Student sitting at PC

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March, July, October

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast, Online

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    DipIT

  • Course code

    2125350

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    February, June, October

  • Duration

    1 year full-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

Looking for a career in the dynamic world of IT? The Diploma of Information Technology is an excellent place to start. Combining foundation IT units with academic skills units, this course has a focus on developing technical skills and knowledge with a clear pathway to a Bachelor degree.

Successful completion of the Diploma of Information Technology will enable entry and up to eight units of credit towards the Southern Cross Bachelor of Information Technology.

The Diploma of Information Technology is offered through SCU College, where we recognise our students may have different approaches to learning. We connect you to peers and nurture your success with additional workshops to develop your academic and study skills.

A student holding a laptop

“The degree really refined my areas of interest. I saw how it could offer a fantastic way to pivot and be flexible, and to be confident in making those kinds of decisions.”

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions within defined information technology settings.

GA2: Creativity

Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined information technology contexts to solve a range of problems.

GA3: Ethical practice

Apply ethical and sustainable values and practices within defined information technology contexts.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills within defined information technology contexts to solve a range of problems.

Exercise judgement to identify problems and contribute to their solutions within defined information technology settings.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and work in defined information technology contexts.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Apply academic knowledge and skills to communicate information, concepts, and solutions, individually and/or in a team within defined information technology contexts.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined information technology contexts.

Location Teaching period
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5
Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5$33,184 ($4,148 per unit)111198B
MelbourneTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5$32,960 ($4,120 per unit)111518B
PerthTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5$32,960 ($4,120 per unit)111518B
SydneyTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5$32,960 ($4,120 per unit)111518B

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Career Outcomes

The Diploma of Information Technology is a one-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) pathway course that equips students with foundational knowledge and skills in Information Technology. This course will give you a foundation in Information and Communication Technologies with an opportunity to take on further study to move towards a career as programmers, user-experience designers and developers, web developers, systems administrators or technical support personnel.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall5.5
Writingminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.0
Speakingminimum 5.0
Listeningminimum 5.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Information Technology, students must complete 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:

  • 7 core units (84 credit points) and
  • 1 option unit (12 credit points)

Other things to consider

As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us here.

There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.

Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.

SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.

Learn more

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more

The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes
Students must enrol in EDUC1001 -  Language and Learning in your Discipline in their first Term of study
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1
Term1
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
ISYS1001Web Development I
Term1,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1,5
Term1,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,5
Online
Term1,5
N/A
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1,5
PerthN/A
Term1,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,5
1 unit from: Option unit
Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
MATH1003Quantitative Methods with Economics Note 1
COMP1002Foundations of Computing Note 2
COMP1001Data Communications and Networks
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
MelbourneN/A
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term2
PerthN/A
Term2
SydneyN/A
Term2
PROG1001Programming I
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
N/A
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term3,5
PerthN/A
Term3,5
SydneyN/A
Term3,5
ISYS1002Cybersecurity
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
N/A
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term3,5
PerthN/A
Term3,5
SydneyN/A
Term3,5
ISYS1004Contemporary Issues in Information Technology
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
MelbourneN/A
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term4
PerthN/A
Term4
SydneyN/A
Term4
ISYS1005Systems Analysis and Design
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
MelbourneN/A
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term4
PerthN/A
Term4
SydneyN/A
Term4


Note 1:

Select this option unit for pathway into the Bachelor of Information Technology

Note 2:

This option should not be taken as the Bachelor of Computing in Industry is unavailable at this time. Select this option unit for pathway into the Bachelor of Computing in Industry (Honours)

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes

Core units

EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
COMP1001Data Communications and Networks
PROG1001Programming I
ISYS1001Web Development I
ISYS1002Cybersecurity
ISYS1004Contemporary Issues in Information Technology
ISYS1005Systems Analysis and Design

Option units

Select one (1) unit from the following:
MATH1003Quantitative Methods with Economics Note 1
COMP1002Foundations of Computing Note 2

Why Information Technology at SCU

Graduate employment

86% of IT graduates are employed within four months of completing their courses

(Grad Outcome Survey 2017-2019)

Digital Enterprise Lab

Our Digital Enterprise Lab on-campus enables you to work on real-world projects

Professional accreditation

Australian Computer Society (ACS) accreditation for the Bachelor of Information Technology.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

Preparing to apply

  1. Check requirements
  2. Get supporting documents ready
  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

Gold Coast

Online

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International students studying in Australia

Gold Coast

Melbourne

Perth

Sydney

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway