Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)

Get ready for a career in the growing field of large, complex system development.1 This four-year honours degree will take you beyond programming and into the specialist world of software engineering.

Taught by UniSA’s world-class lecturers and researchers, you will learn the very latest in software engineering theory, skills and practice.

You will study written and verbal communication in an engineering context, and the cultural, social and ethical issues in the development and use of global technology.

You can tailor your studies to suit your lifestyle and study part of this qualification online.

1 Australian Government Job Outlook initiative

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.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

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 Diploma or above in Information Technology

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past, or
• 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

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

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.

You will start your degree with core courses in information technology. This will give you a solid grounding in important areas such as IT, networking, database and programming fundamentals, and systems requirements.

You will then move on to advanced concepts and research methods in computer science including systems development; database and knowledge management; systems architecture; networking; and security.

You will also undertake a course exploring research directions in ICT. In your Honours year of study, you will complete a major specialist research project for an industry or research partner, and three software engineering minors of your choosing.

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 and 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.

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

With more than 200 industry partners, we offer you opportunities to obtain real-world experience through projects and placements. Our partners include Adelaide Football Club, Human Services Australia, SAAB, DSTO, Forensic Science SA, Top Chop Games, Maptek, Fujitsu Australia, SA Water, Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide and more. UniSA is also home to several research centres:

• Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments
• Advanced Computing Research Centre
• Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
• Institute for Telecommunications Research

Your career

Employment opportunities in Australia for software and applications programmers are expected to grow by 21 percent by 2023.1

By 2023, employment in ICT is expected to grow strongly in Australia. The availability of roles is expected to increase by:

• 25,500 jobs for software and applications programmers (or 21 per cent)
• 2,300 jobs for ICT business and systems analysts (or 9.5 per cent)
• 8,200 jobs for ICT managers (or 13.9 per cent)
• 8,100 jobs for ICT Network and Support professionals (or 15.3 per cent)1

Careers to consider:

• software engineer: developing quality software based on expertise such as software design skills; knowledge of internationally recognised standards and their methods, techniques and tools; good management practice; collaboration abilities
• test manager: expertise in testing methodologies; identifying and creating test plans and cases; ensuring quality standards are met; liaising with development, project management, and customer support; maintaining test cases and other testing tools
• 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
• iOS developer: developing iterative software; collaborating with other developers through code reviews, software planning, and standup meetings; contributing to projects from concept to delivery; juggling `several projects at different phases; writing clear, well-commented code
• software architect: leading and implementing software development; researching, analysing, designing, developing and testing business appropriate solutions; collaborating with other teams to develop solutions meeting business needs for functionality, performance, scalability and reliability

Explore a range of IT and computing careers here.

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

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

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas 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 has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect 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.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

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

You will have access to the latest industry software in our technology spaces such as the software development Lab, networking and cyber security labs, and the IT project space.

You will also benefit from our culture of innovation and startup community. We’re helping IT entrepreneurs and innovators turn their ideas into startup enterprises with a bright future. Through the Innovation and Collaboration Centre (ICC), the University’s startup incubator, you have access to programs (such as Venture Catalyst), services and expertise including:

• Workshops
• One-on-one mentoring
• Office space for startups and entrepreneurs
• Access to a global pool of expert advisers
• Small funding stipends
• Events to kick-start ideas and competitions like hackathons