Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology with a major in Network Technology

What you’ll learn:

1. Project Management: Identify the need for ICT intervention, and work with stakeholders to research and implement effective solutions.
2. Situation Analysis: Source and apply the generic and specialised software tools used by IT professionals to improve processes and outcomes.
3. Professional Communication: Communicate effectively in a professional context, adapt communication style to a given audience, work efficiently in a team and guide team members to success.
4. Technology Integration: Demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of the technologies that make up ICT infrastructure and articulate the relationships and interdependencies between technologies.
5. Data Management: Understand how to securely store and manage large volumes of user data.

What is the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology – Network Technology? 

Swinburne Online’s Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology – Network Technology covers the fundamentals of supporting network infrastructures and security.

Gain expertise in the technical foundations of network infrastructure, with the flexibility to explore the future of AI through a Data Science Advanced Minor. 

You’ll work with the latest industry software and hardware to learn the necessary skills so that you can troubleshoot network problems. 

Students also take part in projects for industry partners that will provide valuable practical experience and skills that will be critical as the industry evolves.   

Is AI built into this program? 

AI is woven throughout the course, so you can build the fluency needed for modern development practices. You’ll work with industry-standard tooling across your programming, web, cloud, and data units. You can also deepen your AI capability by choosing the Data Science Advanced Minor, which includes a dedicated unit: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence.

Who is this course for?

• Aspiring IT professionals: Those seeking a structured, accredited starting point to launch a career in network engineering or systems administration.
• Career changers: Individuals looking to formalise their experience with a degree to unlock senior roles in network architecture or security.

How you’ll study:

• The degree runs across three Teaching Periods per year.
• Expected study load is between 8–10 hours per week, per unit.
• Set your own study pace by taking one or more units per Teaching Period.
• You’ll have 24/7 access to your online classroom, discussion boards, and learning content.
• Learning is delivered through interactive materials, including videos, quizzes, podcasts, diagrams, and written content.

Recommended study pattern

To be awarded the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology – Network Technology you must complete 24 units in total made up of:

• 8 Core Units
• 8 Major Units
• 8 Additional units made up of 
  • 4 units from either the Cyber Security or Data Science Advanced Minor 
  • 4 elective units of your choice. 

In your final year, you will complete a Capstone Industry Project unit that combines your theoretical knowledge with practical scenarios. This unit aims to consolidate and integrate your learning with real-world practice and facilitate a successful transition from academic learning environment to work environment.

Core units

Web Development (COS10005)

Introduction to Programming (COS10009)

Network Administration (TNE10005)

ICT Inquiry Project (ICT10022)

Technology in an Indigenous Context Project (COS10025)

Fundamentals of Data Management (COS20015)

ICT Project A (ICT30017)

ICT Project B (ICT30018)

Network Technology major units

Networks and Switching (TNE10006)

Network Routing Principles (TNE20002)

ICT Design Project (ICT20025)

Advanced Web Development (COS30020)

Data Visualisation (COS30045)

Secure Remote Access Networks (TNE30012)

ICT Innovation Project (ICT30016)

Enterprise Network Server Administration (TNE30018)

Data Science advanced minor

Students can complete eight (8) units of any discipline to round out their degree.

Data Science Principles (COS10022)

Big Data Architecture and Applications (COS20028)

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (COS30019)

IoT Programming (SWE30011)

Cyber Security advanced minor

Malware Analysis (COS20030)

Network Security and Resilience (TNE30009)

IT Security (COS30015)

Cyber Security for Business (INF20031)

Electives

Students can complete eight elective (8) units of any discipline to round out their degree. Other Elective options can be viewed on the Swinburne Online website.

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

• 8 core units (100 credit points)
• 8 units of study from the Network Technology discipline (100 credit points)
• 8 units of other studies (100 credit points) from the two available advanced minors and/or from electives of your choice.

Students may not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at introductory level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

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

Indicative total fee $28,611

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 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.

Study on your own terms with this forward-thinking university.

It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

Learn more about Swinburne University of Technology

Explore Swinburne University of Technology courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

15

Applicants are required to meet one of the following minimum entry requirements:

• A completed or partially completed tertiary qualification (e.g. relevant Certificate IVs, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, incomplete or complete Bachelor’s degree); or
• 4+ years of relevant work experience; or
• Recent Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent completion, with the required English study score.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you have completed recent prior studies you may be eligible to request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous studies related to your chosen subjects.

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, where every applicant is assessed individually.

International students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency before enrolling into a Swinburne Online degree by undertaking one of the following English language tests; The International English Language Test Score (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you have completed recent prior studies you may be eligible to request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous studies related to your chosen subjects.

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, where every applicant is assessed individually.