Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours)
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 4 Years(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 3779
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $7,500*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $36,000*
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $58,000*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $254,000*
Fees
Fees
-
Advanced curriculum
-
Project-based learning
-
Project-based learning
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Use your advanced analytical skills to design and build the technologies of the future. This four-year degree is designed for students who wish to challenge themselves to develop the expertise, technical skills and practical experience that will put them in-demand, both now and into the future. Graduate ready to make an impact across information technology and innovation, wherever your career takes you.
This degree sets you up with a solid foundation in programming, software engineering, computer hardware, data structures and algorithms. You’ll then dive into your areas of interest through advanced computing electives and an Honours thesis. Students who wish to pursue further research are well-placed to continue their studies with a PhD, with the opportunity to innovate new solutions to some of the world’s most complex issues.
Key features
This is a four-year, embedded Honours degree that will equip you with the ability to design and build the technologies of the future. You’ll graduate with advanced knowledge and skills that will allow you to either work in industry or contribute to world-leading research.
Alongside completing Advanced Computer Science electives, you can choose from three majors unique to your interests and career aspirations:
Computer Science
Security Engineering
Artificial Intelligence
You will also have the option to complement your study with a minor in Mathematics.
Seize the opportunity to take part in ChallEng. The ChallENG Program connects UNSW Engineering students, academics and companies to real-world, project-based learning initiatives. With exposure to a multidisciplinary learning approach, you’ll earn academic credit and develop your technical and design skills.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
The Computer Science and Engineering School is part of the Faculty of Engineering, which is ranked #1 in Australia and #25 globally for Engineering and Technology. We're also ranked #4 in Australia for Computer Science. All eight of UNSW's Engineering schools are ranked in the global top 50 with two schools ranked in the global top 10 for Engineering subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).
UNSW’s School of Computer Science and Engineering research is ranked #1 in Australia for Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Databases, Embedded & Real-Time Systems and Operating Systems by CS Rankings. Our strong focus on research, with our world-class research facilities feeds leading-edge discoveries straight into our degrees. Our research culture provides an education where you’ll question, test, learn and experiment, making new discoveries along the way.
Australia’s top employers prefer UNSW Engineering graduates over any other university. UNSW is known for its graduate employability, with UNSW awarded the Most Employable students for six years in a row (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025).
At UNSW Engineering you’ll benefit from a diverse and welcoming community. No matter what your particular interest, engineering or beyond, there’s a club or society for you. UNSW Engineering boasts 16 student societies including a society for each school. Get involved in Queer Students in STEM, Electrical Engineering Society, Women in Renewable Energy Society or Robogals. UNSW’s Women in Engineering (WIE) society runs social and industry events as well as programs designed to mentor and develop female engineers.
When you study engineering at UNSW you can take part in the ChallENG Program. This unique program connects students, academics and industry to exciting, real-world, project-based learning initiatives. The program will prepare you for your future career by helping develop technical and design skills and expanding your professional expertise.
Want to see more from UNSW Engineering?
Entry requirements
The Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science will launch in Term 1 2024 for domestic applicants and therefore, no prior Admissions information is available.
Assumed knowledge
Mathematics Extension 1
Adjustment Factors
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS), opens in a new window
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
International direct entry
| Qualifications | Direct entry requirement |
|---|---|
|
International ATAR
|
91.0
|
| UNSW Foundation Studies GPA |
8.0
|
|
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
|
14.0
|
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
|
35.0
|
|
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (after 2016)
|
1280.0
|
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
Admission pathways
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
Build a career of the future with a Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours). You’ll study Advanced Computer Science electives to understand the representation of data and data structures and the design of algorithms for programming languages and machine systems.
Personalise your degree by specialising in one of the following in-demand areas:
Computer Science
Security Engineering
Artificial Intelligence
You will also complete an Honours thesis which provides an opportunity for you to bring together the computer science principles learned over your previous years of study and apply these principles to innovatively solve problems in a specially chosen area. Students who wish to continue to build on their Honours project and pursue further research can continue their studies with a PhD.
Study areas
Full program structure
Degree structures can vary depending on your specialisation, timetabling and the number of courses you choose. To give you an indication of structure, you can consider the below.
In your first two years of the program, you might study:
- Two mathematics courses
- An extension course in Algorithms and Programming Techniques
- A range of advanced core courses in the areas of Programming, Computer Systems, Software Engineering, Data Structures, Computer Networks, Ethics, Object Oriented Design
From your second year onwards, you’ll:
- Study courses relevant to your major of choice
- Complete several Advanced Computing Electives and may take part in a Vertically Integrated Project from the ChallENG program
During your degree you’ll be required to complete two General Education electives. These courses help you broaden your education by completing two courses from outside the engineering faculty strengthening your cross-disciplinary thinking, developing a flexible approach and enhancing your critical analysis skills.
In your final year of study, you’ll complete a Computer Science Thesis Project. The project is an opportunity for you to bring together engineering principles learned over your previous years of study and apply these principles to innovatively solve problems such as the development of a specific design, process and/or the investigation of a hypothesis. You’ll develop your ability to work in a research and development environment, as well as the essential creative planning and problem-solving skills that will ensure you thrive in your future career.
Interested in studying with us, but not sure what program is right for you? We've got a comparison sheet to help you learn more about your study options within our School of Computer Science and Engineering.
Future careers
Graduates in Computer Science at UNSW benefit from our leading reputation in research and teaching, with many graduates recruited by industry partners before their degree is complete.
Graduates have gone on to work with companies such as CSIRO, Cisco, Microsoft, Google, Amazon and startups like Canva and Atlassian.
Specialists in Computer Science are increasingly sought-after across many different industries from finance to consulting, government to healthcare. Potential roles upon graduation include:
Cyber Security Consultant
Information Systems Manager
Database Administrator
Systems Analyst
Games Developer
Graduates also have the opportunity to be at the forefront of research across diverse areas including AI, data science, cyber-security and software and systems. UNSW’s School of Computer Science and Engineering is supported by highly competitive grant funding and industry sponsorship and conducts world-leading research focused on innovating new solutions to some of the world’s most complex issues.
Accreditation
Accreditation with the Australian Computing Society for this degree is currently in progress.
How to apply
Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Visit the Apply section of the UAC website, opens in a new window and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.
On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website, opens in a new window for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC), opens in a new window for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 2
*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
Featured scholarships
Women in Engineering Scholarships
UNSW provides a wide range of Women in Engineering scholarships to support high-achieving female students throughout their degree.
Apply here and search for ‘Engineering’ in the keywords.
Engineering Rural Scholarship
The Faculty of Engineering Rural Scholarships Program aims to assist high achieving high school students from rural or isolated areas to study in the Faculty of Engineering at UNSW.
Apply here and search for ‘Engineering’ in the keywords.
QS World University Rankings, 2025
AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders
