Engineering

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Gain the fundamentals to specialise in your Computer Engineering area of choice
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Short haired computer programmer working on a new software in the office.

What is Computer Science and Software Engineering?

Computer Science and Software Engineering are some of the fastest growing areas in education and professional demand. You’ll focus on computing and mathematics design and techniques, giving you the fundamentals to specialise in your area of choice. It could be bioinformatics, computer engineering, software engineering or computer science – it all depends on your professional goals.

Why study Computer Science and Software Engineering?

The field of computer science and software engineering has completely transformed. Consider the evolution of computers, previously one computer would take up an entire room, now we have high tech computing in the palm of our hand (and even on our wrists) with smart phones. Things are moving fast. This degree will set you up to work with products that are used by millions of people every day. You might choose to do a research thesis, experimenting with making new discoveries in the field.

Why choose UNSW?

  • Our Computer Science and Software Engineering degrees are accredited by Engineers Australia and the Australian Computing Society. 
  • We're ranked #1 in Australia for Engineering and Technology (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024). 
  • We're leaders in Computer Science, UNSW is ranked #4 in Australia for Computer Science (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025).

Our computing programs are some of the most hands on in Australia and abroad. Rather than teach computer science and software engineering, we want you to be the designers of new technology. That’s why we partner with companies like Data61, a leading digital research network, researching things like artificial intelligence, programming languages and service-oriented computing.

What about careers?

In the last five years, Software and Applications Programmer roles have grown from 80,200 in 2014 to 135,000 in 2019, according to Jobs Outlook. There’s a great deal of opportunity for an engineer with computer science and software skills, such as in professional, scientific and technical services, financial and insurance services, or public administration and safety.

Career options include: 

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Agritech
  • Bioinformatics
  • Computer Architecture
  • Cybersecurity
  • Computer Vision
  • Database Systems
  • Networks and Software Engineering
  • Pharmaceutical and Health
  • Computer Programming
  • Systems Analytics

What are my study options?

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