Bachelor of Information Technology

Degree overview

• No.1 in SA for graduate careers1 and skills2 in IT.

• Benefit from contemporary curriculum informed by UniSA research in areas such as cyber security, augmented reality and data analytics.

• Learn from dedicated, highly experienced teaching staff including practitioners employed in industry.

• Benefit from our well-established partnerships with industry offering significant opportunities for placements and industry projects.

• Experience purpose-built teaching spaces designed to facilitate collaboration and work-integrated learning.

• Learn using the latest industry software and technology.

• Start now, decide later. Enjoy a common first-year across most IT degrees enabling you to switch between IT specialisations and receive credit for completed courses.

• Select two IT minors, or select a specialised plan.

• Professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

Snapshot

Now, more than ever, digital technology is proving critical to Australian businesses, with the pandemic pushing retailers to embrace e-commerce, education providers transition to online learning and Australian workers shift to working from home – trends that we’re unlikely to see reverse for some time¹.

Technology workers have been key to supporting the extra demand for digital infrastructure and services throughout the pandemic, with strong annual employment growth achieved in 2020 and forecast to continue through to 2026.

Professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), the Bachelor of Information Technology is a highly flexible program that offers you the opportunity to explore a range of interest areas and tailor your degree to your career goals.

Employment opportunities exist in public and private settings across industries – from health to defence, education and manufacturing – as well as entrepreneurial enterprises.

You will enjoy a modern, practical approach to your IT education, with significant opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in real-world settings.

Second year students may be offered a paid six-month internship, where you will be mentored by industry experts, work on large IT projects and use this as part of your assessment for your final semester course.

Enjoy a common first-year across most IT degrees enabling you to switch between specialisations and receive credit for completed courses.

This means if you change your mind about your IT specialisation after first-year, you can change programs and still complete your degree in 3 or 4 years full-time (depending on your degree length). Start now, decide later.

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. Deloitte Access Economics, ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2021

What you'll learn

During your first year of study you will gain a solid foundation in networking, database development, programming fundamentals and systems analysis and design, before focusing on your chosen areas of study.

This degree then allows you to choose your own specialisations – either two minor areas of study in IT, or one minor area of study in IT and one from a complimentary discipline. This allows you to develop a broad range of knowledge and skills to enhance your career prospects.

IT minors include:

• business systems

• cyber security

• games and entertainment

• networking

• software development

If you’re thinking about a non-IT minor, the following are popular: 

• 3D animation

• visual effects

• data analytics

• digital media

• innovation and entrepreneurship

• marketing

• accounting

• management

In your final year, you will put your skills into practice through our ICT Capstone 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 –communication strategies, stakeholder relationship management, project management – in a real-world setting to produce and deliver an artifact for your client.

This could include the application of new technologies, developing proof of concept solutions and analysing current business processes to identify areas for improvement.

You will enjoy access to dedicated learning hubs where you can connect and collaborate, giving you the full workplace and project experience.

Entry requirements

• Admission criteria

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

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or

• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or

• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

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

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or

• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR
Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or

• Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or

• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Completed one of the following professional courses:

• Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA)

• Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• CompTIA A+ Certification
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM)
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

Essential requirements for admission

• Prerequisites

None

• Assumed Knowledge

None

• English language entry requirements

In addition to meeting academic entry requirements, international students who speak English as a second or additional language must also meet the University's English language entry requirements. The minimum language requirements for this program are:English language test

• IELTS total [6.0]

• IELTS reading [6.0]

• IELTS writing [6.0]

Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)

Career outcomes

Australia is currently facing an ICT skills shortage. It is predicted that an extra 60,000 technology workers will be needed on average each year, for the next five years, to reach projected workforce growth. That’s on top of replacing workers who retire or change industries¹.

Since the pandemic began in 2020, the importance of investment in IT has been further highlighted, with industries with higher levels of digital literacy shown to be more resilient.

ICT professionals have played, and continue to play, an important role in helping Australian businesses adapt to a changing and uncertain environment¹.

The importance of the ICT sector to the economy, and to society, cannot be overestimated. Well-trained professionals with broad skills are in high demand.

Graduates of this degree may wish to consider the following career options:

• Business Analyst: responsible for bridging the gap between IT and business operations using data analytics to assess processes and provide data-driven recommendations to improve efficiencies.

• Analyst Programmer: works in support of achieving business objectives, analysing system program needs and providing technology-based solutions, including the development of processes, procedures and documentation.

• User Interface Designer: designing the interfaces users engage with in software programs and applications, websites or video games, to ensure a cohesive visual and user experience.

Career progression may then see you working as:

• IT Manager

• IT Project Manager

• IT Consultant

• IT Solution Specialist

• UX Consultant

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program is professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.