Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March, July

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast, Online

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    GradDipComp

  • Course code

    1108510

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    February, June

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast, Online

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

Contemporary information technologies including Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and Big Data have dramatically changed the way we live, work and do business.

To stay ahead in this fast-paced environment, as an IT professional, you need the core skills of computing and the ability to securely, sustainably and ethically apply them to solve real-world problems.

The Graduate Diploma of Computing is a one-year program that provides a strong foundation in computing to upskill and enter the IT industry, or to enhance an existing career with a technology-based qualification. In addition to the core computing skills such as programming, data structures and algorithms design, and database management, you will also learn problem-solving and other soft skills such as networking and presentation to become a certified ICT professional.

Exciting career opportunities exist for graduates within the field of information and communication technology.

A student holding a laptop

“The degree really refined my areas of interest. I saw how it could offer a fantastic way to pivot and be flexible, and to be confident in making those kinds of decisions.”

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Critically analyse and reflect on complex issues in a discipline area of information technology.

Demonstrate advanced discipline knowledge, creative thinking, project management, and problem solving skills in a discipline area of information technology.

GA2: Creativity

Demonstrate advanced discipline knowledge, creative thinking, project management, and problem solving skills in a discipline area of information technology.

GA3: Ethical practice

Develop advanced knowledge and skills for responsible use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for security, sustainable and ethical goals.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Critically analyse and reflect on complex issues in a discipline area of information technology.

Demonstrate advanced discipline knowledge, creative thinking, project management, and problem solving skills in a discipline area of information technology.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Critically analyse and reflect on complex issues in a discipline area of information technology.

Demonstrate advanced discipline knowledge, creative thinking, project management, and problem solving skills in a discipline area of information technology.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Develop professional conducts, communication and social skills to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.

GA7: Cultural competence

Develop professional conducts, communication and social skills to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Students will develop knowledge and skills in the areas of computer networks, advanced cyber security, ICT professional practice, managing software development projects, fundamentals of programming, designing information systems, data structures and algorithms, and data management systems. 

Location Teaching period
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3
Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3$35,280 ($4,410 per unit)113012A
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3N/AN/A

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Career Outcomes

Graduates will have wide-ranging career opportunities in the high-growth fields of information and communication technologies, from various software and database development roles to cybersecurity consultants and business/data analysts. 

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must meet the University’s standard minimum admission requirements for postgraduate courses:

  • completed a bachelor degree (AQF 7) or equivalent; or
  • equivalent work experience as determined by the faculty.

 

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall Score or equivalent6.5

Course requirements

 
To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma of Computing students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:
  • 8 core units (96 credit points).

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Computing after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.

Other things to consider

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more

The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.

Learn more

Going straight from school to a degree is one way to start uni, but it’s not the only way.

Whether you are returning to study after some time or you just left school, Southern Cross University offer two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

EDUC6020ICT Professional Practice
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
PROG6001Managing Software Development Projects
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Melbourne
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1
SydneyN/A
Term1
ISYS6002Advanced Cybersecurity
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Melbourne
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Perth
Term2
Term2
Sydney
Term2
Term2
COMP5001Computer Networks
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
MelbourneN/A
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
PerthN/A
Term2
SydneyN/A
Term2
Anti-requisitesHave completed COMP1001 - Data Communications and Networks or CSC00240 Data Communications and Networks
PROG5001Fundamentals of Programming
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
N/A
PerthN/A
Term3,5
SydneyN/A
Term3,5
Anti-requisitesPROG2007 Programming II OR ISY00245 Principles of Programming OR CSC00235 Applications Development
ISYS5005Designing Information Systems
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
MelbourneN/A
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
PerthN/A
Term3
SydneyN/A
Term3
Anti-requisitesISYS1005 - Systems Analysis and Design OR ISY00243 Systems Analysis and Design
COMP6008Data Structures and Algorithms
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Melbourne
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Perth
Term4
Term4
Sydney
Term4
Term4
Enrolment informationTo succeed in this unit, you should have completed: PROG5001 - Fundamentals of Programming
DATA6002Data Management Systems
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
MelbourneN/A
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
PerthN/A
Term4
SydneyN/A
Term4


Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
COMP5001Computer Networks
ISYS6002Advanced Cybersecurity
EDUC6020ICT Professional Practice
PROG6001Managing Software Development Projects
PROG5001Fundamentals of Programming
ISYS5005Designing Information Systems
COMP6008Data Structures and Algorithms
DATA6002Data Management Systems

Why Information Technology at SCU

Graduate employment

86% of IT graduates are employed within four months of completing their courses

(Grad Outcome Survey 2017-2019)

Digital Enterprise Lab

Our Digital Enterprise Lab on-campus enables you to work on real-world projects

Professional accreditation

Australian Computer Society (ACS) accreditation for the Bachelor of Information Technology.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

Preparing to apply

  1. Check requirements
  2. Get supporting documents ready
  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

Gold Coast

Online

Choose where you want to study

International students studying in Australia

Gold Coast

International students studying online or outside of Australia

Online

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway