Associate Degree of Applied Information Technology

Upon successful completion of this degree, students should be able to:

1. Analyse and evaluate numerical data from business and technical reports to make recommendations for peers, technical and lay audiences consistent with professional standards in Information Technology (IT).
2. Locate, interrogate and evaluate relevant business-related literature to develop basic IT specifications for business information systems.
3. Appraise and modify strategies to solve common system problems and other challenges in IT.
4. Implement IT solutions, in line with professional standards, for business and technical problems.
5. Apply fundamental information system design concepts in IT and computer-based techniques to solve business and related problems.

Right now, there are over 13,300* IT positions available in Australia and many more worldwide. IT is the most in-demand area of expertise in industry the world over. From fashion to farming, automotive to military, production lines to play, no business today succeeds without IT. This applied associate degree will enhance your opportunities in securing a role in this exciting sector.

Being a state-of-the-art applied qualification, this practical two-year associate degree gives you the skills needed to perform a range of in-demand specialist IT functions with employability for just about any industry built-in. From your first IT role, you can create your own career path with a skill set that is, and will continue to be, sought out by employers the world over.

*SEEK Feb 2020

To undertake your studies you will be enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Information Technology. After completing Year 2 of your degree, you will be awarded an associate degree, should you decide to exit your degree at this point.

Recommended study pattern

As a full-time student, each year of your course must be completed within 12 months. You will then achieve your associate degree by studying 16 subjects over a 2 year timeframe.* Undertaking 30 hours of study per week should see you successfully complete your qualification within this timeframe. Each subject has specific deadlines based around your study plan which you must meet. 

You may undertake your studies part-time instead, however, this will extend the duration of your course. Feel free to ask the La Trobe Student Admissions Team about this option.

Year 1

Core subjects:

• CSE1SIX Information Systems Infrastructure
• CSE1SPX Sustainability Practices
• CSE1ITX Information Technology Fundamentals
• CSE1ISX Information Systems
• CSE1PGX Programming Environment
• CSE2NFX Network Engineering Fundamentals
• CSE1OFX Object Oriented Programming Fundamentals
• CSE2DCX Database Fundamentals on the Cloud

Year 2

Core subjects:

• CSE2ICX Internet Client Engineering
• CSE2SDX Information Systems Development
• CSE1IOX Intermediate Object Oriented Programming
• CSE2CNX Computer Networks
• MAT2DMX Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science

Core choice subjects (choose 1):

• CSE2ANX Advanced Computer Networks
• CSE2SAX Operating System Administration
• CSE2WDX Web Development

Elective subjects (choose 2):

• CSE2VVX Virtualisation for the Cloud
• CSE2OSX Operating Systems
• CSE2MAX Mobile Application Development with Android
• BUS2PMX Project Management

*Minimum timeframe for the associate degree is 24 months. This can vary according to:

• Your progress in the course
• Leave of absence, such as holidays
• Advanced standing granted
• Changes between part-time and full-time
• Availability of subjects (for preferred elective options)

Award requirements

Completion of 16 subjects as outlined in the recommended study pattern.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $15,900

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying part-time, which is typically 4 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

he third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff.

Learn more about La Trobe University

Explore La Trobe University courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

17

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

16

Students may apply to this degree having met an equivalent academic level achievement in higher education.

Completion of Year 12, with a score of at least 25 in English. An ATAR of at least 50.0 or equivalent is required.

Completion of a minimum Certificate IV

Students may apply based on at least one year of relevant work experience after leaving school.

Students who have studied at tertiary level elsewhere, or who have relevant studies or work experience, may be eligible for advanced standing (credit) towards a La Trobe University qualification. Advanced standing enables you to complete your degree earlier, reduce your study load and/or take on additional qualifications. We can provide you with more details about the process for advanced standing at enrolment (advanced standing is similar to recognised prior learning).