You don't have to have your fingers on the tech pulse to know that the future is digital. Besides all the tech at our disposal today, up-and-coming technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) hold tomorrow's promise. Who will design the needed next-generation devices? The students flocking to the best computer science universities in Australia, that's who.
Australia counts 38 public universities (and four private/for profit ones). Of the 38 public schools, 36 boast a computer science program. So, which one is the best university for computer science in Australia? Just going by the numbers, these teaching facilities offer our country's best programs.
| University name | Worldwide rankings for computer science studies | ATAR needed | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monash University | Times Higher Ed: 52 QS: 68 | 75 | $8 700/year |
| University of Melbourne | Times Higher Ed: 55 QS: 44 | 89 | $8 948/year |
| University of Sydney | Times Higher Ed: 77 QS: 43 | 90 | $8 948/year |
| University of Technology Sydney | Times Higher Ed: 78 QS: 73 | 80 | $8 948/year |
| Australian National University | Times Higher Ed: 79 QS: 55 | 80 | $39 930 full course |
| UNSW Sydney | Times Higher Ed: 83 QS: 59 | 90 | $7 500/year |
| University of Adelaide | Times Higher Ed: 85 QS: 82 | 80 | $8 301/year |
| Macquarie University | Times Higher Ed: 101-125 QS: 155 | 75 | $1 118/unit |
| University of Queensland | Times Higher Ed: 126-150 QS: 99 | 84 | $7 639/year |
| Swinburne University of Technology | Times Higher Ed: 126-150 QS: 301-350 | 70 | $8 948/year |
Monash University
This Melbourne public research facility opened its doors in 1958; it's Victoria's second-largest university. It's also Victoria's second-oldest university - and now, its largest.
Monash houses 10 faculties, including Faculties of Engineering and Science. Besides them, it's home to the Australian Synchrotron, the Australian Stem Cell Centre, and the STRIP. That stands for Science Technology Research and Innovation Precinct.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #1 for computer science
- Worldwide (2024): 52
QS World University Rank:
- For Computer Science: 68
- Overall (2024): 37
Guaranteed entry ATAR: 75 (2025)
Duration (B. Sc.): 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Tuition: starts at $8 700/year (scholarships available)
Further learning: graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities available
Career: possibilities in engineering, Information Technology, Medical fields and more
For more information: www.monash.edu/study/courses
Monash isn't only the best uni for computer science Australia, it's also the best school to study law. Considering the legal furore over even tentative tech assays, forming a campus tech-law society to debate these issues would be progressive, indeed! After all, our increasingly digital lives need more than Asimov's Three Laws.
University of Melbourne
With more than 170 years of teaching, this school is Victoria's oldest university - and Australia's second-oldest. The school established its Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology eight years after its launch, in 1861.
Today, this Faculty welcomes around 4 500 students to its undergraduate and graduate programs each year.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #2
- Worldwide (2024): 55
QS World University Rank:
- For Computer Science: 44
- Overall (2024): 13
Guaranteed ATAR: 89 (2025)
Duration (B Sc): 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Tuition: starts at $8 948/year (scholarships available)
Further learning: graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities available
Career: possibilities in engineering, Information Technology, Medical fields, and more
For more information: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/
This school is not only one of the best university in Australia for computer science; it's Australia's best all-around. It ranks 25th in the world for studying medicine, and Number One in Australia. The University of Melbourne claims top spots for other academic disciplines, too.
University of Sydney
After two 'ancient' schools, we arrive at Australia's oldest university. As it happens, it too tops the 'best IT university in Australia' list.
This school perpetually rates at the top of global rankings for all subjects, not just computer science. As befits its reputation, this school offers more than the standard Bachelor of Computer Science degrees.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #3
- Worldwide (2024): 77
QS World University Rank:
- for Computer Science: #43
- Overall (2024): 18
Guaranteed entry ATAR: 90 (2025)
Duration: 5 years full-time, part-time available
Tuition: starts at $8 948/year (scholarships available)
Further learning: graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities available
Career: possibilities in engineering, Information Technology, Medical fields, and more
For more information: www.sydney.edu.au/courses/search.html
University of Technology Sydney
Yet again, we tout a school with the best IT courses Australia. This public research university traces its roots to the 1870s, when engineering and applied sciences were its focus.
Today, it boasts nine faculties, with one dedicated to Engineering and Information Technology.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #4
- Worldwide (2024): 78
QS World University Rank:
- For Computer Science: #73
- Overall (2024): 88
Lowest ATAR: 80 (2025)
Duration (B Sc): 4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
Tuition: starts at $8 948/year (scholarships available)
Further learning: graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities available
Career: possibilities in engineering, Information Technology, Medical fields, and more
For more information: www.uts.edu.au/study
Australian National University (ANU)
This is the Australian university students around the world want to attend. It's one of our country's youngest schools, but the Systems Engineering department has been around for decades.
It specialises in 'holistic' teaching, so students can benefit from the well-rounded education they receive.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #5
- Worldwide (2024): 79
QS World University Rank:
- For Computer Science: #55
- Overall (2024): 30
ATAR: 80 (2025)
Duration: 3 years full-time
Tuition: starts at $39 930 (full course; scholarships available)
Further learning: graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities available
Career: possibilities in engineering, Information Technology, and more
For more information: https://study.anu.edu.au/
As digital systems reach deeper into our lives, it's no stretch to see how AI helps drive the business world. It just happens that ANU is one of Australia's top schools for business studies. The idea of exploring cutting edge computer applications for business sounds enticing, doesn't it?
UNSW Sydney
This Group of Eight (Go8) founding member builds its study programs with an eye toward research. To date, it enjoys research and exchange partnerships with more than 200 universities around the world.
Most of its computer science study programs feature double degrees, with one three-year undergraduate program available. If job placement is your primary concern, know that this school is renowned for its graduate employability.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #6
- Worldwide (2024): 83
QS World University Rank:
- For Computer Science: #59
- Overall (2024): 19
Lowest ATAR: 90 (2024)
Duration (B Sc): 3 years full-time
Tuition: starts at $7 500/year (indicative; scholarships available)
Further learning: graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities available
Career: Tech industry recruiting after graduation is the norm
For more information: www.unsw.edu.au/study
You likely won't be surprised to learn that UNSW Sydney is also one of the best schools for engineering. Imagine the growing collaboration between these two departments, as robotics and AI meld!
University of Adelaide
This Go8 university operates with an eye to the future. This outlook propelled Australia's third-oldest university to innovation, including in women's education and space exploration.
In 2018, this school opened its Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML). It spearheads Australian AI development and machine learning initiatives.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #7
- Worldwide (2024): 85
QS World University Rank:
- For Computer Science: #82
- Overall (2024): 107
Guaranteed entry ATAR: 80 (2025)
Duration (B Sc): 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Tuition: starts at $8 301/year (scholarships available)
Further learning: Honours, Advanced, graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities
Career: AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Technology, Networking and Distributed Systems, and more
For more information: www.adelaide.edu.au/degree-finder
Macquarie University
Sydney abounds with excellent learning opportunities, and this uni is one example of such. Founded in 1964, this public research university offers a flexible Bachelor of Science degree.
It paves the way for students to pursue their chosen scientific speciality.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #8
- Worldwide (2024): 101-125
QS World University Rank:
- For Computer Science: #155
- Overall (2024): 133
Guaranteed entry ATAR: 75 (2025)
Duration (B Sc): 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Tuition: starts at $1 118/unit (scholarships available)
Further learning: graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities available
Career: possibilities in cybersecurity, Information Technology, Game design and development
For more information: www.mq.edu.au/faculty-of-science-and-engineering
University of Queensland
This 'sandstone university' has such a broad portfolio! Its six faculties offer a range of degrees specific to their disciplines.
The Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology makes five degree paths available. This is your faculty to study Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #9
- Worldwide (2024): 126-150
QS World University Rank:
- For Computer Science: #99
- Overall (2024): 40
Minimum ATAR: 84 (2025)
Duration (B Sc): 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Tuition: (indicative) $7 639/year (scholarships available)
Further learning: graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities
Career: Data Science, Cybersecurity, Machine learning, Programming languages, and more
For more information: https://study.uq.edu.au/own-the-unknown
Swinburne University of Technology
Historically, East Melbourne learners were at a disadvantage: they had no university close-by. Australian engineer George Swinburne despaired that lack, so he sought funding to build one.
Today, this school offers undergraduate programs in Cybersecurity and Data Science, tech that didn't exist in Swinburne's days.
Times Higher Education Rank:
- In Australia: #9
- Worldwide (2024): 126-150
QS World University Rank:
- For Computer Science: #301-350
- Overall (2024): 291
Guaranteed entry ATAR: 70 (2025)
Duration (B Sc): 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Tuition: starts at $8 948/year (scholarships available)
Further learning: graduate, postgraduate and research opportunities
Career: security consultant, Data consultant, network/systems administrator, and more
For more information: www.swinburne.edu.au/courses/find-a-course/engineering/computer-systems-engineering/
Keep in mind that this is an objective computer science university ranking. It does not discuss student life and amenities. Nor did we consider any opinions from students enrolled in these schools/programs.
You must think about such things when contemplating your best study path. There's no point in enrolling in a school that doesn't meet your needs, is there?
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