There’s so much info about the Bachelor of Information Technology at Monash out there, so where do we even start?
Worry no more, we’ve got your back! This article will cover what the Bachelor of IT at Monash is all about including its majors, classes, assessments, society and more.
So, let’s dive into it!
What is a Bachelor of Information Technology at Monash?
Core Units and Majors
How to Get into a Bachelor of Information Technology at Monash
What’s the Teaching Format?
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?
What is a Bachelor of Information Technology (IT) at Monash?
A Bachelor of Information Technology (IT) at Monash University is a highly hands-on 3-year degree that teaches you the knowledge and practical skills to create, use and manage computer technology and systems that meet your customer’s needs.
With over 13 majors and minors to choose from, this degree provides the flexibility you need to pursue your true IT passions! Cybersecurity, games design, interactive media and web development are just some of the interesting branches of IT that Monash University allows you to explore.
Monash’s Industry-Based Learning program (IBL) also puts you ahead of other graduates, as you will be working full-time with influential companies such as ANZ, Google and more for 6 months as part of the degree! Now, isn’t this an amazing chance of a lifetime?
What’s more is that Monash is the only university out of the Go8 universities that have a faculty dedicated to IT! This means that you’ll get full attention as a student from your lecturers and tutors so the educational value you get from Monash IT is top-notch.
Other Relevant Degrees
Widen your horizons with Monash’s IT double degrees! Here is a list of 10 other degrees that you can do alongside your Bachelor of IT:
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- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Criminology
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)*
- Bachelor of Fine Art
- Bachelor of Global Studies
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- Bachelor of Science
It is important to note that the Bachelor of Engineering provides specialisation in electrical and computer systems, software engineering, computer networks and security majors. Some engineering credits may overlap with your IT credits too.
Honours
If you’re doing extremely well academically, you can even apply for an Honours research year! You’ll need to achieve a minimum grade point average of 5.00 on QUT’s 7-point scale in your undergraduate IT degree so you can be eligible for the Honours.
In Monash’s IT Honours, you’ll be extending your theoretical understanding, analytical skills and professional training to build on your IT expertise. Analytical techniques such as abstraction and modelling will be trained to create novel solutions to complex but real problems.
You’ll also have to do a research project as part of your Honours with your very own supervisor to help.
It may sound tricky but at the end of your Honours, you’ll get to further specialise in an IT area of your liking. Isn’t that fun?
Career Paths
There is a bright future for IT graduates! With technology being part of everything in our everyday life, your career prospects as an IT graduate are highly diverse. You can work in almost all industries including healthcare, transportation, businesses, government and more!
While the demand for IT staff is already soaring, Monash’s extensive industry placements and networks set you up with a head start, propelling you forth in your career!
Here are some fun careers you can take on with an IT degree from Monash:
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- Business analyst
- Cybersecurity specialist
- Cloud architect
- Data scientist
- UI/UX specialist
- Game developer
- Network administrator
- Network manager
- IT consultant
- Software developer
- Web developer
Learn about 20 different careers you can end up with a Bachelor of Information Technology here!
Core Units and Majors
What are the Core Units like?
Monash’s Information Technology units are split up into 3 categories:
Part A: Information Technology specified study
These are compulsory units which embed the essential theoretical and practical overview of IT and its relevance to society.
Part B: Information Technology listed major
These are units that allow you to specialise in one or two areas of IT. Please note that you can choose to either do 1 major and 1 minor OR 2 majors and no minors.
Part C: Free elective study
Units that you can choose to either deepen your understanding of your major(s) or broaden your knowledge in an entirely new unit outside of IT that you can enrol for.
Most of the compulsory units are from Part A: Information Technology specified study. These compulsory units consist of:
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- 1 introductory programming unit (6 credit points)
- 4 core units (total of 24 credit points)
- 1 additional information technology unit (6 credit points)
- Capstone project units (12 to 18 credit points)
Introductory Programming Unit
For your introductory programming unit, you will need to pick one of the three subjects offered. If you really want to do a second unit from this branch, you can use it as your free elective.
Simply put, the purpose of these units is to help you understand different programming languages, featuring Python, C++ and Java. Here are the 3 subjects you can choose from:
- FIT1045: Algorithms and programming fundamentals in python
- FIT1048: Fundamentals of C++
- FIT1051: Fundamentals in Java
This is a really important decision as it can impact which major you can choose, so make sure you do your research before committing to it! It can also impact your eligibility to do a double degree in Engineering (Honours) which requires you to pick FIT1045 and FIT1048.
Core Units
Meanwhile, the Core Units have 4 subjects and it is compulsory for you to do all of them. These include:
FIT1047: Introduction to computer systems, networks and security
An overview of important knowledge concerning computer systems, networking infrastructure and security. It also teaches you to set security goals and action plans to secure systems and networks.
FIT1049: IT professional practice
A practical unit that develops your professional performance including communication, cultural competency, teamwork, understanding other disciplines, critical thinking and more.
FIT2002: IT project management
A practical unit where you will learn how to conduct all stages of project development, planning and implementation based on an example case study.
FIT2094: Databases
An overview of important knowledge and skills concerning database design, management and implementation using Oracle.
Additional Information Technology Unit
Out of two subjects provided, you only need to choose one of the additional information technology units. If you’re doing a double degree with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), you must do FIT2001. The two subjects include:
FIT2001: Systems development
A practical unit which provides students with a complex problem to solve using systems analysis and development using one chosen methodology to build on industry practical skills.
FIT2099: Object oriented design and implementation
A theoretical unit on object-oriented design concepts where students will need to apply them into one of their projects.
Capstone Project Units
Capstone units are usually in your third year where you refine your critical thinking skills. You can either choose to do:
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- More concrete subjects such as Business information systems, computer networks and security and software development majors that total to 12 units OR
- More creative subjects such as games development and interactive media majors that total to 12 units OR
- Embark on the industry-based learning placement stream that totals to 18 units
Phew, that sounds like a lot to take in but remember, these are options that provide you the flexibility you need to discover and pursue what you’re really passionate in within IT. So, which ones are you interested in so far?
What are the Majors like?
Monash’s IT degree offers a total of 5 majors you can choose from:
Business Information Systems
- Learn business concepts, systems and models to design IT solutions for companies to reach business goals in an interdisciplinary setting.
- Recommended for those who like to work on a wide variety of data (health, social networking, economic data, customer trends) and in the business and finance sector.
Computer networks and security
- Learn how to design, manage and monitor networks and security systems to protect against hacking, cyber-bullying, data loss and other security issues involving computer technologies and systems.
- Recommended for those who are looking to become a cybersecurity specialist, database administrator, network administrator or any IT career that involves security management.
Games development
- Learn how to apply technical and creative skills in developing unique games and interactive software within a collaborative studio environment.
- Recommended for those looking to work in game or interactive media development e.g. UI/UX designer.
Interactive media
- Learn how to use your creativity to design multimedia projects involving digital imaging, interactive media, 3D modelling and more.
- Recommended for those looking to work in web development, social media, 3D animation, game interface design and other creative uses of IT.
Software development
- Learn how to create computer systems and softwares from analysis to implementation stages for products ranging from websites to mobile applications.
- Recommended for those looking to work as a software developer but not limited to this.
If you can’t decide on one major, you are free to pick two during your degree! On the other hand, if you really love one major, you can choose to extend it with units from your Information Technology specified study or your free elective.
Be careful to check that your major units do not overlap with some of the compulsory units, because if they do, you will need to do additional units to complete the credit points required to graduate.
It is very important that you choose the correct major, as it can affect your eligibility to pursue your Honours later on!
What are the Industry placements like?
So, Monash offers two types of working in industry opportunities.
The first one is Industry Based Learning (IBL) where you apply to work full-time for 6 months at influential IT companies such as InfoCentric, ANZ, PWC, Deloitte Australia Post and so on. This is a golden opportunity to rank up your skills, build connections and learn exciting and new industry experience from top quality IT professionals.
The second one is the Industry Experience Project where Monash puts you in a team to create an IT project for an Industry partner. It really helps you see how you can apply concepts from the classroom into the real working world. Ultimately, this is a valuable sneak peek into the professional life of an IT!
Are there any exchange opportunities?
Yes! Monash Uni provides a multitude of opportunities to study overseas at their campuses in countries such as Malaysia, South Africa or Italy or at another partner university.
More notably, there is one specific program that allows you to study IT in Prato, Italy! The ‘FIT2105 Creative computing: understanding art, science and technology’ unit flies you to the posh Palazzo Vai on Via Pugliesi in Prato where you’ll experience the true Italian life for 3 weeks during June and July.
How to Get into a Bachelor of Information Technology at Monash
The ATAR cut off to be guaranteed an entry into this Monash degree is 75. However, the lowest ATAR to receive at offer still stands at 71 so there is a bit of flexibility there.
What are the alternative pathways?
If you’re short of the ATAR, there’s no need to fret. You can work your way to this degree by completing the Monash College Diploma of Information Technology.
This is an 18-month program that is divided into Part A and Part B. Part A embeds the essential maths and chemistry/physics knowledge you need before you continue to Part B. In Part B, you’ll join other Bachelor of IT first years in their subjects. Once completed, you can continue doing a Bachelor of IT starting from its second year.
A second pathway is through TAFE VET Diplomas or Certificate IV. You must score a minimum average of 60% as a TAFE VET diploma graduate or a minimum average of 70% as a Certificate IV graduate within a VCE mathematics subject or IT related education. The assessments in these programs must be graded in order to be accepted for admission.
There are also special admissions schemes that are available to students who were at a disadvantage when applying for this degree. Find out if it applies to you here!
Are there any prerequisites?
The prerequisite subjects to enter this degree include English and Maths.
For English, you would need to achieve a minimum of 27 in English or 25 in non-EAL English for units 3 and 4.
On the lighter side, you only need to achieve a satisfactory completion of General Mathematics, Mathematical Models or Specialist Mathematics for Units 1 and 2. For Units 3 and 4, it can be any mathematics unit.
Lucky for you, there are no science or other pre-requisite units you need to have undertaken, phew!
What scholarships are available?
Monash’s IT faculty is highly inclusive to breed a diverse community of IT professionals. As such, there are many scholarships available to support students in whatever circumstances they may be in. Scholarships dedicated to IT students include:
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- Information Technology Excellence Scholarship awarded to high achieving students undertaking a single or double degree with a minimum ATAR of 95 or Weighted Average mark of 80
- Women in Information Technology Scholarship awarded to female students with outstanding achievements
- Industry Based Learning Scholarships to support full-time students undertaking industry projects at Clayton campus
- Monash University Jubilee Honours Scholarship for Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and humanitarian visa holder to acknowledge the 50th Anniversary of Monash University
There are also scholarships available for Indigenous Australians including:
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- Information Technology Indigenous Merit Scholarships awarded for the highest achieving Indigenous students
- Information Technology Indigenous Study Support Scholarship awarded for Indigenous Australians who meet Monash’s “defined educational disadvantage groups criteria”.
Let’s not forget the international students too, who are provided with the opportunity to apply for the Monash International Merit Scholarship for any international student who enrolled or received an offer from Monash as well as the Women in Information Technology Scholarship.
For more information on Monash’s IT scholarships, click here!
What’s the Teaching Format?
Monash’s IT degree is rolled out in 12-week semesters, with two semesters per year.
Class Structure
Usually, IT classes consist of lectures, tutorials and practical computer labs though these may differ according to the subject you are doing.
Lectures
Lectures are attended by 30 to 50 students depending on the units. The lecturers will talk about the curriculum content through a presentation and sometimes, may have mini quizzes to engage you with.
The environment of lectures is more “listen and learn”, so you don’t really have a chance to outwardly speak but you can wait until the end of the lecture to approach the lecturer and ask any questions.
Tutorials
With 20 to 25 people attending, tutorials are like high school classroom sessions with a tutor who helps you consolidate and apply what you’ve learnt in your lectures. Simply put, tutorials are the fun and interactive type of classes you’ll have.
Sometimes, you’ll be given a case study based on real life situations and you’ll have to work with your classmates to think of a strategy to solve it. For example, in IT Governance, case studies on the MyKi travel card were allocated to a group of students who must figure out a solution to make its use easier. In other times, you may be working on an assignment during the tutorial with tutors supervising you.
Computer Practical Labs
These are a lot smaller with 15 students attending them. In these classes, you’ll be assessed on your coding skills as you’ll be given some problems to solve independently by coding.
Once you’re done, you’ll present them to your lab tutor who will mark it and give you feedback depending on how well you’ve done. These coding assessments may sound scary as they get harder each week, but do not fear — they’re only weighed 2% each!
How much time do you spend in class?
It really depends on which year you’re in! But on average, a typical Monash IT student has around 18 contact hours per week. If you plan your timetable nicely, you’ll be looking at 3 to 4 days on campus!
What are the assessments like?
Essays, practical assessments and final exams are the main assessments you’ll have as a Monash IT student.
Essays
Essays are pretty common in IT, coming up once or twice in a subject. For IT essays, you’ll be given a case study that you’ll need to break down, research and form a solution for by yourself or as a group.
Individual essays are often shorter with 4 pages while group essays tend to be 8 to 10 pages long. The weightage of essays depends on each unit but most of the time it’s 10% for individual essays and 20% for group assignments.
Practical assessments
These types of assessments are usually carried out during your weekly computer lab sessions, which mainly involve coding.
Final exams
For programming units, final exams will consist of theory based or problem solving questions that test your ability to create codes in a certain language from the top of your head.
Meanwhile, for theory units, you’ll need to write essays or short answer responses during the exam. Sometimes, these theory exams can give you a case study during the exam to test your practical ability too.
Skills You Refine and Learn
Monash University ensures that Information Technology graduates develop a strong set of both IT and professional skills to create employable candidates that adapt fluently to diverse organisations.
As an IT specialist, critical thinking is very important to solve complex real life problems that you’ll face everyday in your career.
IT professionals often work in groups, so collaborative and communication skills are highly useful to execute projects smoothly especially when working with a team of diverse disciplines and backgrounds.
For leadership roles, project management skills are also highly called out for in IT professionals to successfully execute project goals.
Ultimately, Monash moves beyond embedding the basic IT technical knowledge as they also emphasise the importance of professional development, urging their graduates to continually seek to learn and improve for lifelong excellence.
What’s the Faculty and Culture Like?
Faculty
Though small in staff size, Monash’s independent IT faculty means that each student gets personalised attention from professional IT academics, providing an invaluable learning experience!
Don’t feel afraid to reach out to Monash’s IT teaching staff as they are very helpful and supportive. Most lecturers and tutors explain content really thoroughly to make sure you understand the content.
This is because they also want to promote a love for IT to students so you feel like they really care about your passions in IT!
Culture
Compared to other degrees, the IT cohort is pretty small so people are very friendly. It’s kind of like high school where you’ll see the same people in the classes that you share so it’s very easy to make good lifelong friends.
It’s also not a very competitive cohort so the students don’t really feel any tension between them. Instead, it’s a very “we’re all in this together” vibe because IT can be a challenging degree so the students know that sticking together to do coding, assignments and more is the best course to getting through this degree.
What societies can you join?
With 7 societies dedicated to IT at Monash, you are spoiled for choice! Each of these societies have their own unique quirks, so you’re welcome to dip your toes in any of them to see which one you belong to.
Some notable societies include Monash Association of Coding (MAC) that provides coding tutorials and sessions on IT development to provide extra help if you need it! They also partner with a lot of other companies such as Microsoft and Atlassian to provide technical development support.
Other notable societies include DiversIT that promotes gender equality, LGBTQ+, international students and minority group representation in IT that is traditionally known to be very male-dominated.
WIRED is another society that hosts trivia nights, hackathons and more mixed up with technical tutorials.
Support Programs
Finding IT a bit challenging? Monash Uni recognises this so in some of the harder IT units, there are sessions called Peer Assistance Study Sessions (PASS).
In these sessions, previous students who did very well in the unit will be invited to tutor and help you out with understanding the content better or doing assessments more efficiently. This is really useful for first year students who are struggling.
If you need more help with how to study IT, the library has great study skills and exam preparation workshops so if you need more help with research and referencing assignments, studying for exams, looking for resources and more — the library is the right place to go!
Mentorship Programs
Like other faculties, Monash’s IT has their own peer mentoring program where students in their final years of their IT degree give advice and mentor students who are still in the early stages of studying IT.
But Monash IT really cares about including and supporting students from all walks of life so there are branches of mentorship programs available for different groups too.
One of them is the Women in Technology (WIT) Alumni mentoring programs under DiversIT. This is where female alumni who have finished their degrees and work in influential industries come to Monash Uni a few times during the semester to mentor female students and help them decide which career path they’d like to take.
With all these different mentorship programs, you’ll definitely feel supported in your journey to becoming an IT professional!
Kate Lynn Law graduated in 2017 with an all rounders HSC award and an ATAR of 97.65. Passionate about mentoring, she enjoys working with high school students to improve their academic, work and life skills in preparation for the HSC and what comes next. An avid blogger, Kate had administered a creative writing page for over 2000 people since 2013, writing to an international audience since her early teenage years.
