Frequently Asked Questions

Perhaps the best choice is to choose a degree program that is similar, and then re-apply through UAC after one year. For students who missed out on Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or Bioinformatics, the best degree to transfer from is Computer Science at UNSW, as it has the most electives which they can then choose to closely mimic the degree that they are interested in. For example, to gain entry into Computer Engineering students should select Physics and Electrical Engineering as electives. Transfers from other degrees and universities will be considered on their merits, but students will not normally be granted full exemption for year 1 because of differences in content studied.

Don't make the mistake of equating cutoffs with program quality. Entry levels are determined by the numbers of students admitted as well as by demand. Computer Science shares most computing courses with Computer Engineering and Software Engineering up to year 3, and is the only program that allows students to choose half or their courses from almost anywhere. Students should be planning to complete the 4th year (Honours) if they want the highest level of an undergraduate degree program. We don't require students to stay for all four years, but anyone eligible to continue (students need a Credit average) is strongly encouraged to do so. A fair proportion of our top students choose Computer Science for its flexibility.

Students should apply through UAC in most transfers. Application forms are available in the UAC guide from newsagents. UNSW cannot guarantee that students will be successful with their application.

For certain degrees at UNSW students can request an internal transfer.

No. All engineering programs are about designing systems. In Computer Engineering, these systems are an integration of hardware and software; in fact, there are at least as many software design topics in Computer Engineering as Computer Science. Often students combine this with related specialisations such as Telecommunications. Software Engineering concentrates on techniques for ensuring reliability of software systems, but includes hardware topics to the level of device characteristics. What it doesn't have is the full coverage of the electronics technologies that support the hardware.

Cutoffs are not determined until the universities finish adjusting numbers of places in response to student preferences, however Engineering degree programs will not fall below 88.00 due to the Faculty of Engineering Admission Scheme (FEAS). This means that other criteria will be considered in students' applications if their UAI is below 88.00. See the entry on FEAS on page 23 for more details. Assume similar cutoffs to previous years, but they could climb or fall with demand. In 2007 the UAI cutoffs were: Bioinformatics 85.00, Computer Engineering 85.00, Software Engineering 85.00, Software Engineering/Commerce 95.10, Computer Science 85.00, Engineering/MBiomedE 85.00.

All students enrolled in our Engineering degree programs are required to complete 60 days of Industrial Training as part of their studies. See the section on Industrial Training for more details.

We also have a mailing list for part-time computing work that students may wish to join.

The Computer Science Co-op Scholarship program offers a combination of scholarship payments and industrial training for selected computer science students.

Applicants should be entering the first year of the undergraduate Computer Science degree program. UNSW Computer Science Co-op program scholarship is based on the standard computer science undergraduate program at UNSW but with special features. UNSW Co-op program scholarship holders receive a tax-free scholarship of $15,000 per annum, as well as structured industrial training (two periods of 6 and 12-months), gaining valuable work experience with two different sponsor companies.

Normally not. We have detected no correlation at all between high school experience and computing results at UNSW. A high score in high school Maths is, however, a good indicator. Our first year computing courses are taught with the assumption of no previous computing experience.

Students who have done only basic maths are expected to take a summer bridging course that they can enrol in through the UNSW Student Centre. For Computer Engineering, physics is also assumed, and the Student Centre offers a summer bridging course for this too. It is possible to enter the program without having the full assumed knowledge and once entry is accepted the bridging courses can be taken. However, this may extend the length of their degree. See:
UNSW Bridging Program

All of our Programs include mathematics and core computing in first year. Computer Engineering also has physics and electrical engineering; Software Engineering has a system design and implementation workshop course where groups encounter real-world problems, and an elective; Computer Science has three electives. Bioinformatics has biosciences and chemistry. The computing courses include programming, computer organisation and software design methodologies. Students learn several languages during their degree.

The range of jobs that our graduates get is huge, covering the full breadth of the computing industry as well as specialised fields. Computer Engineering graduates are employed as computer systems engineers, communications engineers, or as design team leaders. Software Engineering graduates are also employed as design team leaders as well as software engineers and contractors. Computer Science graduates can expect to find jobs in a number of areas, including user support or as applications programmers, and in the Internet industry. Graduates in Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, and Computer Science (with Honours) can also continue to research or postgraduate course work degrees. Bioinformatics students can get a job in the computing fields as well as the bioscience, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

The most important factor is achieving good grades in relevant courses. The program itself is less critical: employers expect us to give students a solid grounding in the principles; they will train graduates in their particular practices. Longer courses (4-year BE or BSc (Hons)) give students a better opportunity to build an academic record that will impress an employer.

For all information on admissions, etc., please contact the Admissions Office:
Tel: 61 (2) 9385 3228
ugadmis@unsw.edu.au