Graduate Diploma of Information Technology
Specialising in Software Development
Choose your specialisation
Data Analytics
The Data Analytics specialisation is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to store, manage, organise and analyse data from a variety of computer systems.
Information Systems
The Information Systems specialisation helps students develop the expertise in analysing, protecting, designing and specifying information systems.
Mobile and Cloud Computing
The Mobile and Cloud Computing specialisation teaches the design, coding, testing and operation of distributed, cloud-based and mobile computer systems.
Software Development
The Software Development specialisation specifically targets software developers that can develop and test computer programs as well as manage software quality.
Overview
The Graduate Diploma of Information Technology provides you with the practical skills related to the design, construction, operation and support of Information Technology solutions. You’ll learn entry-level skills and techniques as well as the research skills needed to assess the effectiveness of a solution or technology. This qualification is also aimed at students from non-IT backgrounds who want to transition into the industry.
Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?
Whatever stage you're at – from browsing courses to starting an application – our Study Expo is your one-stop-shop for info and advice.
Your specialisation
Software Development
The Software Development specialisation specifically targets software developers who can develop and test computer programs as well as manage software quality. Students engage in project workand learn how to critically analyse problems, finding effective solutions. Students will also gain experience in ICT research in non-academic contexts such as legal, government, commercial and software production environments.
Upgrade your skills
- Data management
- IT solution implementation
- Computer architecture
Stretch your career further
- Quantitative Research Analyst
- Digital Workplace Analysis
- Support Engineering
- Network Technician
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Why Swinburne?
Ranked top 10 Australian university for Computer Science and Electronics
85.1% of students found employment within 4 months of graduating
The median income for PG graduates nine years out is $105.5K
Qualifications
Applicants are required to have completed:
- a bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline (with few or no studies in information technology – less than one third of the degree); or
- the Graduate Certificate of Information Technology; or
- the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only).
Applicants are required to have completed:
- a bachelor degree (or higher award) in any discipline (with few or no studies in information technology – less than one third of the degree); or
- the Graduate Certificate of Information Technology; or
- the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (available to International applicants only).
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Graduate Certificate of Information Technology
12 months full-time or equivalent part-time 12 months full timeHawthornHawthornSemester 2Semester 1Full-time, Part-time Full-timeChoose your specialisation
Data Analytics
The Data Analytics specialisation is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to store, manage, organise and analyse data from a variety of computer systems.
Information Systems
The Information Systems specialisation helps students develop the expertise in analysing, protecting, designing and specifying information systems.
Mobile and Cloud Computing
The Mobile and Cloud Computing specialisation teaches the design, coding, testing and operation of distributed, cloud-based and mobile computer systems.
Software Development
The Software Development specialisation specifically targets software developers that can develop and test computer programs as well as manage software quality.
-
Graduate Certificate of Data Science
12 months full-time or equivalent part-time 12 months full-timeHawthornHawthornSemester 1Semester 2Full-time, Part-time Full-time -
Graduate Certificate of Cybersecurity
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time 1 year full-timeHawthornHawthornSemester 2Full-time, Part-time Full-time
How credit points work
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Information Technology students must complete 150 credit points comprising:
- Eleven core units (137.5 credit points)
- One elective (12.5 credit points).
Your units
Graduate Certificate
Completing 4 core units and 4 specialisation units entitles you to the graduate certificate.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Creating Web Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS60004 |
|
Data Management for the Big Data Age
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS60009 |
|
User-Centred Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS70004 |
|
Cloud Engineering
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS80001 |
Graduate Diploma
Completing an additional 1 core, 1 specialisation and 1 elective unit entitles you to the graduate diploma.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Big Data
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS80023 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Introduction to Data Science
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS60008 |
|
Object-Oriented Programming
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS70006 |
|
Internet Security
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS80013 |
|
Software Quality and Testing
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS80022 |
|
Data Visualisation
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS80025 |
|
Machine Learning
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS80027 |
|
Networks and Cybersecurity Frameworks
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
CYB60004 |
|
Cyber-Ethics
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
CYB70001 |
|
Operating System Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ICT60001 |
Nested programs
The Graduate Diploma of Information Technology forms the second stage in a nested suite of programs. Continue studying with the:
-
Master of Information Technology
2 years full-time or equivalent part-time 2 years full-timeHawthorn, SydneyHawthorn, SydneySemester 1Semester 2Full-time, Part-time Full-timeChoose your specialisation
Data Analytics
The Data Analytics specialisation is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to store, manage, organise and analyse data from a variety of computer systems.
Information Systems
The Information Systems specialisation helps students develop the expertise in analysing, protecting, designing and specifying information systems.
Mobile and Cloud Computing
The Mobile and Cloud Computing specialisation teaches the design, coding, testing and operation of distributed, cloud-based and mobile computer systems.
Software Development
The Software Development specialisation specifically targets software developers that can develop and test computer programs as well as manage software quality.
Your specialisation
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Technology Inquiry Project
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS60010 |
|
Technology Design Project
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS60011 |
|
Object-Oriented Programming
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS70006 |
|
Software Quality and Testing
Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS80022 |
|
Technology Innovation Research and Project
Specialisation unit, 25.0 credit points |
COS70008 |
2024 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$34,300
Total fee* ($AUD)
$51,450
Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)
$8,948
Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)
$13,422
2024 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$40,240.00
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2024 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
Two types of loans are available to assist with student study fees. Depending on eligibility, you’re able to apply for one of the loans outlined below.
- FEE-HELP is a loan that’s available for full-fee paying higher education students. Depending on your eligibility, the Commonwealth Government can help pay all or part of your loan directly to Swinburne.
- HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme that’s available if you’re enrolled in a Commonwealth-supported place. Depending on eligibility, a HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for FEE-HELP
You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:
- are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
- are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
- have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$351.00
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$351.00
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!