Master of Software Engineering (MC-SOFTENG)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2025 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
Contact
Patanamon Thongtanunam
This course is available in My Course Planner
Overview
| Award title | Master of Software Engineering |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2025 — Parkville |
| CRICOS code | 106110B |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
| AQF level | 9 |
| Credit points | 300 credit points |
| Duration | 36 months full-time or 72 months part-time |
The Master of Software Engineering is an entry-to-practice degree that provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to enter the international workplace as software engineers. Graduates are skilled in software engineering principles and have the ability to apply these skills to complex, open-ended engineering tasks and problems. The degree provides sequential study in the software engineering discipline, building on a solid foundation in mathematics and programming. Within the degree, students acquire core skills in the areas of software processes, project management, requirement analysis, design and architecture, implementation, testing, communication and teamwork. Students may also choose to undertake specialisations in business, artificial intelligence, distributed computing, cyber security and human computer interaction. The degree culminates in a capstone experience in which students will work on a software engineering project involving real-life clients. Students have the opportunity to participate in overseas study, industry-based projects and supervised research.
Distinction
Upon completion of the Master of Software Engineering, it is possible for a student to be awarded Master of Software Engineering with Distinction provided a student has achieved a high level of academic performance. Eligibility of the Distinction award is dependent on a calculated distinction score.
The distinction score will only take into account Level 9 subjects undertaken at the University of Melbourne. This means Study Abroad and Exchange subjects will not be considered. One 12.5 point subject with the lowest mark will be omitted in the calculation of the distinction score. All level 9 subjects with credit points of more than 12.5 points must be included in the calculations. Only marks from the first attempt at a subject will be used. The average mark will be weighted by the credit points of the subjects. A Master of Engineering with Distinction will be awarded if the score is 80 or above.
Hurdle Requirement
In order to achieve the Engineering Practice Hurdle requirement, students will need to document the attainment of professional skills at an adequate level. This may include the successful completion of any of the following:
- Skills Towards Employment Program (STEP)
- ENGR90033 Internship subject
- An agreed level of internship at an approved engineering form (without receiving University credit)
Completion of the degree will not be approved until this requirement has been met.
Links to further information
This course is available in My Course Planner
My Course Planner is an interactive web application that allows you to explore your study options and decide which subjects and major(s), minors and/or specialisations are right for you.
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- An undergraduate degree with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%) or equivalent; and
- At least 25 points of any tertiary-level Mathematics; and
- At least 25 points of any tertiary-level Computer Programming
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider;
- Prior academic performance; and if relevant
- Professional experience
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the University’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
Note:
Applicants with the following may be awarded up to 100 points of credit:
- Graduates of Melbourne Model BSc undergraduate degree who complete the Computing and Software Systems majors with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%) or equivalent;
- A Bachelor of Engineering, or equivalent as recognised by the Melbourne School of Engineering, in a cognate discipline appropriate to the stream of the Master of Engineering into which entry is sought with a weighted average mark of at least H3 (65%) or equivalent.
Available credit for other University of Melbourne graduates and graduates of other universities is normally evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but the Academic Board may approve standard credit arrangements for specified entry pathways.
Graduate Degree Packages for School Leavers
The University of Melbourne offers Graduate Degree Packages to high achieving school leavers, allowing them to secure places (Commonwealth Supported Places for domestic students or International fee places) in the Master of Engineering provided that they meet certain requirements.
For a Commonwealth Supported Place or an International Fee Place, the applicant must:
- Complete an Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in 2018 or later either:
- In Australia; or
- Outside Australia and be an Australian citizen;
- Achieve an ATAR (or notional ATAR) of at least 93.00 to package the Master of Software Engineering with the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design or Bachelor of Science;
- Apply for a University of Melbourne Graduate Degree Packages for commencement in the year following completion of Year 12 or IB via VTAC;
- Enrol immediately or be granted deferral in the year following Year 12;
- Successfully complete a Bachelor of Biomedicine, Commerce, Design or Science at the University of Melbourne including all the specified prerequisite subjects; and
- Commence the Master of Engineering within 18 months of completing the undergraduate degree.
Applicants should refer to the University handbook for the additional entry requirements for the undergraduate degrees in the Graduate Degree Packages.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The Master of Software Engineering welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.
The Master of Software Engineering requires all students to enrol in subjects where they will require:
- The ability to comprehend complex science, technology and engineering related information;
- The ability to clearly and independently communicate a knowledge and application of science, technology and engineering principles and practices during assessment tasks; and,
- The ability to actively and safely contribute to computer laboratory base project activities in team settings.
Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.
There may be additional inherent academic requirements for some subjects, and these requirements are listed within the description of the requirements for each of these subjects.
Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the relevant Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this course, graduates will:
- Apply the fundamental software engineering principles including software processes, project management, requirement analysis, modelling, design, architecture, implementation and testing in practice;
- Apply the advanced software engineering topics including designing secure and reliable software, high integrity systems, distributed systems and advanced software architectures in practice;
- Synthesise software engineering knowledge to plan, manage, analyse, design and implement software products using appropriate processes;
- Demonstrate problem solving and trouble-shooting skills in software engineering that may be applied in professional practice;
- Demonstrate proficiency over established and emerging engineering methods and tools to solve practical engineering problems;
- Discuss the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
- Effectively work in teams to solve complex, open-ended software engineering problems that require significant research and exploration;
- Effectively communicate designs, analysis, and justifications in verbal and written form, enabling meaningful contributions to the changes facing society;
- Identify important issues relevant to sectors influenced by software engineering, such as the sustainability of resources, the efficient operation of all processes and privacy and security in the age of the internet; and,
- Demonstrate professional ethical behaviour and responsibilities towards their profession and the community, including having positive and responsible approaches to sustainable development, process and personal safety, management of information and professional integrity.
Generic skills
- An ability to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature;
- well-developed problem-solving abilities, characterised by flexibility of approach;
- advanced competencies in engineering professional expertise and scholarship;
- a capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in oral and written forms of communications;
- an advanced understanding of the international context and sensitivities
- a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
- an ability to evaluate and choose software technologies and frameworks for their work
- a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship;
- an appreciation of the ways in which advanced knowledge equips the student to offer leadership in the specialist area;
- the capacity to value and participate in projects which require team-work;
- an understanding of the significance and value of their knowledge to the wider community (including business and industry);
- a capacity to engage where appropriate with issues in contemporary society; and,
- advanced working skills in the application of processes, principles and technologies, and a receptiveness to the opportunities offered by new technologies.
Course structure
The Master of Software Engineering requires the successful completion of 300 credit points.
The Master of Software Engineering is a three-year degree (full time).
To obtain the degree (no specialisation) students must complete:
- 62.5 credit points of Year 1 compulsory subjects
- 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Software Engineering selectives
- 25 credit points of Year 1 Group A (Level 2 & 3 B-SCI Discipline subjects) and Group B (Level 3 COMP subjects) electives including
- A minimum of 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Group B (Level 3 COMP) electives
- 75 credit points of Year 2 compulsory subjects
- 50 credit points of Year 3 compulsory subjects
- 75 credit points of electives including
- A minimum of 62.5 credit points of Software Engineering electives
- A maximum of 12.5 credit points of Approved electives
To obtain the degree with a specialisation, students must instead complete:
- 62.5 credit points of Year 1 compulsory subjects
- 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Software Engineering selectives
- 25 credit points of Year 1 Group A (Level 2 & 3 B-SCI Discipline subjects) and Group B (Level 3 COMP subjects) electives including
- A minimum of 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Group B (Level 3 COMP) electives
- 75 credit points of Year 2 compulsory subjects
- 50 credit points of Year 3 compulsory subjects
25 credit points of electives including:
- A minimum of 12.5 credit points of Software Engineering electives
- A maximum of 12.5 credit points of Approved electives
50 credit points of Year 2 and 3 specialisation subjects including:
Between 12.5 and 50 credit points of core specialisation subjects depending on respective specialisation requirements
AND
A maximum of 37.5 credit points of specialisation electives and/or Software Engineering/Approved electives depending on respective specialisation requirements
Note:
1. To obtain the degree with a specialisation, please refer to the individual specialisation page for full detail.
2. Students entering the course with advanced standing who plan on completing a specialisation may need to enrol in core specialisation subjects in their commencing semester. Please check and follow the structure outlined for your intended specialisation and seek course planning advice.
3. Students who commenced prior to 2025 can complete their degree following the course structure as per their year of entry/admission. Students in this group can also complete ENGR90051 as part of their Year 1 Group A selective subject options.
To complete this degree without specialisation students should complete in the following order:
Year 1
- 62.5 credit points of Year 1 compulsory subjects
- 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Software Engineering selectives
- 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Group A electives
- 12.5 credit points of Year 1 Group B electives
Year 2
- 75 credit points of Year 2 compulsory subjects
- 25 credit points of Software Engineering electives
Year 3
- 50 credit points of Year 3 compulsory subjects
- 50 credit points of electives including
- A minimum of 37.5 credit points of Software Engineering electives
- A maximum of 12.5 credit points of Approved electives
Note:
For specialisations, please refer to the individual specialisation page.
Progression:
The core subject lists are divided into specific year levels, reflecting the recommended order of completing the course. There is, however, some flexibility between Year 2 and 3 core subjects, depending on the requisites set between them. Check the individual Handbook entries of these subjects for more detail.
Engineering Practice Hurdle Requirement
Students enrolled in the Master of Software Engineering degree will need to satisfy the requirements of the Engineering Practice Hurdle prior to being awarded the degree. Students will be introduced early in their degree to the online e-portfolio system as a way of documenting their attainment of graduate attributes which accord with University and professional accreditation standards. Students will keep a record of their stepwise attainment of these capabilities throughout their engineering studies at Melbourne. The artifacts recorded in the e-portfolio may include formal study elements, such as design reports, as well as reflections on extracurricular activities such as employment and volunteering activities.
Hurdle Requirement
In order to achieve the Engineering Practice Hurdle requirement, students will need to document the attainment of professional skills at an adequate level. This may include the successful completion of any of the following:
1. Skills Towards Employment Program (STEP)
2. ENGR90033 Internship subject
3. An agreed level of internship at an approved engineering form (without receiving University credit)
Completion of the degree will not be approved until this requirement has been met.
Study options (without specialisation)
Year 1 compulsory subjects
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP30026 | Models of Computation | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| INFO20003 | Database Systems |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| SWEN20003 | Object Oriented Software Development |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| SWEN30006 | Software Modelling and Design |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| ENGR90051 | Interdisciplinary Design for Engineers |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Note: Students who commenced prior to 2025 can complete their degree following the course structure as per their year of entry/admission. Students in this group can also complete ENGR90051 as part of their Year 1 Group A selective subject options.
Year 1 Software Engineering selectives
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP20003 | Algorithms and Data Structures | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP20007 | Design of Algorithms | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Year 1 Group A electives
Any level 2 or 3 subject drawn from the Bachelor of Science program
Year 1 Group B electives
12.5 credit points of Level 3 Computer Science subject
Year 2 compulsory subjects
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP30023 | Computer Systems | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SWEN90004 | Modelling Complex Software Systems | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SWEN90006 | Security & Software Testing | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SWEN90009 | Software Requirements Analysis | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SWEN90014 | Masters Software Engineering Project | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SWEN90016 | Software Processes and Management |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Year 3 compulsory subjects
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWEN90007 | Software Design and Architecture | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SWEN90010 | High Integrity Systems Engineering | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| SWEN90017 | Masters Advanced Software Project Part 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| SWEN90018 | Masters Advanced Software Project Part 2 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Software Engineering electives
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP90048 | Declarative Programming | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90049 | Introduction to Machine Learning |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP90050 | Advanced Database Systems |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP90053 | Program Analysis and Transformation | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
| COMP90054 | AI Planning for Autonomy |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP90073 | Security Analytics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90074 | Web Security | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90077 | Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90085 | Volunteer Experience in I.T. | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
| COMP90086 | Computer Vision | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90087 | The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ENGR90033 | Internship |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
25 |
| ENGR90036 | Leadership for Innovation |
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP90084 | Quantum Software Fundamentals | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90014 | Algorithms for Bioinformatics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90015 | Distributed Systems |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP90016 | Computational Genomics | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90017 | Sensor Networks and Applications | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
| COMP90018 | Mobile Computing Systems Programming | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90020 | Distributed Algorithms | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90024 | Cluster and Cloud Computing | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90025 | Parallel and Multicore Computing | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90042 | Natural Language Processing | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90043 | Cryptography and Security | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90044 | Research Methods |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP90045 | Programming Language Implementation | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
| COMP90051 | Statistical Machine Learning |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| COMP90083 | Computational Modelling and Simulation | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| COMP90089 | Machine Learning Applications for Health | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ISYS90070 | Information Security Consulting | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
| INFO90003 | Designing Novel Interactions | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| INFO90006 | Fieldwork for Design | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| INFO90007 | Social Computing | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| GEOM90007 | Information Visualisation | Semester 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| INFO90004 | Evaluating the User Experience | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| INFO90005 | Information Architecture | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
| COMP90090 | Text Analytics for Health | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ISYS90069 | Digital Transformation of Health |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
July (Online)
|
12.5 |
| COMP90055 | Research Project |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
| ISYS90120 | Cybersecurity Practice in Organisations | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Approved electives
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUSA90473 | Business Practicum |
Semester 1 (Off Campus)
Winter Term (Off Campus)
Semester 2 (Off Campus)
|
12.5 |
| BUSA90485 | Global Business Practicum |
Summer Term (Off Campus)
July (Off Campus)
November (Off Campus)
|
12.5 |
| ENGM90006 | Engineering Contracts and Procurement | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ENGM90011 | Economic Analysis for Engineers | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ENGM90013 | Strategy Execution for Engineers | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ENGM90014 | The World of Engineering Management | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ENGR90026 | Engineering Entrepreneurship | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| MCEN90031 | Applied High Performance Computing | Not available in 2025 | 12.5 |
| ENGM90012 | Marketing Management for Engineers | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ELEN90095 | AI for Robotics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ELEN90096 | Hardware Accelerated Computing | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ENGR90034 | Creating Innovative Engineering | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Majors, minors & specialisations
| Name | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | 50 |
| Business | 50 |
| Cyber Security | 50 |
| Distributed Computing | 50 |
| Human Computer Interaction | 50 |
Last updated: 6 April 2025