Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology provides students with the knowledge and skills to be an information and communication technology professional, with particular skills in a chosen area.
The course focuses on computer and network configurations, web and application programming, and database design and maintenance. You'll also have the opportunity to specialise in a particular aspect of ICT-related work - making it ideal for those seeking an ICT course with flexible outcomes.
Build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs, which are a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees and can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects. In this degree, in the unit Information Technology Project (ICT30001), you’ll team up with other students to work on a real project briefed to you by an industry partner.
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Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 28 February 2022
- Semester 2 - 1 August 2022
VTAC codes
- 3400234171 (CSP)
- 3400234173 (IFP)
Course details
- Description, course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Web Development | COS10005 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Programming | COS10009 | 12.5 |
| Problem Solving with ICT | ICT10001 | 12.5 |
| Database Analysis and Design | INF10002 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Business Information Systems | INF10003 | 12.5 |
| Information Technology Project * | ICT30001 | 12.5 |
| Professional Issues in Information Technology * | ICT30005 | 12.5 |
| Managing IT Projects * | SWE30010 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Other studies
8 units (100 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Information and Communication Technology
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Information and Communication Technology | ICT20013 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Information and Communication Technology | ICT20014 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Information and Communication Technology
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Information and Communication Technology | ICT20013 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course description
The Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology is a flexible course which provides students with the opportunity to study a range of majors including software technology, network technology, systems management, systems analysis and business systems. The course’s emphasis is on knowledge and skills needed for a wide variety of employment positions in ICT. Many of the core units are common across the majors allowing students some options to change majors during their first year with minimal additional units. Each of the majors provides students with an opportunity to study a range of co-majors, minors and ICT electives to complement or extend their major studies. The choice of co-majors and minors include options from all disciplines across Swinburne. The acquired skills and knowledge are consolidated both in a project subject in the final semester of the program and an optional industry based learning year.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology (BICT) will be exposed to curriculum and learning activities that will develop these attributes, interpreted within an ICT context, as well as those generic attributes that form a requirement of the Australian Computer Society.
Course learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
1) Identify the need for ICT solutions, elicit information from the relevant stakeholders about the requirements for the solution and research and plan solutions according to the requirements identified.
2) Assess and analyse the appropriateness of methodologies and technologies for the design and implementation of ICT solutions.
3) Research, evaluate and discuss the suitability and procurement options of alternatives for a given purpose.
4) Identify and analyse situations that require investigations about methodologies, practices, technologies, ethical and legal issues and source the generic and specialised software tools used by IT professionals.
5) Communicate effectively using written and spoken English in a professional context, adapt personal interaction style to a given audience, work efficiently in a team, guide and direct other team members, identify the pertinent legal and ethical issues and be familiar with the generic and specialised software tools used by IT professionals.
6) Apply technologies to new situations when implementing, maintaining, documenting and troubleshooting small-scale systems.
7) Articulate the relationships and interdependencies between technologies that make up ICT infrastructure.
Software Technology major only
8) Participate in a software development project, design and implement object-oriented software, including software for mobile applications and consider relevant security and usability aspects.
Systems Management major only
8) Design, maintain and manage ICT infrastructure and services
Network Technology major only
8) Plan and deploy secure network systems utilising current practices in IP technologies, network security, and scalable server deployment
Systems Analysis major only
8) Elicit information about existing or envisaged business processes, analyse these processes from the viewpoints of all stakeholders and advise the stakeholders on possible improvements, providing process models which can be discussed with a client.
Business Systems major only
8) Plan and implement an information system considering requirements of business and management, aspects of systems acquisition, technology options and organisational context.
Career opportunities
There is a large number of job roles available for those with software development qualifications and experience including enterprise systems application developer, quality assurance analyst, project manager, multimedia developer, systems architect, business requirements analyst, technical writer, application integration specialist, user interface analyst, contract manager, data warehouse architect, data mining specialist and help desk manager.
Professional recognition
The course is accredited at Professional Level by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Fees
- Fees for 2021.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2021 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$23,850 | $7,950 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.