other institutions. Alternatively, and with the prior approval of the Program Director, elective courses may be selected from those offered at Honours or Masters level of a relevant degree at UniSA.

4. Depending on the number of students enrolled, these courses may be offered in a class-based format or as directed study under the guidance of the course coordinator.

5. Minor thesis courses can be taken in either Study Period 2 or Study Period 5 but must be taken in subsequent semesters unless otherwise approved by the Program Director.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

A proposal
Presentations – singly or in groups
A thesis
Assignments, practicals and examinations.

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours)

Prepare for a professional career in computing, information technology or information systems.

Your studies will include several core courses in IT advanced computing and information systems, run by our leading researchers.

You will develop skills and knowledge in research through a year-long project, utilising the multi-disciplinary skills you developed in your undergraduate degree.

Real-world connections

With more than 200 industry partners, we offer you opportunities to get real-world experience through projects and placements. Our partners include Fujitsu Australia, SA Water, Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide and more. UniSA is also home to several research centres:

All have world renowned links and associations that provide a dynamic teaching and research base for our students. During your studies you will also have access to world-class facilities such as the IT Development Studio and the IT Innovation Studio.

We also host regular University-wide career expos and employment forums through our Career Service, as well as alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Career outcomes

Your career

As a graduate of this degree, you will be suited to a range of leadership and research roles in the IT sector. Job prospects in Australia are excellent for ICT managers, and expected to grow by 13.9 percent by May 2023.¹

Careers to consider:

PhD Studies: obtain a doctorate in information technology or computer science.
Research assistant: undertaking basic research for example by preparing, setting up, conducting, and recording the outcome of experiments and field work; developing questionnaires and conducting surveys; conducting literature and database searches; writing up results of own research; contributing to the production of research reports and publications
Virtual reality engineer: designing and implementing virtual reality environments to create simulations and games.
Data scientist: Using your skills with mathematics and computer science to create predictive models for understanding large sets of data.
Network security manager: designing and implementing networks and network security; understanding of security tools like cloud security, malware detection, web application firewalls, intrusion prevention; technical security risk assessment; writing security procedures and documentation
Software developer: developing, coding, testing and debugging software applications; interpreting customer requirements; working with a team to research, design, and write software; working with others to understand and resolve issues in existing software

Explore a range of IT and computing careers here.

¹ Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, Occupational Employment Projections 2018

Industry facts

Professionals in Technology are expected to represent 8.5 per cent of the Australian workforce by 2027, which by far outpaces employment growth in the broader economy

(Australia Digital Pulse 2022)

Employment for ICT in Australia is forecasted to increase by almost 330, 000 (or 5.5 per cent) jobs by 2027

(Australian Computer Society 2022)

The tech sector is the third biggest industry in Australia to contribute $167 billion to the Australian economy in 2020 and is only expected to grow stronger in the future

(Accenture and Tech Council 2021)

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

There are a wide variety of pathways into studying Information Technology at UniSA.
Find an Alternative Pathway

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

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.

More scholarships

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

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.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

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.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

Study in specialised facilities ranked Number 1 in SA for campus facilities in I.T.¹ Our Mawson Lakes Campus has a number of specialist teaching spaces including a lab designed for CISCO networking certification, an Apple lab for mobile and tablet app development, Game Development Lab, and a final year project workplace simulation environment. As part of your project you will get the opportunity to work in modern research facilities.

¹ ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2019-20 – Computing and Information Systems – Learning Resources Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

Your program director

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.

AsPr Stewart Von Itzstein

Program Director

Enquire

AsPr Stewart Von Itzstein

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

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.
Is there a closing date for applications?

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.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

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.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

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.
Where can I get further information?

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.

More FAQs

What others are saying

The best part about studying an honours degree is the flexibility of being able to choose your thesis topic and closely work alongside professionals at UniSA. The research skills and knowledge obtained alongside discovering unknown elements in the field is an exciting experience for anyone who is passionate on a particular topic.

Ben Volmer

Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours)

Ben Volmer

Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours)

I have run my own computer consultancy company, been a Computer Scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and was a software engineer for the Computer Sciences Corporation and General Electric Company. I love sharing my industry experience with students so that together we can explore new ideas, concepts and technologies.

Bruce Thomas

Before I came to UniSA, I was the Director of a large research laboratory at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. While there I worked in industry conducting applied research for companies including Google, where I worked on the Google Glass team for six months in the US.

Mark Billinghurst