Top Computer Science & AI Universities in Australia (2026)
Top universities offering Computer Science, Software Engineering and AI/ML masters programs in Australia. We rank 106 universities by QS standing, fees, scholarships and post-study work outcomes for international students.
Get a Computer Science & AI shortlist for Australia.
Share your phone or email and get matched Computer Science & AI universities, fee bands, scholarship options, and visa-risk checks before you compare rankings.
Computer Science & AI shortlist
For Australia applicants
Adelaide University
📍 Adelaide, Australia
ASC INTERNATIONAL - ANGLISCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL
📍 1-3 students: General English / Academic English / First year mainstream (Primary or Secondary) = 13, Australia
Associate Degree
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MUSIC
📍 Bachelors degree: 1-4 students - 12% of 1st year and 4% of 2nd year; , Australia
Australian Lutheran College
📍 Adelaide, Australia
Australian National University
📍 Canberra, Australia
Bayside English (Bayside English College)
Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School
📍 Melbourne, Australia
Box Hill Institute
📍 Melbourne, Australia
Central Queensland University
📍 Rockhampton, Australia
Central Queensland University (CQU) - Adelaide
📍 Adelaide, Australia
Charles Darwin University
📍 Darwin, Australia
CQ University
📍 Rockhampton, Australia
CQUniversity Australia
📍 Australia, Australia
Curtin College
📍 Kent, Australia
Curtin University - Australia
Curtin University Dubai
Danford College
📍 Melbourne, Australia
Danford Higher Education
📍 Melbourne - Aus, Australia
Deakin College
📍 Burwood, Australia
Deakin University
📍 Melbourne, Australia
Edith Cowan University
📍 Perth, Australia
Education Training & Employment Australia (ETEA) - Western Australia (Canning Vale)
📍 Canning Vale, Australia
Excelsia college
📍 Sydney- Aus, Australia
Federation University
📍 Ballarat, Australia
More top courses in Australia
An MS in Computer Science in Australia is a Master of Information Technology, Computer Science or Artificial Intelligence, with 2026-27 international fees of AUD 43,930 a year at Swinburne (about ₹30 lakh) to AUD 63,000 at UNSW (about ₹42 lakh) plus AUD 29,710 a year in living costs (about ₹20 lakh). Entry needs a bachelor degree, with averages such as 60% at Monash and 65% at UNSW, and IELTS 6.5; no GRE is listed. Indian graduates of a coursework masters can get a 3-year Temporary Graduate (485) visa, but only if the course meets the two-academic-year (92-week) study requirement, so a shorter 1.5-year track can cost you the visa.
Master of IT, Master of Computer Science or Master of AI: which one should you pick?
The Master of Information Technology (MIT) is the largest and most flexible: UNSW, Monash, QUT, Deakin, Swinburne, RMIT and Macquarie all run one, with specialisations such as software, cyber security, data or AI and an entry level for non-IT graduates. The Master of Computer Science (MCS) is more theoretical: UQ runs a 1 or 1.5-year MCS for graduates who already hold a CS or IT degree (there is no 2-year track), and the University of Melbourne runs a 2-year MCS with a March intake only. Accreditation differs by degree: the MIT is ACS-accredited at several universities, but check the ACS list before assuming an MCS is. The Master of Artificial Intelligence is newest: Monash's C6007 is ACS-accredited and QUT lists a 2-year version. Choose the MIT for the widest job search, the MCS to go on to a PhD, and the AI degree if your bachelor included calculus, linear algebra and probability.
How much does an MS in CS in Australia cost? 2026-27 fees at 7 universities
Each figure is the international fee on the university's own course page on 26 September 2026, for the fee year it labels. Leave headroom for increases.
| University and programme | Annual fee (AUD) | Approx. INR / year | Duration and fee year |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNSW — Master of Information Technology | AUD 63,000 | ₹42.4 lakh | 2 years; 2026 indicative first year (AUD 130,500, about ₹88 lakh, to complete) |
| University of Queensland — Master of Computer Science | AUD 60,952 | ₹41.0 lakh | 1 or 1.5 years only (no 2-year track); 2027 fee for 16 units |
| Monash — Master of Artificial Intelligence | AUD 60,040 | ₹40.4 lakh | 1.5 or 2 years; 2027 fee per 48 credit points |
| Monash — Master of Information Technology | AUD 57,540 | ₹38.7 lakh | 1.5 or 2 years; 2027 fee per 48 credit points |
| RMIT — Master of Information Technology | AUD 47,040 | ₹31.7 lakh | 2 years full-time; 2027 indicative annual fee |
| QUT — Master of Information Technology | AUD 46,800 | ₹31.5 lakh | 1.5–2 years; 2027 fee (AUD 45,000, about ₹30.3 lakh, in 2026) |
| Deakin — Master of Information Technology | AUD 45,800 | ₹30.8 lakh | 2 years; estimated first-year fee |
| Swinburne — Master of Information Technology | AUD 43,930 | ₹29.6 lakh | 2 years; 2026 international yearly fee |
Sources: course pages checked 26 Sep 2026; AUD 1 = ₹67.3 (Wise). UQ's MCS alone is 1–1.5 years, below the 92-week requirement for the 485 visa (see below). Two-year budget: about AUD 153,000 (₹1.03 crore) at Swinburne and AUD 196,000 (₹1.32 crore) at UNSW, adding living costs of AUD 59,420 (₹40 lakh; Home Affairs, AUD 29,710 or ₹20 lakh a year), OSHC of about AUD 1,440 (₹97,000), the AUD 2,500 (₹1.68 lakh) visa charge from 1 July 2026 and AUD 2,000 (₹1.35 lakh) travel funds. Casual work at the AUD 26.44 (about ₹1,780 an hour) minimum wage for 48 hours a fortnight earns about AUD 1,269 before tax (about ₹85,000): rent help, not tuition. Sydney and Melbourne publish fees by study area rather than for this course, so they are not tabulated.
Eligibility for Indian students: BTech, BSc, percentage, backlogs and English
Entry is set per university. UNSW wants a 65% weighted average and takes non-cognate 3-year bachelors through a packaged pathway that still finishes in 2 years; a 4-year honours cognate degree can cut the course to as little as one year. Monash takes any bachelor degree with a 60% average, and places cognate graduates with programming, algorithms, operating systems, networks and databases into a 1.5-year track. UQ asks GPA 5.0 of 7, QUT GPA 4.0 of 7 in any discipline, and RMIT GPA 2.0 of 4 in any discipline or five years of relevant IT experience. Monash and UNSW state percentage averages (60% and 65%); UQ, QUT and RMIT use GPA scales, and UQ's program page has a tool that converts your Indian university and qualification into its GPA equivalent. Backlogs and grading scales are assessed from your transcripts.
A 4-year BTech or BE in a computing field is the cleanest fit for the shorter tracks. A 3-year BSc, BCA or BSc (IT) is decided university by university. UNSW states that a 3-year bachelor degree (AQF Level 7 equivalent) in any discipline with a 65% average enters its 2-year Master of IT through a Graduate Certificate pathway. Deakin states that a masters by coursework needs at least a three-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from an approved institution. Monash says it accepts degrees from the Indian institutions in NOOSR Sections 1 to 3, with eligibility varying by course. Swinburne asks for a bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognised institution or equivalent, QUT for a recognised bachelor degree, and RMIT assesses international qualifications for comparability to the AQF. UQ's Master of Computer Science, by contrast, needs a computer science or software engineering degree or the listed discipline content, at GPA 5.0 of 7. Ask each admissions office to confirm your degree in writing before you pay an application fee. English is IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (Monash, UQ, QUT, Deakin, Swinburne and Macquarie), with Monash accepting PTE 58 or TOEFL iBT 79. Home Affairs does not accept IELTS Online or other remote-proctored tests for the visa, so sit a test-centre exam.
Intakes and application deadlines for MS in Computer Science in Australia (2027 entry)
Most programmes start in February and July; UNSW has three terms and Deakin three trimesters. Dates are from university pages checked on 26 September 2026; check the QUT, RMIT and Deakin international pages for theirs.
| University | Intakes | Published closing date or start | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Queensland | Semester 1 (22 Feb 2027), Semester 2 (26 Jul 2027) | International: 30 Nov 2026 and 31 May 2027 | If you miss the 1-year entry rule, UQ considers you for the 1.5-year track |
| UNSW | Terms 1, 2 and 3 | Varies by programme; check the course page | Check the course page for current term dates |
| Monash | February and July | Apply directly (C6001 MIT, C6007 AI) | Shorter entry needs the cognate units listed; the C6001 page summary also advertises a November 2026 start |
| Swinburne | 1 Mar 2027 and 2 Aug 2027 | Last date: 24 Feb 2027 and 28 Jul 2027 | Allow time for visa processing after the CoE |
| Macquarie | Session 1 (22 Feb 2027), Session 2 (26 Jul 2027) | Check the international application page | International closing dates can differ from domestic ones |
Scholarship deadlines are often earlier than admission deadlines. Lodge the student visa as soon as the Confirmation of Enrolment is issued.
How to apply for an MS in Computer Science in Australia from India
Start 10 to 12 months before the intake. The English test and the financial evidence take the longest.
Match your degree to the right entry level and check the course length
List your bachelor subjects against each university's cognate list. A match can shorten the course, but ask for its CRICOS duration in weeks first (see the 485 section below).
Sit IELTS Academic, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT at a test centre
Aim for 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band (PTE 58, TOEFL 79). You will need a fresh result from the previous 12 months for the 485 later.
Apply to two or three universities with semester-wise transcripts
Upload 10th and 12th marksheets, semester marksheets, degree or provisional certificate, passport, CV and a short statement of purpose. Check each university's page for application fees.
Compare offers on total cost, not rank alone
The same MIT costs AUD 43,930 (₹29.6 lakh) at Swinburne and AUD 63,000 (₹42.4 lakh) at UNSW. Ask which merit scholarship you were assessed for.
Accept, pay the deposit and get the CoE and OSHC
The Confirmation of Enrolment follows the deposit and any offer conditions. Buy Overseas Student Health Cover for the whole visa period.
Arrange the education loan and financial evidence
If asked, show AUD 29,710 (₹20 lakh) for living costs, 12 months of tuition and AUD 2,000 (₹1.35 lakh) for travel. Banks differ on collateral rules and university coverage: compare public-sector banks such as SBI with international lenders such as MPOWER or Prodigy Finance (examples, not endorsements) and ask for a sanction letter covering tuition and living costs. Check current LRS and TCS rules before remitting the deposit.
Lodge the subclass 500 visa in ImmiAccount
The charge is AUD 2,500 (₹1.68 lakh) from 1 July 2026. Attach the CoE, OSHC, financial and English evidence and the Genuine Student answers.
Scholarships for an MS in CS in Australia for Indian students
Australia Awards Scholarships are limited to the countries DFAT lists as participating. We could not confirm India's status from that page, so check it before counting on one; most Indian CS applicants rely on university awards, usually automatic or one-form. Details are from official pages checked on 26 September 2026.
- Deakin Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship: 100% or 50% of tuition for new coursework students with at least an 85% average in previous studies; apply by email at least one month before the trimester. A 50% award on AUD 45,800 saves about AUD 22,900, about ₹15.4 lakh a year.
- Swinburne: every international applicant is automatically assessed for up to 20% off course fees; no separate form.
- Monash: more than 360 scholarship types, the largest worth up to AUD 280,000 (about ₹1.88 crore) over a course. RMIT lists a Future Leaders Scholarship for India and the subcontinent.
Jobs after an MS in Computer Science in Australia: official labour-market data
We quote only Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), drawing on the ABS earnings survey (May 2025). These are whole-occupation medians, not graduate starting pay, and JSA notes the ANZSCO pages will not be updated again.
| Occupation (ANZSCO) | Employed | Median full-time weekly earnings | Other indicators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software and Applications Programmers (2613) | 203,200 | AUD 2,537 (≈ ₹1.71 lakh; about AUD 132,000 or ₹89 lakh a year) | annual employment growth 13,700; 94% full-time; median age 38 |
| ICT Business and Systems Analysts (2611) | 51,000 | AUD 2,697 (≈ ₹1.82 lakh) | annual employment growth 800; 90% full-time; median age 44 |
| All occupations (JSA benchmark) | — | AUD 1,852 (≈ ₹1.25 lakh) | 69% full-time; median hourly earnings AUD 47 (₹3,200) against AUD 67 (₹4,500) for programmers |
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles, checked 26 Sep 2026. AUD 1 = ₹67.3.
The post-study work route: the 485 visa and its study requirement
Apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work stream, from inside Australia within 6 months of completing the masters. You must be 35 or under, show IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band (or PTE Academic 55, TOEFL iBT 81) from a test in the previous 12 months, and have health insurance and a police check. Indian nationals get 3 years for a masters by coursework; most other nationalities get 2. The visa gives full work rights. The application charge is in the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.
The catch is the Australian study requirement. Home Affairs requires at least two academic years of study, meaning 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered study completed in no less than 16 calendar months, met by a single qualification or a combination. A 2-year MIT meets it on its own; a 1.5-year or 1-year track is shorter than 92 weeks, so it needs other Australian study to be added. Ask the university in writing for the course's CRICOS duration in weeks and check it against the Home Affairs study-requirement page before you accept.
Shorter is not always cheaper
Frequently asked questions
How much does an MS in Computer Science in Australia cost for Indian students?
Published international fees for 2026-27 run from AUD 43,930 a year at Swinburne (about ₹30 lakh) to AUD 63,000 at UNSW (₹42 lakh), with Monash at AUD 57,540 (₹38.7 lakh) and QUT at AUD 46,800 (₹31.5 lakh). Add AUD 29,710 (₹20 lakh) a year in living costs: a 2-year masters totals roughly ₹1.0 to ₹1.3 crore.
Can I do an MS in CS in Australia with a 3-year BSc or BCA?
Often, but check each university. UNSW takes a 3-year bachelor with a 65% average into the 2-year Master of IT through a Graduate Certificate pathway, and Deakin asks for at least a three-year degree. UQ's Master of Computer Science needs a cognate degree at GPA 5.0 of 7. Others assess case by case.
Is GRE required for MS in computer science in Australia?
No. None of the universities in this guide asks for GRE or GMAT for a Master of IT, Master of Computer Science or Master of AI. Admission is decided on your bachelor percentage or GPA (for example GPA 5.0 of 7 at UQ, 65% at UNSW, 60% at Monash) and an English score of IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
Which is better in Australia: Master of IT or Master of Computer Science?
The Master of IT is the industry-facing degree with specialisations and a non-IT entry level, at AUD 43,930–63,000 (₹30–42 lakh) a year. The Master of Computer Science is more theoretical: UQ's suits CS graduates and takes 1–1.5 years, while Melbourne's takes 2 years. Pick MIT for jobs, MCS for a PhD.
Is an AI masters in Australia a good option for Indian students?
Monash's ACS-accredited Master of Artificial Intelligence costs AUD 60,040 a year in 2027 (about ₹40.4 lakh), takes 1.5 or 2 years and needs a 60% average plus, for the shorter track, Python, algorithms, databases and mathematics. QUT also lists a 2-year Master of AI. Check the CRICOS duration against the 92-week 485 rule.
How much do software engineers earn in Australia after a masters?
Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings of AUD 2,537 a week for Software and Applications Programmers (about ₹1.71 lakh a week, or AUD 132,000, ₹89 lakh, a year), against AUD 1,852 (₹1.25 lakh) for all occupations. That is the whole-occupation median; graduate starting pay is lower.
Can I finish an MS in Computer Science in Australia in 1 year?
Only with the right background: UNSW says a 4-year honours cognate degree can reduce its Master of IT to as little as one year, and UQ offers a 1-year Master of Computer Science to honours graduates in CS. A one-year course is below the 92-week 485 study requirement on its own, so check before choosing it.
Official sources used on this page
- UNSW — Master of Information Technology (2026 indicative international fee, entry requirements) — UNSW Sydney · checked 26 September 2026
- Monash University — Master of Information Technology C6001 (international fee 2027, entry and English requirements) — Monash University · checked 26 September 2026
- Monash University — Master of Artificial Intelligence C6007 (international fee 2027) — Monash University · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Queensland — Master of Computer Science (2027 fee, durations, GPA, closing dates) — University of Queensland · checked 26 September 2026
- QUT — Master of Information Technology (2026 and 2027 international fees, GPA, English) — Queensland University of Technology · checked 26 September 2026
- Deakin University — Master of Information Technology, international students (fee, intakes, ACS accreditation) — Deakin University · checked 26 September 2026
- Swinburne University of Technology — Master of Information Technology (2026 fees, English, scholarships) — Swinburne University of Technology · checked 26 September 2026
- RMIT University — Master of Information Technology MC208 (2027 indicative international fee, entry, ACS accreditation) — RMIT University · checked 26 September 2026
- RMIT University — Cost of studying in Australia for international students (2026: living costs, OSHC, visa charge, casual wage) — RMIT University · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Sydney — International student tuition fees (2026 and 2027 guide by study area) — University of Sydney · checked 26 September 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500): living costs, work hours, English evidence — Australian Department of Home Affairs · checked 26 September 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work stream — Australian Department of Home Affairs · checked 26 September 2026
- Fair Work Ombudsman — Minimum wages (National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026) — Fair Work Ombudsman · checked 26 September 2026
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation profile: Software and Applications Programmers (ANZSCO 2613) — Jobs and Skills Australia · checked 26 September 2026
- Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation profile: ICT Business and Systems Analysts (ANZSCO 2611) — Jobs and Skills Australia · checked 26 September 2026
- Australian Computer Society — ACS accredited programs — Australian Computer Society · checked 26 September 2026
- Deakin University — Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship (100% or 50% of tuition) — Deakin University · checked 26 September 2026
- Study Australia — Scholarships (provider scholarships for international students) — Australian Government (Austrade) · checked 26 September 2026
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa: meeting the Australian study requirement — Australian Department of Home Affairs · checked 26 September 2026
- Macquarie University — Master of Information Technology (session start dates and English requirement) — Macquarie University · checked 26 September 2026
- University of Melbourne — Master of Computer Science (duration and intake) — The University of Melbourne · checked 26 September 2026
- Deakin University — Entry requirements for international students (masters by coursework: three-year undergraduate degree or equivalent) — Deakin University · checked 26 September 2026
- Monash University India — Application process (postgraduate degree recognition and application checklist) — Monash University · checked 26 September 2026
- DFAT — Australia Awards Scholarships: about the scholarships — Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade · checked 26 September 2026
- DFAT — Australia Awards Scholarships: participating countries — Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade · checked 26 September 2026
- Wise — AUD to INR mid-market rate (AUD 1 = ₹67.3 on 26 Sep 2026) — Wise · checked 26 September 2026
Ready to study in Computer Science & AI in Australia?
Get a free profile evaluation, personalized university shortlist, and expert visa guidance from our counselors.