Graduate Certificate in Information Technology
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 1 year FT/ 2 year PT
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 7546
- CRICOS code 113781D
-
Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this program2026 Indicative CSP first year fee
- $9,500*
-
2026 Indicative CSP fee to complete degree
- $9,500*
-
2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $63,000*
-
2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $64,000*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
Application closures for 2026
Undergraduate programs for 2026 intakes are closed for New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) applications. Applications for postgraduate programs remain open. Find out if this closure applies to you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Information Technology is a crucial stepping stone on the journey to becoming a leader in IT. This one-year full-time program teaches the foundational skills and knowledge to transition into the IT sector or to pursue further study. With a direct pathway into the Master of Information Technology, successful students can graduate with two highly respected qualifications in as little as two years.
You’ll join Australia’s leading Engineering and Technology faculty and discover a learning environment that places equal emphasis on theory and practice. As part of the School of Computing Science, you’ll learn alongside aspiring IT professionals from a range of backgrounds. We encourage multidisciplinary collaboration to reflect the true nature of working in roles across the IT sector.
Why study IT at UNSW?
UNSW is a global leader in information technology. 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).
The School of Computer Science is widely recognised for its excellence in research. Together, we’ve turned world-class research into real-world breakthroughs in algorithms, artificial intelligence, cyber security, operating systems and more.
Our students have access to the latest technologies and research facilities. We continually evolve and update our programs to maintain industry relevance and alignment with the emerging needs of the sector.
We’re also proud to offer students direct access to our expansive industry and alumni network, opening students up to professional opportunities before and after graduation. Some of our past students have gained experience with organisations including Atlassian, Commbank, Google, Honeywell, Microsoft and WiseTech Global, and many have gone on to win full-time roles within these companies.
This career-ready approach has earned us a reputation for producing Australia’s Most Employable students for six years in a row (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2025). Our graduates also earn the highest median salaries among graduates of Go8 universities (QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023).
Want to see more from UNSW Engineering?
Entry requirements
Admission to the standard one-year program requires a three-year bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7 equivalent) in any discipline with a minimum 65% average.
Pathways to further study
The Graduate Certificate in Information Technology can be taken as a standalone program or serve as a direct pathway into the Master of Information Technology.
To be eligible to enter the Master of Information Technology you must achieve a pass and have successfully completed 18 units of credit of foundational core courses.
International students may be eligible for the 2-year Graduate Certificate to Master of IT packaged pathway*.
*International students intending to pursue the Master of Information Technology through the packaged 2-year Graduate Certificate-Master of IT pathway, must apply directly to the Master of Information Technology (8543) and not the Graduate Certificate of IT to be eligible to apply for a student visa for 2-year duration of study.
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
Admission to the standard one-year program requires a three-year bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7 equivalent) in any discipline with a minimum 65% average.
Pathways to further study
The Graduate Certificate in Information Technology can be taken as a standalone program or serve as a direct pathway into the Master of Information Technology.
To be eligible to enter the Master of Information Technology you must achieve a pass and have successfully completed 18 units of credit of foundational core courses.
International students may be eligible for the 2-year Graduate Certificate to Master of IT packaged pathway*.
*International students intending to pursue the Master of Information Technology through the packaged 2-year Graduate Certificate-Master of IT pathway, must apply directly to the Master of Information Technology (8543) and not the Graduate Certificate of IT to be eligible to apply for a student visa for 2-year duration of study.
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
What will I study?
UNSW is introducing a new academic calendar from 2028.
We are moving to a new flex-semester calendar. What does this mean for your studies?
Program overview
The Graduate Certificate in Information Technology provides a combination of foundation courses and electives. It’s a one-year full-time program delivered through face-to-face and online learning. It’s designed to provide sufficient background in IT to enable students to transition into the Master of Information Technology. For students not pursuing further study, it will provide the framework to upskill, retrain or transition into IT.
Full program structure
This program contains a total of 48 units of credit (UOC) and can be completed in one year with full-time study or two years with part-time study. Students must complete:
Foundational core courses – 18 UOC
Foundations of Computer Science
Principles of Programming
Data Structures and Algorithms
Advanced core courses – 18 UOC
Database Systems
Computer Networks and Applications
Engineering Project Management
Prescribed elective courses – 12 UOC
Students will choose two of 37 available electives across computing, mathematics and engineering. See handbook for complete list of electives.
To be eligible to enter the Master of Information Technology you must achieve a pass and have successfully completed 18 units of credit of foundational core courses.
Future careers
Future careers in IT
Studying information technology can open up a broad range of career pathways after university. Working for large enterprises as an in-house IT specialist is one common pathway, but the sky’s the limit. Our graduates have explored roles in cyber security, defence and aerospace working in operational, management and advisory roles.
You could use your expertise to pursue roles in the following sectors:
- Software Industry
- Research and Development
- Government
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Finance
- Transport
- Defence
- Aerospace
- Research
- Cybersecurity
Here are some potential roles you might unlock:
- Systems Analyst
- Information Systems Manager
- IT Security Manager
- IT Security Consultant
- IT Project Manager
- Software Architect
- Network Engineer
- Data Scientist
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. 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 and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
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.
This high-demand program is part of UNSW’s Grouped Offer Rounds. We assess and rank applicants who meet minimum entry requirements, then issue offers based on academic merit and program capacity within each round. UNSW uses a quota system to ensure optimal teaching and learning quality and reserves the right to adjust application and acceptance deadlines to maintain these quotas. For details, visit the international admissions information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for this degree/program. Your eligibility to receive a CSP will be automatically assessed when you apply. Please note that eligibility for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) is competitive, with places awarded based on academic merit. Start your postgraduate application today with our guide on how to apply.
Commonwealth Study Assistance such as Austudy, and Youth Allowance is available for some master’s degrees. For the most up-to-date information and list of degrees visit UNSW Current Student Financial Support.
*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 below.
*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.
Progress starts here – at a world-leading university
Top 20 Worldwide
Ranked in the global top 20 for three consecutive years
QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026
Winner of the AFR Most Employable University Award six years in a row
AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2025
Australia's #1 for Innovation
Highest number of startups and spinouts from university-developed tech
SCOPR report, 2024
