melbourne university phd computer science

PhD (Computer Science)

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Use your advanced research skills to contribute to the growth of computer science. 

You're viewing program information for local students.

RMIT considers you a local student if you are:

• a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or
• a New Zealand citizen, or
• a person seeking asylum who holds either a: Temporary Protection Visa (TPV), or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) or Bridging Visa E or Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa or Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visa.

Asylum seekers who reside in Australia and study onshore are required to pay international onshore tuition fees for higher education courses.

If you are unsure or hold a different visa type, please contact  Study@RMIT for more information.

Not a local student?

You're viewing program information for international students..

RMIT considers you an international student if you are:

• intending to study on a student visa, or
• not a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or
• not a New Zealand citizen, or
• not a a person seeking asylum who holds either a: Temporary Protection Visa (TPV), or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) or Bridging Visa E or Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa or Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visa.

If you are unsure or  hold a different visa type, please contact  Study@RMIT for more information.

Not an international student?

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Research Training Scheme

See admissions

AU$36,480 (2024 annual)

As a computer science research candidate, you have the flexibility to pursue an individual topic, or contribute to one of our existing research areas.

You will join an active research community, working with academics, peers and partner organisations who have demonstrated research success in a range of specialities, including:

• artificial intelligence
• machine learning
• data science and analysis 
• distributed systems and networking
• heuristic optimisation
• information retrieval and web search 
• software engineering.

RMIT's success is demonstrated in international university rankings, with computer science and information systems at RMIT ranked #10 in Australia and in the top 200 globally per QS Rankings by Subject 2024, in the top 150 globally for ShanghaiRankings by Subject 2022 and 124th globally (top 150) for 2022 NTU World University Rankings.

The Australian Research Council identified our research in Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing and Information Systems as above world standard in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) reports.

Research collaborations

There are many research collaborations with national and international institutes, centres, groups and partners, including strategic partnerships with:

• RMIT Data Analytics Lab
• Australian-India Research Centre for Automation Software Engineering (AICAUSE).

Research support

Throughout your candidature, you will be supported through:

• expert supervision
• participation in high-quality professional development programs delivered by RMIT's School of Graduate Research
• access to RMIT's extensive facilities, laboratories and equipment and those of our partners.

Computer science candidates may be eligible for a range of scholarships including:

• Australian Postgraduate Awards – funded by the Australian Government
• PhD and Research Masters Scholarships – funded by RMIT University
• PhD scholarships in computer science and IT – funded by the School of Science
• other postgraduate research scholarships.

How you will learn

Research at rmit, time spent on research.

Full-time candidates are expected to commit at least four days per week (or at least two days per week for part-time candidates) to their research. The academic year is 48 weeks.

Regular contact with your supervisor

A schedule of meetings with your supervisor/s must be established to assess progress against milestones and timely completion.

Resources, facilities and support

You will have access to the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.

You will be part of an active research community and have access to resources and workshops to help you succeed.

School of Graduate Research

The School of Graduate Research works with Schools to further support candidates during their postgraduate research degree.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

Computer science and information technology projects are heavily based on industry needs and we are currently working with:

• Australia Council for the Arts
• Deloitte Digital
• RealThing Entertainment Pty Ltd

Learning outcomes

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the  learning outcomes .

Electives and course plan

You will complete this program under academic supervision.

The PhD program is structured to enable you to:

• complete a compulsory research methods course
• receive training in research integrity and ethics
• select studies in qualitative and quantitative research techniques
• complete a thesis/project which demonstrates your original contribution to the field and your ability to communicate complex or original research for peers and the community to an international standard

You are required to complete:

Research Integrity modules

You are required to complete the online modules:

• Research integrity
• Copyright and intellectual property

Research methods for sciences

Research methods courses step you through the literature review and preparing your research proposal for confirmation of candidature. They are taught in large discipline groups.

You may need to complete an ethics module to ensure your research is ethical and responsible.

Research Techniques

You may elect to take (where relevant) electives in qualitative or quantitative research techniques once data collection has begun. You can use your own data to explore different research analysis techniques. Your supervisor will help you decide when you should take these electives.

Co-curricular activities

You are encouraged to participate in activities offered with the university, college and school according to your needs and interests.

This PhD may be undertaken in a project, thesis by publication or thesis mode. Prospective candidates should discuss these modes of submission with their potential supervisor/s.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

*The maximum duration of the PhD program is 4 years full-time and 8 years part-time. However, candidates are expected to complete their program within 3-4 years full-time equivalent and 6-8 years part-time equivalent.

*The maximum duration of the PhD program is 4 years full-time. However, candidates are expected to complete their program within 3-4 years full-time equivalent.

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

You will be able to pursue an academic career in a university, be employed in senior leadership, management and research positions in government, scientific and industrial research laboratories, or work in or start high tech companies.

On completion, our candidates have gone on to senior positions with industry leaders including SENSIS, Seek, CSIRO and Tinder.

Minimum requirements for admission

Prerequisites, selection tasks.

The minimum requirements for admission to a PhD program are:

• a bachelor degree requiring at least four years of full-time study in a relevant discipline awarded with honours. The degree should include a research component comprised of a thesis, other research projects or research methodology courses that constitute at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent). The applicant must have achieved at least a distinction average in the final year;  or
• a master degree that includes a research component comprised of at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent) with an overall distinction average or a master degree without a research component with at least a high distinction average;  or
• evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and/or experience that satisfies the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development or nominee that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study or cognate field and the potential for research sufficient to undertake the proposed program.

At RMIT a grade of distinction represents academic achievement of 70% or higher and a high distinction is 80% or higher.

If you are a current master by research candidate, you are able to apply for a transfer to a doctor of philosophy program through the process prescribed in the  RMIT Higher Degree by Research policy .

These entrance requirements are the minimum academic standard you must meet in order to be eligible to apply for the program. You will need to complete a selection task as part of your application.

A selection process will be conducted in conjunction with the School and supervisors you nominate.

For further information on the steps you need to take to apply for a research program see  How to apply – Research programs .

English language requirements

Research proposal and supervisor.

You must attach a substantive research proposal that is 2 to 5 pages in length which articulates the intent, significance and originality of the proposed topic using the following headings:

a) title / topic b) research questions to be investigated in the context of existing research/literature in the area c) significance and impact of the research d) methodology / research tasks required to undertake the research e) particular needs (e.g. resources, facilities, fieldwork or equipment that are necessary for your proposed research program, if applicable).

Your application will not be considered if you have not discussed your research topic with a proposed senior and associate supervisor or joint senior supervisors. You must provide the names of the academic staff in the school you have applied to and with whom you have discussed your proposed research.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
• TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit  English language requirements and equivalency information .

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at  RMIT English Worldwide .

You can gain entry to this program from a range of RMIT four year  Bachelor and Honours degrees  or  Postgraduate  or Masters by Research programs.

Fee summary

Fee information for masters by research and doctorate (PhD) programs.

If you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen you may be eligible for a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place where your tuition costs are funded by the Commonwealth Government under the RTS and you have full exemption from tuition fees.

Acceptance in an RTS place is very competitive and places are granted on the condition that you meet annual progress requirements and complete within the allotted time for your program and your status as a part-time or full-time candidate.

This means a maximum of 2 years for a full-time Masters by Research or 4 years for a PhD (or the equivalent part-time).

Contact the School of Graduate Research for more information.

The  student services and amenities fee (SSAF)  is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

In addition to the SSAF there may be  other expenses  associated with your program.

Income tax deductions

Candidates may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to their employment. See the  Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website  for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

The annual tuition fee for 2024 is AU$36,480.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2024 commencement is AU$151,680.

International applicants

• Fees information  for international candidates looking to study at RMIT's Melbourne campuses.
• PhD  and  masters by research  fees for international candidates studying offshore. 

Other costs

Important fee information.

Find out more details about  how fees are calculated  and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a  refund  as a continuing international student.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information.

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

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Computer Science

Major Year: 2021

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The program in Computer Science allows students to study a selection of topics in some depth and to work independently on a medium-sized project. It provides an introduction to research methodology and greater experience in system development. It may be used as a preparation for postgraduate studies in computer science, and opens additional career opportunities in systems design and implementation and in research support.

Entry Requirements: To be eligible for the course, a student must have a three-year degree with substantial computing content as well as an average final-year mark at the level of at least the equivalent of 65. Industrial experience may also be taken into account. As a minimum, computing background should include solid experience with Unix and C programming, as well as good knowledge in the areas of data structures and algorithms for sorting, searching and graph manipulation, software development principles and tools, and software design, including object-oriented design. A student's computing background should also include good knowledge of several more specialised areas, such as artificial intelligence, computability and logic, operating systems, databases, human-computer interaction, computer networks, compilers, computer graphics, and software engineering. Finally, a student must have passed the equivalent of at least 25 points of level-1 Mathematics or Statistics.

Assessment: Assessment consists of written assignments, oral presentations and written examinations.

Seminars: The Department of Computing and Information Systems holds regular seminars; attendance at these is required for Postgraduate Diploma students. Other talks may also be recommended by the teaching staff; these, too, are considered to be part of the course.

Intended learning outcomes

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science is designed to:

• Allow students to study a selection of Computer Science topics in depth and to work on an investigative project;
• Provide an introduction to research methodology;
• Provide experience in system development;
• Improve career opportunities in research-oriented jobs, or in systems design and implementation;
• Encourage critical thought and novel ideas in computer science;
• Improve abilities to evaluate information and analyse experimental data;
• Improve oral and written communication skills.

It can be taken full time over 2 semesters or part-time over 4 semesters.

Last updated: 30 January 2024

• Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

Cybersecurity at the University of Melbourne

Ranked eighth in the world for graduate employability*, the University of Melbourne is the institution of choice for more than 11,000 engineering and IT students from over 100 countries around the world.

As our connectivity and reliance on networks increases, ensuring the safety and security of our networked infrastructure is a growing concern.

Cyber security professionals focus on creating new technologies to improve existing security and minimise vulnerability in design systems. It’s a multidisciplinary field; those that work in cybersecurity come from a variety of different backgrounds including law, psychology, computer science and business.

If you have an interest in cybersecurity, you can choose to study the Cybersecurity specialisation in the  Master of Information Technology or the Master of Software Engineering . This specialisation is identical in both degrees and students will complement their study with core and elective subjects that belong to their degree.

Whilst the above degrees have a strong technical emphasis, if you prefer to learn cybersecurity with a business and analytics focus,  you may choose the  Master of Information Systems .

Cybersecurity through Master of Information Technology : the technical and planning side

If you want to develop new technologies to improve existing security technologies, you’re best suited to the Master of Information Technology (MIT) program. This involves system design, programming new technologies and cryptology. Students are taught how to design systems and technologies to not have vulnerabilities and how to detect if someone is misbehaving. If you’re interested in this side of cybersecurity you need a strong programming and mathematical understanding, which the MIT provides.

Cybersecurity through Master of Software Engineering : the technical and implementation side

If you want to delve deeper into the process of developing secure systems and be involved in their complete life cycle from conception to deployment, the Master of Software Engineering may be the right course for you. Students have the chance to explore and discover how to create new technologies, to improve security and minimise vulnerabilities in design systems. Topics covered include cryptography, security analytics, software testing and high integrity systems. Graduates will have technical skills and the ability to apply engineering principles to solving real-world problems.

The Master of Software Engineering is accredited by Engineers Australia and EUR-ACE. On completion of this course, students can choose to work in Australia or overseas.

Cybersecurity through Master of Information Systems : the business and governance side

All security issues have a human element. These professionals use higher order analytical skills to develop and manage risk assessments to different cybersecurity threats, governance strategy and culture to ensure the security of a system. These professionals also set out how to respond appropriately and who is accountable if there is a breach.

For example, if there is a breach in a software system:

MIT graduates would be looking into how the system is designed to allow such a breach and how to redesign or develop new technologies to prevent similar breaches in the future.

Master of Information Systems (MIS) graduates would be interested in analysing if the breach was due to vulnerabilities in human nature or business practices. Was there a malicious attack or was the breach caused by a misunderstanding in the requirements of the systems? The MIS student would also be looking into the appropriate response to the breach, who needs to be notified and what are the lines of accountability?

Why study cybersecurity at Melbourne?

We have research breadth and depth in cybersecurity, reflected in our teaching offerings. We make sure students understand the fundamentals of cybersecurity more broadly, as well as going deep into their specific area of cybersecurity so that students are employable in the future and their skills are still relevant in 20 years’ time.

We are one of only two universities in Australia that have been approved by the Federal Government as Academic Centres of Cyber Security Excellence (ACCSE) , established with an aim to:

• Help build Australia’s capability in cyber security by encouraging more students to undertake studies in cyber security.
• Increase the number of highly skilled post-graduates with the job ready skills needed to work in Australian business and government to tackle emerging cyber security challenges.
• Provide support for research that addresses key cyber security challenges confronting the nation.

We are informing the future of cybersecurity through strong partnerships with government and industry.

We offer a unique MIS subject on information security consulting that has been co-taught with Deloitte for the last 10 years. This subject has a business focus, teaching you how to write policy on cybersecurity and how to do a risk assessment. We have very strong partnerships with consulting firms.

*QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2023

View our IT graduate courses

Related topics

Master of Information Technology Master of Information Systems

• Research degrees

Find a supervisor or research project

Graduate researchers at the University of Melbourne need at least two supervisors – one designated as the principal supervisor. Whether you want to join an established project with an assigned supervisory team or find supervisors for your own research project, the questions below may help you determine who is best placed to support your research journey:

• Do they have expertise relevant to your intended research project?
• Do they share your passion for your chosen topic?
• Are they well connected with other researchers?
• Have they developed skills in people management and mentoring?
• What is their reputation amongst current and past PhD candidates?
• Will you work well together? Consider your respective personalities and communication styles.

It’s worth discovering more about their supervision style, availability and accessibility, as well as the value of their feedback. Then search our list of 2500+ experts for research supervision or our list of available research projects.

Find an Expert

Find a research project

Your supervisors’ role

Your supervision team will:.

• Guide and support you through all stages of your candidature and ensure you have access to necessary  resources and facilities to complete your research project.
• Assist you to develop your research topic, questions, methodology and milestones for successful completion.
• Provide constructive feedback on your written work and oral presentations within a reasonable agreed timeframe and provide detailed, specific and constructive feedback on thesis drafts.
• Mentor you through the research process, providing support as you undertake new  tasks, and ensure that administrative work like ethics applications are completed or responded to in a timely way.
• Maintain an agreed schedule of regular individual meetings with you.
• Help you identify appropriate skills training and  professional development opportunities , including academic skills, external engagement (internships, industry mentoring programs), sessional teaching and PhD Program participation.
• Help you  grow your professional networks by encouraging and supporting you to engage with the research community, both locally and internationally.
• Be accessible to a reasonable extent via email, online or in person, should support be needed outside of the agreed meeting schedule.
• Promptly attend to administrative tasks like progress reviews, requests for leave of absence or candidature variations.
• Be familiar with, introduce you to and provide advice on all relevant University policies, including the  Graduate Research Training Policy and those on the conduct of research, ethical requirements, safe working practices, intellectual property and authorship.
• Adhere to the  Principles of Respectful Supervisory Relationships , be considerate of wellbeing and, where appropriate, alert you to wellbeing services.
• Advise on where to seek confidential advice and explain the process of making a formal complaint if difficult situations cannot be resolved, understanding that you may consult other individuals, including the Advisory Committee chair or confidential advisors, if you wish to raise any concerns.
• Different members of your supervision team will contribute to your supervision in different ways but should work as a team to support you.

Advisory committee

Your supervision team is supported by your Advisory Committee , which should comprise of at least three people, including the advisory committee chair and your supervisors, which will be established at commencement.

The committee has a formal role in monitoring the progress of your research project and an informal role in providing you with support and advice.

If you are experiencing issues or have matters you feel you cannot raise with your supervisors, you should consult an advisory committee member in the first instance.The roles and responsibilities of supervisors and advisory committee members are also outlined in the Graduate Research Training Policy .

Looking for something else?

Explore research areas.

Discover your graduate research options at the University of Melbourne.

Scholarships

The University of Melbourne offers generous and comprehensive scholarship opportunities to recognise talent and support graduate researchers.

How to apply

Find out how to apply for graduate research at the University of Melbourne.

Language Technologies Institute

School of computer science.

Master of Computational Data Science

The Master of Computational Data Science (MCDS) program focuses on engineering and deploying large-scale information systems, and includes concentrations in Systems, Analytics, and Human-Centered Data Science.

Requirements

The MCDS program offers three majors: Systems, Analytics, and Human-Centered Data Science. All three require the same total number of course credits, split among required core courses, electives, data science seminar and capstone courses specifically defined for each major. The degree can also be earned in two different ways, depending on the length of time you spend working on it. Regardless of the timing option, all MCDS students must complete a minimum of 144 units to graduate.

Here are the options:

• Standard Timing — a 16-month degree consisting of study for fall and spring semesters, a summer internship, and fall semester of study. Each semester comprises a minimum of 48 units. This timing is typical for most students. Students graduate in December.
• Extended Timing — a 20-month degree consisting of study for fall and spring semesters, a summer internship, and a second year of fall and spring study. Each semester comprises a minimum of 36 units. Students graduate in May.

Core Curriculum

All MCDS students must complete 144 units of graduate study which satisfy the following curriculum:

• Five (5) MCDS Core Courses (63 units)
• Three courses (3) from one area of concentration curriculum (36 units)
• Three (3) MCDS Capstone courses (11-635, 11-634 and 11-632) (36 units)
• One (1) Electives: any graduate level course 600 and above in the School of Computer Science (12 units)

Area of Concentration

• During the first two semesters in the program, all students take a set of five (5) required core courses: 11-637 Fundamentals of Computational Data Science, 15-619 Cloud Computing, 10-601 Machine Learning, 05-839 Interactive Data Science, and 11-631 Data Science Seminar.
• By the end of the first semester, all students must select at least one area of concentration — Systems, Analytics, or Human-Centered Data Science — which governs the courses taken after the first semester.
• To maximize your chances of success in the program, you should consider which concentration area(s) you are best prepared for, based on your educational background, work experience, and  areas of interest as described in your Statement of Purpose.
• You are strongly encouraged to review the detailed curriculum requirements for each concentration area, in order to determine the best fit given your preparation and background.

For a complete overview of the MCDS requirements read the  MCDS Handbook .

To earn an MCDS degree, students must pass courses in the core curriculum, the MCDS seminar, a concentration area, and electives. Students must also complete a capstone project in which they work on a research project at CMU or on an industry-sponsored project.

In total, students must complete 144 eligible units of study, including eight 12-unit courses, two 12-unit seminar courses, and one 24-unit capstone course. Students must choose at minimum five core courses. The remainder of the 12-unit courses with course numbers 600 or greater can be electives chosen from the SCS course catalog. Any additional non-prerequisite units taken beyond the 144 units are also considered electives.

Students who plan to select the Systems concentration may wish to enroll in 15-513 “Introduction to Computing Systems” during the summer session preceding their enrollment in the program; this course is a prerequisite for many advanced Systems courses, so it should be completed during Summer if you wish to enroll in advanced Systems courses in the Fall.

Click here   to see the MCDS Course Map.

Some example courses of study are included below.

Example 1: Analytics Major, 16 Months

Example 2: Systems Major, 16 Months

Example 3: Human-Centered Data Science Major, 16 Months

Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science has a centralized  online application process . Applications and all supporting documentation for fall admission to any of the LTI's graduate programs must be received by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  The application period for Fall 2024 is now closed. Information about the Fall 2025 admissions cycle will be available in summer 2024.

Application Deadlines

Fee Waivers

Fee waivers may be available in cases of financial hardship, or for participants in select "pipeline" programs. For more information, please refer to the  School of Computer Science Fee Waiver page .

The School of Computer Science requires the following for all applications:

• A GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• GRE scores: These must be less than five years old. Our Institution Code is 2074; Department Code is 0402. (This requirement is waived for CMU undergrads.)
• The GRE At Home test is accepted but we prefer you take the GRE at a test center if possible.
• Unofficial transcripts from each university you have attended, regardless of whether you received your degree there.
• Current resume.
• Statement of Purpose.
• Three letters of recommendation
• A short (1-3 minutes) video of yourself. Tell us about you and why you are interested in the MCDS program. This is not a required part of the application process, but it is STRONGLY suggested.  
• Proof of English Language Proficiency

Proof of English Language Proficiency: If you will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and English is not a native language for you (native language…meaning spoken at home and from birth), we are required to formally evaluate your English proficiency. We require applicants who will be studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa, and for whom English is not a native language, to demonstrate English proficiency via one of these standardized tests: TOEFL (preferred), IELTS, or Duolingo. We discourage the use of the "TOEFL ITP Plus for China," since speaking is not scored.

We do not issue waivers for non-native speakers of English. In particular, we do not issue waivers based on previous study at a U.S. high school, college, or university. We also do not issue waivers based on previous study at an English-language high school, college, or university outside of the United States. No amount of educational experience in English, regardless of which country it occurred in, will result in a test waiver.

Applicants applying to MCDS are required to submit scores from an English proficiency exam taken within the last two years. Scores taken before Sept. 1, 2021, will not be accepted regardless of whether you have previously studied in the U.S. For more information about their English proficiency score policies, visit the  MCDS  admission website.  Successful applicants will have a minimum TOEFL score of 100, IELTS score of 7.5, or DuoLingo score of 120. Our Institution Code is 4256; the Department Code is 78. Additional details about English proficiency requirements are provided on the  FAQ  page. 

Applications which do not meet  all  of these requirements by the application deadline (see above) will not be reviewed.

For more details on these requirements, please see the  SCS Master's Admissions page.

In addition to the SCS guidelines, the LTI requires:

• Any outside funding you are receiving must be accompanied by an official award letter.

No incomplete applications will be eligible for consideration.

For specific application/admissions questions, please contact  Jennifer Lucas  or Caitlin Korpus .

Program Contact

For more information about the MCDS program, contact Jennifer Lucas or Caitlin Korpus

Jennifer Lucas

Caitlin korpus, online graduate certificate program, program handbook.

Personalise your experience

Graduate Coursework

Master of Computer Science

• Arrow-right #1 in Australia for Computer Science & Info Systems
• Arrow-right #41 in the world
• Course code:   MC-CS

Fees & scholarships

Your fees explained, guaranteed csps for melbourne graduates.

Domestic students who have completed a Bachelor degree at the University of Melbourne, with a weighted average mark of 75%, are guaranteed a CSP in the Master of Computer Science provided that both the program entry requirements and CSP eligibility requirements are met.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

If you are enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place for your graduate course, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll still need to pay a student contribution amount . This fee is organised in bands based on the discipline area of the subjects that you take, not the course you are studying. The discipline fees are set each year by the Australian Government.

You can pay your student contribution amount to the University when you enrol (upfront), or you can defer this cost through the Australian Government’s Higher Education Loan Program (HECS-HELP) if you’re eligible.

Australian Fee Places

Tuition fees are calculated according to your course and study load each semester. You can defer payment of your fees via the Australian Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme if you are eligible. If your course is relevant to your current employment, you may be able to claim fees as a work-related tax deduction.

FEE-HELP can cover all or part of your tuition fees. The Australian Government pays the amount of the loan direct to the University. It enables you to borrow the amount of your tuition fees and then pay that loan back once you are in the workforce and earning at a specified level or you can make voluntary repayments to the ATO at any time.

FEE-HELP is not means tested and there is no loan fee for graduate study. If you already have a HECS-HELP loan from your undergraduate studies, you can still access a FEE-HELP loan. No interest is charged on your FEE-HELP loan, however, it is indexed each year with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in line with the cost of living.

The Government’s Study Assist website provides more information about Australian fee places, Commonwealth Supported Place and HELP Loans.

Other financial assistance

The University's Student Financial Aid Service can provide you with advice and information on student loans and bursaries/grants, cost of living, budgeting and tax advice.

Scholarships

All applicants for our programs are automatically considered for scholarships based on academic merit. No separate applications for scholarships are necessary. Scholarships may be awarded at the time of your course offer or after the application deadlines. If you do not receive a scholarship offer at the time of your course offer you may still receive an offer later.

Engineering and IT Foundation Graduate Scholarships

Engineering and IT Foundation Graduate Scholarships are available to both domestic and international students into all engineering and IT programs. Approximately 150 scholarships are awarded each year, valued at $5,000–$10,000 per annum. These scholarship offers are made at the time of course offer.

Women in Engineering & IT

Melbourne School of Engineering is committed to improving access to engineering for women. Scholarships valued at $10,000–$20,000 are available to high-achieving female students through the Melbourne School of Engineering Foundation Scholarship and Melbourne School of Engineering Scholarships . The Graduate Access Melbourne program also offers a small number of bursaries valued at $5,000 for females who enter via this scheme.

Graduate Access Melbourne

If you are a domestic student who has experienced adverse circumstances that affected your tertiary results, you may apply for entry via the Graduate Access Melbourne program. A limited number of bursaries of $5,000 are awarded as part of this entry scheme.

Other scholarships and prizes

There are also scholarships for commencing graduate students available through the University:

University Graduate Scholarships

Scholarships for current students

Once enrolled Melbourne School of Engineering offers a range of there are scholarships and prizes for current students:

We have recently expanded the number of scholarships available to support graduate students who want to take up study with us in 2022. When applying, you’ll automatically be considered for domestic or international student scholarships.  Find out what you may be eligible for.

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