Choose a speciality to explore your study options
Challenge yourself in an industry that thrives on progress
Tech experts are some of the most in-demand professionals in Australia. Training or upskilling in IT will give you the edge needed to land a rewarding, lucrative and future-proof technology career.
Whether you want to build innovative software, become a data analytics pro, or help stop hackers in their tracks as a cyber security specialist, there’s a course to get you there. And we're here to help you find it.
Popular IT & computer science degrees
Undergraduate LAT-ICT-PTH
Undergraduate UNE-INF-DIP
Undergraduate USQ-ADS-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence and Data Science)
Postgraduate GRF-CYB-MAS
Popular IT & computer science subjects
Undergraduate LTU-CSE1IIT
Related degrees
- Information Technology Open Degree Pathway
- Bachelor of Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Diploma in Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Criminology
- Diploma of Arts
Undergraduate TAS-KIT101
Related degrees
- Diploma of ICT Professional Practice
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Undergraduate Certificate in ICT Professional Practice
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Business (Business Analytics)
- Diploma of University Studies (Business)
- Diploma of University Studies (Science Pathway)
Postgraduate CUR-MIC510
Postgraduate MAQ-PICX8048
Related degrees
Why study IT & computer science online through us?
Access quality university courses without needing an ATAR
Enjoy your pick of courses from across the country, no matter where you’re based
Study more flexibly with single subjects, short courses and degrees available to start throughout the year
How Open Universities Australia (OUA) works
We partner with leading universities to make higher education easier for everyone to access. We're here to:
- offer you guidance on your course choices.
- unlock more flexible study options for you with your university.
- ease your mental load by supporting you with your student admin.
IT & computer science careers
Where graduates work:
Technology professionals are indispensable to all kinds of organisations. You could analyse data for a government department or business, help develop better digital experiences as a UX designer, apply your coding knowledge as a programmer, or help keep us all safe online as a cyber security expert.If you want professional certification:
We can point you to courses that offer industry recognised certifications from Microsoft, Cisco and Oracle.
Many courses also offer professional mentoring opportunities or the chance to work on real world projects. Our university partners collaborate with leading technology employers including Optus, CyberCX, and the Australian Government, ensuring you graduate job ready and with an established network.
You might also be interested in these study areas:
Meet Adrian, who followed his passion
"I decided to study a Bachelor of IT because I actually am an IT enthusiast...
It's very important for me personally to see what the industry standard is in terms of protecting systems and securing and preventing attacks."
Frequently asked questions about IT & computer science
How do I choose the right IT and computer science specialisation?
| Study area | Consider it if you'd like to... |
| Computer science | Advance your maths and problem-solving skills and graduate with a versatile tech skillset that could see you work in AI or machine learning. |
| Cyber security | Gain in-demand cyber skills that open career possibilities at all kinds of organisations and help keep us all safe. |
| Data analytics | Apply your analytical nature by becoming a data specialist, with plenty of graduate possibilities. |
| Data science | Advance your knowledge of data and gain an expert understanding of how to use it to solve problems. |
| Game design and development | Immerse yourself in the world of game design and grow your creative and technical skills. |
| Information systems | Combine tech and business knowledge and learn how to help organisations solve complicated problems. |
| Information technology | Gain a solid understanding of how to manage networks and implement technology. |
| Programming and coding | Solve problems with code by learning crucial programming languages that will help you make your mark in tech. |
| Software development | Learn to create new software and applications that help us solve vital problems and live better lives. |
What types of IT and computer science courses are available through Open Universities Australia?
| Course type | Why you might be interested |
| Short course | Running anywhere between 10-18 weeks, depending on the topic, short courses are ideal if you want to learn or upskill in a single area of computer science or IT. |
| Single subject | A bite-sized portion of learning, a single subject is ideal if you want to give a specific topic a test drive before deciding on a full degree. It can even help you meet entry requirements for certain undergraduate degrees, and may even count as credit towards a qualification. |
| Undergraduate degree | If you’ve decided a career in IT or computer science is the path for you, then you should consider an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Information Technology. A bachelor degree will help you establish a strong foundation of broad knowledge in the field. Undergraduate certificates and diplomas are another option. These qualifications are shorter and often have fewer entry requirements. |
| Postgraduate degree | Postgraduate degrees are ideal for those who want to advance their existing IT or computer science knowledge, or specialise in a particular area. Through us, you can gain recognition of prior learning or experience that may make you eligible for a graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters degree. |
What prior knowledge do I need to study IT and computer science?
There is an IT or computer science course suited to any level of previous knowledge. It's all about your unique experience and goals.
If you’d like to study IT or computer science but have never done so before, you may like to consider a short course or single subject first, to get an introductory taste of the area before committing to a longer course. These courses can also help you gain entry into a longer-length course like a bachelor degree, should you not initially meet entry requirements.
If you do have some prior knowledge or work experience, you may like to consider a degree, such as a Bachelor of Computer Science or even a postgraduate course.
It’s best to have a read of each course page, which will tell you if you need to have any specific knowledge or experience.
How can you help me get into a course without entry requirements?
Through Open Universities Australia, you can access education with leading Australian universities no matter your study history. This is due to a unique arrangement we have with our university partners.
You can enter certain undergraduate IT and computer science degrees by enrolling in 2-4 introductory ‘open enrolment’ single subjects. Once you successfully complete these subjects, you can use them to gain entry into a full degree.
Our student advisors can help you choose the best subjects for getting started if you have a particular degree in mind. There are some subjects that are more suitable for progressing towards certain degrees than others.
Read more about how to get into uni without an ATAR, or ask us for more information about how this works.
How flexible can my studies be?
When you study through us, you have the freedom to:
- start at multiple points during the year, instead of observing the traditional uni calendar
- control your study load by deciding how many subjects to take at once
- study subjects across multiple universities and multiple study areas
And those are only some of the flexible options available. To learn more, visit our study planning page or contact a student advisor.
What are the software requirements for studying IT and computer science online?
Some online IT and computer science courses may require you to use certain software. This will be explained at the beginning of your course. In most cases, you will be able to access software for free online or gain access through the university running your course.
How much does it cost to study IT and computer science through Open Universities Australia?
Studying online through Open Universities Australia costs exactly the same as studying on campus with your chosen university. As a not-for-profit, we do not charge you to use our services. Helping you find and access the right course is what we’re focused on.
Course fees are dictated by a few things, including the level of study, the content of the course and the university providing the course. You can find the particulars of course fees on each course page.
Through Open Universities Australia, you can also access financial assistance if you’re eligible, including HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP. These are loans available through the Australian Government, and can help you defer the cost of your course until you are earning over a minimum income threshold.
To understand more, visit our fees page.
What to read before choosing your course
Help! What degree should I study?
You know you want to go to uni, but you have no clue what course to study. First of all, don’t panic. This is a very, very common problem, and one we’re known for solving. The following advice should help you narrow down your choices.
Student allowances explained: What payments can you get?
If you’re studying full-time, you may be eligible for income support. Find out about the three main types of Centrelink payments for students, Austudy, ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance.
University entry requirements explained
Learn more about how admission criteria works when you're applying for university—and what to do if you don’t meet the requirements.
Why single subject study could be perfect for you
Did you know you can take a single university subject without committing to the whole qualification? It’s a great way to upskill—or to give your degree a test run.
Find out more about how to get started
Speak to a student advisor for:
- free, impartial advice
- expert knowledge about courses and unis
- personalised recommendations
Looking for other ways to start the conversation? Contact us.