Computing guide by Cybernews Academy: Australia

We at Cybernews Academy have taken you on a worldwide academic tour through Europe, Canada, and the U.S. Now, we have landed in Australia in the continent of Oceania. Throughout this series, we want to showcase the best countries and continents worldwide for computer science and information technologies degrees. Australia not only houses beautiful tropical beaches, marine reserves, and an array of wildlife, it is home to many fantastic universities offering computer science and information technology courses.

Studying in Australia

Australia has a handful of institutions that rank in the top 100 QS university world rankings by subject (computer science and information technologies.) A total of six universities in cities like Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and smaller inner city suburbs like Haymarket and Parkville are featured within this list.

Studying in Australia exposes you to different landscapes, wildlife, and a new culture. Although Australian culture is primarily Western, as it was initially derived from Britain, it has also been molded by its unique geographical and native cultural influences. One wonderful thing about Australia is its multicultural mindset attributed to the heavy migration that followed European colonization in the later 18th century. It’s a diverse and complex country that has maintained its native identity while embracing new customs. All parts of Australia are influenced by immigration. However, Sydney is centered around its artistic, ethnic, linguistic, and religious communities. Melbourne, the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, is a creative city influenced by European culture. The municipality supports cultural institutions, museums, festivals, live music, and film. The Haymarket area has cultural and historical links with Chinese culture, which adds to the suburb's growing diversity. This area is constantly evolving and refining the features that make Haymarket unique.

Choosing the right program

There are a few factors to consider when choosing the right program: location, specializations, and career prospects.

Location

Location is a crucial factor in choosing your university. You might be looking for a safe and secure environment to complete your studies, a bustling and fun student-centered experience, or a lush and aesthetic campus. If safety is your number one priority, then Australia might be the place for you. Sydney is one of the safest cities in the world according to Travelers Worldwide and was crowned the fifth safest big city in the world by The Economist. Similarly, Melbourne and Canberra are also a very safe cities, according to The Safe Cities Index of 2019. Perhaps you’re most interested in the activities you can participate in while you complete your studies. Haymarket is famous for its markets, culinary scene, and theatres. Similarly, Sydney is also known for its artistic and cultural activities. Regarding aesthetics, there are many rural campuses across Australia where you can take in the breathtaking views, visit beautiful beaches, and galavant across Australia’s major cities.

Specializations

Like most universities worldwide, Australia has computing specializations that can help students develop and diversify their studies. These specializations can help you hone your craft and earn you a high-paying job in the industry post-graduation. You may study anything from artificial intelligence to computer systems and networks. Some popular specializations include software engineering, data science, cyber security, and many more.

Career prospects

Cybernews Academy has highlighted lucrative destinations worldwide, and Australia is on the list of best countries for tech jobs post-graduation. According to IT Shifting, the average IT salary is around A$100,234 ($64,306.) Upon graduating from a computer science course in Australia, you could become a data scientist, cybersecurity analyst, network architect, and AI engineer.

Tuition fees

According to Study Portals, tuition fees in Australia for international students are A$20,000-A$45,000 ($12,879- $28,979) per year for bachelor’s degrees. Master’s and Ph.D. degrees are between A$22,000-A$50,000 ($14,179- $32,226) annually. This is a very affordable university tuition price compared to other countries we have analyzed. When we looked at Canada and the U.S. we found that prices were higher than in Australia. On average international undergraduate students will expect to pay upwards of $26,555 and in the United States you could pay as much as $60,000 per year.

Scholarships

We all need a little help sometimes, so financial aid is a great way to get your studies off the ground, and several scholarships are available at Australian universities for international students.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for U.S. Citizens allows U.S. undergraduates of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. The scholarship amount ranges from $100 to $5000.

The University of Sydney International Scholarships is for master’s and Ph.D. students funded by the University of Sydney. This program offers an annual scholarship to outstanding postgraduate students. The scholarship is worth $ 37,207 per year as the scholarship helps with tuition fees and living expenses.

The University of New South Wales International Scholarships are provided for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This scholarship offers total tuition fees of $20,000 per year, paid for the minimum duration of the program.

The Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarships are awarded to outstanding international students recognized for their academic achievements. This applies to any undergraduate degree offered at the University of Melbourne. This scholarship provides either a $10,000 tuition fee remission in the first year of study, a 50% discount for the three-year duration of an undergraduate degree, or a 100% remission for your entire bachelor’s degree.

The Austalian Awards Scholarships, formerly known as Australian Development Scholarships, afford opportunities for people from developing countries, especially those countries that are located in the Indo-Pacific region. This scholarship is available at all levels of study (bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D.) The scholarships generally include tuition fees, return air travel, establishment allowance, contribution to living expenses, PCE fees, and much more.

Accommodation

According to Study Australia, you could rent a property by yourself or with friends, which can be done through a real estate agent. The website states that it’s common for international students to live with other students which makes living costs more affordable. You could also live in managed or purpose-built accommodations, residences designed and built specifically for students. These options range from private studio apartments to shared rooms with communal areas and facilities. These residences are usually located near major educational institutions and public transport. You could also opt for short-term accommodations like hostels and temporary housing. Short-term housing helps international students become more independent and well-acquainted with their new city. Then you have university-managed accommodation, which are facilities operated and controlled by the university for the exclusive use of students. This accommodation option will come fully furnished, including bills, and provide integrated university-managed support for its students. You could also choose to live in a homestay, which involves living in a home with a family– this option is better for younger students.

Campus

Australian universities tend to have a mix of different campus types, campuses spread across the city, some are subject-specific, and others are more traditional, centralized campuses. Australian universities have main campuses, where most academic programs, offices, libraries, and student services are located, like UNSW’s central Kensington campus, which has a busy community the size of a small town. There are satellite campuses that are smaller branches of a university located in different cities or regions. There are city campuses in the heart of major cities, like the University of Technology Sydeny campus and the University of Sydney’s Camperdown/Darlington campus is extensive, spanning over 72 hectares, and is also located in an inner city suburb.

Top universities for computing in Australia

A few significant institutions are in the top 100 QS University Rankings by Subject.

Cybernews Academy Note: These rankings represent Computer Science and Information Technologies subjects.

#41: The University of Melbourne

#56: Australian National University (ANU)

#57: The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

#57: The University of Sydney

#73: Monash University

#73: University of Technology Sydney

These are some of the universities best known for their computing and information technologies degrees. Four of these universities are located in the state territory of New South Wales. Two universities are in Victoria, and one is in the Capital territory.

Types of computing programs

Different universities will offer various computing and information technologies courses. Our journalists at Cybernews Academy have suggested a few programs that feature across Australian universities. You should expect to see majors and minors like U.S. and Canadian universities. Your major is your primary study area, and minors allow you to focus on particular subjects.

Computer Science

Traditional computer science courses cover various topics concerning the theoretical fundamentals of computation and information technologies. You may cover subjects such as algorithms, data structures, theory of analysis, and software engineering.

Data Science

Data Science concentrates on the skills needed to collect, process, and interpret large volumes of data. This program teaches you about data mining, visualization, statistical analysis, and machine learning techniques.

Advanced Computing

Advanced computing allows you to learn the design principles and programming skills to build the systems behind emerging technologies.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity programs focus on protecting digital systems, networks, and data from cyber threats and attacks. Students will focus on ethical hacking, cryptography, network security, and incident response.

Complex Systems

A complex systems degree is usually completed post-graduation. It aims to provide you with the expertise to model, analyze, and design resilient technological, socioeconomic, and socioecological systems– you will develop strategies for crisis forecasting management. You will complete a foundational and core complex systems unit and units covering advanced computing concepts.

Information Technology (IT)

IT programs focus on applying computing technologies to solve real-world business and organizational problems. You will cover database management, network administration, cybersecurity, and IT project management.

Cybernews Academy Note: There are many computing programs at varying levels. We suggest checking different university websites to see what’s available.

Alongside its rich cultural history, magnificent views, and perfectly balanced rural/cityscape, Australia has some of the best universities for computer science and information technologies degrees. If you fancy heading down under for your studies, consider some of the universities featured in the top 100 QS world rankings by subject, as they offer a range of fantastic courses, a great campus community, and a wealth of opportunities.