Master of Information Technology in Australia: Which Entry Route Fits Your Degree
TL;DR: A Master of Information Technology in Australia usually takes 2 years full-time if your bachelor's degree is not in IT or computing. A related degree can shorten it: Monash lists 1.5 years for a cognate degree, and UNSW lists 1.7 years for a three-year cognate bachelor's. Most programmes we checked ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band, and the three pages that state a 2027 international fee range from A$45,800 to A$57,540 a year.
The same degree name hides different entry routes: some universities take any bachelor's, others want a related degree, IT work experience or a graduate certificate first. If you are planning a Master of Information Technology from Sri Lanka, the practical document steps are near the end.
Not sure which entry route your degree and experience fit? Check your eligibility with Prosper.
How long is a Master of Information Technology in Australia?
The standard length is 2 years full-time. What changes it is credit for prior study, also called advanced standing or recognition of prior learning.
- Monash: 2 years for a degree "not necessarily in IT", or 1.5 years for a cognate degree covering Java, Python, algorithms and computer architecture.
- UNSW: 1.7 years for a three-year cognate bachelor's, 1 year for a cognate honours degree.
- RMIT: up to 48 of 192 credit points for an IT, Computer Science or Software Engineering bachelor's, up to 96 for Computer Science honours.
Want to know whether your transcript is likely to earn credit before you apply?
How do five Australian universities compare?
We read each course page for international students. Fees appear exactly as each page states them.
| University | Duration and credit | Entry | IELTS Academic | International fee | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monash (C6001), Clayton | 2 years; 1.5 with a cognate degree | Any bachelor's, 60% average | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | A$57,540 for 2027, per 48 credit points | 079055K |
| UNSW (8543), Sydney | 2 years; 1.7 or 1 with a cognate degree | Cognate bachelor's, 65% average; other degrees via a graduate certificate package | 6.5, 6.0 in each (engineering faculty) | Page shows two different 2026 indicative first-year figures, A$45,000 and A$63,000 | 061294J |
| RMIT (MC208), Melbourne City | 2 years; up to 48 or 96 credit points off | Any bachelor's with GPA 2.0 out of 4.0, or five years of relevant work | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | AU$47,040, 2027 annual | 079795G, 121298D |
| Deakin (Professional), Burwood | 2 years; prior learning can reduce it | Related bachelor's, or any bachelor's plus two years of relevant work | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | A$45,800 for 1 year full-time, 2027 estimate | 051581G |
| UTS, Sydney | 2 years; up to 24 credit points of recognition for an IT degree | Any bachelor's with 75% of subjects passed, or any degree plus two years of relevant work | 6.5, writing 6.0 | Not shown on the page we read | 084256C |
Check any code on the national register first; our CRICOS course search guide shows how. For costs beyond tuition, see how much money you need to study in Australia.
Which entry route fits your background?
| Your background | Likely route | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Non-IT bachelor's, no IT work | Full 2 years where any degree is accepted: Monash entry level 1, RMIT or UTS | Your average against the 60% or GPA minimums |
| Non-IT degree, aiming for UNSW or Deakin | Graduate certificate first, then the master's | Whether the offer is packaged or needs a second application |
| Non-IT degree plus two or more years in IT work | Direct entry at Deakin or UTS | Service letters showing dates and duties |
| Three-year IT or computer science degree | Credit route: 1.5 years at Monash, 1.7 at UNSW, up to 48 credit points at RMIT | Subjects covered, such as Java, Python and algorithms |
| Computer science honours degree | 1 year at UNSW, up to 96 credit points at RMIT | That the honours year shows on your transcript |
A shorter course costs less, but skipping foundations you lack makes advanced subjects harder.
Which specialisation should you choose?
Specialisations shape your second year. UNSW lets you choose up to two from Artificial Intelligence, Database Systems, Cyber Security Engineering, Information Technology and Internetworking. RMIT offers one of seven, including big data analytics, security and blockchain technology, and software systems and architecture. Monash, Deakin and UTS do not list named specialisations on the course pages we read, so check their handbooks. For a field such as cyber security, choose a named specialisation that matches.
What about English and work after the course?
All five pages ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall. Your student visa has its own rules, covered in our guide to Australia student visa English requirements.
After graduating, some students apply for the Temporary Graduate visa, which Home Affairs describes as a temporary visa allowing international students to live, study and work after finishing their studies. Its conditions are explained in our Temporary Graduate visa 485 guide.
Applying from Sri Lanka
- Request an official transcript, plus a detailed subject syllabus if you want credit. RMIT asks for a detailed course syllabus with any credit request.
- If you rely on work experience, collect service letters on company letterhead with dates, role and duties. UTS asks for a CV and a statement of service.
- Ask each university how it converts your grading to its minimum, whether a 60% average, a 65% average or a GPA of 2.0 out of 4.0.
- Book IELTS Academic early, so your result is ready before your February or July intake deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do a Master of Information Technology in Australia without an IT degree? Yes. Monash entry level 1, RMIT and UTS accept a bachelor's degree in any discipline. Expect the full 2 years.
What IELTS score do I need? The five courses we checked ask for 6.5 overall. Monash, RMIT, Deakin and UNSW engineering ask for 6.0 in each band, and UTS sets writing at 6.0.
Does work experience count? At some universities. Deakin and UTS accept any degree plus two years of relevant work, and RMIT accepts five years of relevant work in place of a degree.
How much is the international fee? On the pages we read: A$57,540 for 2027 at Monash, AU$47,040 for 2027 at RMIT and an estimated A$45,800 for a 2027 first year at Deakin.
PS: The right Master of Information Technology starts where your knowledge ends. A shorter course saves money only if you are ready for its advanced subjects. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will match your transcript to the route that fits.
Lasantha Jayawardena
References
Master of Information Technology (C6001), international students, Monash University. https://www.monash.edu/study/courses/find-a-course/information-technology-c6001?international=true (accessed 16 October 2026)
Master of Information Technology (8543), UNSW Sydney. https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/postgraduate/master-of-information-technology (accessed 16 October 2026)
English language requirements, UNSW Sydney. https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements (accessed 16 October 2026)
Master of Information Technology (MC208), RMIT University. https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/levels-of-study/postgraduate-study/masters-by-coursework/master-of-information-technology-mc208 (accessed 16 October 2026)
Master of Information Technology (Professional) for international students, Deakin University. https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/master-information-technology-professional-international (accessed 16 October 2026)
Master of Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney. https://www.uts.edu.au/courses/master-of-information-technology (accessed 16 October 2026)
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Department of Home Affairs. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485 (accessed 16 October 2026)
