Ever thought about tapping into the superpower of software engineering? Picture this: you're designing apps for millions or building systems that shape the future. 

With 7 out of the top 8 jobs by 2030 being in software and computer science your skills will be in serious demand.

Build your career in software engineering

If you’re a keen problem solver who wants to get into a computer’s brain, a software engineering course could turn your tech passion into a meaningful career.

At Swinburne, you'll get to choose from two software engineering pathways: engineering or computer science.

Whichever option you choose, you'll gain key skills in programming, design, development, testing, cloud computing, AI, computer architecture, and data structures (and more). You’ll also work on collaborative projects with industry and community partners. 
 
What does this mean for your career? 

  • You’ll graduate job ready. 
  • Your career will be fascinating and flexible, as you could transition between roles, from software engineer to data analyst, AI specialist, or programmer.  

4 steps to become a software engineer 

Explore Swinburne’s software engineering courses and gain hands-on experience to kickstart your software engineering career. Choose from engineering or computer science pathways, both accredited by leading Australian industry associations. 

1. Get a qualification 

The 4-year Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) majoring in software, is one route to becoming a fully qualified software programmer. This 4-year degree will equip you with advanced skills in software engineering, systems design and testing, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.  

With the 3-year Bachelor of Computer Science go deep into advanced software development, machine learning, and tech problem solving challenges.  

Want industry experience embedded into your degree? The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Professional and Bachelor of Computer Science Professional include a 12-month paid industry placement.

The Master of Information Technology (Professional Computing) in software offers specialised training for complex software challenges so you can elevate your expertise.

The Diploma of Engineering (UniLink) is an 8-month program and a pathway into an undergraduate degree. You can also pathway into a computer science bachelor degree with a Diploma of Information Technology (UniLink).

2. Gain experience

Real industry experience

Get real industry experience, guaranteed in your Swinburne software engineering degree, so you’ll get real-world experience right from the start.

Standard 3-year bachelor degrees offer the chance to advance your skills with a 6- or 12-month work placement. Opt for a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering (Professional) or Bachelor of Computer Science (Professional) for a guaranteed 12-month paid work placement. 

If you're pursuing a master’s degree, you’ll work on real-world industry projects, facing the same challenges that professionals encounter.

Postgraduate courses are packed with industry-informed case studies and tech challenges. Master students take on capstone projects that involve real-world clients facing real-world challenges.

Connect with industry

Swinburne has strong industry partners and connections including Retrospect Labs, Melbourne, DATA61 for Cybersecurity and RACV, CSIRO, Victorian Education and Training for Cloud Computing and Software Development. 

Courses are co-designed with industry leaders like Siemens, MATLAB, Lab View, and Arduino, ensuring that what you learn is relevant and in demand. 

Build your CV

From day one, you work on projects, both individually and in teams, that help build your CV. Examples of projects and work placements undertaken by Swinburne students include: 

  • Software Engineering projects for the Moondani Toombadool Centre including digital connectivity infrastructure for remote Indigenous communities and using emerging technologies to support remote Indigenous communities.
  • Artifact creation for cybersecurity.
  • Structured dataset creation for incident response. 
  • Protocol state mapping for vulnerability and influence detection.

When you study software engineering at Swinburne, you'll gain the skills you need to apply for jobs or internships through our student job boards and industry networks.

As your studies progress, you'll develop advanced technical skills in your chosen specialisation to collaborate, network and contribute to open source projects or build your own application.

You'll gain the software engineering skills and confidence you need to seek out volunteering opportunities, explore a side-hustle, or work on your own personal projects.

3. Choose your specialisation

Hone your expertise in software engineering and computer science with foundational skills in hardware and operating systems at Swinburne, where state-of-the-art labs and the latest tech ensure you stay ahead.

Bachelor degrees  

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours): Choose the Software major, you’ll study 18 major units, 4 electives, and 11 core units. 

Bachelor of Computer Science: Choose the Software Development major, you’ll study 8 major units, 8 electives, and 8 core units.  

Master degrees

Master of Information Technology: Choose the Software Development specialisation, you’ll study 6 units plus 2 electives in addition to 6 core units. 

Master of Information Technology (Professional Computing): Choose the Software Development specialisation, you’ll study 6 units plus 4 core units. 

UniLink pathway courses

Diploma of Information Technology (UniLink): Choose the Computer Science stream, you’ll study 3 electives and 5 core units. 

Diploma of Engineering (UniLink): All students undertake the same 8 core units of study. If you gain entry in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), choose Software as your major. 

4. Join an association

Become a student member of Engineers Australia to enjoy benefits like career development and professional networking. Then upgrade to a graduate membership for instant recognition as an emerging engineer.  

You can also join the Australian Computer Society, Australia’s leading professional association for the technology community.  

Connect with your peers while you’re at uni! Join a student club such as: 

Explore software engineering courses

Ready to deep dive into computer programming? Build innovative solutions and develop your technical skills to excel in the tech industry.

Browse software engineering courses

How long will it take to become a software engineer? 

No matter where you are on your journey to becoming a software engineer, Swinburne has flexible pathways to suit you. Choose from a 3-4 year bachelor degree, 2-year postgraduate program, or a 1-year diploma with options for full-time, part-time, and fast-track study. 

Quick facts about software engineering

Average salary

$125k

Job growth

27% by 2026

Job satisfaction

4/5

Sources

What skills do software engineers need? 

Technical skills:

  • software development principles
  • programming languages
  • understand data structures and algorithms  
  • development frameworks and libraries
  • database design and operation

Creative skills:

  • problem solving
  • systems architecture and design  
  • design thinking
  • refactoring code
  • innovation

Soft skills:

  • written and verbal communication
  • team collaboration
  • continuous learning  
  • attention to detail
  • time management

Courses and study pathways

Duration and entry requirements: 

3 –4 years or part-time equivalent. Successful completion of VCE, relevant UniLink diploma, or complete or partial completion of approved tertiary qualification including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees.

Duration and entry requirements:  
2 years full time or part time equivalent. Completion of a recognised bachelor degree in IT, or a graduate certificate or graduate diploma in IT. 

Duration and entry requirements:
8 – 12 months or part time equivalent. Successful completion of VCE or relevant study and/or work history. 

Why study software engineering at Swinburne?

  • High employment outcomes

    86% of graduates find employment within 4 months of completing their course.

  • Guaranteed Work Integrated Learning

    Work Integrated Learning is guaranteed with every bachelor degree.

  • Top ranked in global rankings

    World Top 150 for Computer Science
    World Top 150 for Engineering and Technology.

Frequently asked questions

A software engineer is a key component in the software development life cycle, from ideation to maintenance.   

Software engineers often network across geographic borders and time zones, and their work is as diverse as the field itself. 

From machine learning, AI, and cloud computing to mobile apps and enterprise software applications like CRMs and CMSs, the opportunities are endless attracting many to this dynamic field. 

Software engineers manage the entire software development lifecycle, from design to maintenance, using engineering principles. Software developers focus mainly on coding and are involved in building software components.  

Not sure if you want to be a software engineer or developer?  Chat with a course expert. 

Yes, Swinburne offers two pathways to become a software engineer. 

If you're interested in computer science as a pathway to a career as a software engineer, you should consider one of two of the computer science degrees mentioned above.

Or start with the UniLink Diploma of Technology in the computer science stream as a pathway into the Bachelor of Computer Science.

Yes, if you're interested in data science, you can choose elective or minor units as part of your undergraduate degree.  You can also opt for a data science major or a Bachelor of Data Science, but this means you might not be called a 'software engineer.' We recommend a 1:1 with a course expert to help you make the best choice for your career goals.

  1. Simplilearn Future of Work Report.
  2. talent.com
  3. jobsandskills.gov.au
  4. Talent Crowd

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