Diploma of Information Technology

Put your smarts to work toward a highly-sought tech degree with the Diploma of Information Technology.

Key Information

Duration

8 or 12 months

Intake Dates

March, June, October

Campus Location

Melbourne Burwood

Onlineǂ

2024 Fees

A$26,386 (A$3,299 per unit)

Domestic International

2024 Fees

A$34,814 (A$4,352 per unit)

CRICOS Course Code: 097891B

ǂ International students cannot study this diploma online.

Course overview

The Diploma of Information Technology can gain you entry into the second year of a Deakin University bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science or Software Engineering. With a broad introduction to computing, you'll be perfectly placed to pursue a more specialised area during your degree studies.

Employment and career options upon completing your Bachelor degree:

  • Computer science
  • Cybersecurity
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Application development
  • Cloud computing
  • Creative technologies
  • Game development
  • Virtual and augmented reality
  • Software engineer
  • Software developer
  • Programmer
  • Embedded systems developer
  • Robotics programmer
  • Systems architect
  • Data analyst
  • Data scientist
  • Data engineer
  • Data architect
  • Information analyst 
  • Reporting analyst

Pathways to Deakin University

On completion of this Diploma you can pathway into the following degrees at Deakin University:

Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence

Bachelor of Computer Science

Majors: Internet-of-Things, Robotics, Data Science

Bachelor of Cyber Security

Bachelor of Data Science (pathway commences in 2024)

Bachelor of Information Technology

Majors: Application Development, Networking and Cloud Computing, Cyber Security

Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)  (pathway commences in 2024)

Course and unit outline

For further details about Diploma of Information Technology units, unit availability and trimester structures, please download the course and unit outline.

Course structure

Required units

Students are required to complete and pass 8 units (between 5-7 core units, plus an additional 1-3 elective units) and 1 zero credit point module.

This unit explores the relationship between computer program code and the software systems that are generated from them. Students will experience developing simple software using a variety of data types, selection and repetition control structures, functions, simple text files, and console and Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) to interact with users.

This unit will provide a solid foundation for the design, implementation and management of database systems. Data modelling is introduced, focusing on entity-relationship (ER) modelling. The skills required to construct such ER diagrams will be explored, with a focus on ensuring that the semantics of the model match those of the real-world it is representing. The relational data model will be presented and the functionality it affords will be explored. The process of constructing, maintaining and retrieving information from the database using SQL will be a focus of this unit. Key implementation and management concepts, including transaction management and concurrency control, database backup and recovery, and security will be investigated.

Over the past 70 years, computers have revolutionized nearly every facet of modern life, from healthcare to education, manufacturing to transport, and entertainment to agriculture. Computing hardware and the algorithms encoded into software are thus vital to the continued growth of modern society, as are computer scientists and software engineers - the professionals who design and develop computational solutions to many of the world’s problems. In this unit, students will learn the building blocks of computing systems, from basic logic gates to software applications. The unit will provide step-by-step guidance on how to understand the layers of abstractions on which computer systems are based on. Students will engage in a series of activities and tasks to learn how each layer functions and how they operate together as a whole to make a complete computer system.

Data science is an emerging field and data scientists must be able to know how to make sense of data. In SIT112, students will develop knowledge of fundamentals in data science, in particular data manipulation and algorithms for analytics. The unit will also cover the practice of data science including ethical and responsible behaviour when crawling, cleaning, analysing, representing and repurposing the data. Students will be able to obtain data, recognise data formats, summarise and visualise relationships in the data, perform exploratory data analysis tasks and build predictive models.

Cloud computing represents a significant shift in the delivery of Information Technology to end users by introducing the ability to deliver infrastructure, platforms, and software via the network. This unit explores the technologies, models, benefits and risks of cloud computing and includes a study of virtualization as one of the key building blocks of most cloud computing solutions. Upon completion of the unit students will have a clear understanding of cloud computing, the types of problems solved by cloud computing, and the issues that must be considered when deploying cloud technologies in an organisation.

This unit introduces you to the discipline of artificial intelligence (AI). You will explore diverse application domains where problems can benefit from AI solutions. You will develop a conceptual understanding of major AI methods and know when and where to use them. In the practical components, you will implement simple AI algorithms.

This unit will explore foundational knowledge of and basic skills related to responsive web app design and development. Students will learn basic HTML, responsive CSS and JavaScript skills in order to build web apps both for desktop and mobile devices. Students will develop an understanding of how web design and web programming work together, as well as learn fundamentals of responsive web design, mobile UI design, licensing of media, mobile screen handling, touch events, and game concepts.

This unit will introduce students to ubiquitous and readily accessible devices for data capture, such as the sensor suite on a mobile smartphone, and those commonly used in homes, vehicles and current examples of cyber-physical systems. Students will be introduced to data capture protocols and methodologies, as well as data presentation and visualisation methods. Through practical investigations and analysis, students will investigate issues of robustness, reliability and validity of data and the effects of these on conclusions drawn from data.

SIT124 is about exploring the IT Industry in the 21stcentury and the development and innovations that had led up to where IT stands today. Exploring IT focuses on how the web has been one of the biggest contributors in regards to the direction that IT has taken over the last decade.Within SIT124 students will start to develop their professional identify and explore the requirements needed to gain employment within the field through case studies and a peek behind the curtain provided by recent graduates.Students will also explore and acquire skills in web design and development, in order to gain an understanding of the important role that the web plays in the delivery and storage of information within the IT industry.

In SIT182 students will learn the real world practices of cyber security by solving problems based on realistic case studies. Students will explore fundamental concepts of risks in managing communication networks and choose the appropriate means to manage these risks. The unit enables students to understand threats and vulnerabilities in the context of how systems can be compromised and how we can prevent harm to systems. There will be a practical focus on how we can detect and respond to cyber-attacks. The key to learning will be introducing students to practices through case studies.

SIT190 Introduction to Functions, Relations and Graphs

This unit aims to develop the fundamental functions of applied mathematics, and to introduce calculus to students who have not previously studied it in secondary school. It is designed to prepare students from a number of different disciplines for learning tertiary level mathematics. Students will explore the algebra of polynomials, exponentials, logarithms and trigonometric functions and learn rules for differentiating and integrating these functions. Applications studied include graph sketching, maximisation and minimisation problems, areas and kinematics.

Discrete mathematics is the mathematical study of discrete objects that you can count/enumerate (as opposed to continuous objects), for example, integers (whole numbers), graphs, logical statements, and so on.

This form of mathematics is particularly important from a computer science point of view. Computers can only model discrete objects. At a fundamental level discrete mathematics is what computers can do.

Learning discrete mathematics is not just valuable for people in the IT field. Whatever discipline you are studying, it will broaden your general mathematical knowledge. And through the variety of topics covered in this unit, you will learn many higher order skills, including proofs, logical thinking, problem solving, and working in teams, all of which will not only be useful in your future study of mathematics, but which you will be able to apply in many aspects of your professional and personal life.

SIT194 aims to develop the theory of calculus and analytic geometry and to apply it to formulating and solving problems in engineering and the physical sciences.

SIT199 is designed to introduce students to the mathematics underlying applications encountered in the sciences. This unit introduces and develops the theory of a range of algebraic and statistical techniques. These techniques are then applied to solving problems in the engineering and physical sciences.

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a critical understanding of the intellectual foundations of the study of management. The unit will provide the opportunity to analyse how the solutions to management ‘problems’ have developed under different conditions throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century. The unit also explores how management practice influences, and is influenced by, the external environment. This will involve examining how managerial action impacts on and is shaped by the environment, through a consideration of, ethics, social responsibility, and the social and cultural context of management.

 

This module's learning and assessment activities provide students with guidance on what constitutes academic integrity. It will allow students to develop knowledge, skills and good practice principles to avoid plagiarism and collusion and thereby maintain academic integrity.

^ Information Technology core unit

* Computer Science core unit

# Cyber Security core unit

‘ Artificial Intelligence core unit

Your course timetable

On-campus

On-campus classes run between 9am and 7pm on weekdays. Most units run as 2 x 2-hour classes each week. You can also expect between 4-6 hours of private study per unit, per week.

We offer standard and streamlined timetable options.

Find out more about our standard and streamlined timetables.

Online

Online study is only available to domestic students​. Recorded content, classroom notes, readings, activities and assessments are available online​, to be accessed at any time. An optional one hour live online session is held each week for every unit, and you are strongly encouraged to attend.

Transferring to Deakin University

Australian and international students

Weighted average mark (WAM) required for transfer, by campus:

Combined CoursesTrimester IntakeMelbourne BurwoodGeelong Waurn PondsOnlineMaximum Credits

S326 Bachelor of Information Technology≠ (B, WP, O)

Major sequences:
Application Development (B, O)
Networking and Cloud Computing (B, WP, O)
Cyber Security (B, WP, O)

T1
T2
5050508
S308 Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence
(B, O)

T1
T2

50 508

S306 Bachelor of Computer Science
(B, O)

Major sequences:
Internet-of-Things (B, O)
Robotics (B, O)
Data Science (B, O)

T1
T2

50 508
S334 Bachelor of Cyber Security
(B, WP, O)

T1
T2

5050508
S379 Bachelor of Data Science
(pathway commences in 2024)
(B, O)
T1
T2
50 508
S464 Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)
(pathway commences in 2024)
(B, O)
T1
T2
50 508

Online (O) option is not available to international students

T1 (Trimester 1 entry); T2 (Trimester 2 entry); T3 (Trimester 3 entry)

* See Diploma to Degree transfer criteria (Domestic students / International students)
≠ Choice of majors limited and not available on all campuses.

Learn more about this Diploma

Find out more about what you can expect from the Diploma of Information Technology course, directly from our staff and students.

Entry Requirements

Australian Entry Requirements

The following is required for Australian students:

  • Successful completion of Year 12 (VCE or equivalent)
  • VCE VM completion
  • Completion of Cert IV and above
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • Work experience - Mature Age only

Bahrain Entry Requirements

The following is required for Bahrain students:

  • General Secondary Education Certificate plus 1 year UG study  with overall 60%

Bangladesh Entry Requirements

The following is required for Bangladesh students:

  • Completion of Higher Secondary Certificate with GPA of 3.5
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Bhutan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Bhutan students:

  • BHSE Year 12 - 60%

Brazil Entry Requirements

The following is required for Brazil students:

  • Satisfactory pass in Certificado de Ensino Medio with an average of 7.0 in 4 subjects

Brunei Entry Requirements

The following is required for Brunei students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Canada Entry Requirements

The following is required for Canada students:

  • Completion of Ontario Secondary School Diploma (CPU) or any of the Regional (Provincial) High School Diploma with an overall score of 50%.

Cambodia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Cambodian students:

  • Diploma of Upper Secondary Education with a C grade average
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

China Entry Requirements

The following is required for Chinese students:

  • Successful completion of Senior Middle 3 (Gao San) with 60%
  • Vocational Academic Program - 60%;
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Colombia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Colombia students:

  • Successful Completion of Bachiller Académico with a minimum overall average score of 70%

Fiji Entry Requirements

The following is required for Fijian students:

  • Successful completion of Form 7 with a B in English and Maths and a pass in all other units, with an overall score of 240

France Entry Requirements

The following is required for French students:

  • Baccalaureate with an average of 10

Ghana Entry Requirements

The following is required for Ghana students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Hong Kong Entry Requirements

The following is required for Hong Kong students:

  • Completion of HKDSE with a minimum total score of 8 points over the best 4 subjects from Category A and C (Excluding Physical Education)

India Entry Requirements

The following is required for Indian students:

  • Completion of Year 12 with a minimum 60%

Indonesia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Indonesien students:

  • SMA III with an average grade of 6.5 in 4 academic units
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Iran Entry Requirements

The following is required for Iran students:

  • Successful Completion of National High School Diploma (Theoretical steam ) studied for minimum 3 years with an overall grade of 14 or above out of 20.

Japan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Japanese students:

  • Successful completion of Upper Secondary School Certificate of Graduation (Kotogakko) Year 3 with GPA 2.5

Kenya Entry Requirements

The following is required for Kenya students:

  • Completion of KCSE with a C grade average
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Korea Entry Requirements

The following is required for Korean students:

  • Senior High School Certificate Year 3 (Year 12) with an average rank of 6 in 4 academic subjects
  • CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) with a minimum overall grade of 280 in the best 4 subjects from Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies
  • CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) Stanine of 6 in the best 3 subjectsGEE (Korea High School Graduation Equivalency Examination Certificate) with a minimum overall average score of 80
  • Note: CSAT results must be accompanied by evidence of successful completion of Senior Secondary Studies.

Kuwait Entry Requirements

The following is required for Kuwait students:

  • Completion of Shahadat Al-Thanawaya Al-Aama (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a 70% average in final results.

Laos Entry Requirements

The following is required for Laos students:

  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Lebanon Entry Requirements

The following is required for Lebanese students:

  • General Secondary Certificate (Lebanese Baccalaureate) - Baccalauréat Libanais with a minimum score of 12 (out of 20).

Macau Entry Requirements

The following is required for Macau students:

  • Successful completion of Senior Middle 3 with a B or 75% average in 4 academic units

Malawi Entry Requirements

The following is required for Malawi students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Mexico Entry Requirements

The following is required for Mexico students:

  • Completion of Mexican Upper Secondary School Program (Bachillerato or Preparatria program) with a minimum 7.0 GPA

Malaysia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Malaysian students:

  • 2 passes (minimum E grade) in STPM
  • Malaysia Independent Chinese Secondary Schools Unified Examination Certificate with a pass in 4 academic subjects
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Myanmar Entry Requirements

The following is required for Mongolia students:

  • Successful completion of Gerchilgee (Certificate of Senior Secondary Education) with an overall average score of 70%

Myanmar Entry Requirements

The following is required for Myanmar students:

  • Completion of Basic Education High School Exam with grade of 50% in final year results
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

Nepal Entry Requirements

The following is required for Nepalese students:

  • Completion of Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Year 12) with a GPA of 2.4

New Zealand Entry Requirements

The following is required for New Zealand students:

  • Completion of National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 with a minimum of 42 credits in 3 approved subjects at Level 3

Nigerian Entry Requirements

The following is required for Nigerian students:

  • Senior Secondary School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) with 5 grades at C6 level
  • IB Diploma score of minimum 22
  • Successful completion of GCE A-levels: passes in minimum 2 subjects

Oman Entry Requirements

The following is required for Oman students:

  • Additional year of study following General Secondary Education Certificate or Year 12 American program

Pakistan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Pakistan students:

  • Completion of Higher Secondary School Certificate with a grade average of 55%
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Papua New Guinea

The following is required for Papua New Guinea students:

  • Higher School Certificate with a grade average of 70%

Philippines Entry Requirements

The following is required for Philippines students:

  • Successful completion of Year 12 with an 80% average
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Saudi Arabia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Saudi Arabia students:

  • Additional year of study following General Secondary Education Certificate or Year 12 American program

Singapore Entry Requirements

The following is required for Singapore students:

  • 2 H2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above

South Africa Entry Requirements

The following is required for South African students:

  • Successful completion of Year 12

Sri Lanka Entry Requirements

The following is required for Sri Lankan students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels or equivalent

Sweden Entry Requirements

The following is required for Sweden students:

  • Avgangsbetyg / Slutbetyg (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with a score of 10 points.

Taiwan Entry Requirements

The following is required for Taiwan students:

  • Successful completion of Senior Middle 3 with a B or 60% average in 4 academic units

Tanzania Entry Requirements

The following is required for Tanzania students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Thailand Entry Requirements

The following is required for Thailand students:

  • Successful completion of Matayom 6 with a GPA of 2.0
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Turkey Entry Requirements

The following is required for Turkey students:

  • Successful completion of Lise Diplomasi with GPA of 3.0

UAE Entry Requirements

The following is required for UAE students:

  • Successful completion of Secondary Education Certificate (Year 12) with a minimum overall average score of 80% or higher.

Uganda Entry Requirements

The following is required for Uganda students:

  • Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with passes in at least 2 principal studies plus Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with passes in 6 studies
  • Successful completion of GCE A-levels: passes in minimum 2 subjects

UK Entry Requirements

The following is required for UK students:

  • GCE A Levels with a pass in 2 subjects
  • GCE AS levels with a pass in 4 subjects

USA Entry Requirements

The following is required for USA students:

  • Successful completion of American High School Diploma with a minimum score of 2.0; or
  • Successful completion of Year 12 or equivalent PLUS with a SAT score of 1000; or
  • Successful completion of GED (High School Equivalency) with a minimum overall score of 580, and no content area module below 145.

Vietnam Entry Requirements

The following is required for Vietnam students:

  • Successful completion of Year 12 with a 6.0 GPA
  • IB Diploma score of 22 or above
  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels
  • Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (VCE or the equivalent from any Australian state or territory)

Zambia Entry Requirements

The following is required for Zambia students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Zimbabwe Entry Requirements

The following is required for Zimbabwe students:

  • 2 passes in GCE A-levels

Maths Entry Requirement - Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence pathway only

Units 3 and 4 in one of VCE General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics with a study score of at least 20; or equivalent.

Students who have not achieved this are required to enrol and pass the two mathematics units listed below during their Diploma of IT studies. Students studying these additional units in conjunction with their Diploma of IT may still complete their Diploma in three trimesters (12 months).

  • FNDE021 Mathematics I
  • FNDE023 Mathematics II

FNDE021 and FNDE023 are offered free of charge once only. Any repeat attempts at any of these units will be charged at the current Foundation Program rate.

English language entry requirements

International students must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency before being admitted to this course.

Transfer guidelines

View the transfer requirements for the Diploma of IT below:

Domestic Students

International Students