Bachelor of Computing Studies (Business)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Computing Studies (Business) is a cutting edge Information Technology course which incorporates relevant business skills to prepare graduates for higher level corporate positions in the Information Technology industry.

The Bachelor of Computing Studies (Business) includes a range of business subjects as well as a sequence of information technology subjects covering principles fundamental to the information technology discipline. Information technology majors are available in a number of specialised areas.

Why study this degree?

Professional recognition

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) accredits courses in information fechnology to verify that they meet professional standards in terms of content, staff skills, teaching facility and quality assurance. The Bachelor of Computing Studies (Business) has been accredited at the highest level of professional recognition by the ACS. Reaccreditation of the course is required for the course every five years.

More reasons to study this degree

Find out where this course can take you

Course structure

The course structure consists a core of 16 subjects and a major of 8 subjects. You can choose from five majors:

1. Software Design and Development
2. Network Engineering
3. Systems Administration
4. Online Systems
5. Information Technology Management

More about the course structure

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must complete 192 points (the equivalent of 24 standard subjects).

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject outlines and in course materials.

Why study this degree?

Workplace learning

Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of practical experience and all teaching involves industry-standard hardware, software, methods and techniques. Final year students investigate, design and implement a substantial computer application to address a practical real-world problem in the chosen area of specialisation.

Flexible offering

The Bachelor of Computing Studies (Business) has a minimum full-time duration of six sessions, however actual duration is dependent on subject availability and the session of commencement.

This course is available by distance education and on campus study and is offered across a three-session academic year with sessions commencing in February, July and November.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this course may pursue career opportunities such as:

• business analyst
• IT consultant
• IT manager
• project manager

Credit / pathways

Credit is available for holders of AQF Certificates IV and for holders of AQF Diplomas in appropriate disciplines.

Institutional articulation agreements

No special arrangements apply at this stage, however, articulation arrangements will be adopted for onshore and offshore institutions with whom CSU has a partner arrangement.

Students who have studied and successfully completed relevant subjects at other universities or educational institutions may apply for credit for those subjects when applying to CSU courses. Credit will be granted for subjects that are equivalent in content and standard, at the discretion of the Course Director.

More information about credit and pathways.

Admission requirements

Students applying for entry to the Bachelor of Computing Studies (Business) should have one of the following:

• NSW HSC ATAR equal to or greater than the minimum approved by the Academic Senate, or equivalent
• completion of the NSW HSC (or equivalent) with strong performances in subjects the Information Technology area
• successful completion of at least two appropriate standard IT university-level subjects
• for recent school leavers, a report from the school principal, equivalent to that used in the Principals' Report Entry Program (PREP), recommending the applicant as well-suited for university study
• appropriate professional certifications
• two years' relevant professional IT work experience (i.e. in areas such as programmer, analyst, systems administration, help desk, network support but NOT clerical roles such as data entry or secretarial)
• a completed AQF Certificate III in Information Technology (including any specialisation of Information Technology) or a completed AQF Certificate III in an area related to Information Technology.

International applicants must also meet the CSU admission requirements in terms of English language requirements.

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in